The International Review of Books, independent reviewers who work with BooksGoSocial.com, has given praise for my book, Breathe for Me.

They were asked,

Which line stood out from all the others in the book?

Suddenly, everything seemed right in the world.

Then they were kind enough to write the following reviews:

General Summary for Context:

In Breathe for Me, Robert, on the brink of ending his life while rafting in treacherous waters, unexpectedly encounters Lilly, a young woman with the same fatal intent. Driven by a deep, instinctual need to save her, he rescues Lilly from the river and takes her back to his home, where he nurses her back to health.

As Lilly begins to recover, she takes on the role of Robert’s nanny, but the undeniable chemistry between them hints at something more than just a caregiver relationship. Beneath the surface, both are haunted by their pasts—Lilly, who was forced to leave college after becoming pregnant, lost everything, including her child. Devastated by grief, she fled as far as she could, with nothing left to live for.

Meanwhile, a sinister figure lurks in the shadows—a deranged killer with dissociative identity disorder, fixated on Robert. As the tension between Robert and Lilly grows, so does the threat that endangers them both.

Breathe for Me is a gripping blend of suspense and romance, where the characters’ intense struggles with loss and longing are matched only by the danger that stalks them.

Concise Review:

Breathe for Me delves into the lives of two deeply wounded souls, Robert and Lilly, who find each other at their lowest points and discover a reason to keep going.

Robert’s life was shattered when his wife died in a car accident that nearly claimed his child as well. Wracked with guilt and grief, he reflects on the life he left behind in Italy, where he grew up as a prodigiously talented teenager before moving to the States. Though he quickly rose to success and built a thriving company, his work consumed him, leaving little time for his family. When the burden of his regrets becomes unbearable, Robert heads to the river with the intention of ending his life. But there, in the midst of his despair, he spots a woman on the verge of drowning herself—and something within him compels him to save her.

That woman is Lilly, a young mother who lost everything after becoming pregnant in college. Abandoned by her family and boyfriend, she raised her child alone, only to be crushed by grief when her baby died. The weight of her sorrow and self-blame drives her to the brink, where she spends her last bit of money on a journey to end her life as far from her past as possible. But Robert’s intervention pulls her back from the edge, and he brings her home, caring for her until she recovers enough to become the nanny for his child.

As Robert and Lilly navigate their complicated feelings and the “mad tension” that simmers between them, they must also confront the dark forces threatening to destroy them. Someone with a dissociative identity disorder is hunting Robert, determined to see him dead. The suspense builds as this unseen danger draws nearer, intertwining with the burgeoning connection between Robert and Lilly.

Breathe for Me is a fast-paced, suspenseful tale of finding love in the darkest of times. Both Robert and Lilly believe love is the last thing they need, but it may be the only thing that can save them. Despite its exploration of grief, guilt, and the shadows that haunt us, the story carries a powerful message of hope and redemption.

This is the kind of book you’ll want to read in one sitting—its blend of intense emotion, rising tension, and the looming threat of danger will keep you hooked until the very end.

General thoughts on the Novel:

Breathe for Me tackles heavy, emotionally charged themes, including grief over the loss of a loved one, overwhelming guilt, the desperation that leads to thoughts of suicide, and the menace of a killer on the loose. Yet, beneath these dark layers, the story also explores the profound themes of love and hope.

At its core, this is a love story about two people who find their missing halves in the depths of their despair, even as life continually throws obstacles in their path. The narrative is infused with suspense and unfolds at a fast pace that keeps you eagerly turning the pages. The storytelling is gripping, making it hard to put the book down.

Breathe for Me is ideal for readers who enjoy a suspenseful love story with depth and intensity.

Excitement is a mild word to describe how I feel.

Use all that I’ve shared here as inspiration to do whatever you’ve been putting off. Don’t allow another sunset before taking steps toward your goal. It’s doable. And you’ll be happy with yourself for putting forth the effort. There’s more success in the doing than in the procrastinating. So, get busy. Let’s pound on some keys and give failure a hard and tumultuous landing.

What do you say?

Donna B. Comeaux

Author

“Breathe for Me”