| Title | : | Breathe |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 163555523X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781635555240 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 288 |
| Publication | : | First published September 1, 2019 |
But when Jem bumps into devil-may-care police officer Rosie Jones, her fortunes seem to be changing. Rosie is bright and funny, and she doesn’t mind that Jem can’t go far without her inhaler.
Things are looking up, until a suspicious death draws Jem and Rosie into an investigation that spirals beyond their control. As torrential rain floods the city, they face a battle to survive if they’re ever going to have a chance at finding love.
Breathe Reviews
-
I loved this book! A medical romance mixed with a police-crime-mystery, I can’t think of much better than that. A few people had mentioned this is different than Hunter’s normal books. I love her books normally so I was a little worried what that meant, luckily this exceeded my expectations instead.
I love cops and docs type books. This story is about Jem, an unlucky paramedic and Rosi, the kind of cop you would want as a friend. While the two keep meeting under strange circumstances, their feelings being to grow. Do they have a chance together or is Jem too unlucky for the both of them? If you did not already know, besides being an author, Hunter is a paramedic in real life and it sure showed in this book. All of the medical scenes felt so well done that I was really impressed. In fact I was impressed the whole book. I heard that this book took a little while to get into, I didn’t have that issue at all. I was hooked after the first page and I hated to put the book down because I had to sleep. The setting was really well described; heck the weather is almost the third main character. The whole book played like a movie in front of my eyes where I could see everything. Not that this is a surprise to any Hunter fan but her writing just felt really top notch to me.
This book takes place in England and as others have mentioned there is a lot of slang readers from other countries might not be used to. I used to watch Big Brother UK plus a bunch of English comedies and mysteries with my father growing up. I’m guessing because of that I didn’t have much trouble with the slang. I only had to look-up 4 words and only once did my Kindle not know what one meant. I’m personally for the slang. When I read a book that takes place in England by an English author, I want to feel like I am really there. So I actually appreciate Hunter not dumbing things down for us Americans.
As I mentioned above besides being medical and a mystery, this is a romance too. This book has a ton of excitement but Hunter took the time to write two extremely likeable characters that you hope can somehow have a HEA. My only small complaint of the whole book was the choice of the relationship conflict. There was so much going on in the book that it just wasn’t needed. But it’s such a small complaint in my absolute enjoyment of this book that I’m just forgetting about it.
If you are a Hunter fan you are going to love this. If you are a cops and docs type fan, read this. If you just want something with some page turning excitement that is well written, grab this. I’m so happy that this book was everything I was hoping for and even more. I have not rated too many books 5 stars this year so I’m really happy to have another to add to my favorites of 2019 list.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review. -
Edit: January 6th, 2021
2021 didn’t start in the best way, since on January 1st, my e-reader decided to shut down suddenly. Despite my best efforts, it still won’t charge and my computer won’t detect it anymore. Which (until I remembered I had an old e-reader I could use until I found another solution) left me with audiobooks. Between the e-reader fail and other private drama, I needed to start the year with something I knew would satisfy both my brain and my heart. Cari Hunter’s books do that, every time. And, as strange as it may sound, I find them comforting. They’re warm books, despite the cold and rain of the settings. Not the stories and crimes they tell, but the people. They care, they’re kind, they try their best. They give me hope. Choosing Breathe was a no-brainer.
Breathe was my first book by Cari Hunter, back in 2019. Since then, I’ve read a lot more but still not all of them, because, for all the reasons listed above, I like the idea that I have more to look forward to (and there’s a new one, Unbreakable, coming out in way too many months).
There’s not much I can add to my original review, I loved the audiobook version as much as I loved reading the book, with the added pleasure of an excellent narration. Book-wise, this was the best way to get the new year back on track.
------------------------------------------------
Why have I never read Cari Hunter’s books before? How did I miss them?
Jemima – Jem – Pardon is a Manchester paramedic with severe asthma and what she sees as the worst luck, both in her personal life and in her work, as the cases she’s sent to often turn out to be more serious than announced. I’m pretty sure these people are actually lucky she’s the one sent to take care of them but I’m not the one she needs to hear this from. On a rainy night (there’s a lot of rain in this story), she meets Rosie Jones, a police officer whose outlook on life is a lot more optimistic than hers. They meet again on another case, the death of a teenager and that’s when it all really starts.
First of all, I love that Hunter stuck to English English rather than some universal English (thank you Bold Strokes Books for letting it be), it gives the story a different flavor and tone. The atmosphere building was excellent. Reading is also a way of traveling and I love it when I get the feeling that I’m really « there ».
I don’t usually need to check the meaning of words and it was a little fastidious but totally worth it. The meaning was usually obvious in context so don’t let that stop you from reading. I just like to learn stuff on the way, from time to time. That’s how my mother taught me to read in English when I was a teenager: most of the time, you don’t need a dictionary, since if you keep stopping to check words, it gets boring really fast. Either the word is a common one and will come back later in the story and the context will make it understandable, or it’s not a common word and you probably won’t ever really need it.
Anyway. The whole plot around missing teens was well thought and intriguing, the action scenes were breathtaking (Jem is not the only one who needs to remember to breathe, at times). Yet what I enjoyed most was the characters. I enjoyed meeting Rosie and Jem most of all, and laughed out loud more than once at their dialogues, but I also liked Harriet, Ferg, Jem’s dad (I wish there had been more about her mum) and both women’s colleagues, and enjoyed disliking Steph.
