Brittainy C. Cherry
Publication date: September 25, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Trade paperback
GOODREADS | AMAZON
S Y N O P S I S
I was warned about Tristan Cole. “Stay away from him,” people said. “He’s cruel.” “He’s cold.” “He’s damaged.” It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster. But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me. We were both empty. We were both looking for something else. Something more. We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays. Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe.
M Y T H O U G H T S
The Air He Breathes has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. It was one of those books that I was sure I was going to love – and that means I put off reading it for a ridiculously long time because I enjoy the anticipation. Not only did the synopsis pull me in – two lost souls who can maybe find redemption in one another *sigh* - but I also had a serious case of cover love. From the cover model (the oh-so-swoony Franggy Yanez) to the muted colors to the overall melancholy feel it gave me, I was hooked. And while this didn’t end up being a five-star read, it was still one that had me utterly invested, captured my emotions and gave me grabby hands for every book by Brittainy Cherry.
Elizabeth left town with her young daughter after
suffering a horrific loss. Now back after a year she meets her new neighbor in
all his surly, rude glory. Despite his outright hostility, she recognizes a kindred
spirit in him - the same kind of loss and devastation she feels. These two
together were just all kinds of goodness. There was no insta-love - just two
people working through their loss and loneliness the best they could. It wasn’t
easy and it wasn’t always pretty. Elizabeth was so kind and so patient. She
hurt but she had her daughter Emma to keep her grounded and carrying on. But
Tristan, he had lost himself in a pit of grief, guilt and anger and had no
motivation to pull himself out – until Lizzie.
The hardest part about losing someone you love
is the fact that you also lose yourself.
Cherry really brought this story to life with not only
Elizabeth and Tristan but an amazing cast of secondary characters. I’m usually
beyond annoyed with the addition of the super-outgoing/pushy/quirky best friend
trope and I admit when Elizabeth’s BFF Faye first made an appearance I was
rolling my eyes. But Cherry managed to bring me around and I found myself loving
their friendship and Faye’s wackiness. Add in the kindly Mr. Henson,
Elizabeth’s in-laws, and others and it made for a small town of characters that
came to life.
There were a couple things that kept this from being a
five-star read for me. The ending took a turn into over-the-top drama that
seemed like I was reading a Lifetime movie script. It was just a bit too much
and I didn’t think the dramatics were really needed. Another issue was that the
dialogue was sometimes unbelievable and pulled me out of the story. Lines like
“Show me the shadows that keep you up at night. Kiss me with your darkness” had
me shaking my head because, really, who talks like that? But even with those
issues, there’s no denying that this one got to me. My heart ached for the two
characters, the chapters told from Tristan’s point of view in the past had me
blinking back tears, and the relationship between Tristan and little Emma
turned me into a pile of mush.
You know that place between nightmares and dreams? The place
where tomorrows never come and yesterdays don't hurt anymore?
The place where your heart beats in sync with mine? The place
where time doesn't exist, and it's easy to breathe?
I want to live there with you.
This was a truly emotional love story. Cherry didn’t hold
back from diving deep into the character’s grief and isolation and it was
painful at times. But she balanced that with a beautiful story of the healing
power of love after loss. I know I’ll be reading more from this author… just as
soon as my heart can take it.
4.25/5 STARS
