Would you dare to defy destiny?
Are our destinies written in stone?
Do we become nothing more than the
self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions?
Or can we dare to become who we believe
we were born to be?
“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love”
(Wendy Higgins)
ONLY A BREATH APART
is a young adult contemporary novel
from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry.
“Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful”
(Tammara Webber)
Order your copy of
ONLY A BREATH APART now!
About ONLY A BREATH APART:
They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.
The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.
A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.
Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…
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“Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.”
―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series
Excerpt
~SCARLETT~
My entire body seizes. “You’re supposed to give me a ride
home.”
Glory ends the call and offers me an apologetic expression.
“I forgot I had a phone meeting. I’ll take you home, after the call, but this
will be a lengthy session.”
Meaning I won’t be home by curfew. “Reschedule.”
Glory has a thoughtful look as she approaches me. One that
makes me feel like I should run. She leans forward and says in my ear, “You
felt something when you saw the Chariot.”
The moment she placed that card on the table I felt as if I
had sprinted headfirst into a wall. It was a stunned feeling, as if I were lost
in a fog, but I won’t admit that. Not to her, not to anybody.
“You’ve been asleep for a very long time,” she whispers.
“It’s time to wake up, Scarlett. There’s a whole word of possibility waiting
for you.”
I step back from her because this lady is insane. “I need
you to take me home.”
“I can’t, but I’m sure Jesse can lead the way.”
Um…no. I spin on my toes, and I’m out the door, down the
stairs and I head east for home. Seconds later, the screen door slams shut
again, and there are heavy footfalls on the wooden steps.
“Wait up!” Jesse calls out.
Nope. Not going to happen. I enter the tree line and curse
the sky above that there’s no moon. This is the country, which means that
besides the fading light from Glory’s house, I’m in complete darkness.
“Scarlett!” Jesse tries again. “Wait!”
But I don’t. I walked this land hundreds of times with
Jesse, sometimes by myself so I could find him when I needed a friend. I can do
this on my own.
“Let me find you so I can walk you home,” Jesse says.
He’s to my right, and I hurry because I don’t want to be
found. My pulse pounds in my ears, and my blood tingles with this need to stay
hidden, to stay alone.
Once upon a time, Jesse was my best friend, and then one day
he froze me out. He stopped answering the door when I knocked, he ran away when
he saw me coming across the field and then when we were forced into the same
space on the first day of our freshman year, he humiliated me in front of the
entire school.
Jesse Lachlin crushed me, and while I feel sorry for him
because his grandmother died, I don’t forgive him for leaving a scar on my
soul.
“Dammit, Scarlett, stop being so stubborn.”
My jaw clenches, and it takes an immeasurable amount of
self-control to not explain to Jesse in a very loud tone that he’s the biggest
jerk I’ve ever met. Doing so will inform him where I’m located, and I need him
to leave me alone.
I push forward, faster this time, but then my foot snags on
a root. My balance is thrown and my arms swing wildly in the air. I attempt to
reach for something to break my fall, but my fingers catch air. The sensation
is like the first massive hill of a roller coaster as my stomach lifts, and I
brace myself for impact with the ground.
I close my eyes, tense my muscles and I’m caught. Strong,
warm arms weave around me from behind and then my back is pressed flush against
a solid chest. My heart leaps, and my lungs are robbed of air.
“You okay?” Jesse’s mouth is incredibly close to my ear, and
his hot breath tickles my skin. I tremble because of the adrenaline or because
of this achingly beautiful intimacy, I don’t know.
“Are you okay?” he asks again, and this time his arms
tenderly squeeze me as if he’s offering comfort, as if he honestly cares. It’s
been so long since anyone has hugged me that a part of me melts into the
embrace as if I’m dry ground welcoming a warm rain.
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What I thought about Only A Breath Apart
Jesse Lachlin has had a rough childhood. Everyone in their small
town knows he’s trouble, especially Scarlett’s family living across the
street. But Jesse is focused on the most important thing -- the family land that means
everything to him. With his grandmother’s passing,
Jesse needs to find a way to keep the land in his hands and his
remaining family isn’t making it easy.
Scarlett has been carrying around a huge secret regarding her family life. It’s a powder keg getting ready to explode on her, her mother and sister. Even though she had a falling out with Jesse years ago, she finds solace and understanding with him and they recover their relationship, although it’s a bit touch and go.