There’s also something about the way Breathe is written that makes it very visual, I kept feeling like I was watching TV, or a movie. What it reminded most of, in its atmosphere, is
Collateral, with Carey Mulligan.
It’s not always easy to explain why you like a book, what makes you give it five stars. Some books I love because they make me feel warm and cozy, others because they make me happy, others (especially adventure, sci-fi or fantasy) because they bring this excited energy I associate with childhood, this feeling of sheer freedom. Others, and this one falls into this category, because they make me feel my brain working, the cogs turning. In other words, they make me feel alive.
Cari Hunter wrote
on her blog about Jemima Pardon graduating from a joke to a full-blown story and am I glad she did.
I received a free copy from the publisher for an honest review. -
I was really looking forward to reading new material from Cari Hunter since "Alias," which was utterly brilliant, btw! *Psst! If you haven't read it yet, READ IT!* Anyway, so when "Breathe" dropped on my lap, I devoured it. In no time at all. Honest. I was taken aback when I reached the end page. Whaa?! Anyway, I just knew it was going to be a blast because Hunter has a knack for developing a captivating story that starts off with unassuming characters and their routine work settings but quickly captures your attention and intrigue with her addicting storytelling style, conversational dialogue that immediately sucks you into the world of her MCs. No exception in this story about Jem and Rosie, two unlikely souls who were hit by Cupid's arrow out of the blue at the most inopportune time and place! And then the adventure began, with more and more compelling build-up to the story involving their friendship, collaboration, to eventually an accidental case, whilst the development of their characters and their relationship slowly climbed up a notch at every turn until the tipping point at the end. BREATHE.
I was intrigued by the title of the book, "Breathe," alongside a loaded V Fib (ventricular fibrillation) ECG reading on the cover below the word. I was immediately mesmerised! I knew it would be symbolic, not just about Jem's asthma but Jem and Rosie's relationship, their lives, their crossroads, the catalyst that propelled them to their ultimate, well-deserved ending. In essence, I pictured Jem and Rosie's story in ECG terms, pulsating as situations changed from normal to intensity back to normal in their journey towards love. Sinus. V Fib. Extrasystole. Sinus.
Just Breathe.
Reading "Breathe" was like I was watching everything unfold on the telly. If there were a marriage between "No Offence" and "Casualty," their offspring would be "Breathe." If only we had a "Cops & Docs" series on the telly, eh? Wonder why not. We have coppers serials, we have doc serials. But why not both together?! Curious, really. In addition to its TV show-like effect, this book was so addictive, especially with all the visual descriptions like they were shot by a camera like you see on-screen when you're watching it. I felt like I was binge-watching all 6 episodes of "Breathe" as a series! You know what I mean?
First chapter alone hooked me like no other....
Full commentary here.....
In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by BSB via NetGalley, in return for an honest review. -
Breathless.
That is what you will be feeling several times throughout this book as Jem and Rosie find themselves in intense scenarios time and again. Jem is an asthmatic paramedic. Rosie is a hairdressing police officer. They meet when called to the same scene early on.
This book is well written, has great characters, and delivers excitement through suspenseful situations. I loved the dialogue between everyone. Rosie was swoon worthy. Jem was sweet and a bit misguided. Both were flawed women navigating their lives.
Very slow burn. In fact, the romance aspect is not exactly front and center. The ongoing investigation into a kid's death is the driving story line. Which is OK. It felt extremely well balanced and natural. I am primarily a romance reader and sometimes can get bored while reading things happening outside of the budding love between main characters. With this one, I was truly engrossed.. It didn't just keep my attention, it demanded it.
Not sure if this will be the beginning of another series. I felt like we didn't have much closure/resolution from Jem and Rosie's families. They were kind of there for creating backstory and I was surprised they didn't feature in the epilogue at all. But that is just being super nit picky.
Oh, and this full on contains Brit speak. Biccies, wellies, brew, meat pie, boots, blokes, bloody hell, mates, taking the piss, kerbs, bollocks, pillock, lads, tyres, arse, cheeky git, sod off, knob, butty, hallo, right-o, hen, a fiver, copper, cock of your fringe, footy, mam, mum, sozzled, rabble, bugger, aye, etc. I need a translator for some of it.
I recommend this to people who like to read good books, paramedics, police officers, detectives, doctors, rock climbing, runaways, potential romance, action, suspense, investigations, and twix straws.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review. -
5+ Stars for Cari Hunter’s Breathe.
I may have found my favorite book of 2019, I do know this is now my favorite Cari Hunter book, surpassing Snowbound. Also a new favorite couple of Jem & Rosie – joining Lauren & Catherine, Sanne & Meg, Jill & Crash, Miranda & Andrea, and Regina & Emma.
Jemima (Jem) Pardon, a seemingly unlucky paramedic who tends always land the most difficult patients and/or difficult situations. They are the lucky ones, because Jem will give it her best and never give up to save a patient, whether in the driving rain or a breech baby delivery. This - in spite of her severe chronic asthma. Jem, who gets her exercise by walking her neighborhood’s small dogs, her male roommate is a six-foot three Scottish baker and a favorite snack is drinking tea through a Trix bar. (I gotta try this!)
Then there is Police Constable Rosie Jones. Rosie is funny, sarcastic, brash, auburn haired beauty, who like Jem always finds herself in the thick of things – though many times it’s her intention rather than by luck or accident.
