OUT OF BREATH (Breathing Series #3) by Rebecca Donovan – Review

3 July, 2013

Where to Purchase

Amazon US » Amazon UK »

Our Review

I picked up ‘Out of Breath’ with so much nervous trepidation yet excited urge to find out just what was going to happen with Emma and Evan in this third and final instalment. After two devastatingly emotional cliff-hangers that had me nearly throwing my kindle at the wall and nearly two years down the line I was so ready yet so very scared at the same time.

My heart started pounding immediately and I already felt the lump in my throat from the first word as every emotion I felt in book #1 and 2 came crashing to the surface. I remembered exactly how and what these characters made me feel. The haunting and emotional writing of Rebecca Donovan is second to none. She makes you feel absolutely everything as her story comes alive. Every single sense you possess becomes completely and utterly involved by every word written. Her writing gives me the chills and makes me tremble from sheer emotion. All three books have made me feel such powerful emotions that range from one end of the scale to the other.

This series is and always will be very close to my heart. I fell in love with Evan and Emma a long time ago and they are still two of my most beloved characters. This Author completely blew my mind when I picked up ‘Reason to Breathe’ and I will never forget the anxiety, fear, love and compassion I felt from the first breath I shared with these characters.

I urge every reader out there who reads this review to pick up this series, if you haven’t already. It will steal a piece of your heart and leave a permanent imprint. You will want to wrap your arms protectively around your kindle wishing that this action, in itself, would give some comfort, love and shelter to these characters which come alive through this Author’s brilliant writing. This series is upsetting, actually it is vividly disturbing, but it is life. Yes, we are talking fiction in this particular case; however we know it is not merely limited to that. It happens…again…..it is life.

“She’s just…..broken.”

Now, it would be a grave disservice to any new reader to give anything away, to spoil this beautiful, harrowing yet inspirational story. Your emotions should be your own when you experience the journey of Emma.

“All I had to do was give up….Give up. Breathe, Emma. Just give up, and….breathe.”

Emma will make you feel. You will cry for and with her. You will want to grab her out of the story and comfort and guide her. Make her see what she cannot. You will love her, yet you will also want to talk some sense into her. Believe me; she frustrated me with her actions many times in Out of Breath. However, how do you question someone’s rationale under adverse circumstances and in the aftermath of violence? How do you counteract so much hurt, sorrow and suffering? Being hated for your own existence? Secrets can truly break you as can the guilt and despair of them. Emma had to unravel layers of pain and hurt. She had to overcome the consequential numbness and self-destructive path from the ultimate betrayal and brutality. Emma had to learn how to breathe, live….Emma had to grow up and leave the past behind in order to survive the future.

“You’re supposed to hate me…..Please just hate me.”

As for Evan, be still my beating heart. I felt for him, suffered with him got angry and hurt on his behalf. He was wronged too and his strength, his passion his decency and patience. I truly love him, so very much. Evan’s had too grow up to and learn to survive. His path forever intertwined with Emma’s. They shared a breath, a life. How do you ever forget the emotions tied up in something like that?

“Emma wasn’t the same girl. And I wasn’t the same either.”

Emma broke me in ‘Out of Breath’. I can’t even begin to adequately put into words how I felt, still feel after finally finishing the journey of Emma, Evan and all of the other characters we met along the way who played a part in this journey.

Sitting here collecting my thoughts to try and do Emma and Evan some kind of justice, well, words almost fail me and I’m crying all over again from the pure emotion that bled off the pages. The Breathing series is one, which I cannot recommend highly enough.

“Let it all out Emma. Find your way back to us….”

“I’m so afraid I’m not worth the breath you gave me….”

ARC Supplied by Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness.

Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves.

This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

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90 Comments:

3 July, 2013 at 12:09 pm
kp said:

thanks for the giveaway!!

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3 July, 2013 at 12:38 pm
becky_15 said:

Thanks for this great giveaway!! 🙂

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3 July, 2013 at 12:43 pm
nikkitcb13 said:

Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway

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3 July, 2013 at 12:58 pm
babylollie said:

Would love to win this!

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3 July, 2013 at 12:59 pm
amandam said:

Woo hoo!! Love Rebecca Donovan 🙂

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3 July, 2013 at 1:40 pm
beksta77 said:

Yippee! awesome giveaway as always 🙂 So love Rebecca Donovan

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3 July, 2013 at 2:04 pm
dayub said:

Can’t wait to read. Thanks for the giveaway.

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3 July, 2013 at 2:57 pm
mdewell said:

Awesome giveaway. Thank u!

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3 July, 2013 at 3:20 pm
kgagnon2013 said:

Yay, finally #3! Thanks for the chance to win!

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3 July, 2013 at 3:32 pm
rachaelsauve-cumle said:

Thanks for the giveaway!!

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3 July, 2013 at 3:50 pm
mbilowus said:

Haven’t read this series yet but can’t wait. Thanks for the giveaway!

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3 July, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Kim said:

Great review! Sounds like a series to read!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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3 July, 2013 at 6:23 pm
lou gut said:

Gitte, I absolutely love your review. Emma’s story enthralled & consumed me from the very beginning. I have been on a crying funk since I finished Out Of Breath. This series will forever stay with me.

