Two strangers start out saving animals and end up rescuing each other in this heartwarming romance from the author of Unbreak Me.
Mari Tucker is a wildlife biologist who scoops bunnies and endangered tortoises out of harm’s way on construction sites. Still haunted by her past, she takes the most remote jobs in the Mojave Desert to avoid people and hide from her ex. It’s a simple, quiet life filled with sweet animals and solar-powered baking until she ends up assigned to Jack Wyatt’s crew.
Construction foreman Jack Wyatt’s loud, foul-mouthed temper keeps even the most rugged of men on his crew in line. No mistake is overlooked, because out in the desert it could mean life or death. In his opinion, the job site is no place for sensitive biologists, especially one as shy as Mari. But instead of wilting from the heat and hard work, Mari wins over Jack and his crew one homemade brownie at a time.
Jack and Mari find a comfortable rhythm, building a friendship that’s rare for both of them. After Jack’s rocky childhood, they have more in common than they’d imagined. But even the Mojave sun can’t chase away the shadows when the past is determined to track them down…
This is a must read. I loved it from start to finish. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters.
This is the first book I’ve read written by Michelle Hazen, but it definitely won’t be the last. I am so glad that I won a copy of this book directly from the author because I am now adding her other books to my TBR pile.
This story focuses on two broken people: Mari, recovering from an abusive husband, and Jack, scarred from an abusive childhood. Even though Mari was uncomfortable around people and afraid of making people angry, Mari still fought for the endangered species she was there to protect. Despite her insecurities Mari was not afraid to work with Jack, even though the rest of her team was. I loved the growth of these two characters: how they started adversarial and slowly became friends and then lovers; how they helped each overcome their abusive pasts. Ms. Hazen skillfully wove a story of a couple traumatized by prior abuse, both mental and physical, without focusing on the darkness of that subject, and showed that you can overcome it. Also, Ms. Hazen’s description of the locale had me in the desert with the characters.
Once again, this was a great read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump (thanks COVID) and this was just the kind of book I needed. I loved Hazen’s novel Unbreak Me and so I pre-ordered this one, and it finally came yesterday. I decided to crack it open late last night, stayed up into the wee hours and pretty much read it every spare second today until I finished. I love the emotional depth that Hazen brings to her romances, that she doesn’t shy away from writing characters with difficult pasts (domestic abuse and child abuse in this novel), and that she writes with a more literary style. I was completely engrossed in the story and found it almost impossible to put down. My only complaint is there were some particulars of a plot thread I felt got dropped just a bit (the sparrow nest). Regardless—this is the kind of romance I love, the kind that feels like a complete meal to read, rather than a bag of candy that goes down fast and tastes great in the moment but leaves you feeling a little nauseous and unfulfilled when you finally quit and realize you’ve the whole thing in one sitting. This story is satisfying and leaves you wishing you could spend more time with Mari and Jack.
Breathe the Sky is an emotional and original story line with characters that are interesting and multi dimensional. Jack and Mari both come from tortured pasts that are still with them, even though they are trying to move forward and forget.
Mari and Jack are two totally different people who are brought together working on the same job site. Jack puts up power lines in the hot desert, which is not an easy job. Mari is an on site biologist working to keep the endangered species safe. The job is tough and hot and there are not too many women doing what Mari does.
Jack is tactless and impatient with everyone. He only has one goal: get the job done quickly and efficiently. At first Jack scares Mari as he yells and shouts at her and everyone else. Since Jack has a hard time communicating, he finds yelling easier. He doesn’t understand why everyone isn’t as smart as he is and he is impatient when they make a mistake.
Even though Jack and Mari are different from each other, they share a kinship because they have both known trauma and abuse. Underneath Jack’s gruff demeanor, is a kind man and Mari seems to bring out the best in him. This is a beautiful story about two people who find one another and help each other move forward, heal and find love.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Cocktails and Books and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Pulls at your heart strings:
What a sweet, heart wrenching and adorable book! It flowed well and kept me engaged throughout. It was also interesting and informative and I enjoyed learning about the dangerous work of installing power towers as well as the biological efforts to save endangered species.
