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Breathe You In
Sometimes you don’t realize how special a moment is until it’s a memory.
When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.
What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.
My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. Lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more.
Reader advisory – Breathe You In is a romance with themes of love, loss and hope and contains several explicit sex scenes.
When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.
What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.
My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. Lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more.
Reader advisory – Breathe You In is a romance with themes of love, loss and hope and contains several explicit sex scenes.
205 pages, ebook
First published April 18, 2013
15 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Lily Harlem
250 books688 followersMeet your next sexy as f*ck book boyfriend!
You'll love my Alpha male heroes and the women who (try to) tame them, so dive into my vast selection of steamy romances and be prepared to stay up late into the night being seduced by kinky dukes, hot hockey players, masterful Vikings and badass bikers. (To name a few!)
And to get you started, and my way of saying 'welcome to my world', grab a FREE ebook of your choice from my website www.lilyharlem.com
You'll love my Alpha male heroes and the women who (try to) tame them, so dive into my vast selection of steamy romances and be prepared to stay up late into the night being seduced by kinky dukes, hot hockey players, masterful Vikings and badass bikers. (To name a few!)
And to get you started, and my way of saying 'welcome to my world', grab a FREE ebook of your choice from my website www.lilyharlem.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 26, 2015
This is story about second chancess in life and love.
Katie has been living a half-life of depression since her husband Matt died. More than a year since the funeral, Katie still has nightmares and struggles to survive in their home surrounded by constant reminders of their deep love and her great loss. Recently, she has become obsessed over the health of the person who received Matt's heart and lungs as a transplant. Desperate to know if the recipient is healthy and happy--thinking this will give her peace and allow her to move through her grief--she hires a private detective to find the identity of the man with Matt's organs.
Learning his name (Ruben) and place of work (less than 40 minutes drive) Katie impetuously plans to take a peek--just to confirm that she made the right decision about organ donation. That actually SEEING this Ruben will show her how Matt didn't die for nothing, but saved someone in the process.
A chance meeting turns into conversation. Ruben is charming and friendly, saving Katie from two awkward moments. This cathartic encounter with Ruben tips off Katie's new life. In the corse of their conversation Katie states that she's moving to Ruben's town, and thinks "why not?" She has the financial wherewithal to do so, and starting over somewhere fresh may allow her to stretch her wings again.
She moves and changes jobs. In her new space, Katie isn't always seen as 'the widow' and she can breathe again, releasing some of her deep grief. That Ruben helps her do this, is especially poignant. Ruben befriends Katie, and they get on very well--moving into a romantic relationship. Katie is scared the Ruben will learn that she knows he received Matt's organs, but she feels so free with Ruben. He is so kind and thoughtful, and, around Ruben, she wants to experience life for the first time since Matt died.
This story had the prospect of being gloomy or icky--but instead it was touching and lovely. Taking careful steps into connection, Katie and Ruben find a real love together.
Katie has been living a half-life of depression since her husband Matt died. More than a year since the funeral, Katie still has nightmares and struggles to survive in their home surrounded by constant reminders of their deep love and her great loss. Recently, she has become obsessed over the health of the person who received Matt's heart and lungs as a transplant. Desperate to know if the recipient is healthy and happy--thinking this will give her peace and allow her to move through her grief--she hires a private detective to find the identity of the man with Matt's organs.
Learning his name (Ruben) and place of work (less than 40 minutes drive) Katie impetuously plans to take a peek--just to confirm that she made the right decision about organ donation. That actually SEEING this Ruben will show her how Matt didn't die for nothing, but saved someone in the process.
A chance meeting turns into conversation. Ruben is charming and friendly, saving Katie from two awkward moments. This cathartic encounter with Ruben tips off Katie's new life. In the corse of their conversation Katie states that she's moving to Ruben's town, and thinks "why not?" She has the financial wherewithal to do so, and starting over somewhere fresh may allow her to stretch her wings again.
She moves and changes jobs. In her new space, Katie isn't always seen as 'the widow' and she can breathe again, releasing some of her deep grief. That Ruben helps her do this, is especially poignant. Ruben befriends Katie, and they get on very well--moving into a romantic relationship. Katie is scared the Ruben will learn that she knows he received Matt's organs, but she feels so free with Ruben. He is so kind and thoughtful, and, around Ruben, she wants to experience life for the first time since Matt died.