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3 July, 2013 at 10:26 pm
megan.mgm said:

Awesome review 🙂 I’ve had the first book for ages, probably since it was a freebie, but I really need to re-read it and then catch up! Thanks for the chance to win Out of Breath…

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3 July, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Rochelle said:

Love this series. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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4 July, 2013 at 12:25 am
AlexandraCruz said:

I’m rereading Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing before starting Out of Breath… i love this series so so much

Thank you for such great review and awesome giveaway

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4 July, 2013 at 12:27 am
Vania Nunes said:

I don’t know this series and it would be awesome read all of them signed.
Thanks!!!

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4 July, 2013 at 12:28 am
Michelina D said:

Thank You for this fantastic giveaway!

I can’t wait to start reading this series 🙂

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4 July, 2013 at 12:29 am
eta37 said:

I would be the happiest girl in the world if I would win the signed copies! Thank you for the chance! xoxo

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4 July, 2013 at 12:34 am
zashi629 said:

LOVE Rebecca Donovan and this Series!!!

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4 July, 2013 at 1:04 am
glorialancia said:

just loveee this series!!! honestly my favourite of 2013!!!
rebecca did an amazing job with this book! such a powerful read!!!
hope i win the signed copies!!!

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4 July, 2013 at 1:12 am
ycervera11 said:

I <3 this series.

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4 July, 2013 at 1:26 am
davesbartender said:

Really want to read this series! What a great giveaway!!

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4 July, 2013 at 1:28 am
lorimitchell said:

Thanks for the giveaway!

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4 July, 2013 at 1:37 am
aznangel_dd said:

Oh wow…I would love to win this series! Thank you for the opportunity <3

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4 July, 2013 at 1:57 am
dburns17 said:

Thanks for the giveaway, what a great opportunity!

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4 July, 2013 at 2:22 am
mrslee160 said:

I would love to win!

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4 July, 2013 at 2:58 am
yesenia1206 said:

please…oh…please i hope i get this!!!

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4 July, 2013 at 4:05 am
tia said:

I have read the first two books and working on the third right now. I love this series. It has caused me to cry, laugh, awww, and to get mad. I would love to win this contest to own the books that I love and have talked many of my friends and family into reading.

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4 July, 2013 at 4:21 am
debradiaz said:

Can’t wait to finally read this series, been waiting for all the books to be out!!!!

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4 July, 2013 at 6:00 am
PAW said:

This series is one of the best series I have ever read. And Out of Breath is just perfect. Rebecca blew me away in a very good place after reading OOB. I honestly want more but I since OOB is the last, accdg to Rebecca, I feel the satisfaction after reading it. What a series! 🙂

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4 July, 2013 at 6:17 am
Lacey T said:

So excited to read this series! I have them waiting for me on my kindle 🙂

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4 July, 2013 at 7:38 am
ByTheWay said:

Thamks for the giveaway!!!
Love the series.

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4 July, 2013 at 8:05 am
kirstyl13 said:

Thanks for the giveaway ladies <3

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4 July, 2013 at 10:11 am
Sabina said:

Thanks for this great giveaway ladies. Can’t wait to start this stories. 🙂

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4 July, 2013 at 11:44 am
Aleksandraaaa said:

I LOVE this series <3 <3 <3

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4 July, 2013 at 4:05 pm
abshonk said:

Reviews for this have been amazing, I can’t wait to read the whole series.

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4 July, 2013 at 4:19 pm
charliebabe said:

I would be love to win this would be amazing loved all 3 books

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4 July, 2013 at 4:23 pm
CindyB said:

Hope to read soon.

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4 July, 2013 at 5:38 pm
colourful3wench said:

awesome giveaway!

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4 July, 2013 at 6:11 pm
jag5782 said:

Awesome Giveaway!

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4 July, 2013 at 6:34 pm
artdem said:

I have heard so many good things about this series, thank you for the chance!

Raffle name: Demitra Giote

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4 July, 2013 at 8:00 pm
lisapisa said:

This series has become part of my being! I really want to win this!

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4 July, 2013 at 8:11 pm
Sarah M. said:

This series is on my to read list would love to win these.

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5 July, 2013 at 1:22 am
danielle g said:

I feel like Ive been waiting forever for this one! Cant wait to read it!

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5 July, 2013 at 1:36 am
irna javines said:

I’m so jealous of my friends who have copies of these books! I wish I’ve one too. Thank you for this opportunity! Can’t wait to read them all :>

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5 July, 2013 at 1:37 am
irna javines said:

I’m so jealous of my friends who have copies of these books! I wish I’ve one too. Thank you for this opportunity! Can’t wait to read them all :> ♥

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5 July, 2013 at 1:45 am
briannaleereviews said:

Thanks for the giveaway!! Love Rebecca Donovan and I want to read this book so bad!

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5 July, 2013 at 2:40 am
Melanie C. said:

On my tbr list!!

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5 July, 2013 at 10:59 am
mmalavec said:

Thanks so much for the giveaway! I have been looking forward to reading this series!

