This book had a mystical feel that I was skeptical about at first, but grew on me over the course of the book. All of the other Katie McGarry books I've read have felt really urban and gritty, but this one is more of a small town/rural gritty which was a refreshing angle. I really wanted to love this book, but I never fully connected with the characters. I also wish that the supporting characters were more involved in the story and more developed. Overall it was a compelling read with a plot that had me wondering how everything was going to work out.

This is a sweet story of two teenagers who are neighbors and have grown up together and grown apart as they got older. Both of them are burdened with issues in their lives and find themselves drawn back together though their experiences. McGarry does a good job drawing her readers in to the romance as well as the realistic relationships between the friends. Loss, abuse, trust and growth are all topics touched on in this novel. I enjoy MGarry's novels and I'm grateful to netgalley for a chance to read this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Kasie West will likely enjoy this story of neighbors struggling with a curse on their land in the boy’s life and a controlling, abusive father in the girl’s. For me, the book refused to choose a side between magical realism and realistic fiction so I found my eyes rolling more than normal.

Welp. This was a bit of a struggle. I have read and loved all of Katie’s other books, so I was all in without really reading the synopsis. That cover made me think it was just the standard mid-level angst she normally writes.

I liked Scarlett and Jesse well enough. They have a boatload of history with a second boatload of issues to deal with. There are a few other characters, but no one stood out to me. For me, they read as plot devices—and that is sort of tragic because there’s a lot of potential in Jesse’s friends.

As for the plot, it was depressing. Sure there’s a thread about curse, but it has nothing on what Scarlett’s family is. And yes, the synopsis hinted at difficulties, this was not what I was expecting.

Overall, it was easy to root for the characters and want them to get out of their shitty situations. Sadly, I had a hard time with such a downtrodden story. The small perks of positivity and happiness weren’t enough to make this a book loved.

FYI: there are several scenes of a women getting beaten and it goes into graphic detail. Also, a lot of verbal abuse.

**Huge thanks to Tor Teen for providing the arc free of charge**

Yes, another book by Katie!!!! By now, you've probably figured out that I absolutely love everything about Katie and her books!!!



Anyway...



Jesse is cursed......anyone in the Lachlin family ends up losing the ones they love. It's a crappy curse and one of the reasons Jesse couldn't be close to Scarlett anymore....But now things are different. Jesse has grown into this tall, rugged and handsome guy. Unfortunately, the other things about Jesse isn't all that great. The things that follow him around, isn't something Jesse wanted in his life. He didn't want to be know as that gut who's cursed, been arrested, etc.



Scarlett is the ice princess.....at least that's what she's called thanks to her ex-bestie spreading some lies around. But Scarlett is actually lovely, caring and scared..on the inside. On the outside, she has to have that perfect look. The nails, clothes, sitting positions, the whole nine yards. Not because that's who she is, but who she has to be in order to impress her parents. Secretly, Scarlett wants out, out of that town and out of her home.



Unfortunately it took a funeral to bring them back together. Jesse's gram passed and he's taking it hard. Scarlett went to the funeral because his gram loved her as if she was family. It was that moment that everything will change for them.



Jesse needs to prove himself to keep his land. He needs to get his crap together and keep it that way. He's going to need Scarlett on his side if ever plans to keep his land. He needs her vote. So he tries, tries to do what it takes to get her vote. Get her a job, rides, etc. Through it all, Scarlett didn't expect to have Jesse around so much. Didn't think they would re-build their friendship. But together they can help each other out. Creating something between them, that neither expected, but is what they both needed.



Yes, Katie has blown me away. Yet again, she got that emotional roller coaster going once again, and yet I will never tire of it. Katie's books are so worth the read and can be more relateable than you think.

This was my first Katie McGarry read and probably won't be my last. Although this was a book about teenage love, it was also much more than that. Set among an old family curse, Only a Breath Apart focuses on love, friendship, and finding your own path in life. There were also moments that made this book powerful yet hard to read. There were many scenes including physical and verbal abuse but it was heartwarming to see these young characters fight to break the cycle and make their own decisions.

This is my favorite Katie McGarry novel so far. The characters were really amazing and the story was rich and beautiful. While I have always enjoyed her books this one had an extra depth to it and I loved it.

Jesse’s grandmother has recently died, but she had a stipulation in her will. In order for him to inherit the land, he must get the approval of a few people, including a childhood friend he hasn’t spoken to in years. Scarlett is dealing with a troubled home life and the need to leave her family to go to college. Her father has always been controlling, but as she approaches high school graduation, these fears are escalating. Scarlett might be able to follow her dreams and go away for college, but in order for this to happen, she will need to trust Jesse again. Will Jesse and Scarlett be able to help each other achieve their dreams? What obstacles will they need to overcome along the way?

Only a Breath Apart is a stand-alone novel told in the alternating voices of Jesse and Scarlett. Readers will easily discover that this story must be told and will enjoy the connection between these two teens. McGarry has designed an overarching story that is easy to relate to but has also included several smaller tangents that will keep the reader deeply involved. The supporting characters are just as vital as the two protagonists and this gives the story, even more, meaning and worth. I recommend Only a Breath Apart to everyone who enjoys a good coming of age story.

Only A Breath Apart by Katie McGarry
4⭐️

Trigger warning: abuse: physical and verbal.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for an E-Arc in an exchange for an honest review.

Best friends sometimes have to fall apart to fall back together. Scarlett and Jesse have been best friends all their life, from the late night play dates, to major life events happening to them both.

From the beginning of the book there is a heavy presence of abuse, jesses mother had been abused by almost every man she was with until one day it went to far and the worst event happened... she was beaten to death by jesses father. Jesse watched it happen, broke off his friendship with Scarlett because he was afraid everything and everyone he loved ends up in a bad situation.

