One of my writer friends has lots of good things to say about women's fiction by Deborah Raney, which is why I asked to review Reason to Breathe.

I was disappointed.

The book got off to a bad start by using a couple of plot tropes I don't enjoy.

Their father decides to take off to Florida and leave his daughters with the responsibility of packing up and selling the family home. I was prepared to forgive this at first. After all, the man is evidently grieving the loss of his wife, which means we can give him a little grace when it comes to making a decision like this which is selfish on several levels. But he lost my sympathy somewhere in chapter two when he lets slip that he's now engaged ... to a woman who nursed his wife in the hospice. No, the father isn't a major character but him acting like an idiot is what sets the rest of the plot in motion.

In his absence, daddy asks work colleague and longtime friend Quinn Mitchell to step into the gap and help the three sisters sell the house. Here we get into the plot point which really turned my stomach: Quinn apparently has feelings for the oldest sister, Phee, and has had since she was sixteen and he was twenty-eight. Okay, so they are now actual adults at almost thirty and forty-two, which is more socially acceptable (and even believable). But it still left me with a sour feeling.

Reason to Breath is the first book in the Chandler Sisters series, but it took me about three chapters to work out which sister this book was about. The three sisters lost their mother to cancer three months ago. I kind of thought it might be about three sisters working together to recover from their shared grief, but that wasn't what came through. It almost felt like their mother's death and father's abandonment was just a convenient device to get the three sisters to work together on a common project, because none of them had any ongoing grief issues. That seemed odd for what I was expecting to be women's fiction.

The three sisters decide to buy a fixer-upper property with the money their mother conveniently left them. The once-waterfront property conveniently has three dwellings so they can buy it together but not live together (because that would apparently drive them all crazy). I'm not a fan of home renovation in real life, on reality TV, or in fiction, so this was also a bit of a yawn. Quinn offers to help with the renovations, so that pushes him and Phee together and allows their relationship to develop.

Reason to Breathe wasn't women's fiction. But it wasn't quite a romance either. I absolutely believed Quinn's feelings for Phee, but Phee herself never came alive as a character for me. She had no goals beyond the obvious (finding somewhere to live after her father decided to sell the family home). She had no reason to fall for Quinn, but also nothing stopping her (beyond the twelve-year age gap).

Overall, Reason to Breathe didn't start well for me, and never got deep enough to redeem itself. It tried. It tried to be deep and funny and romantic. But it never convinced me of the underlying premise, so it tried and failed for me.

If you're looking for some hard-hitting and emotional women's fiction that touches on loss and grief, then I don't recommend Reason to Breathe. Instead, try Where Hope Begins by Catherine West. And if you're looking for a fun romance series featuring three sisters, read True to You by Becky Wade.

Thanks to Gilead Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Phylicia Chandler feels so lost without her mother, who had recently died of cancer. Phylicia, along with her two sisters, Joanna and Britt helped take care of their mom during her illness. One of her mom's regrets was not getting to see any of her daughters marry. Phylicia is twenty-nine and only having had a handful of dates, feels something may even be wrong with her and that she'll never have a family of her own.
To top everything else off, their father has gone to Florida, only a couple months following his wife's death. He said it was for work, and granted, he has traveled there for work in the past. But, now is just not a good time for him to leave. The girls still lean on him and they'd like the four of them to be together so soon after their mom's passing.
Their father has passed on duties to his employee, Quinn, to see after the girls and to even guide them into purchasing property as an investment. Quinn, while not appreciating being put in the middle of things, does appreciate the extra time he gets to spend with Phylicia. He has known the entire family for many years and has cared for Phylicia for a long time, unbeknownst to her.
A big unwelcome surprise is when their father tells them, via phone call, that he is engaged to be married to non other than their mom's hospice nurse! The girls, naturally, feel he has betrayed their mom. Was this going on while their mom was still living? So many questions, yet he seems to be avoiding their phone calls and questions. What is really going on with their father?
Is Quinn in on this? Is he keeping secrets from the girls?
Their father, Turner, also put the task on the girls of getting the home they grew up on ready to sell and on the market. What is he thinking, they wonder?
Great story. Lots of emotions. You'll laugh and cry with the characters.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gilead, and was not required to give a positive review