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5 July, 2013 at 12:59 pm
chuaaiko said:

Thanks for the giveaway!!!! I love the Breathing series!!

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5 July, 2013 at 1:40 pm
iteachfl said:

I loved these books. I sobbed through the first one. I can’t wait to read the last one!

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5 July, 2013 at 8:08 pm
marykc22 said:

Great giveaway! Can’t wait to read Out of Breath!

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5 July, 2013 at 8:37 pm
chundra said:

Great giveway

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6 July, 2013 at 2:54 am
grobanite4788 said:

Thanks for the giveaway!

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6 July, 2013 at 3:56 am
House of Vetti said:

Love your commitment to international giveaways as always and to have the opp to win this series in signed paperbacks, oh my gawd! THANKS! <3

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6 July, 2013 at 3:43 pm
miminbennett said:

This is such fabulous series. I cant wait to finally start the 3rd one. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Mimi
miminbennett@hotmail(dot)com

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6 July, 2013 at 4:38 pm
vernadene2 said:

really excited for this book. thanx for the giveaway

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6 July, 2013 at 8:03 pm
tvanegeren said:

This is one of my favorite series ever!!!! I adore this series so much! Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

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7 July, 2013 at 1:26 am
jessicar said:

I would LOVE these books!!!

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8 July, 2013 at 1:59 am
illy said:

Can’t wait to read it, loved Reason to Breathe & Barely Breathing. I can’t believe it’s here, been waiting so long for this one! thank you for the giveaway!

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8 July, 2013 at 5:44 am
Andie said:

Awesome giveaway thanks for the chance

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8 July, 2013 at 6:00 am
brennadawn said:

I can’t wait to read these! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

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8 July, 2013 at 7:35 am
jocysmom said:

Can’t wait!

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8 July, 2013 at 9:32 am
Bube said:

Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

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8 July, 2013 at 12:09 pm
mendee422 said:

Loving this series! Thanks for the giveaway!

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8 July, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Cheryl said:

Holy crap – I have to know what happens!!!

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8 July, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Rosarita8930 said:

I’ve been waiting a long time to read this final book. I will most definitely have my Kleenex nearby this time… (sigh). Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, fingers crossed!

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8 July, 2013 at 8:25 pm
eahbalice said:

Thank you for the giveaway! Love this series!

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8 July, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Lee said:

thanks for the giveaway.I’m looking forward to reading this one

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8 July, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Emily said:

Thanks for the great giveaway!

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8 July, 2013 at 10:31 pm
irene said:

I have read book 1 and 2. I am patiently waiting to read book 3. I can’t wait to see what happened. Who is with who!! I love this series.

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9 July, 2013 at 1:38 am
Zandalee Marie said:

I love this series so much! I really miss the door covers, though.
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

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9 July, 2013 at 2:05 am
Mary Mooney said:

Awesome story and great giveaway!

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9 July, 2013 at 1:04 pm
jessiel62 said:

Wow……this review wants to make me pick up this series & read it right now! Thank you. I’m looking forward to reading it soon. Thank you for the giveaway!

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9 July, 2013 at 11:38 pm
ice_corie said:

Amazing review. Thanks so much.

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9 July, 2013 at 11:48 pm
youngs263 said:

My favorite series of all time!!! Love love love!

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9 July, 2013 at 11:52 pm
joannas79 said:

This is such an amazing series! Can’t wait to read
Out of Breath. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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9 July, 2013 at 11:55 pm
detours27 said:

This is an awesome series. Thank you for the opportunity

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9 July, 2013 at 11:59 pm
sondraj341 said:

Great Giveaway! I love this series. I hope I win.

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9 July, 2013 at 11:59 pm
havebookwillsurvive said:

I haven’t started reading this series yet but it is in my TBR!!! Thanks for the giveaway. havebookwillsurvive@gmail.com

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10 July, 2013 at 12:03 am
chelseab said:

I am currently reading these books and I am completely enraptured with them! Thanks for the giveaway!

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10 July, 2013 at 12:26 am
jk1598 said:

Thanks for the chance! Really excited to read this series!

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10 July, 2013 at 12:36 am
yvonne_simpkins@yahoo.com said:

Thank you for the giveaway, Heard lots of good things about this series.

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10 July, 2013 at 12:40 am
kasiaustin said:

loved this series!! have all the ebooks! would love to win this!!!!

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10 July, 2013 at 1:46 am
tramontane said:

I totally agree. This was the most emotionally upsetting series of books I remember reading, but I loved the experience! Of course, the happy ending helped an ENORMOUS amount, especially after three books’ worth of torture! Fabulous writing.
Thanks for the giveaway!

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10 July, 2013 at 5:56 am
stang1670 said:

Haven’t had a chance to read the third book but can’t wait, thanks for the giveaway

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10 July, 2013 at 12:45 pm
AlyssaIngram said:

Love this blog! And love y’all!

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10 July, 2013 at 7:29 pm
scrapingirl16 said:

LOVED this series!!!

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11 July, 2013 at 1:50 am
alyssaxchen14 said:

Thanks for the giveaway girls!!

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