This is the first book I have read by Katie McGarry and it did not disappoint at all. This was a very emotional, brilliantly written book. This is one of those books that you read and know it will stick with you for a very long time. It took me a while to actually start this book and now I'm kicking myself for waiting for so long. This book was amazing and I could not put it down. Katie took some very tough family subject matter and turned it into a brilliant story. I can not wait to read more from this author. This book has definitely made this author an automatic buy for me.

Katie McGarry has always been an insta read author for me. I fell in love with her beautiful love stories when I read her debut Pushing the Limits back in 2012.I have read every one of her books till now, and have loved her stories and characters all these years. Even though I love revisiting favourite characters and their lives, it’s always exciting when she decides to start a new set of characters and world altogether, and I was prepared to love Jesse, Scarlett and their story as I started Only a Breath Apart.

Jesse and Scarlett are broken. Their home lives are not perfect, they used to share a magical friendship that is now shattered, and they both need each other to achieve what they really want. Their reunion rekindles their friendship and the love they had for each other, and Only a Breath Apart is a classic Katie McGarry story about two teenagers from different lives learning to love, heal and hope through each other.

After years of reading Katie McGarry’s books, I have noticed that her stories follow a formula. However, they never tire me, instead it feels warm and familiar, and I know that I am in for a romantic and emotional journey, everytime I start one of her books. Only a Breath Apart wasn’t my favourite McGarry book, and it was still a breezy and beautiful read nonetheless. I was also snowed in when I was reading the book, and it was the best atmosphere to be in to savour the romance of Scarlett and Jesse.

Scarlett and Jesse were wonderful characters, and the chemistry between them was wonderful. Scarlett’s emotional arc was all about the people around her leaving her without choices, and for once Jesse puts her in charge of her own decisions. The shared history between them helped the story to ease into the romance quickly, while the plot could focus on their individual character journeys, as well as their relationship.

The book has heavy subject matter, especially with regards to abuse, and the focus leans a little on religion, so I would put that out there for anyone who won’t be comfortable with that. The story is also very Southern, very white and set in a very small town and draws heavily on love for agriculture and urban legends.

Only a Breath Apart wasn’t my favourite McGarry book – that prize would go to Walk the Edge – but it reminded me why I love her books so much. It’s perfect for anyone who wants an emotional and beautiful romance with semi angst and bittersweet moments, and of course fans of Katie McGarry and starcrossed romances.

Katie McGarry is one of my favorite YA romance authors. Actually she is one of the ONLY romance authors I read. This book was different from her other ones in the sense that it was a bit darker. It was still filled with great characters and a well rounded story.

*Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ *

Jesse’s family is cursed. Everyone will hurt those they love and can only find happiness on his family’s land. But now that his beloved grandmother passed away, Jesse must prove that he is capable of owning and working the farm himself- a task he feels he can’t accomplish. Scarlet was told to never tell anyone of her father’s restrictive and abusive ways, that it is just how he expresses himself since he loves so much. But Scarlet wants more from life than what her father thinks she needs- and Jesse just might be the key to getting it.

Shockingly, I will make this review short and to the point. This was another fabulous Katie McGarry book. It was just what I was hoping for- full of angst, hard choices, potentially bad home situations aka real life, and the most adorable of swoon worthy moments that you never want to end. Her books always hurt my heart, but really in the best of ways, potentially may end in tears (for me), and I will always come back for more. Katie knows how to romance, and romance she does well. I liked that there was a slightly supernatural element (tarot cards and psychic vibes to be specific) to the book which was a new twist and I would love if the next book in the series (yep, I already checked and there will be another book set in this world!) continued with the tiny flair used in this story.

I highly recommend this book, actually all of Katie’s books I recommend if I am being honest, and I love that you can read and enjoy everyone of her books as standalone stories regardless of what series or order they belong to. I will read whatever she wants to write next and I know it will be an epic romance that I might be heartbroken by.

Starting a Katie McGarry book always feels like coming home to me. When i first found a love of the Mature YA/New Adult Genre, Pushing the Limits was one of the first books I read and I instantly feel in love with Katie's poignant style of writing.

Only A Breath Apart was no different. From the first chapter of this powerfully emotional story I was enthralled with the story of Jesse Lachlin and Scarlett Copeland. Estranged childhood friends who spent every waking and in some cases everyone else non waking minutes together turned into teenage star-crossed lovers.

Jesse Lachlin is cursed and Scarlett Copeland is psychic. Jesse is no stranger to tragedy and Scarlett is no stranger to secrets. Their relationship is built on both of these important factors in there lives. Will Scarlett succumb to the curse? and will Jesse find out how difficult Scarlett's life truly is?