Phylicia, Joanna and Britt are the Chandler Sisters who recently lost their mother and are trying to find their way without her. Suddenly their father, in his own stage of grief off and goes to Florida. The girl’s lives are turned upside down by this unexpected event. How do they go on? Will their father sell the house? Where will their little sister Britt live now? The girls have a lot of unanswered questions.
To help answer these questions, Quinn Mitchell enters the story. He is a long-time family friend and business partner with the girl’s father. Their father has asked Quinn to guide the girls into settling into their new lives. He suggests that the girls buy a piece of property that has three cabins on it as a place to live and as a new business venture. Now the girls have yet another unexpected event to deal with. Should they buy the fixer upper cabins out in the wilderness?
Quinn also finds himself drawn to Phylicia. He remembers her growing up and has always felt something for her beyond friendship. Phylicia is also drawn to Quinn, but doesn’t know how to handle these new feelings. Will their friendship turn into something more?
Although the story focuses on Phylicia and Quinn, the reader really gets a chance to know the other two sisters, Joanna and Britt. The relationship the sisters have is friendship and sisterhood. They stick together through it all and are there to support each other. This is the first book I have read by Deborah Raney, and I really look forward to the next book in the Chandler Sisters Series. Thank you to Gilead Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review

This is the first book in a new series by Deborah Raney, and the first time I’ve read this author. I was pulled into the story from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down.
The story follows three grieving sisters who are trying to tie up loose ends after the death of their beloved mother. Their father has gone awol, leaving the girls to work together to sort through years of memories and prepare the family home for sale. Shocking the girls, his grief goes beyond what they expect sending their world upside and placing them in a situation none of them had ever imagined would be possible. And he presents a proposition that will ultimately change all of their lives.
Not completely heartless, their father arranges to have his business protégé help them with all the technical and legal details. Quinn becomes a major part of their lives and an indispensable part of the family.
This page turning novel is full of dark family secrets that come to light, the struggle of grieving, forgiveness and redemption. It’s a story of faith, friendship and finding true love.
Loved the descriptions, the plot and the depth of characters. Even the love story between Quinn and eldest daughter Phee; it was mature and ended satisfactorily.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series of The Chandler Sisters.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Deborah Raney is a popular author of contemporary women's fiction. She has been around writing for a while and pretty well-known in the Christian fiction community. I can honestly say I haven't read that many of her books, but I do have a ton of them downloaded to my Kindle. Sometime I will get around to reading them. As for her first book in A Chandler Sister Novel series, Reason to Breathe, I enjoyed spending time with the three sisters and start learning more about them.
I enjoy a writer who has a good grasp on the basics when it comes to writing. A good writer should be able to dive into the character's perspective without jumping into other character's perspective. They should also be able to jump into the setting without overwhelming the reader but allow them to experience the setting as a compliment to the story. Raney does a wonderful job at both of these aspects.
Characters make or break a novel. Having a younger sister myself, I love the idea of a series told from each sister's point of view. I'm not that close to my sister, but I have always wanted a closer relationship. It was nice to see the three sisters and have them work together on the house. I enjoyed learning about the sister's from Phee's viewpoint as she traveled through the death of her mother. I really can't wait to see how the other two sisters' stories will develop.
The plot. After losing my daddy three years ago, I understand what it feels like to lose a parent. The only issue I have with the plot is the three sisters ability to carry on without really focusing on their deceased mother or their grief at all. Why didn't it come up at all? I know when I gathered with my brother and sister even now conversations always end back to our Daddy and something he had done. He didn't disappear from our lives. I wanted to see more of the realistic hurt of the grief. On the other hand, the twist with Phee's parentage was an interesting side story, and I wondered if Raney will return to that storyline.
Overall, Reason to Breathe by Deborah Raney is a wonderful tale of three sisters as they move on after the loss of their mother who died with cancer and how to handle a father who doesn't want to face the truth. I enjoyed the story. It reminded me a lot of a version of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, which I enjoyed. I believe fans of Beth K. Vogt and Catherine West might enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Reason to Breathe by Deborah Raney from Gilead Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Reason to Breathe is the start of the Chandler Sisters series. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the others in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deborah Raney’s newest release, Reason to Breathe, the first in the series A Chandler Sisters novel.

This new series is focused on three sisters, Phyllicia, Joanne, and Britt Chandler, with the first novel set following the death of their mother. All three sisters had put their own lives on hold to care for their terminally ill mother until her passing. Now as the young women try to move forward with their lives, they find themselves somewhat lacking direction, made even more stressful when their father takes off for an extended stay in Florida leaving the women to grieve and adjust to their new life without their mother. Now dad is gone too.