Scarlett has some secrets of her own, no one has ever known her father beats her mother. She knows it not appropriate but she also fears there’s not much she can do other than to make sure her younger sister stays far away from the abuse as she can get. One night goes more far than other nights and causes a chain reaction of choices that scarlet must make to make her future much brighter than it has ever been.

In the mist of both there lives spiraling, Scarlett and Jesse find each other just when the life events were starting to truly take hold. Only a breath apart is a truly compelling contemporary romance with love, friendship, family, and trust. I would highly recommend to anyone who needs a book that’ll make you ugly cry but also laugh!

Katie McGarry's latest book will keep your attention from first page to last. You will journey with Scarlett and Jesse as they navigate blossoming love while trying to learn how to trust each other with dark secrets from the past and present. This contemporary romance (with a touch of magical realism) will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Though a bit of a slow-mover, McGarry delivers her usual powerful punch in the young adult genre. The alternating POV allows readers into the private worlds of two very damaged characters. Though Jesse and Scarlett are teens, both end up on their own, so Only a Breath Apart could safely be construed as new adult as well as YA. Their struggles to not only overcome their painful joint past but their totally screwed up present are poignant but mostly unbelievable. Readers may find themselves more drawn to the wild cards that are Jesse's three very colorful best friends; Scarlett and Jesse sometimes feel out of reach.

Once again Katie McGarry has written a gripping and powerful story that many teenagers, and adults, will be able to relate to. She has woven serious topics into a story of family, love, and survival.

One of the things I loved about this book were the characters. There were both characters I loved and those I couldn't stand but they were all important to the story. One of my favorites was Pastor Hughes. The way he listened and talked with Scarlett and Jesse was excellent and I wish every teenager (well everyone really) had someone like him in their life.

Another great aspect of all Katie's books are the romances. This one was no exception. You can't help falling in love and rooting for Scarlett and Jesse.

This was another great Katie McGarry novel that I can't wait to share with my patrons.

This is the seventh book by Katie McGarry that I have read, and I think it is the best so far. Told in alternating voices, the book is compulsively readable, and I was equally caught up in the struggles and transformations of both Scarlett and Jesse. With a father who is physically abusive to her mother, and a secret romance with a forbidden boy, Scarlett's story reminded me of Kristin Hannah's "The Great Alone". It was not as graphic, but it was also both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I received this Advanced Readers Copy through Net Galley, all of the below stated are my honest opinions.

I've only read a couple of Katie McGarry's books but every-time I do pick one up it is pretty amazing!

In Only a Breath Apart we meet Jesse who is to inherit his family's land that has been with them for generations. After his grandmother passes away he is left to deal with how to keep the land and has to deal with how he is to prove his maturity to the three people who are voting for the final decision .Mainly he deals with his childhood best friend who he thinks has a vote and who he has always loved but pushed away due to a dark secret.

Scarlett, Jesse's childhood best friend has no idea why Jesse pushed her away and ridiculed her in front of his friends freshmen year. That isn't her only problem, Scarlett has an overprotective father and her own family secrets she has to learn how to keep hidden until it becomes too much.

The main reason I very much enjoyed this book was because of the realistic topics that were talked about. This was a book that i could relate to and as a grown up now I wish I had a book like this to just feel close too.

I love Katie Mcgarry! Once again she has a great story of friendship, family and love. Have you ever had a friend that you would give up everything for? Someone that you can share everything with and tell them anything? True friendship? Well this is the perfect book to read for you! Once again Katie Mcgarry hits a home run!

This is a beautiful story about two damaged people dealing with troubled pasts and trying to pave a better future for themselves.

This was a very sweet love story that tackled the very difficult topic of abuse. Both Scarlett and Jesse have been victimized by a parent, causing deep and lasting trauma.

At times this was a painful read, because it really shows how devastating and self-perpetuating the cycle of abuse can be. Sadly, it is not uncommon for a victim of abuse to blame themselves, and many are trapped in a toxic relationship because of fear, love, finances, and/or a misplaced belief that the abuser can change.

This story also demonstrates that there are different types of abuse, and that emotional/psychological abuse can be equally as damaging as physical abuse.

Scarlett and Jesse show that it is possible to heal, and that reaching out to people we trust can help us transcend a dangerous situation. There are many other important lessons to be found in this story and I think that makes it is a great reading recommendation for teens.

Jesse and Scarlett are two very memorable characters. They are dealing with the cards life has dealt them and chasing their own personal demons while still in high school. They have a choice. Do you stay in the familiar and deal with what you know and end up making the same mistakes as your parents or do you risk it all to gain control of your destiny? This story’s sheds new light on situations many of us may not have dealt with personally and more importantly shows places where the best help can be found. I would highly recommend this book to others. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Katie McGarry gets what many romance writers don't - character development. What I love about her books is that her characters are more than just one dimensional boy meets girls and falls in love. The have ISSUES and they work to resolve these issues.

Scarlett and Jesse have know each other forever, living across the street from one another and playing together as children. Now seventeen, Jesse has lost his grandmother and is all alone. All he wants is to hold onto his land, to which he feels an almost mystical connection to the land. Scarlett lives in a large house with a seemingly perfect family, but others don't see the truth behind the facade - the fact that her father is controlling and abusive.

Their lives intersect when Jesse learns that Scarlett is part of a 3-person tribunal who will decide whether he gets to keep his land. Jesse has to work to repair his relationship with Scarlett which was broken after he publicly humiliated her freshman year.

I loved this book!
The perfect YA Romance with a touch (but not a lot) of supernatural. I love the characters and the story line. I can't wait for more books in the series!