Even though Jesse and Scarlett were only kids when they played on Jesse's land, this book had a second chance feel to it. A second chance at friendship and a first chance at love.

While I absolutely love Katie McGarry's writing and the premise of Only A Breath Apart, I did struggle at times with the story. There are themes in the book that I'm not 100% comfortable reading and unfortunately this meant that the book took me a lot longer to read than it normally would have.

Katie McGarry's writing was as always emotive and addictive. The themes of the book were handled in a very respectful way and were not over done in detail to take away from the effects that these situations have on people involved which I thought was important. Katie is not shy to take on these themes and always addresses them in an honest way that makes you appreciate here writing so much more.

Rating: 4.5

Overall, this book was great. I loved the two main characters and how they interacted together. I loved that even though they struggled they were both stayed strong in their own ways. Honestly, I am a HUGE fan of this author so I am pleased that I loved another one of her books. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a contemporary romance but with a slight twist.

Worth the Read?
Definitely!

Only a Breath Apart is the newest release from Katie McGarry, and this book grabbed me from the first page and never let me go. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings, and left me feeling emotionally drained in the best way possible.

This book hits on some difficult topics of abuse, and there are times when it was uncomfortable to read, but Katie McGarry did an excellent job of handling these hard hitting topics with care. Scarlet and Jesse are both so young, but already life has handed them the short end of the stick, so to say. They face so many obstacles on their journey through life, but together it is filled with some truly inspiring moments. The connection between these two is so strong, and beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in my life.

Only a Breath Apart is not your typical YA, despite what I first thought when I looked at the cover. It’s so much more. There’s hard hitting topics, romance, and a bit of magical realism that was an unexpected surprise. I’m so glad that I met these characters and went on their journey with them. Scarlett was so strong, and overcame an incredible struggle to be the person that she is. Jesse, on the other hand, is so kind and caring and truly feels for those around him. I fell in love with his characters quickly, and wanted to know how his story would end.

This book was one of my most anticipated YA contemporary reads of the year, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read this one, because it’s a beautiful read, overflowing with emotions and teaching the reader how important trust is to a person.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

*trigger warning for physical and verbal abuse*

Legend has it that Jesse Lachlin's family has been cursed for centuries. He holds on to his mom's belief that staying on Lachlin land can help avoid the curse, but after Jesse's grandma dies, he learns that other people will get to vote on whether Jesse keeps the land or not. To keep his farm, he will have to win the approval of his ex-best friend, Scarlett Copeland.

Scarlett dreams of going to the University of Kentucky to become a speech therapist, but her controlling dad insists she is only allowed to go to the college in town to study business. Her dad also abuses her mom and controls every aspect of their family life. Scarlett dreams of breaking free of her family, but she will need Jesse's help to do so. As Jesse and Scarlett's feelings for each other grow, can they escape their pasts and find hope in the future?

I love this author's writing; she really wraps you up in what the characters are feeling, both the highs and the lows. It was interesting to see a character with psychic abilities and a preacher sharing God's word both in this book. I couldn't help but root for Jesse and Scarlett throughout the story. I look forward to checking out more by this author!

I was given this book for review a long time ago, but I never got around to reading and reviewing. Not because I didn't try to, but I almost gave up and just said it wasn't for me. But I decided to give it one last try and listen to it before giving up entirely. Sad to say I don't feel as if it was memorable at all.
When Katie McGarry's first series came out I fell in love with her writing. I loved Noah and Echo and all the others from that series. But now as a fan for so long, I'm starting to feel that her books all seem the same.... I just felt like I had read this already. It didn't seem different enough from everything else she's written to stand out to me. I thought the psychic angle would be a bit different, but it wasn't enough for me.
As for the romance, I was glad to finally see a couple in YA that wasn't totally dependent on each other. I was glad that we got to see them apart, them together, them apart, and them together again. Sure it followed the troupe by the book, but it still showed both Scarlett and Jesse being strong and independent apart from each other. And it all worked out in the end.
The narrators did a great job though! I think this is the main reason I didn't want to stop the audio. The content left me bored, but the way they performed it made that ok. Just like when you're a kid and someone's reading to you and they use voices and stuff like that? That's the way I felt about it. I haven't listened to anything by either narrator before, but I can definitely see myself starting!
I do believe I've outgrown my "bad boy troupe" phase. I use to love all of McGarry's boys, but Jesse just didn't do it for me. I had to read this book in two different formats before I could even get through it. But others besides me may like this one. It may be appealing to others, but this one just wasn't for me.