Both Mari and Jack have experienced tragic and difficult times in their pasts and it was wonderful seeing them find healing and strength in each other. I couldn’t help developing a soft spot for these two! I thought the author did a good job of dealing with the subject of domestic abuse in a respectful and encouraging way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
A new author and quite a lovely read – that stayed with me. The story is about Mari and Jack. Both have traumatic pasts. I also think a warning is necessary if you have any physical abuse triggers. But, let me say, the author did a tremendous job with a very difficult subject matter. It was inspiring to read what they had been through and read their healing journey. Once I started, I didn’t want to put the book down. I voluntarily received an arc copy of this book from HiddenGems and absolutely recommend it. My only criticism is the $14 kindle price in Canada which I think prices this book out of the reach of many
I seem to have been waiting for this so long, and once I had it in my hands I was transported to the remote Mojave desert and really could imagine the dust and the heat while meeting Mari the wildlife biologist and Jack the rough and gruff construction guy.
Mari and Jack meet when she is allocated to his crew to monitor their work and make sure that no harm comes to the desert creatures who might be in the way. Until he meets Mari Jack has had no time for anything or anyone that gets in his way, but with patience (and brownies) Mari shows him why her work is necessary and when he rescues a baby tortoise we get to see that he does have feelings underneath it all.
I love Michelle’s writing style and the way she so skilfully portrays her characters, delving deeply into the reasons as to why they are who they are, and then she turns everything on it’s head as we see how love changes them and makes them so much happier. Mari hides her strength behind her gentleness, she loves Jack but will never compromise her happiness for a man again. Jack learns that not all the world is against him and he is worth of love and he no longer has to have fears and insecurities, someone has his back.
This is a not to be missed story that is set in a unique location. Although it is a familiar theme it it so enhanced by the descriptions of the beautiful animals that inhabit the desert. Ten stars and more for this one, one of my favourite books of the year. Thank you to Michelle and Hidden Gems for the chance to read this book early.
This is one of the most tragic, beautiful, enchanting books. Mari comes from a violent background but is a very strong woman in spite of it. Jack is also a damaged soul who seems to be angry and aggressive but is actually a very kind man. Their love story is like a beautifully woven tapestry with many layers. I felt completely immersed in the beauty and sadness of their story while reading it. I couldn’t put this book down and truly wished it would never end. I didn’t think Michelle Hazen could live up to the amazing book Unbreak Me, but she did. I loved Breathe the Sky just as much.
*4.5 stars*
Quiet, contemplative, a soul-searching read…
I’ve only read a few titles by this author, but each one was stellar…
Mari was digging herself out of financial ruin, all the result of a relationship that ended very badly. She was hurting for money, for self-confidence and a place in the world she could feel safe and comfortable. Jack ran his work site with a lot of skill, much yelling and a reputation that preceded him… Underneath that blustery exterior, however, was a soul yearning for acceptance and understanding. As the last sacrificial biologist of the team, Mari had to take her turn working with him, and what they both received was incredible…
Their relationship was a slow sizzle, almost old-fashioned, as they meandered their way through work hiccups, personal obstacles and personalities that should have been polar opposites. Each step was awkward and almost shy, despite the maturity of them both. I smiled at the slow steps they took and reveled in the relationship that grew along the way. I loved Mari’s gentle competence, her work dedication and her ability to read Jack and others in such insightful ways. Jack was anything but gentle with, as it turned out, everyone except her. Kindred spirits, they seemed to “get” each other and how they worked through their differences, sharing their pain, their dreams – and their fears, made for a courtship full of angst and high emotion.
Overcoming their own fears meant opening themselves to a love like no other and their triumphs just made me smile even more. Loved it!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
A well written story that held my interest until the end. This is Mari Tucker a wildlife biologist, and Construction foreman Jack Wyatt’s story. I enjoyed seeing this story come together, it has a very good storyline and the story flows smoothly from page to page. I recommend this book. I received a copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Breathe the Sky” by Michelle Hazen, Berkley Publishing, August 18, 2020
Michelle Hazen, the author of “Breathe the Sky” has written an intense, thought-provoking, and memorable novel. The genres for this story are fiction, romance, and women’s fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. I appreciate that the theme of emotional and physical abuse is discussed in this book. Also mentioned, is the importance of protecting wildlife, and animals in the modern-day era of construction.
Mari is a biologist, who protects tortoises and small animals on construction sites. She lives in fear of her ex-husband finding her. Somehow in protecting small living things, and re-evaluating her life choices, Mari is starting to stand up for what is legal and the correct thing to do.
Jack Wyatt, is in charge of his construction crew, and has a reputation of having a temper and likes to keep his team safe and get work done in a timely matter. He also comes from an abusive family.
When Mari is assigned to work as part of Jack’s team, their two different views on what should be important, seem to be more in synchrony, than it would appear. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.
