Ten Tiny Breaths
One Tiny Lie
Ten Tiny Breaths is Kacey Cleary’s story and is told solely from her point of view. Usually, I like the dual POVs, but this was necessary to feel the full emotional effect of Kacey’s story. Kacey lost both her parents in a drunk driving car accident. Her sister, Livie is all she has left. The story starts with the two of them escaping to Florida from their aunt and uncle’s house where they had been staying since the accident. Kacey struggles with everyday life. Not only does she have to put off college in order to work to raise her sister and eventually send her off to Princeton, she also has to constantly battle her past and inner demons. After her parents’ deaths, Kacey went on a full-downward spiral, complete with drugs, drinking, and sleeping around. She pulled it together for Livie, of course, however, they’re all still there tempting her. Florida gives Kacey a fresh start. They make new friends that quickly become family, Kacey gets a good job, and she meets Trent. Despite all Kacey’s carefully constructed concrete walls, Trent manages to get to her in ways she thought weren’t possible anymore. Kacey’s story is about learning to live again. She has to learn to face the past, learn to forgive, learn to trust again, learn to love again, and as is Trent’s goal, learn to laugh again. Her journey of finding herself again and learning how to live is an emotional one. The story really started picking up at the end and it truly left me breathless.
Kacey is a badass. That’s all there is to it. Well, in the beginning of the novel at least. She has a solid wall up. She’s lost after her parents’ death, and Livie is the only thing that barely keeps her sane. I felt for Kacey in her big sister role. I tried to imagine if I was suddenly the sole guardian of my two younger brothers and I can’t even fathom how hard it would be. However, I would undoubtedly step up to the role just as she did. Kacey more than knows how to take care of herself, yet, her phobia of touching is a contradiction. It is understandable because touching is a form of affection, which Kacey believes herself incapable of at this point, but still. She can spar at the gym and take down almost any guy, however, she is vulnerable when it comes to shaking hands. Oh, and her other weakness is Trent. I loved Trent. He was the classic knight in shining armor at the beginning, which I felt was a contradiction to the bad boy vibe he tended to give off. He is just mysterious enough to make him swoon-worthy and give the story the hormonal angst it needs. He is there for Kacey in every way possible, and cares enough about her to wait for her even when she thinks she is ready. Kacey and Trent’s love is one of healing; nevertheless, it is also one of the most passionate, and emotional romances I have ever read.
For some reason, I liked One Tiny Lie a bit more than Ten Tiny Breaths. I think I connected with Kacey’s sister, Livie, more because she is going off to college and learning how to live for the first time, and that is very similar to where I am in my life at the moment. She starts off the book in this transition phase; and she slowly discovers who she is, which is shockingly not who she always thought she was or would be. Livie is immediately sucked into drama that stems from a house of boys, which kinda reminded me of Molly McAdams’ Taking Chances, especially since Livie also ends up in a hot guy love triangle. For me, it was always clear who she would end up with. She never really had a spark with Connor if you ask me. He was just the safe choice and they guy she thought she should end up with. But, Ashton *sigh* is clearly the one Livie’s heart wants even when her brain tells her no. Similar to Kacey’s story, this Cleary sister is on a path of self-discovery and I found myself rooting for Livie (and Ashton, obviously) every step of the way.
Livie is the complete opposite of her sister, Kacey. That much is said even from the very beginning of Ten Tiny Breaths. In One Tiny Lie, Livie can talk to guys just a bit easier, but Ashton still flusters her. The very first part of the book involves Livie’s first true college experience, complete with jello shots, a tattoo, embarrassing pictures, and a naked hot guy in her room the next day that she doesn’t remember doing anything with (which she didn’t unfortunately). Livie is one of the most compassionate, empathetic, strong heroines I’ve dealt with. I liked seeing her struggle to come to terms with who she is and who she should be, and I felt her pain the whole time. Watching her and Ashton try to fight their attraction for each other was hot. It was also heartbreaking, because they’re both young, which means they have to make mistakes and bad calls that set them back a bit. Their happy ending almost had me tearing up. They both have been through so much. Ashton is also very mysterious, and a heart-melting guy on the inside. He also finds himself through his journey with Livie, and they both deserve that happily ever after.
Alike and similar in so many ways, Kacey and Livie both took me on different emotional paths as I watched them discover who they are. Their tragic past is heart-breaking, but their strength is unbelievable. The Cleary sisters taught me how to live past tragedy and how to learn to smile again. I look forward to more books from K.A. Tucker as she seems to have figured out the perfect recipe for a five-star read.
Have you enjoyed this review? Visit Falling In Fall Book Blog for more reviews by Tricia.
I love hearing from readers! Please feel free to email me at: katucker@katuckerbooks.com
For interviews, guest posts, giveaways, etc. please contact:
K.P. Simmon at Inkslinger PR
or
Valerie Vennix at: valerie.vennix@simonandschuster.com
For publishing rights, please contact my agent, Stacey Donaghy at Corvisiero Literary Agency
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