Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker
Release Date - September 24, 2013
Publisher Website -  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 288 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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.

Broken characters that are done right can be some of the most compelling, and thought provoking characters in novels. Ten Tiny Breaths features Kacey Cleary, one such broken character.

Kacey is a mess when we meet her. She uses every single defense mechanism possible to hide from a tragic accident that took away her family, friends, and feeling of security. She spiraled quite spectacularly and is trying to hold it together for her younger sister Livie. I felt Kacey's pain. She's someone whose tough exterior hides the real damage the accident has done to her.

Kacey's sister, Livie, is the quintessential good girl. She's held it together while Kacey is falling apart. She may be the younger sister, but sometimes she acts like the older, more in control one. She's someone whose point of view I would love to have, because I expect there is more going on. I think her carefully controlled exterior is a coping mechanism.

KA Tucker takes the usual stereotypes for the people Kacey meets, and turns them on their head. This makes the characters less cliche, and more 'real'. They feel less like plot devices, and more authentic. From the strip club owner with a heart of gold, to the bouncer who becomes friendly with the girls he is to protect. Kacey ends up meeting people who, for the first time since her parent's death, want to put her well being first.

Trent is described as sexy as can be, with a slight bad boy vibe going. He's got some pretty explosive secrets of his own, and while they are easily guessed, bring out the theme of the novel - forgiveness and redemption.Can these two broken people forgive, can they find redemption? You want them to find their way to each other, but in a manner where they will be healthy for each other.

This relationship is flawed, and a little harmful. However, the author shows this perfectly. She allows the characters to be who they are. She shows that until they are healthy individually, they can not be healthy for each other together. Their flaws do not make them horrible people, but that doesn't make them good for each other in their current state either. It's a sobering look why sometimes you need to seek help because you can't always handle things on your own.

Storm, the stripper who befriends Kacey is a fantastic supporting character. All of the secondary characters are amazingly well developed and complex. She's someone whose had a rough past, but is working to better her life for herself, and her daughter. She's someone that immediately makes you want to protect and help her. She's delicate, and also possess a resilient nature.

A novel that is sexy, character focused, and a quick read all at the same time. If you're looking for a New Adult novel that has plot, and sexiness this is definitely one that you should check out.