Book: Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan

Book Info: Publisher unknown- likely self-published; 432 pages

Source: Purchased for my Nook

Genre: YA/Contemporary

Find Out More: Goodreads~Barnes And Noble~Amazon~Rebecca Donovan

Goodreads Summary: Emma’s struggle with an abusive home life came to a heart pounding conclusion in the final chapters of Reason to Breathe. Now everyone in Weslyn knows Emma’s secret, but Carol can’t hurt Emma anymore. Some are still haunted by the horror of that night, and some must face the repercussions of their choices. Fans of Rebecca Donovan’s debut novel will discover there’s still much to learn about Emma’s life.

After finishing Reason To Breathe, I immediately bought and started to read Barely Breathing.  I just had to know how things worked out for Emma and if she would be okay.

I loved it just as much as I loved Reason To Breathe (now known as RTB), and seeing how Emma and those around her dealt with the aftermath of RTB.  It’s just as emotional and intense as RTB, and I had to put it down several times because it is such a haunting book.

I liked that things weren’t easy for Emma, and that she still has a lot of things to work out.  One of the very few things I didn’t like was the storyline with Jonathan.  I wasn’t surpised that there was a connection between them.  It was a very predictable element in an otherwise unpredictable story.  I thought her relationship with her mother was interesting and dysfunctional, and I was glad to see Emma make the decision to not have her mother in her life.

As for the cliffhanger endings, they’re killing me!  I just want to read the next book so I know what happens!  I understand why she just walked away, and after everything that’s happened, I don’t really blame her.  `

I love Evan and how supportive and caring he is, and I love how Sara is such a great friend.  I just want things to be okay between Evan and Emma.  I really do.  She needs some happiness and peace.

My only other complaint about Barely Breathing is the random question marks scattered throughout the book.  I don’t know if they were supposed to be commas or hyphens- which I assume they were- and somehow ended up as question marks.  It wasn’t a huge distraction or anything, but it is slightly strange.

I just…I really don’t know what else to say.  I’m absolutely stunned by Barely Breathing.  It gets a 5 out of 5.