Book Review: Breathe


Title: Breathe
Author: Elena Dillon
Publication Date: December 14th, 2012
ISBN: 9780988635
Source: Provided by the author
Rating:

Jasmine’s life wasn’t normal for a 16 year old girl. It hadn’t been normal since the murder of her older sister, Daisy, two years ago. Her life had been changed forever. The monster that murdered Daisy was never caught. That was the reason her family decided to move away from their hometown in Southern California, to start over. Hopefully in a place where the last name Rourke wouldn’t bring on staring or judgment or morbid curiosity.

In Lafayette, Louisiana things are quite a bit different but in a good way. Good manners, Cajun accents and a whole lot of Southern Hospitality all make her think things are going in the right direction. On top of that the most gorgeous boy she has ever met is interested in her. Her new friends are better than she could have hoped for even if she is worried about what they might think when they find out who she is. Life would be perfect if odd things didn’t keep happening. Creepy phone calls, texts, and flowers in her locker start adding up quickly to something terrifying. Could the Monster have followed them to Lafayette? Was he coming after her this time? Maybe she was just worrying unnecessarily…or not.


First of all, I want to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book. I'm really flattered that she trusted me to give it an honest review. 

I admit that the storyline was a bit cliché. I've read so many books that sometimes the stories I come across are almost always the same. Though, the story was a bit predictable, I actually came to love the book. It was really good and I swooned over Easton. Who wouldn't, right? 

What made this book unique, was the fact that the author added a pinch of suspense over the story. So the female character's family was undergoing some emotional problems regarding the loss of a family member due to a stalker who wasn't convicted because he covered his tracks really well. 

The book didn't only focus on love story between Jasmin and Easton but also on their families. It also showed ways on how individuals cope up on tragic happenings in their life as shown in Jasmine's family. They have their own coping mechanisms. Some let anger overtook their emotions while others just gave in with their emotions, that it changed their personalities. 

Easton Ward- is a swoon worthy guy. He's great and Jasmine is really lucky to have him. He's adored by his family. His nieces love him. Everyone is captivated by his charm. It's so cute when he presented a resume to Jasmine's mother when he asked her permission to date her daughter. That's an AWW moment. He's so dreamy and I wonder if the way he courted Jasmine is also how Southerners treat their women when they court them. If so, then I'd gladly fly across the world just to meet one. Easton just proved that Boys in Books are Better. 



Jasmine Rourke - Well, this girl doesn't have any idea how gorgeous she is. She lived in her sister's shadow before her sister was murdered. Life was easy for her in highschool because her sister was popular so everybody treated her nicely. But everything came crashing when her sister was murdered. Her sister's responsibility was transferred to her. She tried to blend in in her new school. She made friends. Suddenly, she felt like herself again. She's a cross-country runner and everyone at her new school were pretty amazed by her ability. The problem is she doesn't want to catch any attention, which is difficult if you're tall. Because of her panic attack, she also caught the attention of the most popular jock in their campus, Easton Ward. Now, I'm jealous. 

I got annoyed with her when she use herself as a bait to catch the Monster. It was really stupid, and I can't believe how she was easily manipulated. But then, who am I to judge her if the safety of her loved ones was at stake? Her emotions were manipulated. She was already vulnerable and the monster just knows where to press the points. 

Trenton - Easton's younger brother. He was the one who caused Jasmine to panic. He's the type of guy that girls want to befriend. He's so adorable. He's a babbler too, always wanting to get attention. He also crushes on Jasmine but Easton put a stop to it. 

Caeden - He's Lily's twin brother and Jasmin's partner in crime. They always perform pranks and that's how they bond. They were always trying to best each other. This is one of those moments I missed in life. I'm the youngest in the family and I didn't have anyone younger than me whom I can torture too. LOL! 

Lily - She's Caeden's twin sister. They have different personalities that sometimes it's hard to believe they were related. She's a worrier and that increased ten-fold when Daisy was murdered. But she's gaining her confidence a bit everyday since they moved. She's quite a charmer and I can see a flock of admirers in the near future that would try to win her attention. 

The monster - I can't believe how these individuals think. Anybody can turn to someone like him. It's kinda scary how they gather information about the one they obsessed about that they know their every move. I just hope that there's a faster technique to determine if someone has stalker tendencies so they'll be cured immediately and so none of them can have their way on to their future victims. 

Breathe. This is one of those books where in towards the ending you'll realize why it's titled that way. I'm one of those readers who always ask why a book is entitled that way. I feel awesome when I figure out the reason behind the titles. 

I look forward to reading more books from this author.


Elena lives and writes in a suburb north of Los Angeles. She has never lived any where be sides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her three kids and three dogs, although re ally the bull dog is the fourth child who has never ma­tured beyond the toddler stage.

A self pro claimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, how ever, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends. They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people.

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