Just Remember to Breathe

Great Read!

Managed to read this within three days! Would have loved an epilogue, but still a great book!

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what an amazing book!

What a wonderful read! I couldnt put it down. The author did such a great job. I loved the plot and all of the emotion that was conveyed. Absolutely recommend it!

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Good

Second chance love...healing...mistakes ..forgiveness

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This story is told through dual POV's (Alex & Dylan). We mee

This story is told through dual POV's (Alex & Dylan). We meet Alex six months after she had a fight with her boyfriend and he walked out. She hasn't heard from him & is trying to move on with her life. We are introduced to Dylan (YES! the ex) who has had a hard childhood but was able to get his life together and joined the military. He was discharged after being terribly wounded in Afghanistan. He & Alex are forced to work together when they are both assigned to the same work study program. They both need the credit towards their scholarships and cannot leave the program. They decide that they need to find a way to work together & not let their feelings/memories get in the way. After spending a lot of time together they both admit that they still have feelings for each other. But will his injury, his guilt over events that happened during the war or his temper stand in their way? One of my favorite love stories. This is such a beautifully written love stories & I highly recommend it. Five starts aren't enough for this book!

- I fell for him. I fell off a cliff. And I still haven't recovered.

Just Remember To Breathe is a poignant love story about second c

Just Remember To Breathe is a poignant love story about second chances that simply takes your breath away.




Alexandra "Alex" Thompson and Dylan Paris met three years ago on an exchange student program trip to Israel. There was a mutual attraction at first sight even though they come from very different backgrounds and opposite sides of the country, but the trip would forever change their lives. For two years they had an on/off long distance relationship that encompassed Alex's senior year in high school and first year of college at Columbia University, and Dylan serving in the Army in Afghanistan. During Alex's first year at Columbia University, a misunderstanding occurs between Alex and Dylan during their Skype date, and it results in a break up that leaves both of them heartbroken and shattered. When the new school year starts, Dylan is a wounded veteran registered at Coulmbia, he and Alex unexpectedly meet again at a work study assignment, they try to avoid one another but they are still drawn to each other. With an intense past relationship that ended with two broken hearts, and personal demons between them, can Alex and Dylan find a way to give their love another chance?




Author Charles Sheehan-Miles weaves an emotionally intense and gut wrenching love story that pulls at the heartstrings. Written in the first person narrative in the present time with flashbacks to the past; with chapters alternating between the point of view of Alex Thompson and Dylan Paris; and richly descriptive settings in Israel, New York, Afghanistan and San Francisco; the reader gets swept away in a powerfully intense and palpable story about the complicated love relationship between two young adults from very different worlds.




This intriguing story flows seamlessly as the reader connects with both Alex and Dylan as their story unfolds. You can't help but get drawn into their lives as Alex and Dylan gives the reader their perspective on the ups and downs of their relationship. This multi-layered storyline has enough drama, emotion, twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. I loved that the storyline has Alex and Dylan dealing with various issues in their relationship: opposite attraction; different upbringing / rich v poor; alcoholism, drugs, rape; and devastating war injuries including PTSD and Brain Injury. The author does a wonderful job of providing flashbacks into their past history along with the present and other events that eventually lead up to a satisfying and  sweet romantic ending.




With a cast of characters who are realistic, flawed, and easy to relate to;  a mixture of humorous and heart wrenching dialogue and interactions; and a storyline with enough emotional pull that you can feel the intensity of Alex and Dylan's love and agonizing turmoil in their relationship; Just Remember To Breathe is a wonderful love story that makes you believe in the power and beauty of second chances.




Just Remember To Breathe is the first book in the Thompson Sisters series. While this book can be a stand alone read, to fully appreciate the Thompson sisters' stories, I would suggest you read the series in sequential order.

I don't know where my head was, but I read this one before I rea

I don't know where my head was, but I read this one before I read A Song for Julia. However, I don't think it mattered and this one could be read as a stand alone. This is the first book I've read by Sheehan-Miles and I was impressed. He created characters that I felt for and was rooting for. 




