BLOG HOP: Just Breathe by Rachel Brookes

(The Breathe series, book 1)

For Savannah Rae, living life without her parents was unimaginable. But being blamed for her first love's suicide? That destroyed every part of who she was. 

Gone were the days of innocence, happiness, and dreams. Now her days simply meant attempting to survive. In her mind, her only means for that was replacing her grief with men, booze, and the fast life. And for five years, it worked. 

When an opportunity to leave the nightmares of her past in Australia opens up, she takes it. Los Angeles beckons - with hopes of late nights, new beginnings, and the promise of a string of endless men to distract her, she can't wait to dive in. 

One thing she didn't count on was meeting her match. 

In the eyes of outsides, Tate Connors has it all; the ultimate L.A. bachelor who is content with his lifestyle of wild nights, women, and one night stands. He's Mr. Unpredictable with looks that could destroy any woman with one glance. 

The craziness of Los Angeles throws them into the chaotic path of each other. Savannah becomes the perfect game, and Tate becomes the ultimate prey. Lines are crossed, emotions are smashed, and the idea of who they truly are begins to be tangled. 

However, one thing will become clear. 

They are more alike than either one could ever have imagined. 

(All 3 Gutter Girls reviews are listed below)

Ashley's Review

Ladies…prepare your vaginas to succumb to the Tate Connors Effect. It’s gonna happen.

I feel I should tell y’all something before I start this review. All of my friends and family know there are two places on this Earth that I absolutely must visit before I die. The first is Italy – pizza, pasta, WINE, hot guys, and awesome architecture/ historical landmarks – no brainer; and the second is Australia. I love Australian accents, I love that they have kangaroos just hopping around, I love that that’s where the Hemsworth brothers are from (yeeeah, y’all feel me on that one.) I just…I need to go there eventually. Now, thanks to the lovely Rachel Brookes and her debut novel Just Breathe, I will know some Aussie lingo before I head down under…hopefully…eventually ;)

Just Breathe is the story of a girl with a guarded heart, a guy with a playboy reputation, and their journey to conquer both of their demons…with the help of each other.

Australian Savannah has had more loses in her life than she can handle. Her parents were tragically taken from her, and her high school love committed suicide…and she gets the blame for his early departure placed on her shoulders. When an opportunity to move to Los Angeles is presented, she takes it, hoping for a new start; a new life. But she never planned on falling in love.

Tate Connors is the guy every girl wants to sleep with – and most of them actually do get to take a roll in the hay with him. He is a notorious man whore and sees no reason to settle down. Because when people settle down, things get messy. He is living the life in Los Angeles running a successful bar and constantly getting his rocks off with different girls. Until he meets Savannah; at first, she’s just a game…but then she gets under his skin and he can’t seem to shake this beautiful Aussie.

I loved this story! The relationship between Tate and Sav was riddled with sexual tension, angst, heartbreak, and love. One of the great things about their story is that it’s not an insta-love situation – I hate that shit. I want build up, I want anticipation, I want to see a relationship evolve, and I’m so happy that Rachel gave us the opportunity to experience that through the rollercoaster of Sav and Tate’s relationship. Don’t get me wrong, there is lust…and plenty of it…but it’s not an immediate “Oh my God, I love him so much my heart hurts” kind of situation. And for that, Rachel, I thank you! : )

And it’s not even just Sav and Tate that will make you love this story; the secondary characters are perfection. I adore Jack and his ridiculous comments, and I’m convinced that Tanzi is my long lost best friend! And Mr. Davenport…oh my hell. I don’t even care that he’s old enough to be my dad, I’d still hit it. Don’t judge me. I guarantee you’ll feel the same way after you meet this man. Oy vey.

Rachel Brookes released an amazing debut novel, and guess whaaaaat?!? The story of Tate and Sav isn’t over!! Chicka chicka yeah! We get more of all these characters AND more Aussie terms like mate, thongs, washer, and the FREAKING ULTIMATE……FAIRY FLOSS!!!! The next time I see cotton candy anywhere, my mind is immediately going to scream fairy floss!

