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…

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

REVIEW

Charli’s Review:

I have read several books by Katie McGarry over the years. She is what I consider an OG author for me because of how long I have been a fan of hers. I was so freaking excited about this book and I really did like it in a weird way.

I thought I knew what I was getting into when I first started reading, but then I didn’t. A lot of this book is about trust and the connections you can feel to your surroundings and the people around you. I feel like Katie opens up a whole new world to me with every book that she writes. I loved how she told this story and the way she wrote it. It made me contemplate connections and ideas I have never been exposed to.

Poor, sweet Jesse. This boy has had punches thrown at him throughout his entire life, and can’t ever seem to catch a break. Jesse is one of the most loyal characters who somehow takes the blame when things go wrong, despite not having anything to do with whatever happened. I loved Jesse’s strength and comfort. I loved how he always knew what he was meant to do with his life, and even when that knowledge faltered, he took the time to set it right again.

Scarlett is used to putting up a front with people, especially after her best friend left her three years ago. It is difficult to gain her trust, but once you do, you have it for life. Scarlett was protective and brave, and I absolutely loved her determination to succeed in the eyes of people who told her she would fail. She and Jesse helped each other so much and I have never seen a couple more connected and bound for greatness than this one.

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars!

Emily’s Review

Only a Breath Apart is the newest release from Katie McGarry, and this book grabbed me from the first page and never let me go. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings, and left me feeling emotionally drained in the best way possible.

This book hits on some difficult topics of abuse, and there are times when it was uncomfortable to read, but Katie McGarry did an excellent job of handling these hard hitting topics with care. Scarlet and Jesse are both so young, but already life has handed them the short end of the stick, so to say. They face so many obstacles on their journey through life, but together it is filled with some truly inspiring moments. The connection between these two is so strong, and beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in my life.

Only a Breath Apart is not your typical YA, despite what I first thought when I looked at the cover. It’s so much more. There’s hard hitting topics, romance, and a bit of magical realism that was an unexpected surprise. I’m so glad that I met these characters and went on their journey with them. Scarlett was so strong, and overcame an incredible struggle to be the person that she is. Jesse, on the other hand, is so kind and caring and truly feels for those around him. I fell in love with his characters quickly, and wanted to know how his story would end.

This book was one of my most anticipated YA contemporary reads of the year, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read this one, because it’s a beautiful read, overflowing with emotions and teaching the reader how important trust is to a person.

4.5/5 Stars

EXCERPT

~SCARLETT~

Evangeline fans herself. “That boy is hot.”

Hot isn’t exactly the word I would use for him. Hot somehow feels…lacking. Hot is for some boy in our gym class who has recently grown facial hair. Jess Lachlin is no boy. He has fire-red hair, a sun kissed tan from all the hours working on his land, deep green eyes and a body made to handle rough, rugged days.

I might have been ignoring Jesse for years, but I’ve seen him. Every girl in this school has gone out of her way to drive or walk along one of the country roads to watch Jesse as he works his land. Living across the street, I’ve had a front-row view. His shirt off, drenched in sweat, muscles rippling as he moves, the way he sometimes pauses in his front yard and looks across the road as if he knows I’m watching. A fluttering in my chest and then—

“Would you date him?” Evangeline asks.

“No.” Camila’s answer is swift. “And it’s not like he dates anyone. Except for his friends, the boy is a recluse.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” The kneejerk question surprises even me when it pops out of my mouth. Camila and Evangeline look at me as if those were the first words I’d ever spoken. If I could hide under the circulation desk without making this moment worse, I would.

“Besides the fact he’s cursed and anyone a Lachlin falls in love with drops dead?” Camila walks toward me and Evangeline follows. Camila watches me with more curiosity than I care for, but it’s nice that she’s moving the conversation in my direction. “Jesse’s a train wreck, and he taints anyone in his vicinity. Dating him would be a social, emotional and literal death sentence.”

I’m familiar with the curse, and it’s no truer than Glory and her prophesies. “That sounds melodramatic.”

“It’s not.” Camila has a swear-to-God seriousness to her. “Mom and Dad had Bible study at our house last night, and Pastor Hughes came. Everyone thought I was in the basement, but I went to the kitchen for something to drink, and I heard Pastor Hughes ask everyone what they knew about Jesse.”

Eavesdropping. How Camila.

“Did you know that before Veronica started hanging with Jesse that she was on track to be a concert pianist?” Camila says.

“Seriously?” Evangeline tilts her head in disbelief, and I’ll admit to putting down my cell.

“Seriously. And Leo Wheeling was a star soccer player, predicted to be the first freshman to play varsity for our high school, and then he started hanging out with Jesse.”

Faint middle school memories of hearing Leo’s name over the announcements regarding soccer emerge in my mind.

“Then someone said that before Nazareth Kravitz moved here, he had taken the ACT in the seventh grade and received a perfect score. He moved here, met Jesse and the rest is history.”

Nazareth sleeps through most of our classes, that is, when he bothers showing for school.

I nibble on my bottom lip as I’m not sure how much I like the Jesse-is-the-devil enthusiasm. I may share the opinion, but that doesn’t mean anyone else should.

“Of course, then there’s Jesse himself. Drinking, drugs.”

“The fights,” Evangeline pipes in.

“Don’t forget the suspensions—”

“And he’s been arrested!” Evangeline finishes Camila’s statement like the two share a brain. Her eyes sparkle like that precious piece of scandalous gossip was just too good not to spread.

“The boy is a walking disaster,” Camila continues. “Anyone who hangs out with him wants to become a loser. It doesn’t matter he’s going to be a millionaire once he sells his grandmother’s land. Anyone who spends time with Jesse is asking for hurt.”

“And death.”

“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