Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.
Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.
But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

Publishes in US: December 11th 2012 by Papoti Books
Genre: NA Contemporary
Source: Netgalley
Series? Yes. 1st in Ten Tiny Breaths series

One Tiny Lie (Ten Tiny Breaths, #2)  June 11th 2013 by Atria Books

Tucker, K.A. *

Four Seconds To Lose (Ten Tiny Breaths, #3) November 4th 2013 by Atria Books

Tucker, K.A. *

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    I loved Kacey, she is tough, guarded and she knows how to kick ass, literally. What's more she is hardcore protective over her sister Liviee, and that relationship was so tender, but had some funny banter, but always support and understanding for each other. The lengths that Kacey goes through to protect and provide for Liviee really showed me a lot. 

   Kacey didn't want to let anyone in, but their neighbor Storm and her five year old daughter Mia still managed to worm their way into her heart, and the way their friendship played out was well written. I adore when an author manages to write female friendship that is authentic and isn't an afterthought. It was a central plot and I really appreciated that. They had a back and forth banter as well as some deep moments of sharing and understanding between adults, that I appreciated. 

    And how dare I, I haven't even mentioned Trent yet. He is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, but I love the tender glimpses we get from him, when he interacts with Mia, or when he steps in as protector or comforter to Mia, Storm, Liviee or especially Kacey. There was some seriously hot romantic tension, but there is also a deeper level, and a respect that he has for her, and a genuine concern for the things she went through and wanting her to heal and get help. But then he would just out and disappear for a while, and I really wanted to know what his secrets are and what he's hiding/running from. That added some major suspense to the story because Kacey we find out sooner and in pieces what her demons are and the effects on her daily life, but Trent we really only know because of the secrecy, and of course because the synopsis told us. 

     And then oh my god, at about 80% K.A. threw me for a loop. I mean, I totally was not expecting that. I had to turn off my kindle and come write this sentence to process. Wow. Yeah. Did not see that coming, and have no idea how this is going to go, and what I want to happen, or what should happen. Dang. 

     I loved the ending, it was so perfect, and I can't wait for more from this world. 

Bottom Line: Emotional but steamy romance with a strong and feisty main character.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever been in a car accident?