RIVERBuried deep under a mountain of lies, I’m struggling for air. My life, my choices are being dictated by my father. I was forced to give up the man I love in order to protect him and now I must marry a man who I hate. I thought I had found a way out.I thought my time in this gilded cage was almost over. Then one day Jaxson Holden walks back into my life, flipping it upside down. He’s angry, I … it upside down.
He’s angry, I get it.
But he has no idea how much I have to lose—how much he has to lose with him coming back.
Now I need to find a way to hold on while I’m gasping for breath as my past and present collide.
Just keep breathing, River.
Just keep breathing.
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River and Jaxson were in love when her father tore her world apart. She left to protect Jaxson and his family. She has a plan to expose her father and disappear. All is going to plan until Jax turns up back in her life. Can she convince him that her betrayal was out of love?
I am a new reader to Erica Marselas but so far I am loving her style. Barely Breathing is gritty and heartbreaking but the author also gives us love and hope. I read All In first so was not expecting the dark side of this book. Great characters to make you fall in love. Looking for a great read grab Barely Breathing and dive in.
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love it.
A twisty, steamy second chance romance, Barely Breathing draws you in on the first page and holds your attention until the very end. This story is an emotional read with angst, suspense, passion and good twists and turns.
The story follows River and Jaxson, former lovers who thought they had forever to look forward to… until River’s father got in the way. In a mysterious turn of events, River was forced to break things off with Jax, take her place in the family business, and become a shell of the woman she used to be. Two years after their breakup, River comes face to face with Jax when he worms his way into her company for undisclosed reasons and neither one seems to be over how things played out.
This book was absolutely breathtaking!! Erica completely knocked this story out of the park! What an emotional, heart stropping, gut wrenching story that’s I’ll leave you asking what just happened?!?
This story will leave you caught up in the tale of Jax and River! Nothing else will get done.
Their epic tale wilL have you hanging into the edge of your seat, waiting for what this author brings next!! She’s become one of my faves!!
An absolute 5+ stars for this book!!
OMG this story is so freaking good! It’s so addictive, the angst, the pain, the passion is just all consuming and intoxicating. River and Jaxson had me a blubbering mess, their love and painful past making me grip the edge of my seat. I am so in love with this second chance romance and its slid its way to the top of my overall favorite in this sub genre. I just can’t get over it, their story is going to stick with me for a very long time!
Oh Erica- what a delight! This is one of my favorite books of hers. Barely Breathing has just the right amount of dramatic tension, delightful characters, and that delicious chemistry that I love about Erica stories. This second chance story definitely made me swoon.
Jax (sexiest name ever) was her true love- the man she was meant to spend her life with , her soulmate. But River soon learned that her life is not her own, forcing her to leave Jax behind, sacrificing her happiness and her love in order to protect him. Two years later, and River is trapped in her own existence- to some, it would seem like she has everything going for her- including the great on paper fiance. But this is all a rouse- River is under the oppressive control of her power hungry father, the man who destroyed her happiness with his threats. River is miserable and controlled, until the man she left behind forces his way back into her life, now working at her company. She desperately wants to keep away from the wreck of her life, he’s angry, hurt, and still confused. But fate, and history, won’t be denied- and despite the time and distance and secrets ,their love is still alive. And the truth will come out- can they find their way back to each other? Can they breathe again?
I felt SO much for these characters- they are both hurt and broken down, neither truly at fault for the hurt they’ve experienced from River’s sacrifice. My heart hurt for Jax- so in love, and then so hurt, confused, and angry, driven by a need for revenge. Fortunately, he can’t deny his soulmate- cause I much prefer sexy and in love Jax. He’s so dreamy.
And River, while I hate that she doesn’t just try to figure it out with Jax, I also feel for the ways in which she’s manipulated by the person who is supposed to care for her and support her. I loved watching her reclaim herself, finding the determination and strength to not be cajoled any longer. I love heroines like her- emotional and vulnerable but also powerful, clever and strong in their own right.
Together- these two made my giddy. I was rooting for them, because from page 1 you just know they are meant to be. I normally don’t love the whole “long separation that could have been fixed with a convo” storyline approach, or even a quick resolution to that long distance, but here it worked for me- we needed to feel their distance, and their quick reconnection speaks to the power of their love for each other. They have to find their trust, but they know they love each other. They frustrated met at times, and their beginning broke my heart, but their reconnection is so sweet, so sexy, and so charming- it makes up for all the challenges they’ve had to overcome to find their way back. I love that we get to be inside both of their heads and see some snippets from the past- this brings such a richness and dynamism to their story, and really helped me FEEL their connection.
If you’ve not yet discovered Erica, please check her out! Her prose is so engaging, her stories fast paced and focused, and her characters always have such a sizzling connection. This is definitely one of her best!