They first meet on a bridge during high winds and rain, where they rescue a near naked groom dangling from the bridge. He was left there by his buddies as a prank. With no help arriving soon, they need to rescue him before he falls and not get killed themselves…
The second time they meet, Rosie finds Jem giving CPR to a teen boy in the rain and cold. She had been keeping him alive for at least an hour even though she knew it was probably for naught. By the way, there is a lot of rain and flooding in this story.
Rosie investigates the teen boy, Kyle’s suspicious death and begins a search for one of his friends, a fourteen-year-old girl, Talia. And so begins the mystery – who killed Kyle and why and where is Talia? And also, the friendship and romance between these two very different dedicated women heroes.
I must note there is a lot of British slang and terminology used. It seemed to be mostly food or candy and if not, I got the gist of what was meant. I didn’t mind, it added to authenticity but I know others might have a different opinion. I also knew some of the terminology from her previous books and blog. I thought, Wow this is what non-American readers probably go through. When I re-read, I might stop and look some of them up. Huh. This reminds me of the 2001 British movie, Gosford Park. It was the first time I needed subtitles for an English spoken movie. I wasn’t understanding some of the colloquialisms and accents in the film. Watching more British movies and TV series, I’m much better at it. But I still put on the subtitles.
I sure hope this isn’t the last time we read about these two. I know I will be re-reading this book again soon. While I was writing this review, I had to stop myself from starting it again now!
I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review. -
Ok so I’m going to start off with saying Cari Hunter is a legend in the mystery/thriller genre and that part of the story was as usual brilliant ! No one can deny her ability to keep you hooked and demand your full attention because with her books, you can’t just let go. You have to keep reading and reading :)
Unfortunately and I have a big feeling that I will be one of the very few who had a problem with this book. My god I had such a tough time understanding the British slang! It reached a point where my confusion was extremely frustrating which unfortunately led to me almost giving up on continuing the book. It’s ok if you check the dictionary once or twice but at a certain point I just couldn’t even understand the dialogue between the characters.
Having said all this, I do recommend it to everyone who can let go of the language barrier because the storyline itself is brilliant!
“I received an ARC for an honest review.” -
As I’m a little bit late to this party, just a short review.
Some times I felt breathless, almost like Jem, when reading this book. I loved everything. The slow-burning romance was sweet with not very much drama to it. The characters, Jem the asthmatic paramedic and Rosi the cop, are very likeable women, who aren’t afraid to show some vulnerability. And exactly this was the thing that made them so adorable.
Their daily work, misfortune and an ongoing murder investigation brought them together again and again. They had to overcome more obstacles than desirable, until they could be together. I’m a sucker for slow-burning romance and this was one was very slow but heartwarming. With the imperfection of the characters I could identify myself and it made them real human beings.
The crime case was fascinating and disturbing, even without much explicit violence. The balance between romance and mystery was more or less even, with a tendency to the mystery side. The secondary character are supportive to the story and even the British weather had his role in this play. The writing was excellent as ever from Mrs Hunter but I had some trouble to understand the British slang, thankfully there is a Breathe Translation Guide from the author:
https://carihunter.wordpress.com/2019...
Highly recommended to romance/mystery fans. In my opinion, Cari Hunter’s books are always a must-read.
My rating 5 stars -
There is a lightness and humour that runs through this novel that seems different from the other Hunter novels I’ve read which, even though I enjoyed them, had an atmosphere of bleakness. Jem, a paramedic with chronic asthma, meets police officer Rosie while she desperately trying to save the life of a young man pulled from the river. There is a mutual attraction but there is so much going on in their respective jobs and a case that is just getting bigger that they’re not sure if it’s going to go anywhere.
Set to a backdrop of consistently wet weather, their light banter and quick humour lifts the story. Rosie is an instantly likeable character with a positive outlook and a determination to get things done. Jem is a little more complicated. She seems to pick up the worst of the callouts with a higher fatality rate but she carries on anyway.
I enjoyed the realism of the story. Jem is often alone in her rescue vehicle because of budget cuts and staff shortages. Emergency back up is as fast as availability allows which sees Jem trying to keep a victim alive for an hour before help arrives. The investigation that Jem and Rosie find themselves caught up in is filled with suspense and complexity.
Another great read by Hunter.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review. -
Jemima Pardon is a paramedic with chronic asthma and a reputation for bad luck. She is always attracting traumatic jobs and isn’t very successful in the girlfriend department. When she meets Police Officer Rosie Jones, Jem’s luck seems to change as Rosie is self-assured, funny and interested in Jem. But a suspicious death draws them into an investigation that soon starts to spiral out of control. Can they develop their relationship further and dodge trouble in the process?
Cari Hunter is one of the masters of the lesbian mystery/crime genre and has a distinctive style that never disappoints her fans. Normally her books are heavy on the criminal, violent side and aren’t apologetic to show humanity at its worst. However, ‘Breathe’ is lighter in the violence and crudeness department while keeping the authenticity of her characters and the critique of the society it describes. If you are new to Ms. Hunter’s books and you like mysteries on a lighter side, ‘Breathe’ could be a good novel to start with.
I like that Ms. Hunter’s books have a distinctive British feel and that the author does nothing to sanitise her writing of the northern English vocabulary and traditions to please a more international market. I’ve lived in London for seven years and, for the life of me, I still have to look up the meaning of more than a few words that fill Ms. Hunter’s books. To make our lives easier, Ms. Hunter has come up with a glossary of terms in her blog post
'Breathe Translation Guide'. The divide between south and north of England is really tangible in her stories as are her descriptions of the landscape and the almost constant presence of the damp British weather. Altogether these aspects give her stories a unique and distinctive style.
