Throwback Thursday Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker

Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: September 24, 2013

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon


Four years ago Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend’s lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, twenty-year-old Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. Struggling to make ends meet, Kacey needs to figure out how to get by. But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has blue eyes, deep dimples, and he perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means that an explosive secret could shatter both their worlds.

Originally Read and Reviewed: November 2014
I'm not sure how I first came across Ten Tiny Breaths but it was my first by K.A. Tucker and remains my favorite (although last years Until It Fades is a close second). As a side note, the novella In Her Wake is listed as #0.5 in the Ten Tiny Breaths companion series, but I highly recommend reading it after Ten Tiny Breaths. 
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This book. OMG, this book. Ten Tiny Breaths took me by surprise and it was so much more than I was expecting.

Four years ago Kacey lost almost everything - her parents, her best friend, her boyfriend - in a car accident. All she has left is her younger sister Livie who she is determined to protect. Even so, Kacey descends into the escapism of alcohol, drugs and sex to help numb her loss. Even when she moves past those vices she is still closed off to those around her. And when Livie's well-being is threatened Kacey packs their bags and they flee to Miami for a new start.

"No human can bury their past indefinitely.
"It's only a matter of time before you crack."

Once there she meets Trent, who has just moved into the apartment next door. Trent is the first person she's been drawn to and had feelings for since the accident. As much as she tries to fight against it, she finds herself allowing Trent glimpses of the real Kacey. Her other neighbor is Nora/Storm, a young woman with her own difficult past but is doing her best to raise her five year old daughter.

Despite Kacey's best efforts, these people become an integral part of her new life and she comes to count on them and the friendship and support they offer. But even as she tries to start over, the past won't stay buried and she'll have to confront it if she has any hope of truly moving on.

"Isn't it exhausting?"
"What?"
"Keeping people out."

My first status update when reading this book commented on what a closed-off, prickly character Kacey was. I was worried that it might wear thin fast and I would have difficulty feeling any connection to her. Not so. I warmed to Kacey quickly and wanted so much more for her. She was so completely defined by her past and convinced there was no happiness left for her. Her constant struggle was painful to witness, her tentative steps toward opening herself up to others was hopeful, and her final acceptance was heart wrenching. The 'twist' (which seemed obvious to me, though not in a bad way) was so well done and added so much to the story.

"Give me your heart, Kacey. 
I'll take everything that comes with it."

The secondary characters throughout were so well written and made me want to know more about each of them. I loved the part they each played in Kacey's life. 

"I'll make you whole again, Kacey.
I promise you, I will."

Ten Tiny Breaths is about grief and acceptance, loss and forgiveness, and, ultimately, redemption. And I loved it start to finish.

4.5/5 STARS

27 comments

  1. ok I'm going to say something totally superficial Tanya. Don't laugh at me [winks] I'm a sucker for all those underwater covers! I think I could read a book just because of that. There I say it. [grins] and I'm a sucker for redemption stories! Huh I guess you could say I am sucker lOL Glad to hear you ended up connecting with Kacey and her struggles and loved the book. Those quotes are so beautiful!

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    1. Too funny! I think I remember you raving about the Wicked series covers and those are under water, too. Ha!

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  2. I think the only thing that keeps me from the book is the grief, but I know if I read it I'll love it too. One day...

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    1. Grief is definitely a big issue with the MC. But it's such a great read.

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  3. Ooh this sounds like an interesting story, and a backlist title! I love reading new releases, but I'm trying to read some more books from previous years in this new year. I'm typically not a romance reader, but the synopsis was enticing! I might just have to give this book a try. I'm glad the characters seemed so well-developed, too. Secondary characters that actually assist the plot can make a story a lot more interesting.
    claire @ clairefy

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    1. Hi Claire! I'm definitely making backlist titles a priority this year. Last year I got bogged down with ARCs and new releases and really neglected a lot of the books on my shelves that I wanted to read. Not happening this year! So glad you stopped by. :)

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  4. I'm so glad you enjoyed this Tanya! I loved this so much, even though it made me "ugly" cry, a lot. Tucker can sure write some emotional stories!

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    1. I remember reading this one for the first time (3 years ago or so?) and instantly thinking "I have to read everything this woman writes!" I just *love* her storytelling. And oh yeah, total ugly crying in this one. Did you read Trent's novella, In Her Wake? Cue more ugly crying!

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  5. I love KA Tucker but haven't started this series. I do have this one somewhere though so I need to make time for it!

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    1. I have such a soft spot for this one, Grace. It was my first by Tucker is is really still my favorite.

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  6. I have been reading this type of emotional books, and even though they are not my favorite (I like fantasy and pick me up books better), I always find myself engrossed by them. Great review!

    P.S. I love your book review style, by the way!

    Isabel @ The Reader and the Chef

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thanks so much, Isabel! You are so kind to say that. :)

      I'm such a sucker for truly emotional books. The more, the better. LOL And this one definitely brought on all the emotions!

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  7. Tucker is a an author I have been wanting to read. I always hear good things about her books. Is this a good place to start?

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    1. This is the perfect one to start with, Sam! Until It Fades is another favorite but isn't really an accurate example of her usual style. Ten Tiny Breaths is a bit angsty but in a way I loved. :) And if you enjoy it, you can continue with the companion series books.

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  8. Wow this sounds good. Love that quote too about keeping people out. Looks like a nice read.

    Killer cover too.

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    1. Thanks Greg. This is the book that introduced me to Tucker and she's now a favorite. Love discovering a new favorite!

      And I love the cover, too!

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  9. I agree, Tanya, this books was so, so good! And if you enjoyed Until It Fades last year, I think you're going to LOVE Keep Her Safe that's out next week ;)
    Great review :)
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. I love hearing that, Lexxie! I am super excited for Keep Her Safe and can't wait until my copy is in my hands in a few days. :)

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  10. I haven't read anything by K.A. Tucker yet but it sounds like I'm totally missing out. Soon, soon!

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    1. Yep, definitely missing out. Add Tucker to the neverending list of authors to try. :)

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  11. I have heard SO many amazing things about this book AND the author! It sounds really good, I love a book that pulls at the heartstrings! I definitely need to get this one. Great review!

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    1. Love, love, love K.A. Tucker. Love the female characters she writes. I think her other series is a little less romance-focused that the Ten Tiny Breaths series but I ♥ the TTB series - particularly this first book.

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  12. Okay, okay. The pressure is REAL! I've been wanting to read this one since it released in 2013, and I have yet to do so. I love how the MC seems to have grown a lot throughout the novel, from closed-off to amazingly developed, plus this sounds like a seriously angsty book, and I love angsty books. ;) Awesome review, Tanya! <3

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. I'm a sucker for angsty books, Aimee! :) Bring on the angst, bring on the heartbreak... and if it can make me cry, even better. LOL I enjoyed the whole companion series but this first book is still my favorite.

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  13. Okay, so I have this book languishing on my shelf. *sigh* Guess which book is moving into the queue...and towards the top? I do love Tucker. I just haven't read enough of her. :)

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    1. Yay! So glad this one is moving up the TBR. This has been my favorite by Tucker for years - and then Until It Fades came along and now I'm torn. :)

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