Katie McGarry knows what YA is, how it works, and what it can do better than anyone, but she always takes it one step further. That is most definitely true in Only a Breath Apart.

If you don’t know who Katie McGarry is, I highly suggest giving one of her books a read. Or check out any of our articles singing her praises. She has a way with words I know only she can offer, an honesty and a power that YA doesn’t always bring.

In Only a Breath Apart, that honesty and power comes from childhood friendship that feels like it could be so much more.

Jesse Lachlin is the poor, cursed, boy-next-door, and Scarlett Copeland is the wealthy, scared girl trapped in her tower. Their kinship as kids reminds them of the comfort and happiness they found in each other, even if adolescence and small town sensibility have done more to pull them apart than any friendship could withstand. Only a Breath Apart is the story of how precious friendship is and what more it can become when given a chance to grow deep, unrelenting roots.

Only a Breath Apart is the type of YA romance adults need to read. Not because it will remind you fondly of your teenage years, but because it will transport you back to a time when emotions are everything, passion is intoxicating, and the world is doing everything in its power to hold you back. It reminds you of the power of feeling and what being brave enough to try can do for your soul.

I like Katie McGarry’s version of YA. It’s realistic, it’s powerful, it’s honest, and it’s gritty in authentic, heartbreaking ways. Her teenagers act like teenagers. They gossip and sneak out. They lie to their parents and apologize for screwing up. They dip their toe into rebelling against the rules without falling headfirst into chasms of darkness and ruin. They sometimes do drugs, skip school, and drink as teenagers do, but without losing sight of what’s important to them in the meantime.

I have to admit, Jesse is basically the quintessential bad boy with a heart of gold. He’s my kryptonite. I love a good bad boy. I mean that in pretty much every way you could. I love a well-written bad boy. I love a bad boy that is less bad and more misunderstood. I like a flawed, introspective character that is less concerned with reputation and artifice, and more interested in building things that last.

Scarlett is a brave, scared young woman who needs to feel a little less alone to find the strength to push through. It can be hard to see through the fog of your current circumstances when they just feel like they’re never going to change. When your current normal is suffocating and stale, and you just know there’s more to living than surviving from breath to breath. Scarlett is the kind of heroine I wish I had read more of as a teen. She’s scared and brave. She’s willing to act for herself and her loved ones’ best interests, but she needs to find someone who can remind her that isn’t being selfish or unforgiving. Sometimes, that’s just what’s right.

In a world of dating apps and social media craziness, stories like this remind you that sometimes you need to take a look around the world you have in front of you and take a breath.

Thank you, Katie McGarry. Thank you for writing realistic, wholesome, authentic people who aren’t afraid to try. For writing characters that never give up, even when they have trouble deciding for themselves what is right or just necessary. For bringing us beautiful stories like that of Jesse and Scarlett who have a whole lot of ugly to push through first.

Only a Breath Apart is available now! So grab your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Indiebound and get ready for one hell of a read. Oh, and don’t forget to add it on Goodreads, too.

It is no secret that Katie McGarry is one of my favorite YA contemporary authors, and Only a Breath Apart is a wonderful addition to her works. This one is not to be missed. Katie is known for her real life and sometimes rough life situations in her books, but they always connect to your heart.

Katie doesn’t write light and cute contemporary, but emotional books with boys who are rough on the outside and solid gold on the inside. They aren’t easy to read, but not because of the writing, but because of the emotions, the pain the characters go through. Some of the violence in the book can be a bit much, but it’s an integral part of the story. About learning to trust, learning to love, and trying to heal.

I love that this book has a tiny bit extrasensory perception, and I don’t think that is the right way to explain it. More like psychics, spirits, curses and a spiritual connection to the land. I can’t even explain it, but it is a part of the story that has importance, but it doesn’t take anything away from the plot, only adds to it. I loved this chance that Katie took, as it isn’t something she ever wrote before.

Let’s talk about the characters, because I love character driven books and Katie writes the best characters. Jesse has recently lost his grandmother, one of his last remaining relatives. He is the inheritor of a large farmland, but his grandmother had created a sort of trust to determine how he should inherit the property when he turns 18 in less than a year. He believes his family is cursed, his mother swore that he couldn’t leave their families land, and everytime he has gone far away, very bad things have happened to him. Jesse has got a bad reputation around town, but all of his shortcomings are based his heart of gold. He gets in trouble for helping his friends, or his farm, or his family.