Readers don’t need to worry about the authenticity of Ms. Hunter’s descriptions, specially in the medical field. As a paramedic herself, the author surely accrued a few experiences to fill more than one book and she describes them realistically and so photographically that the reader seems to be there next to the characters, the psychic distance barely there. Even though Jem’s scope of traumatic jobs seems a bit exaggerated for such a short period of time, the character and the scenes are so well portrayed that it’s easy for the reader to accept such a stroke of bad luck. The police procedural aspects of the story seem realistic as well and they move the mystery forward that slowly reveals itself with a few twists and turns.
Even though the criminal and violence aspects of this novel are on the lighter side, the social critique that is ubiquitous in Ms. Hunter’s work is present here too and makes the reader realise how dedicated are these first responders considering the tight budget restrictions and the great amount of pressure they work under. Without big announcements or heavy critiques, Ms. Hunter pushes the agenda of the UK National Health Service that is currently under threat and highlights the importance of their workers in helping the most vulnerable. The landscape of the most deprived areas of Manchester is the perfect setting to tell this tale.
Both main characters are well-written and multilayered, their chemistry slowly built in a way that, despite their differences, it’s obvious that they are made for each other. Both Jem and Rosie aren’t larger than life characters but fallible, almost anti-heroines that the reader can sympathise with and adore for their dorkiness. The rest of the cast, very diverse, doesn’t disappoint either, including the gloomy weather that is described accurately. For once, people around the world can sympathise with us poor sufferers of the somber British weather, instead of being shown an optimistic view like in so many other portrayals of the UK and Ireland. As any of the characters in this book would say, let’s have a brew (a cup of tea) and commiserate about it.
Overall, a very good light mystery with romance on the side, lovable leads, and a realistic setting. 5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com -
I was so excited to get my hands on this one, and it did not disappoint.
Jemima Pardon is just Jem. She is a hardworking paramedic with a history of severe asthma, and well, self proclaimed bad luck. She can’t keep a girlfriend and all her simple emergencies turn into chaotic ones, making her work partners want to transfer elsewhere. Enter Rosie Jones, a self assured police officer with a sometimes stubborn approach to crises. They meet at an emergency when they help a guy that is literally hanging off a bridge. There is mutual interest but soon they get tangled in a homicide investigation that threatens their lives and their budding attraction.
You know, I was rooting for these two mains to end together (well that was an obvious statement!). Towards the end of the story, I started to ponder why I felt like they belonged together. What was the exact moment when I became a believer? The answer is there wasn’t one. Ms Hunter’s writing is just so smooth. She’s such a great story teller that the relationship just happens. Nothing seems forced, and that is just fantastic.
There are plenty of secondary characters in this one. All well developed and with great interactions with the mains. Amazing now hat I think about it, how many she included in this story. Cops, paramedics and hospital staff. Even the crazy woman that took Jem on a date! Seven that I can think of the top of my head. This gives me hope, maybe a little at least, could this be the beginning of a series?
The weather was another big character in this book, as was the setting. It seemed to rain constantly in this story! It served the mood of the story very well. Ms Hunter’s descriptions are spot on and left me feeling cold and soaked as if I had been in the rain with the characters. The scene involving the main crime was fantastic. The river, the water rising, the patient’s condition and what Jem went through...felt like I was there throughout that difficult situation. My only regret is not knowing my way through England. The author’s ability to concisely narrate locations will be thrilling to people familiar with the addresses and towns mentioned. Maybe I’ll buy a map for the next one.
The crime itself was embedded throughout the entire book but I felt this one was more character and less crime driven than her other books (such as ‘No Good Reason’), where the crime is the main story. Officially, ‘Breathe’ (brilliant tittle by the way) is in the action/adventure and romance category versus crime/mystery. For the hardcore mystery readers this may be a little disappointing. However, that is not me so I thoroughly enjoyed it!
My only negative comment would be the reason for the mains’ conflict. I do not want to give anything away but I felt the reason being on the silly side. But since Jem is such a Gem, I forgave her.
My two cents on the cover, loved it. The design by Jeanine Henning is great. Colors and font are spot on. The waves in the center of the cover remind me more of an EKG than a capnograph but cryptic enough to have caught my attention.
Overall another great story by Cari Hunter. 4.5 stars
ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review -
Another Cari Hunter success in my books! Now that I understand her writing style better, I know to expect a) the MCs to get in a major pickle, b) not to expect much romance/sexy times and c) to have my arteries shrivel and harden immediately.
MC Jem is a paramedic who seems to have a string of bad luck in her life, though is excellent at her job and has a supportive bunch of mates around her. MC Rosie is a firey, charismatic police officer who is like a bull in a china shop at times, very assertive and can connect dots on cases that others don't see. The two end up at multiple scenes together and quickly connect with their wit and fast banter, both sharing a love of biccies and brews and butties. Pretty sure this means biscuits, tea and some kind of horrible sounding fried sandwich, possibly with bacon and chips smashed inside?
As with her other books, this book centers around a dramatic theme, this time of missing street kids, and the two work together to solve the mystery,finding themselves in dangerous situations. It is not as dark as others the author has written, thank god. I needed a break. But still was interesting and riveting throughout. The paramedic-speak was detailed and interesting, and I didn't think it was overdone. It was paced well. The cop drama was a little lighter in detail, I thought.