Scarlett and Jesse reminded me so much of other Katie McGarry's characters in that they both are struggling with some real life issues and the adults in their lives aren’t being helpful. I loved how Jesse and Scarlett reached out to each other and found comfort in their relationship.
Of course, things get worse before they get better and Jesse and Scarlett have to make some heavy decisions. I loved that about this book because it gives a nice discussion point for readers who may be parents and/or teens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is long and goes into detail with these characters feelings, good and bad. There is a tremendous spirit in this book that I adored, especially some of the land-related spirituality that hit me right in the feels. I also loved Glory's part in this book with the tarot and palm reading.
Scarlett has been carrying around a huge secret regarding her family life. It’s a powder keg getting ready to explode on her, her mother and sister. Even though she had a falling out with Jesse years ago, she finds solace and understanding with him and they recover their relationship, although it’s a bit touch and go.
Scarlett and Jesse reminded me so much of other Katie McGarry's characters in that they both are struggling with some real life issues and the adults in their lives aren’t being helpful. I loved how Jesse and Scarlett reached out to each other and found comfort in their relationship.
Of course, things get worse before they get better and Jesse and Scarlett have to make some heavy decisions. I loved that about this book because it gives a nice discussion point for readers who may be parents and/or teens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is long and goes into detail with these characters feelings, good and bad. There is a tremendous spirit in this book that I adored, especially some of the land-related spirituality that hit me right in the feels. I also loved Glory's part in this book with the tarot and palm reading.
That being said, this book and its subject matter of abuse may not appeal to everyone. But that's real life and I appreciate Katie McGarry's efforts to portray these young adults in the most realistic manner. Most of all, I loved Jesse and Scarlett's journey to adulthood and that it wasn't easy for them.
Another great offering from Katie McGarry. Can't wait for more!
An ARC was provided for review.
Katie McGarry’s ONLY A BREATH APART – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
January 21st
@booksniffer7 – Review
Bickering Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Book Ballistic – Excerpt
Book Hoarder Mom – Review
Brittany and Elizabeth’s Book Boutique – Review & Excerpt
Celindareyesblog – Excerpt
Cinta Garcia de la Rosa – Excerpt
Crystal's Book World – Excerpt
Do You Dog-ear? – Review & Excerpt
Little Shop of Readers – Excerpt
Novel Addiction – Excerpt
Resch Reads & Reviews – Review
Sister Sister Book Blog – Excerpt
This Jabberwocky Eats Books – Excerpt
Writing My Own Fairy Tale – Review
January 22nd
A Book Lovers Playlist – Excerpt
Beware Of The Reader – Excerpt
Beyourselfbebhaltair – Review & Excerpt
Booknerd1107 – Review
CeliaMoontown – Review & Excerpt
Crazy Chaotic Book Babes – Review & Excerpt
Echoing Books – Excerpt
GataLeitora – Excerpt
Its a mun thing – Excerpt
Mean Girls Luv Books – Excerpt
Mythical Books – Excerpt
Read more sleep less – Review
Stellar Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Lovely Teacher Addictions – Excerpt
The Romance Reviews – Excerpt
Words Are Life – Review & Excerpt
January 23rd
A Novel Glimpse – Review
Bewitching bibliophile – Review & Excerpt
Book Freak – Review
Books Are My Life – Review & Excerpt
Bookworm Misfit – Excerpt
ClaryNathanWill – Excerpt
Craves the Angst Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Latteandbook – Review & Excerpt
Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Phishbowl's bookshelf – Review
Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt
Sascha Darlington's Microcosm Explored – Excerpt
The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt
The Readdicts Book Blog – Excerpt
Velarisreads – Excerpt
January 24th
A Court of Coffee and Books – Review & Excerpt
Avid Reads – Excerpt
Book Boyfriend Reviews – Review
Bookishly Nerdy – Review & Excerpt
Collector of book boyfriends – Review
Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt
Kick Back & Review – Excerpt