Scarlett was the girl Jesse grew up with, she was always closed off, but they were always close. Of course Jesse pushed her away and hurt her a few years ago. Now his future depends on her, and he has never stopped caring for her. Scarlett and Jesse start rekindling their friendship. Her life and Jesse’s are interwined, for better or worse.

I love when audiobooks have dual narrators when the book is told in that format. Nothing makes me happier than having a male and female narrator, so yay! The production is great, and I enjoyed listening to this story. Y’all know I love audiobooks more than anything so yeah I got lost in this one.

If you like your characters with a bit of a rough edge, complexity, and ultimately flawed, I can guarantee you will be completely consumed with Only a Breath Apart.

*Trigger warnings for violence, domestic abuse, verbal abuse.
4.5 stars

You know that feeling when you get 100% lost in a good book? That was me with Only a Breath Apart. It took a couple chapters for me to hit my stride, but once I did, I didn’t want to put it down. I just wanted to keep living in this world Katie created and breathing in her words. It was a beautiful book with a ton of heart.

I’m struggling a bit with how to make my words do justice to this gorgeous book Katie created. There’s something about her books that makes me just feel like I’m actually living in them. I’m not just reading them, I’m experiencing everything right along with the characters. As you can imagine, Only a Breath Apart put me through the wringer and a myriad of emotions. There was fear because of what Scarlett was experiencing at home. A ton of emotions I can’t even name over Jesse’s need to keep his land. Swoons over the relationship developing between the two of them.

I feel like Only a Breath Apart is a book best experienced knowing little going in, so I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty here. This book was a journey. Or, maybe more specifically, two journeys. Jesse and Scarlett were both fantastic characters who experienced a lot of growth over the course of this book. There were ups and downs, but that just made it all the more realistic. It was an easy and addictive read, an emotional and heartfelt story. If you enjoy YA contemporary, Only a Breath Apart needs to be on your TBR.

Favorite Quotes:
“People say our curse is that when we fall in love with someone, something horrible will happen to them, and we’re left to grieve forever.”

Holes in hearts hurt, and I have too many holes for me to be breathing.

I’m sick and tired of adults acting like we’re glass that will shatter if we fall. Sometimes they need to let us fall. Sometimes we need to make our own mistakes.

Every book I've ever read by Katie McGarry has been breathtaking! So this book was adequately titled.

Both Jesse and Scarlett are harboring some big demons. Things that keep them isolated and from developing real connections with others. That's when the universe or divine intervention decides it's time their paths cross and things change.

I have always loved how Katie writes about such serious subjects with gentleness and validity. It's so easy to relate to her characters. The complexity of each character gives them such depth and pragmatism. Jesse has lost the two people he loves most; one by choice and one by death. Now he has to decide if he's inherited his family's curse or if he can break the cycle and become more than the Lachlin name. Scarlett has seen her hero fall from grace. Her father, the one man who controls her universe is now the one man she doesn't trust.

I loved how Jesse and Scarlett put aside damaged feelings to help each other.

Readers who are familiar with McGarry's books will not be disappointed! If you haven't read any of her books add them to your TBR list right away!

This was a really sweet, emotional book—classic Katie McGarry in the best way possible. I loved the magical elements with the curse and the question of if Gloria’s powers were real or not, and I don’t know how Katie does it every time, but she just...really gets how to evoke all the emotion and fear of living with an unstable parent.

I cheated. Yes, I received an e-arc but when I thought the audiobook was already available on Scribd, well, I didn't hesitate and started listening to it.

I enjoyed reading Only a breath apart. It follows two characters. Scarlett and Jesse. They've been friends since they were kids but something happened in high school and they didn't talk after that. We quickly learn that they both have problems in their family. Jesse thinks he's cursed because people keep dying around him (his mother then his grandmother) and Scarlett has an abusive/controlling father who keeps on hitting her mother.

It was a good story and I enjoyed it. However, I didn't care about the romance (or even the characters, if I'm being honest) all that much. But! Just because I didn't fall in love with this story, doesn't mean you won't. A lot of people loved it and I hope you will be one of them.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC of this book via Netgalley)

Start to finish I was completely captivated. Every word, every emotion, every action, I felt it all.

I first fell in love with Katie's work back with Pushing the Limits, I couldn't get enough then and I can't get enough now. This story was raw and real and I loved every minute of it!

I enjoyed this book. I Really felt this story and the characters. It's sweet and funny, It gets raw and heartbreaking at times. McGarry does such a great job with it. I recommend

I am going to do my best to only give you a GLIMPSE of how much I loved this story without giving anything away.