One thing I like so much about Ms. Hunter's books is that her characters aren't perfect. They are shapely and awkward with weird hair and don't know when to shut up and are overall delightful. She can really bring the realism to her characters which is so welcome. Jem really stole my heart in this one, with her shaky self-consciousness, always feeling like the odd one out due to her adoptive history. Ms. Hunter can create so much emotion in seemingly mundane scenes, like when Jem walks into the paramedic office and sees two of the "mean girls" stop talking to stare at her and Jem reverts back to feeling out of place and shy, blushing and trying to think of something to say.....I can relate so hard to this. God I just wanted to hug her.
I'd say my only criticism of this book was the vast, and I mean VAST, amount of slang and unknown terminology used (and I see others had trouble with this too). I realize it's set in Manchester where they seem to have their own dialect of English, but I started highlighting all of the words and terms I had no clue about and finally had to stop because it was so long. This threw off the flow for me. I love learning new phrases, and enjoy it when authors pepper local slang into their work for authenticity, but a light shake of pepper, if you please. At first had fun looking things up, until it became too tedious.
Can't wait for the next one, Ms. Hunter! -
With Breathe I have to say Cari Hunter did it again. She delivered another novel that can rival with its predecessors. In true Cari Hunter style we‘ve got some pretty nasty weather (no frost this time but heavy rains) all throughout the book. Lots of brews and biccies, pies and butties. I’m always looking forward to Hunter’s plethora of British slang and food stuffs ;-)
Our main characters Jem (the asthmatic paramedic) and Rosie (the copper with hair dressing skills) have great chemistry. Their romance is (very) slow burn and runs in the background of the plot like we usually see with this author’s couples. Rosie is a true gem and Jem is a bit broken but both women figure it out in the end.
Hunter’s dialogue is to die for. I had many a moment where I lol’d and you really need that lightness when the themes in the book are pretty heavy. Another given is the hurt/comfort part, where one of the characters (or both) get wounded badly. Although it was hair raising, it seems a bit less than I’ve seen in her other books. Maybe it was because the relationship angst was turned up a bit more than usual, who knows.
Anyway, if you are familiar with Cari Hunter and love her work you really don’t have to ponder. It’s great and just put it on your Kindle. If you’ve never read Cari Hunter and wonder what all the hoopla is about, just try this one. I know you will get hooked like all the rest of us.
f/f … wait for it… just, wait for it… explicit ;-)
Themes: Manchester, rain, flooding, teens living rough, severe asthma, Rosie’s ex was an interesting one, when Jem went rock climbing (LOL!), sucking your brew through a twix is apparently a thing, a page turner!
5 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review. -
Honestly, I have no idea how to start reviewing Breathe, because everything about Hunter’s writing turns me back into my 16-year-old fangirl-flailing self who isn’t capable of any coherent thoughts. Hunter’s books have this little magical je ne sais quoi that makes me want to curl up in bed with a hot drink and stay up all night to read – my idea of heaven.
This book is good. So good in fact, that the first thought that crossed my mind when my cat woke me up in the middle of the night was, “I can’t wait for my alarm to go off so I can read more of my book.” Of course, once my alarm did go off, I wasn’t as keen to get up.
Jem Pardon is a paramedic in the Manchester area who believes she used up all her luck the day she was adopted. Out on a call one night, she meets Rosie, a police officer. From then on, a series of (un)lucky encounters bring them together, and they get caught up in a case about missing children.
Both MCs are very likable, well-developed and they are both unafraid to show a little vulnerability. There’s a bit of miscommunication between them, especially on Jem’s part, but I feel it’s authentic to her character. I like that their relationship kind of start off as friends and it evolves organically into something more. Hunter always writes flawed, but fun characters that I really want to spend time with. Whenever I finish one of her books, I’m always a little sad to leave these people behind. In Breathe, I could relate to Jem and I wish I had a friend like her. She’s awkward as hell, her lungs are crap, but she’s funny, compassionate and she likes books!"And squeezing in a novel at the last minute. It made the bag weigh a ton, but she always felt better if she had a book with her."
If that isn’t relatable... Anyway!
As usual, the cast of side characters is fab. Particularly, Jem’s dad who isn’t exactly subtle when it comes to setting his daughter up with Rosie. Also, special mention to Fluffy, Rosie’s bearded dragon. I just love his name.
The dialogue is heavy with British slang, and I had to use the dictionary on my Kindle a few times, but I loved it. I think it brings more authenticity to the story. Everything about the writing in this book is great. Cari Hunter has the ability to describe emotions and everyday actions with uncanny accuracy, and it just makes for a greater reading experience.
I hope the author decides to turn this book into a series because I need more Jem/Rosie. That last chapter was such a freaking tease :o
In case it isn’t clear, I highly recommend you give Breathe a read! Anything by Cari Hunter, really.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for providing me with a free copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It has taken me quite a few days to be able to write this without smashing the keyboard, using an excessive amount of exclamation points or using caps lock. Hopefully this review makes sense even though my thoughts are all over the place. -
Jem and Rosie sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. Maybe not a tree. More like a desperate anxiety-filled moment shared by Jem and Rosie in a story filled with desperate and dangerous moments for our two heroines. When author Cari Hunter promised to deliver a romance instead of her usual murder and mayhem she didn’t say her characters would be spared the harsh realities of life on the cold, wet streets of Manchester.
Breathe is a mystery/thriller/romance readers breath of fresh air. This is a slow burn romance featuring two characters so real you wish you could invite them out for a pint after work. Jem, an asthmatic paramedic is a magnet for the tough cases and the worst working conditions yet maintains her sunny disposition in a career that is not for the faint of heart.