Woo hoo this was one hot romance I swear the pages started burning right off or well the phone started burning . Jaxson and River’s story was hot, sexy, steamy and everything a good romance book should be. Bittersweet about a couple torn apart by dreadful circumstances thanks to a bitter man.
While sad it is also heartwarming as this you watch this couple find their way back to each other. It will make you cry, it will make you scream, it will make you scream with joy but at the end of it, it will make you happy.
Barely Breathing is a beautifully written book about two lovers getting a second chance when it seems like it’s all lost and they won’t find their way back to each other. With some action and intrigue thrown in with it, the story has a little bit of everything for everyone and I highly recommend it
This book was so good. River and Jaxson are two broken people who are just trying to get by in life without any problems. After several years apart they see each other again and things get a little messy and complicated. Do they get there HEA you will have to read this book to find out?
Erica Marselas’ writing is phenomenal! Another amazing story of hers. Holy wow, Erica can write a steamy, swoon-worthy book! The two main
characters Jackson and River are fascinating, broken,
beautiful and so incredibly hot! These two were so made for one another. The story is Romeo and Juliet meets second chance romance. River’s dad is awful. He treats her awful but not just her, he treats Jackson’s family awful too. Therefore, he doesn’t want them together. Will they listen and do as they told or will their love push on and refuse to listen to the pull that is keeping them a part.
Barely Breathing (Keep Breathing Book 1)
Erica Marselas
This is the first book I have read by this author, and she totally blew me away. I will be reading more of her, and I am very much looking forward to Book 2 – Liam’s story. This book has it all steam, romance, love, suspense, angst, greed, good and evil. River has not had the easiest or best life because of her father. She is in a good place in her life and married to the guy who keeps her breathing, Jaxsen. But her father comes back and threatens Jaxsen and his family (who her father has already taken a lot from), unless River does as he tells her. She runs away from Jaxsen with no reasons. Jaxsen is heartbroken and two years later, decides he wants his revenge. But when they see each other the spark and love is still there. River is so upset when Jaxsen appears back in her life, because she has been planning on showing her dad for the person that he is. Will Jaxsen and River be able to forget the past and get back together? Will they make it? Will River ever be free of her father and his demanding and conniving ways? You will need to read this to find out! This story is told in different timelines – back when River’s life was amazing and her and Jaxsen started their love story, and then the present time. I enjoyed this. For me, I was very drawn to these characters from the start, and I could not stop reading the book. I hope to read more of them in the next one! You will also feel so many emotions. Jaxsen is one hot guy….tattoos under his business suits, and boy does he know how to please his woman River. Rivs is one lucky lady.
Barely Breathing
(Keep Breathing, Book 1)
Erica Marselas
Barely Breathing, sucked me in from the start. I was blown away by how much mental & physical abuse the heroine (River) endured from her father. The hero (Jaxson) who was her forever love didn’t have it any easier. River’s father managed to destroy her marriage, (the only thing that brought her any happiness), for his own greed.
Jaxson walks back into River’s life, when she’s least expecting it. He happens to be a breath of fresh air and her reminder to, “Just breathe.” This pair with the support from others, get their happy ever after.
While her father and his patsy get a beautiful ending of their own.
Emotional, moving, suspenseful – very well written
It is not my first book of this author and after reading several I found out that Erica Marselas has a real knack for writing about topics that are very often skipped by other authors in this genre in order to keep the book light, easy to read, neutral. Me as a reader I need both sides of the fiction the beautiful and easy and then sometimes dark, twisted and ugly.
The story moved me, stirred a whole range of emotions and got me really good. It’s amazing how sometimes there is a monster for a parent, an abuser for a partner and no matter the suffering we are willing to go to any lengths to keep our loved ones out of the villain equation. Selflessness is a virtue we do not see that much in the world around us nowadays. It was refreshing to read this story and see that true love is hard to conquer.
Barely Breathing (Keep Breathing Book 1) by Erica Marselas.
RIVER
Buried deep under a mountain of lies, I’m struggling for air.
My life, my choices are being dictated by my father.
I was forced to give up the man I love in order to protect him and now I must marry a man who I hate.
I thought I had found a way out.I thought my time in this gilded cage was almost over.
Then one day Jaxson Holden walks back into my life, flipping it upside down.
He’s angry, I get it.
But he has no idea how much I have to lose—how much he has to lose with him coming back.
Now I need to find a way to hold on while I’m gasping for breath as my past and present collide.
Just keep breathing, River.
Just keep breathing.
A good read with some good characters. A likeable story. 4*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love everything River and Jax stood for until it all fell apart. I love that he was the one who was a savior when friends needed it, but it broke my heart when his marriage was left in shambles. This is why I love second chances. I love that River was strong: clawing her way out of a living hell, but trying to get her payback. I love that Jax, while still broken, jumped in to get back at the ones who hurt his loved ones. I love that they leaned on each other and others as their air supply.