When word comes that their father has decided to sell their childhood home, it is up to the sisters to prepare the house for sale. Father wants nothing in the home except for some paintings collected while his wife was still within him. The Chandler sisters are at their wits end trying to remove all the personal and extraneous items while preparing their childhood home for showing.

Enter in Quinn Mitchell who, an employee of their father’s, arrives with a very interesting proposal, one their absentee father approves of. Quinn is tall and handsome, and too old for any of the young women to consider. Yet, Phee, Phyllicia, finds herself strongly attracted to the man she first met at 16; almost 30 Phee struggles with the idea of becoming involved with an older man.

As Quinn proves himself invaluable to all three sisters, it is Phee who develops a strong emotional bond, especially after learning some information about her parents that is highly troublesome.

I am very much looking forward to reading more of the Chandler Sisters series. Highly recommended.

Deborah Raney has written another winner with Reason to Breathe! This book deals with grief for many things. You'll feel frustration with Turner Chandler for leaving for Florida as soon as his wife dies and leaving his three single adult daughters to deal with their own grief without him! Then he puts the family home on the market and expects the sisters to prep the house! As the oldest, Phylicia feels responsible for her sisters. Quinn Mitchell, Turner's coworker and a fine male protagonist, helps the girls purchase and renovate a new place to live. Quinn has regrets from his past plus he is twelve years older than Fee who he has been attracted to since she was 16. You'll enjoy the antics of the close Chandler sisters as their lives move forward and as Fee learns secrets from her parents' past. I enjoyed this first book in the Chandler Sisters series and recommend it to others. I received an advance e-book from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

A true story of finding hope and love in the midst of grief. When Phee and her family lose their wife and mother to cancer, they are left to put the pieces back together. However, when Dad mysteriously leaves town, Phee and her two sister, Britt and Joanna, are left and lost in just what needs to be done. In this story the reader is led to laugh and cry. We see just how grief affects different people different ways. This is a great story which shows us how to love, forgive, and grieve in much they way we should in real life. I look forward to reading the next stories to see what type of new surprises will abound. I received a copy through Netgalley. A positive review was not required.

Phylicia/Phee and her sister Britt had started writing thank you notes yesterday and finished them finally today. It had taken them two months to finish them. But their dad-Turner- been uncharastically indecisive and they were all trying to catch up with work and everything else in their lives since their months had passed away. It wasn’t like Turner to leave things undone. He had always been a get-er-done kind of guy. But Turner hadn’t been himself for a long time. Phee’s mother battled pancreatic cancer for three years before passing away. Then their dad had gone to Florida two days ago to leave the three sisters- Phee, Britt, and Joanna- to figure out what to do next. It looked like Turner already knew what to do. Their dad had been vague about everything. About why he had to go out of town, and what exactly he was doing in Orlando, and when he was coming back home. Phee had an idea a young hospice nurse that Phee and her sisters had met only a couple of times during the last weeks with their mom. But Karleen seemed to be on awful close terms with Turner. Karleen is actually lived in Orlando. Either way something was going on with Turner and it wasn’t good. Turner hadn’t even told the girls what to do with the memorial money or he hadn’t even ordered their mothers headstone. Turner had dropped the ball big time. Turner said his trip was for business but he had seemed excited to leave. Yet Turner had said with all the time he had missed from work her had several projects to complete here in Missouri that he shouldn’t be leaving town. Then their father called and asked if all the sisters were together and then he said he would be staying in Orlando and he had already got an apartment there. Then Turner said he was getting married to Karleen.Then he added he was selling the house and wanted the girls to get it ready. Phee was furious with her dad as he had been her hero. That was why Phee never dated anyone for more than a couple of months as as her dad had always been the measuring stick and no one ever added up. The girls were to get the inheritance that their mother had got from her mother. Quinn was not happy at having to deal with Turner’s three daughters and getting their childhome ready to be put on the ,market to sell. It was not part of Quinn’s job description. Also Quinn was trying to finish his own house. Quinn had tried to spend time with Phee not too many years ago. She was the one he preferred of the sisters. Phee always drew Quinn’s eye and could make him smile without seemingly trying. If circumstances had been different he would have asked Phee out. But Phee was his boss’s daughter. But there was also a twelve year difference in their ages. At sixteen Phee had a crush in Quinn. Quinn mentioned a property that was for sale with three cottages on it and their father approved of the property. The cottages definitely needed fixing up but Quinn offered to help the sisters any way he could.
I enjoyed this story a lot. This was an easy but emotional read. I really liked the plot and pace. I was disappointed with Turner for going off and leaving his girls basically for a woman who wasn’t even anywhere near to being ethical. Then he wanted them to even get their childhood home ready to sell but he wanted the paintings that were worth money that their mother had bought with her inheritance money I don’t feel they were his to want. I loved the build of the relationship between Quinn and Phee. I loved how Quinn also offered his assistance in anyway he could help the sisters. I really liked the sisters relationship also. I choked up at times and chuckled at other times while reading this book. I thought the hospice nurse Karleen was unprofessional and a disgrace to nurses even if only in a novel.as I was a nurse before I was hurt at work and then disabled. I would have rated this 4.5 if I could have.I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend this.

