From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places comes a compulsively readable novel about a young woman determined to write her own story–sex, heartbreak, family dramas, and all.“A coming-of-age story that will make your heart ache.” —PopSugarWith high school coming to an end, Claudine Henry is focused on four things: sex, starting college, becoming a famous writer, and… … four things: sex, starting college, becoming a famous writer, and… sex. But when her parents announce they’re splitting up, her entire world begins to fall apart. The epic road trip she planned with her best friend is cancelled, and she finds herself stuck on a remote island off the coast of Georgia with her mom – an island with no WiFi, no cell service and no friends.
Until she meets the free spirited, mysterious, and beautiful Jeremiah. He infuriates and intrigues her. Their chemistry takes her by surprise, and when Claude decides he should be her first, she tells herself it’s just sex. Exactly what she wanted, right? They both know that what they have can’t last forever, but maybe the time they have can be enough.
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When I bought this book, I thought it would be a typical teenage love story. How wrong I was! This story was so emotionally deep. Even though the main theme is romantic relationships, much of the book is centered around family and friends’ relationships. In general, I loved the plot and the subjects it touched. The characters were very well written, but I wish the story had more interactions between Claude and her dad. Also, I would have liked to see how things ended with her friend Shaz. And, obviously, I would have loved to continue to read more about Jeremiah and Claude’s love story. I guess that my issue is that I need a sequel because I was not too fond of the end, hence the 4.5 Stars
It’s been awhile since a book has made me weep like this, simply from how beautiful it is. Another gorgeous story I would have loved to have when I was Claude’s age. Slow and lush like a hot island day, it’s worth it.
Another emotional read by Niven. Not to the degree of All the Bright Places, but well written and moving. This was Claudine’s somewhat “coming of age” story, spent on a remote island off the coast of Georgia in the months immediately following H.S. graduation and her parents separation.
While on this very lightly populated island, Claudine established a few close friendships, as well as a romantic one. I enjoyed Claud’s character arc and her relationship with Jeremiah. The author writes beautifully and gives the reader an immersive reading experience, as well as another unique ending compared to so many YA romances. I could empathize with Claud in regards to her actions, reactions, and mental processing – even if I found her a bit self-centered for a significant portion of the book. If anything, that’s what was most realistic. Breathless was poignant, witty, and at times heartbreaking, but overall, one of the stronger stories I’ve read recently within the YA genre.
I loved the book. I finished it just after my first time reading All the Bright Places and I wasn’t doing so well. I finished it in two days although at about 2am in the morning. I cried that night even though the book was amazing. You must read it!
From page one, I was hooked. I read 155 pages the first night !
Jennifer’s book is raw and authentic which YA readers need. I am devouring it!
This is a wonderful YA book. It is real, raw and hits all of the right notes. I loved the journey Niven took us on. She’s written a wonderful story, but as a piece of feminist fiction, it’s fabulous.
This is, as I expected a huge hit, once again by Author, Jennifer Niven. Her writing flows seamlessly and she knows just how to leave you feeling Breathless like the title says. This book had me in each and every feeling my body can possess as a human being. The characters took root; planted firmly in my heart. The world building was so complete I could hear and feel the lapping of the oceans waves. The magnetic force of this book is like a chain that binds you and you don’t even try to fight it because you want to be there in the moment every second finding out what’s next. This is by far a 5 Star must read and I might just suggest to bring some Kleenex.
Claude’s world is upended when her father tells her that her mother and him are getting a divorce. Her friends, her plans and her life after High School graduation go down the drain. Claude and her mother are swept away to a remote island off the coast of Georgia. Both with broken hearts, they try to concentrate on something else to take away the pain. Her mother, an Author works on her family history and Claude a writer herself soon finds herself caught up in a local trail guide who helps her find herself and together they both fall into feelings they both promised they wouldn’t feel.
The love story & journey of an unplanned pair meeting in the same place at the right time and the acceptance of another human for everything they are told in a heartwarming tale. You will find yourself rooting for that fairytale ending.
Breathless is the story of Claude, a girl who thought she had everything under control as she graduated from high school and turned toward college. Sure, her creative writing teacher found her writing to be a bit superficial (“You have to put it all out re so that we can feel what you feel. You always seem to be holding back, Claudine”), but she’s got a plan. She’s got a stellar summer trip planned with her bestie, a cute guy she likes, a college waiting for her in the fall, and a bright future after that as a writer. She’s already working on her first novel!
(OK, so she does admit up front that the novel is probably “bad and overly long,” but still…she’s writing! First drafts are always crap, right? To paraphrase a dead white male author…)
But back to Claude 🙂 Just when she thinks she knows who she is and where she’s going, the rug–or the floor, as she puts it–is pulled out from under her. Her parents are separating; Claude, her mom, and their cat are going to Georgia for the summer while her dog and dad (the one who is asking for the separation) are staying in Ohio; and all of her immediate plans for the future are suddenly in shambles around her. Oh, and her parents ask her not to talk about any of this with anyone, effectively ruining her last few days at home. Even worse, her best friend has also been keeping something from her, and oh, by the way–the island which she and her mom are going to? Barely even has wi-fi or cell service. I mean, things could maybe be worse. Probably. But right then? Claude’s definitely not feeling that way.
So it’s a very angry, hurt, and lost Claude who shows up on the remote Georgia island for the summer, where she meets Jeremiah Crew, the boy who initially annoys her but eventually manages to see her like no one else has. And though she may or may not finally lose her virginity this summer (yes, it’s definitely a big part of the story, but as someone else who was in some very similar shoes at that stage of life, it felt 100% realistic and was handled very well–I enjoyed reading this as an adult, and wouldn’t hesitate it hand it to my daughter to read as well), she will definitely find a strength she didn’t know she had.
The ending is a bit bittersweet (again, very realistic) but reading the acknowledgments at the end gave me all the happy feels. Do yourself a favor and don’t skip them <3
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to start planning my future trip to a remote island off the coast of Georgia...
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.