Rosie is a cop with a joie de vivre which helps her remain positive no matter how many finger searches of filthy flats she must endure.
A cop and a paramedic. Don’t get me started on how many nurses end up with cops and paramedics IRL. The stresses, long hours, dangerous and ungodly working conditions make those quiet and safe moments that much sweeter. I love how natural the bond between Rosie and Jem forms. You want them to be a couple from the first moment they haul the groom-to-be wearing only a learners permit license plate out of harm's way.
You sympathize with Jem’s self doubt and admire Rosie’s courage. This book might be slow to gather momentum but wow, hang around for the ride of your life. No couple gets an easy flower petal strewn walk in a novel written by Cari Hunter. You know these women will face challenges both internal and external and you know they are in for a rocky road to happiness. Take a walk on the wild side and by all means, bring your inhaler. You’re going to need it.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review. -
"The plucky paramedic and the wayward but debonair copper"
“Their eyes met across a naked man,” he said in his best film trailer voice.
“They found a rope…”“And against all the odds…”
What a corker!
A British cop (Rosie) who can cook, knit and be derpy and sarcastic? Yes please! And she has a bearded dragon called fluffy! (Oh and she also cuts hair!)
Couple her with the reticent, introverted paramedic (Jem) who thinks she's bad luck, has bad asthma but loves walking tiny dogs and lives with a pie-maker, and you've got a winner.
Most of the story is based on the investigations into the death of a young teen man and disappearances of several youths in the area, and how it is all connected.
Rosie and Jems paths cross over and over again, and they are drawn to eachother. I love their fun British banter, although even I as an Australian with weird lingo was taken aback by some of the wordage! I thought I was up to date on my cockney rhyming slang, but alas this did not help! lol. But it made it all the more charming and delightful.
I also liked the full backstories and side characters revealed throughout, my only complaint is; I would have loved to have spent more time in the romance department with Rosie and Jem after they got together. *fans self* -
“Breathe” brings us into the everyday, increasingly intersecting, lives of a paramedic and a police officer in Manchester, England.
MC Jem is the epitome of the phrase “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”. Yet she’s extremely likable, and I enjoyed spending time with her as she battles self-serving bosses, bureaucracy, bad parents, drunks and a SPECTACULARLY bad blind date…all while being the epitome (she’s a double-epitome!) of being a caring, dedicated, EMT.
MC Rosie, the police officer, encounters many of the same unfortunates and miscreants as does Jem, and I also enjoyed spending time with her as she worked hard to do her job while her once-lover, now boss with benefits, frequently makes things uncomfortable.
I think the best thing about this book was the way it brought to life how caring professionals try to do the best they can in a seedy underbelly of a city. The bad parents, drunks and drug users, their bad grammar, bad food and e-sigs was so very realistic sounding. Speaking of sounding, the narrator, Nicola Victoria, outdid herself bringing this moody audiobook to life. We have lots of LA film noirs to enjoy; here we have a Manchester audiobook noir to enjoy!
The banter between the MCs is wonderful, but their relationship progresses as growing friends, rather than any girlfriends/lovers relationship until the very….VERY….end. While I enjoyed their times on their jobs, and when working together, I was somewhat surprised, and perhaps mildly disappointed at the low level of romance, and the nearly non-existent level of heat. Others have said that’s typical of Cari Hunter, so consider this more of an observation than a criticism. Well, ok…perhaps a mild criticism.
“Breathe” is a difficult book for me to give an overall rating to. For romance, it’s a 2.5*. The mystery earns 3.5*. The “mood” of the book is 4.5*, and the narration is a hands-down 5*. I’m going with an overall 4* - recommended, but I want to note that this is a stronger 4* than many other audiobooks I’ve rated 4*….it’s just not a 5* for me. If you’re undecided about reading or listening to “Breathe” - please do listen! -
Favorites that I’m teaching at work: berk, pillock, lurgy, take a piss, and lollipop lady.
Things I’m craving now: Jammie Dodgers, Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, Thornton’s Special Toffee, KitKat straws, Kash’s mom’s curry and dinner at Rosie’s parents. I promise to bring the plonk and help with clean up.
Big NO to prawn cocktail crisps.
Jem Pardon is a paramedic sent out to a bridge where a bachelor party prank turned ugly, leaves a groom dangling over a severe drop. Police Officer Rosie Jones is the first to assist and one crazy rescue scheme later, Jem is both charmed and in awe of Rosie’s lively, unabashed nature. Rosie is all smiles herself from the meet and they become good friends who occasionally find themselves assigned to the same emergencies. A murder mystery, torrential floods, and arson are all mixed in with plenty of humor and a bit of romance that build into a lively and compelling story.
What I love the most about Breathe is that the main characters are imperfect but continuously strive to be decent human beings which means that they resemble most of us. The author makes it so easy to identify with the mc’s that I feel like I inhabit every space the characters experience, whether it’s the chaotic hospital wards, the creepy old mill, or the pitch dark woods. While I’m reading passages, I’m soaking wet and shivering right along with Jem and Rosie while they fight to bring back life to one of the victims or I’m struggling with Jem while she wheezes and gasps for air during an asthmatic exacerbation. I can empathize with their fears and insecurities because they’re so intimately drawn by the author. As far as action, Cari Hunter generates non stop suspense with a sneaky ferocity that will keep you on edge. Before you know it, you’re all in and it’s way past your bedtime.