I am not one to normally cry at books. I barely shed a tear while other readers can be bawling their eyes out. I’m here to say that this book caused me to cry like a hungry, angry baby. This gutted me in the best way possible. BUT! With that being said, this was not an easy book to get through. There are parts that are gut wrenching, heart shattering, terribly difficult to read. There are some trigger warnings I feel I need to mentioned: abuse – physical, emotional, psychological, and mental. I don’t want to be heartless when I say these topics do take place every day but… they do. I am a domestic abuse survivor and as one, the way McGarry portrayed them felt real and believable. That blew me away.

This was a powerful, gritty, raw, and gutting story. I also feel this type of story is necessary. As mentioned, there are very tough topics covered but I feel they need to be covered. I believe the topic of abuse (no matter what form) isn’t discussed nearly enough. While it is a very sensitive subject for me, I feel if it is talked about more that maybe more people will understand they do not have to endure torture like that. Maybe if this helps just one person get the help they deserve, it will be worth it.

I’ll get off of my soap box now.

I will briefly say how much I loved the characters. I wanted nothing more than to embrace them in a hug and whisper how much everything will work out. I wanted to remind them over and over that nothing was their fault and they did not deserve anything that happened to them. I was blown away by their amazing character development and how they still felt real the entire time. They were deeply flawed and wonderfully complex.

The overall story itself was perfect. I thought I read somewhere that someone categorized this as “Magical Realism” and I’m happy I never read that – thank goodness. I do not jive well with magical realism books. Instead, there are spiritual elements references, but that was in line with fortune telling, palm reading, and tarot cards. It certainly did not over-shadow any part of the story.

Long ramble short – this book was everything I wanted. It was heart felt, cry inducing, gut wrenching, and utterly breath taking. I needed this book and I wasn’t even aware that I needed it. Please give this a chance. I feel this may be one of McGarry’s best works to date.

A riveting contemporary romance with breathtaking characters and so much angst! Childhood friends Scarlett and Jesse drifted apart their freshman year of high school. Well, Jesse basically drove Scarlett away. She harbors the scars of that betrayal while hiding an ugly secret within the walls of her seemingly perfect home. Jesse is everything Scarlett is not, yet when his Gran dies, the delicate thread that was holding his tenuous world together breaks and Jesse and Scarlett learn they have far more in common than either of them thought. As forces outside their control threaten to rip each of them apart, they find comfort and strength in the renewal of a lifelong friendship.

Plot
The primary story is the relationship between Jesse and Scarlett, but deep subplots drive that relationship. Jesse’s tenuous hold on his family’s farm after his Gran’s death affects everything he does. Scarlett’s home life and her dreams for a future she controls impact every relationship she has. A family curse forces Jesse to keep everyone he loves at arms’ length. While the two struggle with their own goals, an undeniable attraction to one another soon becomes the biggest obstacle either of them could have imagined. The story moves from the opening chapter through the gripping conclusion that kept me turning page after page in true Katie McGarry form. No one does angsty teen romance quite like McGarry and I’m a forever fan.

The Characters
Oh my gosh, how much do I LOVE these characters? They are complex, driven, damaged, and oh so lovable. Even though Scarlett is known around school as the Ice Princess, she’s much more than just a mean girl. She’s got so many issues and the way she protects herself is utterly relatable. Jesse is damaged from an early age and protects people the only way he knows how — by shutting them out. Watching these two grow and develop is satisfying at every level. The additional cast, Jesse’s posse of equally messed-up friends, Scarlett’s popular friends and her dysfunctional family, only add to the depth of the two main characters. But none of these supporting characters come across as two-dimensional. Each is fully fleshed out with their own goals, obstacles, and backstories.

Top Five Things I Loved About ONLY A BREATH APART
1. The angst. Oh how I love me some teen angst, and ONLY A BREATH APART is dripping with it!

2. Complex characters. Every single character involved in the plot or subplot is fully-developed and three-dimensional.

3. Friends to more. As someone who married my BFF, this is my favorite trope.

4. Scarlett. She’s fierce, self-protective, loyal, and scared, there is some much conflict within her, I want to take her home and let her experience family love the way it should be.

5. Jesse. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet he still does things for others for all the right reasons.

Bottom Line
A gripping young adult contemporary with realistic characters who are impossible to resist.

Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me want to cry many times. It was nicely written and edited well. I found it to be an easy, fast read. The story was wonderful and I wanted more of it. However, I was upset that Jesse and Scarlett did not venture together. I understand why it was written as it was, and it was still great, but part of me wishes they had been together during the adventure. I also wish Veronica’s sickness was elaborated on as sickness comes in many forms. A great book nonetheless!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed above are solely those of my own.