For real y’all…buy this book and thank me later. Because you will ;) 

****

Erica's Review

“I’m taking over L.A., one aussinism at a time!" Just Breathe is my first read by an Australian author and it certainly won’t be my last! I’ve been walking around trying out Aussie lingo everywhere I go. I may get a few crazy looks and stares, but who cares?!

The secondary characters are what make this novel so special. I’ve read a lot of books lately that are focused solely on one relationship and seclude the outside world. In that respect, this novel was a breath of fresh air. All of the characters play a significant role in the plot of the story and give it a lot of spunk. Here’s a rundown:

Savannah leaves a life of heartache, loss, and betrayal behind in Australia as she boards a plane to L.A. with Mr. Davenport. He’s the closest thing to family that she has left and the only person that really looks out for her anymore.

“For the last fucking time, please call me Simon. You make me sound like some kind of pimp when you call me Mr. Davenport.”

Mr. Davenport badgers Savannah to change her lifestyle and make the most of the opportunity she has to start fresh in the U.S. See…Sav’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type and has earned quite the reputation. She’s scarred from her past and is determined to not let anyone else into her heart. When she makes it to her apartment in L.A. she spots Tate and he immediately becomes her prey…

I was like stalking lioness admiring from afar, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

Her plan is deterred when she realizes that Tate is actually Tanzi’s twin brother. Tanzi is the only friend Sav has in L.A. and she doesn’t want to do anything to ruin that relationship. Sav’s met her match with Tate though, and she quickly realizes he has the power to disarm her. NO ONE can withstand the “Tate Connor’s Effect.” NO. ONE.

"Babe, the moment you told me you loved tequila, shopping and trashy reality shows, I knew we would be best friends. We are a match made in heaven."

As the story progresses, we see a side to Sav and Tate that they both try to keep hidden. They both have tragic pasts and discover they can relate to each other more than they ever imagined. With two damaged souls, it’s never a smooth ride to a happily ever after. Sav and Tate’s relationship provides for a ton of angst, drama, sexual tension, and heartache. At the same time, it also warms your heart. I definitely got drunk on the “Tate Connors Effect” and I bet you will too! There’s no cliffy, but the story is definitely open for more. Sav and Tate’s story is far from over.

****

Tessa's Review

Since those two already wrote amazing reviews, I'm going to make mine short and sweet. To put it simply I adored this book! Savannah is my favorite type of female character. She's independent, kickass, sarcastic, and feisty as hell! I want her to be my bff so hard. She's not afraid to tell it like it is, and if you mess with her, you're gonna get your ass kicked. At the same time she's also damaged, broken, and is definitely not looking for love. 

Enter Tate Connors. Ladies, dust off that book boyfriend shelf. There's a new addition that you simply cannot miss. Tate is a sinfully sexy, brooding bad boy who can, and does, have his pick  of women. Tate and Sav fall into insta-lust which they artfully matter with a sarcastic, witty, faux hate relationship, and I couldn't get enough of it! 

"You frustrate me, Sav, you infuriate me, you make me angry, fuck, you make me throw glasses at the fucking wall, but I wouldn't have it any other way. You may have started as a game to me but then you became my challenge."- Tate Connors

One thing that is a MUST for me in a good romance is the relationship development, and in Just Breathe, Rachel Brookes definitely delivers! Watching Sav and Tate move from each stage in their relationship was fun, sweet, and amazingly hot! 

The secondary characters, as Ash and Erica both said, are incredible. I want to move into this condo building so I can surround myself with such awesome characters. Tanzi is crazy and I love her, Jack is hilarious as hell, and Mr. Davenport is such a good protector. 

There you have it. Just Breathe is one of the best books of this summer, and Tate Connors will go down as one of my favorite book boyfriends. 

                  

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