The Fischers are the only family Brennan has ever known, and when they adopt him, he has no plans on doing anything to jeopardize that. Even if it means pretending Josh Daly doesn’t make his heart pound every time their eyes meet.The tension eases once Josh heads off to a Christian University on a baseball scholarship. Brennan stays put in Elm Grove to work at his family’s drive-in movie theater … movie theater and take classes at the local community college.
But when Josh comes home for summer break, the feeling not only returns, it transforms into a loud and commanding drumbeat he struggles to tune out.
Finally admitting who he is feels overwhelming. There’s a reason Brennan remains a virgin and when he realizes Josh might be one too, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Except acting on his attraction throws everything Josh has been raised to believe out the window.
Plagued by fear and self-doubt, they finally surrender, placing their trust in each other and their undeniable connection. But facing the world together takes the sort of faith that will either strengthen their bond…or shatter its very foundation.
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4.5+ stars
This is a heartfelt and engaging coming of age, M/M love story.
Brennan Fischer survived the foster care system and was adopted but still harbors some self-worth and abandonment issues. He is quiet, shy, kind, and responsible.
Josh Daly comes from a strict religious family with pressure to follow the rules and excel in sports. He has been away at a Christian college that continues to enforce religion and morality, so he is constantly scrutinized and is becoming more and more conflicted about himself, religious beliefs, and his future.
They shared a moment six years ago at camp that neither of them forgot. Now Josh is home for the summer and they are drawn to each other again. Both have harbored secret crushes for years, but had no idea if it would be reciprocated. They both feel alone, afraid of losing those they care about or being shunned. They bottle up their pain and are afraid to be who they really are. But now they are spending more time together. There is a gradual unraveling of hope, understanding, acceptance, lust, and feelings. But they are two young men whose sexuality could rock both of their worlds, and they live in fear of what it would mean to be outed.
I got totally sucked into this one. It is a story of self-discovery and acceptance, and a super slow-burn, forbidden romance. It was so honest, raw, and real. Their trust in each other and willingness to be vulnerable and a safe place for the other was beautiful. Both are inexperienced and just figuring out what they want and need. I just loved both of these guys and seeing them experience so many firsts. They were so sweet, caring, loving, and had so much to deal with. They had so much internal conflict, external pressure, and fear of discovery. But together they were adorable and so full of wonder.
Brennan narrates the story, but Josh’s voice is also heard loud and clear through personal diary entries. The characters and their relationship were well developed. The side characters and at times toxic environment added to the depth and conflict. I felt everything these guys felt. I just wanted to hug them and tell them it would all be okay. I hated that they had to worry so much about acceptance and loss. And I was full of tension waiting for the inevitable black moment that would test them both and force them to face their worst fears.
On a personal note, as I was reading this book, my daughter texted me to thank me for being supportive and accepting of who she is. Apparently, one of her friends is currently not having that same experience at home and is struggling. And it just hit home to me how true this fear and anxiety about coming out still is for these young people. And this book really illustrated that point. So even though we live in a world that is much more accepting and tolerant than when I was younger, there is still a lot of room for improvement. But as a parent, I just want my child to be herself, happy, and loved. The world would be a better place if everyone could do that and support love in any form.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
A Sweet Y/A Romance
I loved how the main characters worked through their family issues.
I loved how friends managed to stay together despite differences that could have destroyed their relationships.
I loved how the main characters grew stronger and stood up against religious pressure placed on them to conform.
I especially loved the strong bonds between siblings.
I have been on a real YA / NA streak lately and when I read the blurb for this one, I know I had to add it to my list. I sounded absolutely perfect to me and guess what ?? It really was !! I absolutely loved this sweet, but also a bit angsty, slow burn.
Those of you who are not a fan of insta love are definitely gonna love this one, because these two guys really take their sweet time… I kept screaming at them to kiss !!
In the back of their heads, Brennan and Josh have always known there was something more between the two of them than friendship. But with both of them being so young still and Brennan just being adopted into his new family, not to mention Josh’s extremely religious parents, neither of them really gave it a second thought. Until now that is…
Both of them are adults now and neither of them has ever dated a girl….and they are finally starting to fully realize why. But realizing why doesn’t make things any easier for them. Brennan is afraid his adoptive family won’t want him anymore and Josh has been lectured enough about homosexuality enough to know his family will never accept him being gay…
But the heart wants what it wants and these boys definitely want each other !!
These two were so adorable together. Seeing them make a connection and fall in love….discovering each other in all ways. It took them a while, but that first kiss was definitely worth the wait. So sweet and so hot 😉
But as they grew closer and more and more in love, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop…because it always does.
It did of course but it wasn’t all as bad as I thought it would be. I know this author can do really angsty when she wants to, but this book was pretty mild…at least I feel that way. Then again, I am a big angst-lover…
I highly recommend this one !!
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Christina Lee writes the sweetest characters. Josh Daly and Brennan Fischer are super, super sweet.
Ah first love! Isn’t it grand?
A Breath Apart is mostly written from Brennan’s point of view. We find out about his family life and how his time as a foster child has shaped the man he’s becoming. He has his self doubt but then he’s so in tune with other people’s feelings and he’s protective too. I would love him to be my best friend.
Josh’s thoughts and feelings are shared through excerpts of his diary entries. Bless him! I feel the need to have a hard word with his parents. Being a parent is a privilege and an honour. All children deserve love and respect regardless.
I had a little cry and then I rallied. I’m so happy that Josh and Brennan found each other. That they helped each other. That they grew together. That they figured life out.
I love a story full of history and feelings. A Breath Apart is just that. This wonderful friends to lovers story will grab you by the heart and not let go!
The connection between Brennan and Josh is palpable. They are truly meant for each other.
This coming of age love story is one not to be missed!
A Breath Apart was such a lovely, heart wrenching coming-of-age love story. Boy, did Josh and Brennan ever tug at my heart! Being along on their journey of self-discovery was something special.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance between two young men just starting to learn about themselves and come to terms with who they were. It wasn’t an easy road, with Brennan concerned with how his adoptive family would react, and Josh having to deal with his ultra-religious parents. But you can’t choose who you love, and seeing Brennan and Josh fall in love and come into their own made my heart so happy.
This was an absolutely wonderful coming of age story. It’s very much a slow burn story, in most part because both MC’s are still quite young and struggling with self-acceptance and the risks involved with coming out. Brennan is adopted and very afraid of losing his new family, quite heartbreaking to read, and Josh grew up in a very strict, religious family with a very controlling, rather awful father.
The slow and gentle way in which these two young men gravitate towards each other and oh so very gradually start to realize the potential for more than friendship was incredible to see happen. This book seems to exude love and its characters, main and secondary, are all so authentic and portrayed with the utmost care. There’s an aura of innocence and vulnerability that surrounds both Josh and Brennan which I loved. It was so endearing and romantic to see them start to feel safe with each other and lean on each other even when things appear to take a turn for the worse, with a little help from trusted Peanut <3.
An all-around great read.