Hazen puts the heart under a microscope to explore the treasures hidden inside. Breathe the Sky is as fragile as it is strong. Jack and Mari turn beautifully broken into an inspirational love song. Tissues are a must.
An amazing love story. Two broken souls meet in the dessert. Mari is a biologist trying to save wild animals from the danger of the tower construction lead by Jack, a grouch foreman. Their difficult past, dealing with abusive people, has dictated their lives but they will help each other heal their scars and feel worth of love again.
** spoiler alert ** Both come from similar backgrounds, but can they overcome it to find love and hope?
LOVED the connection these two had. I loved how while gruff on the outside, he was so sweet and gentle with her. I didn’t blame her for her fear, but loved how she saw a side of him that the others didn’t. Good read!
Breathe the Sky is a remarkable, thought provoking, and emotional read that captured my attention from the first page and kept me entertained until the very end. This author has a beautiful writing style as she skillfully weaves together story that is both original and engaging. The characters are interesting, unique, and likable.
Mari and Jack seem like opposites on the surface, but they both have heartbreaking backstories that have left open wounds. While they each have their own flaws and things to overcome, they both possess an inner strength which is admirable. Mari may be quiet, but she is also strong. I loved her as a heroine and the author did an excellent job portraying her character growth. Jack is surly, but he also has a soft side to him which I adored. Their relationship is more along the lines of a slow burn romance which I think worked very well for this book. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve.
Written with the Mojave Desert as a backdrop, I found myself fascinated with the natural beauty as well as all the intricate workings of construction work in an area with endangered species. These are things that I never really thought much about, but this author sparked my interest for sure! It is clear that this author has done her research.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this breathtaking novel. The storyline was solid and the book moved at a good pace. The author did a phenomenal job with character development throughout the book. This book is emotional at times, but it is also sweet and heartwarming.
Mari Tucker is a wildlife biologist specializing in desert species who works on construction sites removing animals out of the way of construction and the vehicles. Jack Wyatt is a construction foreman who’s tough on the job and works hard. He doesn’t have time for anything that will slow him down. Both Mari and Jack have lived through severe abuse and neither are as sure of themselves as they pretend to be. Then Mari is assigned to Jack’s crew and they learn to work together. Soon, that blossoms to friendship which grows beyond that.
I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it. The book’s well-written with well-developed characters. The budding romance between Jack and Mari is slow but sweet as they each learn to overcome their pasts and learn to trust in themselves which let’s them really trust each other. I was caught up in this story from the beginning as I was drawn in by the by play between Jack and Mari and I was hooked until the end. This is the first book I have read by this author but I will definitely be looking for more. I highly recommend this book.
Jack and Mari are great people who have survived the worse of human nature. This book covers both domestic abuse and child abuse. It also deals with the impact man has on the eco system and the numerous animals that man impacts.
Book is written in a very good fashion, not hard to follow nor too wordy to make it uninteresting. Facts are clearly stated and interesting. This book also shows the hard line a lot of bosses take just to make themselves look good. It shows the difference in how some bosses treat those under them. There is several scenes that show the animals in the American deserts.
Highly recommend this author.
It was a little hard to get into the book at first, and I almost gave up on trying to finish it after only a few chapters. I am glad I didn’t. Mari and Jake come from broken home lives – Mari was an abused spouse and Jake was an abused child – not only by his father, but also by his older brother. They are both very skeptical when it comes to feelings and knowing if someone really likes you or not. Neither one really had any belief in themselves. I am glad that they were finally able to open up to each other and work through things to get their HEA.
I am glad that Michelle Hazen turned Mari into a stronger, independent woman who was able to stand up for herself to not only her ex-husband, but also to the awful boss who thought he could bully her.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy through Hidden Gems ARCs for an honest review.
This was my first read from this author and I did like it very much. There were parts that slowed the story down some but all in all a good read.
This compelling story of two survivors of physical and emotional abuse touched my heart. Set in the Mojave Desert, the author makes the desert and the story come alive. Jack is a lineman building towers in the desert with his crew. Mari is one of the biologists monitoring the construction scene to make sure no protected wildlife is injured or killed in the course of the work. Little by little the two loners build a friendship which they both yearn to be more but Mari can’t stop questioning her judgement and Jack is insecure and so afraid of hurting her that he can’t seem to make any move at all.
I loved the characters. The writing is great. The story is a slow build romance but it’s worth the wait. This story also has a very satisfying HEA. I really liked this book a lot.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.