"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"
That quote is from Reason to Breathe by USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Donovan. It is the first book from her chilling and groundbreaking The Breathing Series.
Emma lives with her Uncle, Aunt and her two little cousins Jack and Leyla. They live in a quiet and well off town called Weslyn in Connecticut. It is a picture perfect small town that families dream of having their children grow up in. Despite the picture perfect town, fear and secret abuse consumes Emma behind closed doors. Emma counts down the days until she can finally leave the walls that represent her silent cries for her. Emma is a beautiful girl, an overachiever in her studies, and extracurricular activities.
School, sports, and her club involvement give her a sweet escape from the her horrid living conditions. She tries to play off her bruises and injuries on the sports she plays. Emma tries to conceal the truth in order to maintain the life of “perfection” her Aunt and Uncle try to showcase. Emma keeps to herself and tries to remain under the radar. The only friend she confides in is her vivacious and popular best friend Sara. Sara is an amazing best friend who helps Emma and cares for her as a sister. Their friendship is genuine and keeps them both grounded and sane. Emma’s world is flipped upside down when a charming new student enters the school grounds.
Evan Mathews tries to find out more about the mysterious Emma that the school talks about. As they spend time together Evan and Emma realize that there is more than friendship between them. In the attempt to keep her distance from Evan and live her life in the shadows, Emma falls in love. Evan and Sara give Emma the courage to stop living in fear and to embrace her life. Emma finally comes to terms with the fact that she should no longer have to endure the abuse and can stand up against her Uncle and Aunt.
Donovan will keep you at the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end of the book. Her vivid detail and description of what Emma is going through makes you feel as if you are in the room right next to her. Every scene that included her wicked aunt made my stomach drop and sent chills down my spine. Reason to Breathe ends with a wicked cliff hanger that will make your veins run cold with the worst expectations for our beloved character Emma. The Breathing Series is a must read because in the mist of abuse, neglect, fear and pain there is a beautiful story of survival.