Erica Marselas has this amazing ability to capture you right from the start and this book definitely does that. I absolutely adore River and Jaxson. They have the type of connection that many look for in their lives. Their love is put to the test and even when faced against evil trying to to tear it apart it can withstand. What River has to deal with really shows how strong she truly is. Jaxson is amazing and exactly what she needs to help her through it while reminding her to take a breath when she feels like she’s has no air left.
Such an intense read! Loved getting to know Jax and River. Such great writing that drags you into an emotional, angsty mess – it’s amazing! You MUST read this!
This second chance romance by Erica Marselas was sooo good. Jaxon and River are so good for each other. When one needs air to breathe Jaxon offered that to River. This story had plenty of suspense and oh the sexy times were hot! I am looking forward to Liam’s story as his character is super intriguing!
This was a great read with characters that are well developed and engaging and have chemistry. The storyline is well written and flows smoothly from page to page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an awesome read. Jaxson and River are a couple that were just meant to stay together for the long haul and people fight for them when they didnt even know it.
Absolutely Unputdownable! Remarkable! Phenomenal!! Erica is one of my absolute favorite authors. I totally have a fastest one-click finger in the south when it comes to her books. Barely Breathing is my new favorite book of hers (At least until her next one comes out) River and Jax’s story sucked me in from the first paragraph of the prologue and I instantly knew I was in for an emotional ride. I was lucky enough to early read this fantastic book, yet still I keep finding myself going back to certain parts of the book, because I’m not ready to let Jax and River go just yet. That’s how much these characters will stick with you.
From the outside one would think River has it all. She’s gorgeous and engaged to Harry, a successful executive that works for her company. However this marriage will be to a man chosen by her controlling father. River has been suffering under her father’s control. It’s devastating the things this woman has endured. Y’all my heart just hurts to even think about it all.
When her grandfather died leaving her to run the company, pushing her father out of his CEO position. He is livid and put a plan in place to take back control. The loveless arranged marriage to Harry is a part of that plan. She must figure out a way out of this mess and out from under her shady AF father’s thumb. In order to protect Jax, River unselfishly disappears for two years, breaking her own heart while leaving him shocked, devastated and brokenhearted and furious at her. Jax appears back into her life two years later just when she has her plans all figured out flipping her whole world on its side, will River lean on Jax for help or will she forget how to breathe and shut down?
Jax has spent the last two years broken, bitter and twisted up over one that ran away. He doesn’t know why she took off like a thief in the night , but now that he’s got his sights on her again he decides he wants revenge. He wants to punish her and bring a world of hurt her way like she did to him.
Jax is so hot y’all! Like tattoos under a business suit, smokin’ hot in the sack and he loves his sister.GAH!! Yeah I know! Everything about this guy is super hot. The tension that radiates off him and River. Holy god!
This book will have you hanging on the edge. Told in dual POV, going between present time and back two years ago to where their story first began. It will have you panting, swooning and fanning yourself one minute as you get caught up in their sweet and romantic whirlwind romance.
Then have you ready to chuck your beloved kindle right at the wall the very next chapter next. ( don’t worry it’s my prized possession so it’s safe. I just screamed obscenities) From one minute to the next you have no clue Wtf is happening?
Prepare yourself my friends… you won’t stop reading, forget adulting or anything else until you’ve devoured every single word. River, Jax and the amazing secondary characters. I absolutely can’t wait for more from this crew. Can a person die of anticipation ?!?! I need Levi’s book, like yesterday. LOL
Barely Breathing is the perfect title…Hell, I was breathless for most of this freakin book. Either panting cause of it’s sheer blissful hotness. I mean double damn!! or I was holding my breath in suspenseful outrage.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
– Five Stars… pssh that’s NOT nearly enough. I’m throwing in a SIXTH one! This story deserves ALL the stars! River and Jax’s story is full of angst and suspense. It’s got tension for days, frustration and heat and revenge. Plus a super hot hero with tattoos and a sexy, sassy heroine and fabulous secondary characters.
– GAAHH!! Jax and River are hotter than the seventh circle of hades my friends. Like the stuff naughty dreams are made of. So sweet dreams
Cliffhanger Warning- Well earned HEA #Yougethappyending
I absolutely Love Jaxson and River’s story. They had so much love and drama in their lives at the hand of her father, but to watch it all play out made their love story so much than just needing to breath. Their lives had so tragic but yet so perfect… I want to say so much but I don’t want to give the story away, you need to read this story and fall in love with. You WILL fall in love with. Erica you did it again!!!! Thank you for a wonderful love story!
I cannot wait to find out what happens in Liam’s story!