Quick note on the Britishisms that some readers are commenting on, fairly easy to decipher from context and fun if you’re into learning new words and meanings. Read an arc in exchange for an honest review. -
I cannot stress enough how much I fucking love this book. I've been a fan of (and inspired by) CH since day one and this is, hands down, my favorite of hers. Don't get me wrong, I love the Dark Peak series, but it's, well, dark.
This story feels like it was written just for me. Probably not a surprise I'm a fan of the medical thrillers and mysteries with a side of humor. I know, as someone who has worked in the death biz, it doesn't get any darker than dead kids, but CH handles it with the a perfect touch of solemnity and levity.
The crime/mystery is grave and treated with the seriousness it deserves, but is balanced so well with the friendship to romance of Rosie and Jem who are two of the most endearing, likeable, bumbling characters I have come across in lesfic.
Their quirks and insecurities make them all the more loveable and the building of their attraction is so lovely and organic. Honestly, I have a few pages left yet to read. I just had to get through the last action scene which was awesome and heart pounding. So well done.
I couldn't wait to write this though. Am I gushing? I feel like I'm gushing.
I know CH has been writing standalones of late, but I wouldn't be sad at all if we got to meet up again with Rosie and Jem.
I really wouldn't change a thing about this book and I loved the Brit slang. -
5+ Stars! This is a re-read this time for the Audiobook narrated by Nicola Victoria Vincent. I also wrote an review for the ebook.
As always Nicola's fabulous narration and her ability to voice the Northern English accents adds to the authenticity and enjoyment as you (I) get immersed in the story. I think I've read and/or listened to enough of Hunter's books that I can usually figure out the Northern English. Although this one may have more local slang than her previous books. To help though, Cari posted a Northern English glossary on her blog especially for this book -
https://carihunter.wordpress.com/2019...
I loved this book more this time around. I was especially reminded about how much I loved the personalities and quirks of the two protagonists. Paramedic Jemima (Jem) Pardon, who despite her tendency to catch the worse cases and even with her chronic asthma, she will do everything she can to save her patients or partner and police constable Rosie Jones is ready to handle the tough and dangerous situations with ingenuity and courage. Listening to the book made parts of it more real – both go through devastating pain both physical and emotional. I just realized why it felt colder and wetter too. I read it the first time in August and this time in January. Though So. Calif. winter is a bit milder than Northern England! Once again Hunter takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride. Thank goodness I love coaster rides!
Oh, I completely forgot to try the Twix trick. I won't forget this time around. -
Good audiobook with a solid story. I enyojoed it very much but it‘s not as outstanding as „Unbreakable“ which I listed to before this audiobook. Lovely MC which have to overcome some obstacles to their HEA. There were a lot of different characters and the narrator did a good job to emphasis them by her voice and accents. Recommend.
-
Cari Hunter is an expert at grabbing the reader’s attention with the very first sentence and refusing to let go until the last sentence of the novel. That is exactly what she has done with her latest action-adventure book Breathe.
This tale has all the elements we have come to expect from Ms. Hunter’s novels. We have the vividly described setting of the city of Manchester and surrounding area with the gloomy and somewhat scary mood that fits the story since the city is experiencing copious amounts of rain and dangerous flooding. The main characters are so well drawn that I felt like I knew them and wanted to be friends with both of them. The pace of the story is perfect, and even though this is an action-adventure/ mystery, Ms. Hunter does occasionally include bits of humor to lighten the tension of the plot. I especially loved some of the characters’ names, and I’m not only talking about the main character Jemima (Jem) Pardon. Some of the minor character names had me chuckling. The main characters, Jem and Rosie are really perfectly developed and their attraction to each other is very easy to see. They have a slow-burn romance that works well in the story.
This is a wonderful story filled with action, some violence, angst, humor and love; all of the elements we expect from such an excellent author. This book is definitely in my list of favorites, and I will be looking forward to more from this wonderful author.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/ -
I think Cari Hunter’s books are my best discovery of 2019. So when I started listening to Breathe, I knew I would not be disappointed. This book is a less sensational book than others I’ve read or listened to from Hunter, but still, the plotline is exciting and I enjoyed it immensely.
Jemima, one of the mc’s in Breathe seems to have drawn the short straw on luck. For starters: that name… Jemima Pardon. Pardon me? Who does that to a kid… Also, she has chronic asthma, is a kid of the foster system (later adopted), gets dumped in weird and disrespectful ways by (potential) girlfriends and when she goes out for a simple paramedic call, things escalate and the worst medical shit happens. She seems to attract all things opposite to luck, is far from perfect and you as a reader will root for her, love her and will turn page after page and be sad when you reach “the end”.
I think this should be enough of a review for you to go and read that book, it’s great! But let’s talk some more because a great book like this deserves more words of awe. Instead of reading this book when it was just published, I waited a while for the audiobook to be published. Cari Hunter is the queen of British slang and listening to this book being narrated by Nicola Victoria Vincent is a feast. When not used to or common with British slang, you might want to use the urban dictionary to look up some slang, like: “put this down your neck”, “sod off”, “wellies” and “SOCO”. Because of the accents the narrator used, I did have to re-listen to the first few minutes and get used to the voices. It took some getting used to but added a great dimension to listening to this book.
