Fictional Candy: Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes (Review)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes (Review)

Title: Breathe Into Me
Series: Standalone
Author: Sara Fawkes
Published: April 8, 2014 - St Martins Press
Format: Egalley - Thank You St Martin's!

How did my life get so broken? It’s a question Lacey St. James asks herself every day. Stuck raising her little brother in a trailer park while she works a dead end job at a grocery store, she has a stalker exboyfriend, a bad reputation, and no way out.

And then she meets Everett, whose presence changes her entire existence.

Everett is an outsider to her small community, in town for the summer housesitting one of the grand mansions off the Mississippi coast. When he saves her in a bar one night, she’s grateful but wary of his intentions. Lacey doesn’t trust most men in her life, but for reasons Lacey she understand, Everett is completely captivated by her. He’s determined to show her that life can offer more than she’d ever hoped for, if only she believes in herself. As she works with him to free herself, Lacey desperately yearns to trust him, to move on and perhaps start fresh.

But what happens when she finds out that everything he’s told her about himself was a lie?

This was my first book by author Sara Fawkes, and I loved it. Granted, I'm a total sucker for "white trash" books. You know, where one or more of the characters grew up on the wrong side of town in way less than desirable conditions? I love their stories, and Lacey's story in Breathe Into Me was no exception.

This book opens with Lacey and her boyfriend, Macon, after they'd just finished having sex. Right away, Macon let's us all know what kind of guy he is - and I don't like him. Apparently Lacey doesn't either, because you can just feel the disgust rolling off of her in waves. Lacey... this girl has been dealt a rough hand, but she still knows who she is. And who she is is pretty great. She lives in a trailer with her grandma, mother, and younger brother. And the best thing I can say about them, is that her little brother is a rare gem. Her mother and grandmother definitely leave a little more to be desired. Lacey, herself, works two jobs and is trying to make her way in the world. Yep, I definitely like her.

One night at the bar with someone who is supposed to be her friend, she meets Everett. Right away you know there's something different about him. He looks a little better, carries himself better. And after the night Lacey just had (OMG, you will NOT believe what happened!!!) he's like a breath of fresh air. He is described as ruggedly handsome, where Macon-the-Douche is more of a pretty boy. I totally love the looks reversal going on there. But even more, Everett proves himself to be a cherished friend, a romantic potential, and a bit of a protector. He's definitely book boyfriend worthy.

The rest of the characters were very vibrant in this book. You either loved them, or you hated them, but you got a very clear picture of them no matter who they were. Some of them were so wonderful, I'm hoping the author will take the time in the future and tell us their stories.

As for Everett and Lacey, it's two steps forward, one step back. You see Lacey trying to improve herself and her life, but she is surrounded by bad people, bad things, and bad places. I felt like I was a cheerleader, hoping for her to pull out the Hail Mary and win. She's betrayed by those closest to her in the very worst of ways, the very very worst!! But she doesn't stop trying. Everett comes to her rescue more than once, and all along, you learn that Lacey is actually rescuing him right back.

The book is mostly in Lacey's point of view, but partway through we do get a sneak peek into Everett and it was brilliant. I loved this book. It's a great, solid read. It deals with some touchy subjects like poverty, suicide, abuse and the worst - money. I'd definitely recommend it to everyone, and I can't wait to read more from Sara Fawkes. Five stars!