Oh, this was such a good story! I loved the dynamic between the three sisters. They were all thrust into such an uncertain situation, while trying to work through their grief over their mother’s death.

Quinn and Phylicia were great characters. I loved the way Quinn was there for Phee and her sisters. I felt such varying emotions throughout this novel. The author did a great job of making me feel confusion and frustration toward the sisters’ father, who headed to Florida, leaving the sisters struggling emotionally. I felt the heart tugging emotions that Quinn felt as he hoped Phylicia would begin to see him as someone to love. I felt hope as the sisters worked together to make a new start in the cabins they had purchased.

I simply enjoyed this beautiful novel from start to finish and look forward reading the future books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have long loved Deborah Raney's books. They are filled with relatable characters, humor, wonderful settings, and real-world issues. Her newest offering has set up a series that I cannot wait for more episodes.

Phee Chandler is the oldest sister, and has just helped her sisters bury her mother. Then her father leaves with the Hospice nurse, leaving Phee, Joanna, and Britt to muddle on alone. Oh, and they have to vacate the house, but they have money from her mother's inheritance. Phee's father asks his second in command at work, Quinn, to help his daughters find a place to live and that they could afford. Quinn found a piece of property with a cottage and two cabins on the lake front and convinces the girls to pool their money to buy it.

Quinn has fallen in love with Phee and is trying to find a way to show her his love, and pave the way for reconciliation among the girls and their father.

Because there are three sisters, the set up is there for two more novels. It is apparent from the very beginning that this is the intent of the author. Her storytelling is smooth and engaging. I give this book five stars, two thumbs up, and a lakeside cottage.

My thanks to Gilead Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Nice start for the Chandler sisters series! Many thought provoking situations and circumstances that could cause a person to doubt their faith as the sisters are reeling from losing their mother to cancer and then two months later find out their father is engaged to the mother's younger caregiver.

Quinn really held himself to a high standard and when he was put in a bad spot by Phee's father, he did not lie or try to cover up his knowledge, and in the end, he was able to bring their father back when they really needed him.

I loved how the sisters were so close and loving and yet could still annoy each other! Also, glad that things were resolved and all the secrets were brought to light and explained.

This book was a great faith based romance that showed Quinn and Phee had placed their commitment to God over their personal desires. I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading more about the next sister to find love!

I was drawn into this story very quickly and it felt so very real, and as I got to the end, I am thrilled to know that the other two sisters will also have a story to tell.
This is Phylicia Chandler’s story, and wow, a lot of bomb shells are dropped, but will she get the answers she is seeking. The setting is in Missouri, and a hard time in the lives of three sisters and the author has us feeling their pain, as they lose their mother and in a sense their father.
Grief is hard and we put faces on those recently affected by this terrible pain, but we are also shown how living their faith in God is a healing factor.
We are shown options of moving on, and there is a bit of sweet romance, along with the tears comes a few chuckles, and smiles.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series, I love this family!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gilead, and was not required to give a positive review

Phylicia, the eldest of three daughters, is devastated but not particularly surprised when her mother dies of cancer. But the changes in her dad are completely unexpected and far more difficult to deal with - particularly when long-buried secrets begin to come to light... Quinn is their dad's business partner and friend, and has been asked to help the girls with some of the changes they face while their dad is away, but the closeness is only fueling the feelings for her that he has refused to acknowledge for years due to their 12-year age difference. But will they be able to overcome Phylicia's feeling of betrayal and the age difference to accept the love God has in store for them?

I've never been disappointed by a single one of the author's novels that I've read, and this was no exception. I was drawn into the story right from the start and found it hard to put down until the finish - which I was at once eager and reluctant to reach, because I wanted them to have a happy ending but was sad to finish the book. Overall, a great story, with some thought-provoking discussion of love and forgiveness. Highly recommended, with all other novels by the author.