Jem meets Rosie when she’s in the middle of nowhere, trying to resuscitate a young bloke whose injuries are so severe it’s a lost cause. Despite their efforts, the boy doesn’t make it and when a doctor comes to the scene she also checks a cold and soaked Jem for any health issues. She commissions Rosie to be the caretaker for Jem the rest of that night, just to make sure she gets a hot shower and something to eat. This evening starts off the plotline and – of course – the romance between Jem and Rosie.
Between the plotline, the pace is nice and slow, in a good way. Although the romance part of the book could have been more fast-paced for my taste. You will love the mc’s and the secondary characters. The book made me crave for more. I would love to read more about the feisty doctor who helps Jem in the emergency room. But also would like to know more about Jem’s earlier years. If you ask me, there is potential for a series in this book. I would buy them all!
Check out this review on my blog and also take a look at other posts :)
https://lesfic.home.blog/2020/02/18/b... -
You know when you pick up a Cari Hunter book you are in for one hell of a ride. This writer can really write a book! In her newest novel, Breathe, she gives you amazing characters, thoughtful dialogue and a plot that just won’t stop.
Jemima Pardon is an accident waiting to happen. She’s klutzy and just one of those people that is a magnet for disasters. Jem just happens to be the best damn paramedic in Manchester. While Jem is on her own on night trying to help a patient she gets a ton of help from police officer Rosie Jones. These two quirky characters hit it off right from the start. Both Rosie and Jem’s characters are full of complexity. Their backgrounds make them who they are today, and Hunter takes us on the ride of bringing their past to their present if that makes any sense. She gives us enough detail and emotion to bring them to life. I loved their banter and wittiness even in the most harrowing situations.
This is a great book to pick for when you really want to escape. As with all Cari Hunter books you are getting a quality story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. -
This book turned out to be an unexpected treasure. The back cover blurb just doesn’t do justice to the way the story is written and narrated.
Read the full review @
https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co... -
4.25-4.5
Cari Hunter’s most recent novel is a breath of fresh air. (couldn’t resist).
Hunter’s distinctive story-telling made Breathe a pleasant break from the some of the more improbable plot devices and characters I tend to run across in lesfic. There’s a wonderful sense of realism to this book that makes you feel like the author has plunked you smack-dab in the middle of a city in northern England. Hunter sets the and tone and atmosphere from the start with the use of local vernacular in the dialogue and narrative that puts you into the thick of things – you may find yourself inadvertently adding some of the idioms to your own vocabulary (but don’t because without the proper accent you’ll sound like a scrote).
I’ve been struggling at trying to categorize this book as there’s a bit of mystery, a bit of suspense, a bit of action, a bit of humour and a bit of romance. The elements of the mystery and suspense are woven neatly into the overall story as seemingly disparate incidents and characters expand the scope and gravity of the investigation. It’s a nicely balanced blend that allows the characters of Jem and Rosie to stand out and makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Jemima Pardon is a paramedic who, if not for bad luck, would have no luck. She’s resolved to the fact that no one wants to partner with her – either on the job or romantically. Enter Rosie Jones, a funny and confident police officer, who doesn’t seem to mind Jem’s spate of bad luck. From their first meeting, there’s a tangible connection between the Jem and Rosie – they share an irreverent sense of humour as well a serious sense of responsibility as first responders. This connection grows as they cross paths again at a crime scene where a young teen is found beaten and bleeding out in the woods and in the resulting investigation into his death. The characters and their relationship build naturally as the story progresses. They both come alive on the page and you’d be hard-pressed to not get invested in them – either as individuals or as a potential couple.
It is obvious that Hunter herself is a paramedic and the level of authenticity that she gives to the story is impressive – she evokes all the frustration, anger, ridiculousness, sadness, joy and satisfaction through her characters and the situations they find themselves in. She immerses the reader into the action so that you feel you are right there, experiencing all the sights, smells, sounds and gives the book a level of gritty authenticity.
For one reason or another, I had taken a break from reading lesfic while Hunter put out several books so I missed them when they first came out. Based on how much I enjoyed Breathe, I’ll be digging through her back catalogue to get caught up.
Definitely Recommended
Breathe will be released in September 2019. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this one. -
I love Cari Hunter books! I would say though that this is not really a full-blown romance. Sure, the book revolves around the relationship between Jem and Rosie. However, as much as the chemistry is evident, the book focuses more on their everyday life and work. There's also a murder investigation that they are involved in. The insights into what police and paramedics are going through seem realistic, probably because the author is a paramedic herself. I also like that the characters are just regular folks. I mean, Rosie is a regular police constable, not some high-powered detective. Jem is a paramedic that's doing her best taking care of folks amidst stressful circumstances. This is also one of the most British books I've read. I'm not British, so I'm not sure if it's an accurate depiction of how much tea and biscuits are consumed. I do find myself wanting a cup of tea while I read.
-
Wow, I really have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that were terrific and parts that I was so bored I just skimmed. This was not a usual Cari Hunter novel. I am guessing that is what she was attempting...something different. I have read many of her novels and am a big fan. But this one, not so much.
The first half was very slow with too much description and color but not advancing the story. The second half moved along better including a mystery and action scenes that threaten the 2 main characters lives. Although I thought the last accident (don't want to spoil it) was a bit over the top. Both characters taking the situation a bit too lightly and cute.
I felt the epilogue wasn't necessary. I'm guessing it was intended to provide a segue for a sequel.
And adding the British slang to the dialog was not pleasant for me. I know it was adding color but I just found it distracting. I couldnt find the CC button that I always use when I watch British programs on tv.
I'm sure my review is in the minority. Most readers will probably find this story very entertaining.