This story had the prospect of being gloomy or icky--but instead it was touching and lovely. Taking careful steps into connection, Katie and Ruben find a real love together.
July 22, 2013
What do you do when you are locked in grief and the one person that could bring you out of it holds all that is left of the man who promised to love you til death do you part?
Katie is reeling from the death of her husband Matt. Her life is a shell of what she has known before. Making the decision to donate some of Matt's organs was not an easy one, but when she finds out that someone is walking around with his lungs and heart, she becomes obsessed with finding closure so she can move on with her life.
Ruben is a man recovering from a transplant that has given him a new lease on life. When a lovely young woman shows up at the museum he is working at, he is immediately attracted to her and asks her out. Saving her from a rabid peacock and an out of control exhibit is the start of a whirlwind relationship. Only Katie has a secret. She was married to the man whose organs now reside inside of Ruben.
This book was a refreshing blast of riotous emotions that left me gasping for air and reading as fast as I could. The depth of feeling in all areas of the book was so real I absolutely fell in love with this story. Katie was character that as a reader, you could really identify with. Knowing the power grief has to knock your life out of orbit completely, I found myself really feeling for her. She was lost in a sea of lonely isolation and only when she met Ruben did a flicker of life come back into her.
The tough part in this book is this: do you tell the man you are falling for that he has the organs of your dead husband. Like a train wreck, you know something is going to go horribly wrong as girl gets guy, girl falls head over heels and guy finds out girl has sort of left out one very important detail about how they met. *ouch* Will they be able to get over a tiny omission of something that might not matter after all? You will have to read this one to find out.
Lily Harlem knocks this one out of the park. It is one of her more tame stories but the sweetness and depth of emotion carried me away. Katie and Ruben are characters you can't help falling in love with over and over again as the blush of love chases darkness and death out of both of their lives. A thrilling and sexy read by one of today's most talented erotica writers.
An excellent read! 5/5
Katie is reeling from the death of her husband Matt. Her life is a shell of what she has known before. Making the decision to donate some of Matt's organs was not an easy one, but when she finds out that someone is walking around with his lungs and heart, she becomes obsessed with finding closure so she can move on with her life.
Ruben is a man recovering from a transplant that has given him a new lease on life. When a lovely young woman shows up at the museum he is working at, he is immediately attracted to her and asks her out. Saving her from a rabid peacock and an out of control exhibit is the start of a whirlwind relationship. Only Katie has a secret. She was married to the man whose organs now reside inside of Ruben.
This book was a refreshing blast of riotous emotions that left me gasping for air and reading as fast as I could. The depth of feeling in all areas of the book was so real I absolutely fell in love with this story. Katie was character that as a reader, you could really identify with. Knowing the power grief has to knock your life out of orbit completely, I found myself really feeling for her. She was lost in a sea of lonely isolation and only when she met Ruben did a flicker of life come back into her.
The tough part in this book is this: do you tell the man you are falling for that he has the organs of your dead husband. Like a train wreck, you know something is going to go horribly wrong as girl gets guy, girl falls head over heels and guy finds out girl has sort of left out one very important detail about how they met. *ouch* Will they be able to get over a tiny omission of something that might not matter after all? You will have to read this one to find out.
Lily Harlem knocks this one out of the park. It is one of her more tame stories but the sweetness and depth of emotion carried me away. Katie and Ruben are characters you can't help falling in love with over and over again as the blush of love chases darkness and death out of both of their lives. A thrilling and sexy read by one of today's most talented erotica writers.
An excellent read! 5/5
June 13, 2013
I am becoming quite a fan of Lily Harlem's writing style. This story was real, the emotions it invoked were raw and I was completely engrossed from page 1. A bit different from her usual style but still a scorching read.
It begins "Kisses soft as kittens whiskers tickled down my back, fluttering, floating, spreading into the dip of my spine and onto the rise of my buttocks. I sighed and squirmed, just a little, inviting more of the blissful sensations I was being woken with"............................"Matt ran his finger down my side, so light it was barely there"
Every marriage has its thorns but Katie's need for her husband was big. He was her reason to live and breathe and the man that she got out of bed for every morning. The thorns could be dealt with.