Alex and Dylan come from different worlds. Alex's father was in Foreign Service, while Dylan's father was an abusive alcoholic. Dylan was on a bad path until his senior year in high school too. Then, he decided to turn his life around. He did well in school and was given a great opportunity to study abroad. That's how he meets Alex. She's also been selected for the same program. Their attraction to each other was instant. They fell in love during their travels, but once they went back to reality...it was hard to maintain a relationship. 




Then Dylan joins the military and their relationship goes through more turmoil. My heart broke for them. Both Dylan and Alex were hurting from being apart. The story is told in first person present tense, but we do get to see past bits about how their relationship developed and the reasons for their break-up. Having that clear picture made me want them to be together even more. It must be so difficult to have an open, honest relationship when you are living in different parts of the world, experiencing totally different things. But, fate brings them back together and they realize their feelings for each other never died. That doesn't mean that they didn't still have challenges, but in the end, I was happy with the turnout. 




Overall, I really enjoyed Just Remember to Breathe. There were a lot of emotional parts to the story. Between Alex being attacked and Dylan's injury, these two really needed to find strength and support from each other. This is a book I'm not likely to forget soon and I'm now anxious to go back and read A Song for Julia and the next release, The Last Hour, which is Carrie and Ray's story. I loved them. If you're looking for a heartfelt story, this is a great pick for you. 




Favorite Quote:
~"We get to fall in love all over again, for the second time. How cool is that?" I smiled so wide it hurt my cheeks, and put my lips next to his ear and whispered, "I'd say you're worth falling in love with twice."-Loc 1430

When I read A Song for Julia I was enchanted by the way Charles

When I read A Song for Julia I was enchanted by the way Charles Sheehan-Miles could take a simple love story between two people and then weave his plot outwards, adding more colour and intricacy, characters and expression.
Just Remember to Breathe is not easy to read, as Dylan is a veteran of Afghanistan and still dealing with the effects of war. The only question I had was whether in his first year of recuperation he would still be under psychological care as a victim of PTSD? Otherwise, I feel that Charles Sheehan-Miles presents the reader with the harsh realities of a war veteran dealing with life after being deployed. We see Dylan withdraw, followed by his anger and his need for comfort from Alex. Initially I felt sympathy for Dylan but then saw that perhaps he was the cause for his own situation as he refuses help due to his own pride, although there are other complications.
I did not find Alex's character particularly likeable at the beginning of the story, however the author works on her character development and eventually I think that she is easier to connect with, particularly when we can feel more empathy for her.
The obstacles in the way of Alex and Dylan are Dylan's ghosts, Alex's family and their history together. Alex and Dylan struggle in an attempt to be together and as a reader we are always hoping that they are going to make it.
At one point my Kindle battery ran out whilst I was reading a really important part of the story (clue:index cards) and I scared both my children by shouting really loudly!!! This is a story in which you may lose your heart and cry some tears but ahhh, its worth it!!!!
I received this as a review copy, but this has not influenced my opinion in any way.

Few weeks ago I reviewed A Song For Julia and I told you then th

Few weeks ago I reviewed A Song For Julia and I told you then that I'd be reading this one soon too. As you can see the time has come. Once more I want to thank the author and AToMR book tours for giving me a copy of this book for review.




         We met Julia - on of the Thompson's girls in A Song for Julia and now it's time to meet Alex and hear her story. Like I said last time growing up this family is not the easiest thing to do. Maybe it was the hardest for Julia but Alex and other sisters also had to deal with lots of things. Besides her family Alex has another thing to worry about. She broke up with her boyfriend and at the time he was in Afghanistan in army. She did something she regrets but some things can't be fixed. She went on with her life. Started college and was free. Her family is not there to stop her and she could enjoy the college life. Everything started great until one day she met him again - the boy who broke her heart. Dylan was back and the war left trace on him. His leg was injured and he wasn't the same. Dylan wanted a new start too. He came back from the war and decided it was time to get a college degree and make something out of his life. He and Alex must learn how to work together and plus he needs to deal with PSTD as well. Things are never easy.




