ONLY A BREATH APART
by KATIE McGARRY
Jesse Lachlin is cursed.
So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in 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, Scarlett Copeland.
Scarlett Copeland is psychic.
Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.
Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings for each other. But as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…
I love that McGarry was able to bring to light an angering situation, with a young lesson on realizing that nothing is black and white and everything is subjective, as well as manipulatable. It was a scary reality to watch Jesse and Scarlett discover all that their world held for them and how they needed to survive it. Their journey was fantastical and magnificent, and I enjoyed the ride.
I will be honest and admit that I hemmed and hawed about reading this book knowing it was YA, knowing that the genre can teeter totter either way for me. I don't really sit in the middle on these kinds of books either - I either love them or am completely frustrated by them and end up DNF'ing them. I really liked McGarry's voice and will definitely keep her on my YA reading list. I don't recommend YA often enough because it's hard to find a voice and a storyteller that can do that genre justice. McGarry has been added to my very short list and I am very excited to read more by her.
Jesse Lachlin is cursed.
So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in 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, Scarlett Copeland.
Scarlett Copeland is psychic.
Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.
Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings for each other. But as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…
REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"I don't want to kiss someone to feel. I'd rather kiss someone because I'm feeling."
Well, I can honestly say that I will add Katie McGarry to the list of YA authors I will happily read more of. For my first ever book by her, I got caught up in this little world of two teenagers working through their own pain while helping the other deal with theirs - in a very age-appropriate way. I loved it! This book, while it may have started out a little slow for me - that was quickly sorted out and it ended up completely capturing me and continued until the very end. Her words carried me away; the lilt that she had - her voice was beauty in wonderment. Spinning in fields? Holding hands but not understanding the zing being felt? I love when the words can take on a mind of their own and bring to life a young love that is growing right before my very eyes.
I feel like this story took on a whole new possibility, or realm, for me to discover, and in doing so, it gave me a lot to think about - in a very charismatic way. Touching on some "mystical" aspects, I readily admit this book tested my side-eye abilities quite a bit, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. The whole book was understandable, but I can appreciate that McGarry made it relatable for this genre and storyline. There was a certain magic in her words that brought the story alive.
But, gosh - the exploration alone, that got me real good. When the characters are following a natural thought process, and their feelings are coming out - I feel like it's more endearing because it's not all drama and craziness. There was a certain truth and reality in regards to their feelings, even though they were not fully understanding what was going on, only knowing the need to explore it more in depth. This story was one in which I got to fondly remember a first love, secretly meeting up, falling in love, and fighting for that love I just couldn't live without. That's what a good YA book does for me - it reminds me of all those feelings and emotions, and when I can 'escape' back into them, that's a win for me.
I feel like this story took on a whole new possibility, or realm, for me to discover, and in doing so, it gave me a lot to think about - in a very charismatic way. Touching on some "mystical" aspects, I readily admit this book tested my side-eye abilities quite a bit, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. The whole book was understandable, but I can appreciate that McGarry made it relatable for this genre and storyline. There was a certain magic in her words that brought the story alive.
But, gosh - the exploration alone, that got me real good. When the characters are following a natural thought process, and their feelings are coming out - I feel like it's more endearing because it's not all drama and craziness. There was a certain truth and reality in regards to their feelings, even though they were not fully understanding what was going on, only knowing the need to explore it more in depth. This story was one in which I got to fondly remember a first love, secretly meeting up, falling in love, and fighting for that love I just couldn't live without. That's what a good YA book does for me - it reminds me of all those feelings and emotions, and when I can 'escape' back into them, that's a win for me.
"Are we meant to be friends or are we one, big tragic mistake?"
I love that McGarry was able to bring to light an angering situation, with a young lesson on realizing that nothing is black and white and everything is subjective, as well as manipulatable. It was a scary reality to watch Jesse and Scarlett discover all that their world held for them and how they needed to survive it. Their journey was fantastical and magnificent, and I enjoyed the ride.
I will be honest and admit that I hemmed and hawed about reading this book knowing it was YA, knowing that the genre can teeter totter either way for me. I don't really sit in the middle on these kinds of books either - I either love them or am completely frustrated by them and end up DNF'ing them. I really liked McGarry's voice and will definitely keep her on my YA reading list. I don't recommend YA often enough because it's hard to find a voice and a storyteller that can do that genre justice. McGarry has been added to my very short list and I am very excited to read more by her.
"It's not every day when people who are lost find a way to be lost together."
~BEE
PURCHASE
~EXCERPT~
~SCARLETT~
A scraping of a chair, a tray full of food and I glance over with my practiced smile in welcome. It’s not Camila, Evangeline, or anyone else from the group. It’s green eyes, red hair, a familiar mischievous smile that used to be reserved only for me, and my blood pounds with excitement as if someone lit a sparkler in my chest. Then I frown because I’m not supposed to feel this way. Not with him. Not with anyone.
Jesse Lachlin winks at me as he sits across from me like no time has passed from when we climbed trees together. “What’s up, Tink?”
Another thrill runs through me but then my muscles tighten. Stupid, antiquated reaction belonging to a dead past. “What are you doing here?”
Jesse pops a fry into his mouth, chews, then picks up another as if he has no intention of answering. I scan the cafeteria. Several people are watching us, curious as to why Jesse Lachlin is sitting with me, or is event at lunch, or even at school.
From the lunch line, Camila’s and Evangeline’s eyes are bugging out of their heads.
What is going on? Camila mouths.
I raise my eyebrows to inform her I have no idea. Jesse digs into his corn with his fork and that’s crossing a line. “Maybe you didn’t hear me, but I asked what you’re doing here.”
He lifts his eyes to meet mine and there’s a glimmer in them that causes my lips to flatten. Fantastic. He’s here to make my life a living hell.
“It seems obvious,” he says.
If he remembers anything about me, he should recall I was never known for my patience and that he should be speaking, and speaking soon. “Just answer the question.”
“I’m eating lunch.”
I honest to God groan in frustration. “There’s no room at the inn.”
He surveys the table, takes in the empty seats, my books, and then gives me a good look. A slow look. As if he’s trying to memorize every inch he’s drinking in. My cheeks redden because that somehow feels a little too intimate for lunch. Feels a little too intimate for someone I’m no longer friends with. It feels too intimate if we were friends.
I glance away, but I sense him still staring at me. God help me, I want to stare back.
~MEET KATIE MCGARRY~
Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.
~CONNECT WITH KATIE~
Really want to read this!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a different take and a breath of fresh air. I'm excited for more by her.
DeleteReally want to read this...
ReplyDeleteGreat review ❤
I hope you enjoy it!!
DeleteHhhmm another YA. You really are loving it now. Love your review!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a different change of pace for me, right??
DeleteThanks, Bunny!
Love your review!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
Delete