Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

March 24th, 2013 Kimberly Review 52 Comments

24th Mar
Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker
Ten Tiny Breaths
by K.A. Tucker
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Four years after losing her parents, best friend, and boyfriend in a drunk driving accident, twenty-year-old Kacey Cleary runs away to begin a new life in Miami. Hardened by the tragedy, she's determined to keep everyone at a distance—until she meets an irresistible and mysterious neighbor who is determined to melt the ice over her heart.

I have been read a slew of contemporary books of late, and while I do not think I will ever fully connect with young adult contemporaries, I am finding I truly enjoy them in the new adult and adult genres. Ten years ago I would have gagged and called you a liar if you told me I would come to love them. While they still cause me to become way too emotionally involved I am at peace with it. Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker kept a little piece of me when I closed the book. The tale was powerful, tragic, heartbreaking, and romantic.

The tale begins four years after a horrific accident that took the lives of Kacey Cleary’s best friend, boyfriend, and parents. As the sole survivor of the wreck, she has been plagued by nightmares. She and her fifteen-year-old sister have just arrived in Miami, Florida after escaping from their aunt’s house. Twenty-one year old Kacey has just enough money to set them up in the small furnished apartment while she looks for work. The shabby little, Melrose inspired apartment complex is about to change this hardened woman’s life as her neighbors and one smexy neighbor in particular worm their way into her heart. Filled with touching moments, unspeakable secrets and hope this book kept me enthralled until the last page.

Kacey Cleary is one tough cookie, and about as fragile as one. She has this snaky, I don’t give a shit exterior and a jagged past as she spent the last four years in a drug and sex induced stopper to control the pain and lose she feels. Her love of her sister has changed all that and for once she is going to hold it all together as her guardian. Kacey really tears at your heartstrings, while making you laugh your ass of the in the next sentence. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing her out, sharing her fears and making her real for me. Livie, her sister is sweet, and she really holds it together. Kacey and Livie befriend their next door neighbor single mother Storm and her five-year-old daughter Mia. They had their own storyline that intertwined with Kacey’s giving this book almost a small town feel. Trent lives on the other side of Kacey’s apartment and boy howdy is he smexy. He is very sensitive to Kacey and her issues and I immediately felt a connection to him. Trent’s complicated and seems perfect and you just want to bite him. He is a good guy but you sense his pain. There was no insta-love and in fact, very little smexy time but it was such a beautiful and touching romance. I laughed, I cried and ooh how I cheered them on.

Tucker really did a wonderful job of sharing Kacey’s turmoil, her post-traumatic distress order and ultimately her road back to herself. The relationship between her and Trent was sweet and intense and yet this tale was so much more than a romance. It spoke of forgiveness, finding peace, faith, and redemption. I refuse to give away any details but I had this ah-ha moment where the pieces clicked and I became frantic with my need to confirm. With twists and interesting subplots, I was so caught up that time and reality slipped away. I laughed aloud, and silently cried and the next minute I was bursting with joy. I love when a book moves me and I literally check out from the world around me. Tucker’s smooth writing style and expressive ability to capture raw emotions delighted me as a reader. The ending is one I am sure most will enjoy as it gives closure.

Fans of character driven contemporary romances will adore Ten Tiny Breaths. I recommend a box of chocolates, a warm fuzzy blanket, and a quiet place when reading this novel. The next book One Tiny Lie is from Trent’s perspective and will release later this year.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

52 Responses to “Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker”

  1. kimbacaffeinate

    Ha actually I have never been there. If a book has a real setting place I Google and look for a cool coffee shop. Bwahaha

  2. Carmel

    I don’t think this one is my cup of tea but it never hurts to try something new every once in a while. Thanks for sharing your review!

  3. Nick

    I started this book some time back, but I struggled with it a little in the beginning. I think I’m going to give it a shot again because when I was reading the book I was going through a stressful time and it’s probably why I couldn’t get into the book.
    I’m so happy that you loved it though, Kim.
    I love that the book isn’t just about romance, but also has other elements to it. I need to meet this gorgeous Trent!
    Great review, Kim!

  4. thegeekyblogger

    Awwww! This does sound delightful! I think Book Goonie would LURVE it!

  5. kindlemom1

    This sounds like it was a great emotional read and one that I would really enjoy. I love the stories that stick with you long after you have put the book down.

  6. Tami

    I switched genre’s recently. (*ahem* someone did a recent blog post about that *ahem*) So here I am reading books like this one you just reviewed. I have to admit, I am hooked! Love your reviews!! xo

  7. Jenny

    “Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker kept a
    little piece of me when I closed the book.”

    That’s a beautiful way of stating how much this book affected you Kimba! Love it:) Contemporary novels typically aren’t as appealing to me as paranormal ones, but they’ve been steadily growing on me since I started the blog, with the NA genre in particular starting to drive me to obsession. This books sounds absolutely amazing, and I’ll be sure to go and buy some chocolate and Kleenex before starting:)

  8. Christa

    I’ve been hesitant to pick up the slew of “new adult” titles that I keep seeing everywhere because they just don’t sound like my kind of book. This however sounds much more interesting to me and I will definitely add it to my TBR

  9. A Belle's Tales

    I have this review going up soon! I really enjoyed this story and it broke my heart! I’m so glad you liked it, too. (YES, that ah-ha moment!) Great review, my dear!!

  10. Candace's Book Blog

    Well crap, once again your review has me DYING for a book! I had heard good things about this but you have me wanting to pick it up right away and start reading. It sounds amazing!

  11. Keertana Anandraj

    I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! I have it to read from NG, but the reviews have been mixed. From what you’ve said, though, I think this is one New Adult novel I’ll really like! 🙂

  12. Kristin Clifton

    I can’t read contemps in anything BUT ya or new adult so I totally get you!!!! I’m going to add this one and hope I get to it when it makes its way to my library!! I love the setting of Miami – I can totally picture it 😀

  13. Jennifer Bielman

    I am on the same page. I never thought I would love adult and new adult contemps as much as I have been lately. And I can’t wait to read this book. So happy to hear it was good and I love character driven books.

  14. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    I have been so excited for this book! I skimmed your review because I hope to start on this soon but I’m so pleased to see you enjoyed it 🙂

    I’ll be back to revisit this review once I’m finished.

  15. Lauren

    Wow, this book sounds wonderful! It sounds like a really emotional but beautiful story. I can’t wait to meet Kacey, she sounds like a heroine I would love. Beautiful review!

  16. Lily B

    gosh I been loving the sound of this book, many wonderful reviews. Sounds very emotional and right up my alley!

  17. Jen

    Wow, fantastic review. This makes me want to drop my current reads, my next in cue, and read this right now!

  18. Kristilyn Robertson

    Great review! I love a good contemporary romance so I picked this one up a while ago … still haven’t read it but your review convinced me to bump it up in the pile! 🙂

  19. Sam

    I always love the books that can make you laugh and cry simultaneously. I haven’t had the best luck with NA novels, but I’ll definitely keep this in mind for later. Great review!

  20. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Hm… I think I am like you… if you would have told me I’d like some of these, I wouldn’t have believed you. This sounds so sweet! Love the sound of the romance and SO glad there is no insta love. Must check out this book!

  21. Megan

    I love contemporary, so I think I’ll give this a shot! Even though Kacey is shaky and has a stress disorder, I think she sounds strong, LOL! Also, Trent sounds awesome– I’m not sure about biting, though. Lovely review, Kimba! (: