Ten Tiny Breaths. K. A. Tucker.

Ten Tiny Breaths
K. A. Tucker
Published: Simon & Shuster 2013
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Elizabeth Louise
Length: 8hrs 58min
Genre:
Source: Own audiobook

After a terrible car accident destroys her life as she knew it, 20-year-old Kacey escapes to Florida, where she encounters an irresistible man determined to capture her wounded heart.

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.

Four years ago Kacey Cleary's life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend's lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, Kacey and her 15-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. They're struggling to make ends meet at first, but Kacey's not worried. She can handle anything - anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes, deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey's guarded heart - even if it means revealing an explosive secret that could shatter both of their worlds.

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker has been in my view since 2013 when I watched it on NetGalley and saw many, many reviews for it.  I just passed it by, it didn't seem like it was for me!  I am not sure what made me finally give it a go, I must have read an audio review because that is the format I chose.  So I found out then that it was not only New Adult but first person POV and written in the present tense.  Hate that! Well I used to anyway because a sentence or two was only spoken and I was hooked and totally in for the ride.

Kacey was in a car accident, where her parents, best friend and boyfriend were killed and she was left holding her dead boyfriend's hand until she could be cut out hours later.  Kacey and Libby now need to escape the place where they are living because the uncle is not all he should be.  They set up in a small apartment and Kacey finds work through a neighbour Storm.  

Kacey is a hard nosed young woman, but she has not coped well with the loss and anger that she experiences from the accident.  She has tried many avenues and still nothing works.  She hates anyone touching her hand.  Her anger can be triggered and when it does - Libby is worried by what may happen.  She forms a strong loving relationship with Trent the guy next door, yet this has its difficulties.

I loved the cast of characters, they became like Kacey's and Libby's family.  I smiled sometimes and I admit to a few tears too.  I was able to predict what was to be a big shock for Kacey before it happened, yet  I don't hold that against the book.  I think most if not all readers would see what was coming.

As I listened I was struck by how much damage happens by those who drink and drive and cause accidents that need never have happened.  It impacts for sure those who lose their lives, but what about those on the wider circle who are victims too - the family and friends. Or those who live through the accident.  

The narrator was perfect for the book and I will certainly listen to some more in this series. One prejudiced reader won over!