         Like A Song for Julia I enjoyed this story too. It was easy to read with double POV. Not much things changed. Well except the story. Still Julia's story left better impression on me.

Boy. One of my favourites, everr. JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE has

Boy. One of my favourites, everr.

JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE has been written to perfection from the easy language to the way that seemingly simple writing style grabs your heart, squeezes and then bursts you into millions of pieces.

But then there's the romance, and it develops, not enhanced by hot sex. Don't expect to love this book only for the intimate moments. I loved this book for how much the pain got to me, for how much I could tell the guy, Dylan, and the girl, Alex felt for each other. And God, their intensity was so much more than sexual tension. They wanted each other fully in every way. I loved this book for the fact I loved the supporting characters (namely, Carrie and Sherman) as much as I adored the main characters, Dylan and Alex.

And I waited. OMG, Charles Sheehan-Miles makes you agonise over wanting the couple to get together. This is a second-chance love story, after all, but God. The man can write.

Which brings me to my final point: Charles is the author and he's also a man and he has also written one of my favourite contemporary romances, and has smashed the likeability in this book compared to so many other female romance writers. I don't know how he can write females so well, but if that was stopping you, you're silly for making this regrettable choice to not try JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE. It's amazing!

Quick to devour, yet deep, this novel will move you and give you a sweet romantic feeling.

5+ huge stars!

This was a great read.....

This was a great read.....

Pages

How many pages are in this book? And how do you find out how many there are in a book ?

Love IS worth a second chance. It's been awhile since a book has

Love IS worth a second chance.
It's been awhile since a book has affected me to the point of tears. Just Remember to Breathe did this to me time and time again. Having spent 10 years in the military myself, than my husband spending 20+ himself, with tours into just about every Mideastern terrorist stronghold, I could connect with both Alex and Dylan. I feel that, especially during these times, it's a love story many can, will and have related to.

The chapters split, his thoughts, her thoughts, his life, her life, was done extremely well. Each chapter pickup up where the other left off without leaving things for interpretation. Each having depth but not over doing the other. A story within a story enfolding before you.

As a reader, you want answers to some nagging questions. The author tells the story so well that you aren't frustrated by this. You get your answers when it's time. Not too early and not too late.

Mistakes are called out, plans are put into place, memories share, terrors spoken and a family hug that puts you directly into Alex's body and you feel like you are right there being hugged and taken care of. You will come away looking at index cards in a total new light. Trust me on this one.

Do I recommend this book? Yes...yes I do. To whom? Everyone. All genders and to no particular lovers of a certain genre. This is a story that shook me to the core and left me breathless.

The genre is New Adult, but other than a situation which is thwarted before it goes to far, I'm not 100% feeling it should be in that category. It's a book that surpasses categories. I feel anyone from the age of 16 to the ripe old age of 100+ will love this story.

Sweet

Young love story that will have you feeling like you are the characters in this book. I found myself reading the lines outloud. I enjoyed how the author wrote the story from his and her point of view. Only thing I missed was an epilogue.

This book is absolutely the best. Can't wait for book 2!

This book is absolutely the best. Can't wait for book 2!

Great love story

Great love story, no explicit love scenes.

I fell in love with the characters and have tagged Charles Sheeh

I fell in love with the characters and have tagged Charles Sheehan-MIles as my favorite author so that I can hound down every one of his books in this series. The characters are strong and totally believable through their life's blunders and recovery. The writing style is deep, poignant, poetic, yet easy to follow. I finished this book reading through the night and wanted more. Luckily, the next in this series, A Song for Julia, became available the following week. I devoured that one the same day it came out. This series is a must read. You will not regret. 

Black star i am a lost she cat zvery scared can you direct me to

A clan

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Blackstar

Go to gingerfur all results. ((Plus can u tell rosestar at result one someone needs to tlk to her at willow result 2?))

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Not what i thought it would be

Dont waste your money

Loved it

Loved it great love story I cried and laughed felt like I was in the story read it in 1day