Lisa Loves Literature – Excerpt
Milky Way of Books – Review
Star-Crossed Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Sweet Red Reads – Excerpt
Tale Out Loud – Excerpt
The Cover Contessa – Excerpt
The Lovely Books – Excerpt
The Start of Something New – Review & Excerpt
January 25th
A Literary Perusal – Review & Excerpt
Abellafairytale – Excerpt
Book Bite Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Boundless Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Confessions of a Wordaholic – Review & Excerpt
Fandomly Bookish – Excerpt
Girl Plus Books – Review
I Heart Romance & YA – Review
Kaidans Seduction – Excerpt
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Excerpt
Tales of dreams and nightmares – Excerpt
The Book Branch – Excerpt
The Book Trollop – Review & Excerpt
VoxLibris – Review & Excerpt
Witchy Richey’s Booktastic Reviews – Excerpt
January 26th
Ali's Bookshelf – Review & Excerpt
Beauty and Lace – Excerpt
Blunt Book Blog – Excerpt
Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt
Bookish Intoxication Writes – Review & Excerpt
Confessions of 2 Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt
Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Family, Books and Food – Excerpt
Jesssiereads – Excerpt
Little Read Riding Hood – Review & Excerpt
Lovelyreadspublishing – Excerpt
Madison’s Library – Review & Excerpt
Rainy Days and Pajamas – Excerpt
Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Southern Vixens Book Obsessions – Excerpt
January 27th
3 degrees of fiction – Excerpt
All Things Dark & Dirty – Excerpt
As the Book Ends – Excerpt
Book Bitches Blog – Review
Books 4 Girls – Review & Excerpt
Bumbles and Fairy-Tales – Review & Excerpt
Chasing Faerytales – Review
Feed Your Fiction Addiction – Review
K&M Sultry Reads – Excerpt
K's Korner – Excerpt
Less Reality More Books – Review & Excerpt
My Fangirl Chronicles – Excerpt
Poetry law and something more – Review & Excerpt
Roxy's Reviews – Excerpt
Two Books in a Shelf – Excerpt
January 28th
Aaly and The Books – Review
A Book Fanatic Obsession – Review & Excerpt
BenderDreamerGirl: read.dream.escape – Excerpt
Book Reader Addicts – Review & Excerpt
Bookishly Slytherclaw – Review & Excerpt
Contagious Reads – Review & Excerpt
Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Escape 2 Fiction – Review & Excerpt
Midnight Book Girl – Excerpt
PBC – Excerpt
Rad Babes Read – Review & Excerpt
The Book Hookup – Review & Excerpt
Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
We Live and Breathe Books – Review & Excerpt
January 29th
A Gingerly Review – Review & Excerpt
A Lovely Book Affair – Excerpt
Bangor belle books – Excerpt
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Books & Tea – Review & Excerpt
Chapter by Chapter – Review & Excerpt
Cupcakesandbookshelves – Excerpt
Desperately Seeking HEA’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Echosreviews – Excerpt
GotToReadThoseBooks – Excerpt
Kindle and Me – Review & Excerpt
Lita's Book Blog – Excerpt
Margay Leah Justice – Excerpt
The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt
The Library of Belle – Excerpt
January 30th
Actin' Up with Books – Review
Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt
Bookistry_by_Ashleigh – Excerpt
Buttermybooks – Review
Ficwishes – Review & Excerpt
Geeky Reading – Excerpt
Little Bookworm Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Lo’s Lo-Down on Books – Review & Excerpt
Read. Eat. Love. – Review & Excerpt
Taylor Fenner’s Bookish World – Review
The Butterfly Reads – Excerpt
The Writing Finch – Excerpt
YA Bibliophile – Review & Excerpt
January 31st
Adventures in Writing – Review
Becca’s Bookish Life – Review
BookCrushin – Review & Excerpt
Here's to Happy Endings – Excerpt
Little Lovely Books – Review & Excerpt
Margaux – Excerpt
Ms. Me28 – Excerpt
Nerdy Soul – Review & Excerpt
Readers Live A Thousand Lives – Review
TBR Book Blog – Excerpt
The Bookish Introvert – Review & Excerpt
True Story Book Blog – Excerpt
February 1st
Alotabooks13 – Review & Excerpt
Caitlin's World – Review & Excerpt
CJR The Brit – Review
Court of Binge Reading – Excerpt
Hedwig Reads – Excerpt
Literary misfit – Excerpt
Moonlight Rendezvous – Excerpt
Readers Retreats – Excerpt
The Reading Faery – Review
Total Book Geek – Excerpt
Twirling Book Princess – Review & Excerpt
Vera is Reading – Excerpt
Whoo Gives A Hoot – Excerpt
YA/NA Book Divas – Excerpt
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