Audiobook Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Title: Ten Tiny Breaths
Author: K.A. Tucker
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Narrator: Elizabeth Louise
Published: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: 8 hrs 58 mins
Source: Purchased/galley via publisher

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

So I have this obsessive habit of not reading the synopsis before I read a book.  I read it at first, see if I'm interested, then add the book to my TBR pile and I never look back.  I like going into a book with as little knowledge as possible.  I also try to avoid all reviews of the book within a month or so of reading it myself as well, since reviews sometimes give more away than I'd prefer.  So with this one, because I was so excited about it, I steered clear of all reviews and the synopsis, and even waited a bit past its release date so I could go in knowing absolutely nothing.  I'm so happy I did.  Going into this story knowing literally nothing was perfect.

Ten Tiny Breaths is breathtaking, no matter how clique that may sound.  There were times in this story when I literally sucked in a breath and held it.  It was emotional, it was touching, and it was shocking.  There were a couple twists (one really BIG one) that wholeheartedly caught me off-guard and left me gasping.

This story involved quite a bit about the grieving process and learning how to grow after a tragic event.  The chapters were each titled after a stage of the grieving process, which I thought was a perfect addition to the story.  This story carried with it a strong message that most will feel and learn from.  I felt the process right along with Kacey.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again... this story packs a punch!

The characters... Oh. My. GAWD!  This set of characters was one of my very favorite set of book characters, ever.  From Kacey and Livie, such a strong and powerful sister team, to Storm and Mia, (probably may favorite people in this whole story!) to the crazy landlord and creepy neighbor, right down to Trent.  They were each unique, passionate and strong.

This is my first audio narrated by Elizabeth Louise, and I instantly became a huge fan.  She was amazing.  She portrayed each character beautifully and made the story even more real that it otherwise would have been had I been reading it myself.

I can't say enough how much I loved and recommend this book.  I've totally jumped over the recommend fence and I'm quickly approaching on pushing territory.  Especially the audio.  I've suggested recommended insisted several people read this story already, and I have no plans of stopping any time soon.  And although I have this on audio and the galley on my Kindle, I think I also need to purchase a copy for my shelf.  I'm a bit nervous to read One Tiny Lie, Livie's story, since I loved this one so much.  I think I need to take a short break before jumping into it.  But trust me, I WILL be reading One Tiny Lie in the very near future.  ;)

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons.

She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit.

Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

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“Just breathe. Ten tiny breaths … Seize them. Feel them. Love them.”

"Our past isn't who we are. I'm me and you're you and that's who we need to be.”

“I should stalk over there and pee around his table to stake my claim. Wait...what? Jeez, Kacey.”

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