Review: Barely Breathing – Rebecca Donovan

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.

Series:  Breathing #2
Release Date:  April 30, 2012
Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services
Source:  Amazon, via my own wallet
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

I don’t think I can write a review that will do this entry into the Breathing Series justice. It’s an emotional ride that when it’s all said and done left me utterly devastated…more so than Reason to Breathe.

Six months after the final battle with her Aunt Carol, Emma is starting to move forward. She’s living with Sara’s family and being a normal high school senior. But Emma’s still looking to connect with the one remaining family member she has left…her mother. But her mother’s alcohol abuse, manic behaviors and questionable relationship with younger man, Jonathan, ends up devastating Emma as much as her Aunt Carol.
Evan wants to be there for Sara, but he’s having his own issues dealing with his father’s expectations for him on top of the failure he feels about protecting Emma from her aunt.

I adored the story, even with it’s very tough subject matter. But I did question why no one as forcing Emma to continue on with her counseling. So many of the issues she dealt with quite possibly have been addressed sooner had she continue to speak with the counselor. Evan probably needed to speak with someone as well, since he was having such a tough time dealing with his inability to protect Emma.

WARNING ON THE ENDING….it’s another cliffhanger. I seriously contemplated chucking my Fire across the bedroom when I finished the book. I quickly stalked over to Rebecca Donovan’s web site to discover the last book in the series, OUT OF BREATH won’t be out until June. I’ll have to practice having patience, because I can’t wait to see how this series ends.