Characters: A variety of characters fill the book, all of which feel realistic. It was enjoyable to enter their world for a while.
Storyline: Neither too straightforward nor too drawn out or convoluted. Well paced, kept me interested throughout.
Content and language: No issues with either content or language.
Message: Talk of love and forgiveness - both ours and God's.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Chick flick supreme, but a good read.

I say chick flick because it had the happily ever after, girl gets guy or guy gets girl, everything always works out and everybody is lighthearted and happy. And yet, the book isn't just full of happy moments. There's some really tough stuff to deal with in this book as well.

I don't want to give away too much about the book, but Phylicia (Phee) is the oldest of three sisters. Jo and Britt are the other sisters and they have just lost their mom to cancer. They were a close, loving family and they are devastated. On top of that, their Dad goes AWOL and moves to Florida and pulls a few fast moves that leaves the girls wondering who their dad even is anymore.

So three girls, all in their 20's, take on a huge project. The spokesman behind the project is "the man" for Phylicia, of course. But I don't want to focus in on that. Phylicia had a lot to fight against in this book emotionally. I have discovered that grief can leave a person very emotionally spent. Add to that grief some traumatizing new discoveries and it can wreak havoc in a person's mind. Phylicia was left to fight through that anger and fear and all the other stages of grief and it consumed her for awhile.

But on the flip side of it, there was some fun moments in the book, listening to the sisters interact with each other, figuring out how to work together and live together again. It was some interesting dialogue to read through.

This was a fun book I got through Net Galley and I will be keeping my eye out for the remaining books coming out about the other two sisters.

Sometimes being helpful can lead to more complications. In Reason to Breathe, a new novel by Deborah Raney, relationships can become more than complicated. Phylicia Chandler has put her life on hold for so long, she feels stuck. Phylicia and her sisters Britt, and Joanna have cared for their mother, all along thinking they were helping their father. When their mother dies, their father leaves them to deal with their grief alone.


Quinn Mitchell, has been Mr. Chandlers right hand man and is now being put into a very unlikely situation. Help the sisters any way he can. When Quinn suggests the sisters pool their resources and buy three seaside cottages, he might have dug himself in deeper. But Quinn has long ago held his heart in check for Phylicia, despite being twelve years older. How can he woo this lovely, talented young woman, who thinks of him only as her Dad's protege?


This was a delightful story with a different twist. How people move on and deal with grief and family secrets, yet draw strength from one another.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the other sisters’ stories! Well developed characters I wanted to know more about, and a truly original plot line. Written flawlessly and left me wanting more!

Reason to Breathe is a look at family relationships as the members walk through life changes. Three Chandler sisters reflect on the recent death of their mother and the difficult paths of navigation with the absence. The father is somewhat distant emotionally, but the three sisters are quite close. The book is Christian in essence and tells the universal tale of love, loss, forgiveness, and identity. Rainey deftly weaves the relationships around the renovation of three small. cottages that the three sisters can use for some income and also home base for the next books in the series. The sisters, Phylicia, Joanna, and Britt are facing different situations with their own gifts and failings. The dashing Quinn is a family friend who steps in with handyman gifts and good advice for their investments. The book is an easy read and uplifting because the human spirit is filled with emotion, and here in the small community edged with natural waters, the people have moments to reflect and to exhale through the difficult and through the joyous times. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. You should read the book for a welcome walk through the renovation of cottages and hope for the good life.

A contemporary story with a heartfelt message! Following their mother's death, three sisters find themselves facing some big decisions, and must rely on each other to work out the details with their dad mysteriously leaving town.

“That’s one thing I know for certain. God has been with me every step of the way. Even when I couldn’t feel Him there."

This well written story carries with it a timeless message of hope in the midst of grief. The family dynamics and emotional upheaval with the death of a parent were realistically shown in the sister's lives, but without being depressing. I could relate to a lot of their problems and questions of faith after walking this same path with my own family. Phylicia, or Phee as her sisters call her, is struggling with trust issues, on top of the loss of her mom, and carrying the brunt of responsibility as the oldest. This was her story mainly, as she works through her relationship with her dad, and overcomes obstacles in her growing friendship with Quinn. He is a great guy too. *sigh* The conversations between the sisters are funny at times, and their love for each other shines past any personality differences. The nods to the show Fixer Upper had me smiling too. I look forward to reading the next book to find out what happens next in their lives.

Recommend to readers who enjoy character driven stories with inspiration, and a tender romance. 4.5 stars