But, what would you do when the very thing you loved with all your heart is ripped from your life? Do you try to eradicate the ghosts of your past or do you allow your grief to consume you? That's what Katie did until she met Ruben Strong - handsome, sexy and slowly he brought her back to life re-awakening the passionate woman Katie once was.
But Katie is hiding a secret from Ruben, a secret that she could never reveal to him. The repercussions would be devastating and destroy her second chance at happiness.
Lily Harlem really pulled my heart strings with this story. It was real, the emotions were raw and you feel the sadness, the love, the optimism and the fear experienced by these characters.
Breath You In is a love triangle with a difference and a plot you wont expect. A story of second chances at love, when hope seems lost.
I loved it!
It begins "Kisses soft as kittens whiskers tickled down my back, fluttering, floating, spreading into the dip of my spine and onto the rise of my buttocks. I sighed and squirmed, just a little, inviting more of the blissful sensations I was being woken with"............................"Matt ran his finger down my side, so light it was barely there"
Every marriage has its thorns but Katie's need for her husband was big. He was her reason to live and breathe and the man that she got out of bed for every morning. The thorns could be dealt with.
But, what would you do when the very thing you loved with all your heart is ripped from your life? Do you try to eradicate the ghosts of your past or do you allow your grief to consume you? That's what Katie did until she met Ruben Strong - handsome, sexy and slowly he brought her back to life re-awakening the passionate woman Katie once was.
But Katie is hiding a secret from Ruben, a secret that she could never reveal to him. The repercussions would be devastating and destroy her second chance at happiness.
Lily Harlem really pulled my heart strings with this story. It was real, the emotions were raw and you feel the sadness, the love, the optimism and the fear experienced by these characters.
Breath You In is a love triangle with a difference and a plot you wont expect. A story of second chances at love, when hope seems lost.
I loved it!
June 12, 2013
3.5-4 stars. I got the book free and I had some down time between releases and I wanted to read something that wasn't my norm. And breathe you in for sure fit the bill. I have to admit the story was boring. Nothing really exciting. It would be like watching your neighbor doing day to day things. Nothing really exciting you know? Now the twist is that Ruben ended up with Katie's deceased husbands heart and lungs. I couldn't imagine that grief of losing your husband. I know it would be a dark place for me to go as well. Well Katie gets a bit obsessed with finding out who the recipient of her husbands heart and lungs was. I also get this craziness. I think I would be obsessed with it as well. Was my husbands death worth it? Did the person who received them appreciate it or just discarded her most difficult decision. Well they meet and fall in love. The plot was original and I liked the uniqueness of it. Again the actual story was boring. But I was still kept interested. Now the best part of this book was the very last paragraph of this book. And I swooned like a motherfucker. "His breath was warm and sweet and washed over me as he spoke. 'This heart was made to love you, Katie, and you alone. Wherever it is, it beats only for you.'" Tell me you didn't just swoon! So yeah. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I was happy to have added it to my collection of books.
June 8, 2013
Lovely sweet and sexy read, was expecting more as it finished 83% I thought the reveal was predictable but overall I really enjoyed it
April 3, 2014
What a wonderful, erotic love story. I enjoyed the concept of the story and struggled to put the book down. Every emotion was needed with this book, tears, laughter and moments your heart stopped.
June 17, 2013
Pain…suffering…gaping, honest, emotional…raw. Just some of the feelings I came away with after reading Breathe You In, an erotic romance novel by Lily Harlem.
After a construction accident rips the life of her husband Matt away, Katie is forced to rebuild the pieces of her life, and isn’t doing the best job of succeeding. For years she pines away, mentally, physically and spiritually for the one man who claimed her heart and is convinced no one ever will again. Until Ruben.
Ever since she donated her husband’s organs, Katie desired to find the person who received her husband’s heart. For closure, for a chance to see some part of her husband live on, to me, maybe a little of both.
In some ways, this story reminded me of the movie, seven pounds, where will smith plays a character that loses his wife and the lives of several other people because of a careless text. Unable to really deal with his grief, he uses his brother’s IRS job to get contact information for people he interviews and eventually donates his own organs to, managing to fall in love with the person who ultimately receives his heart. Obviously not the exact same thing, but can you see some of the similarities?
Ruben is a former Formula One mechanic, used to living the fast life; until he has to literally slow down to save his life. He had no idea Katie is the one responsible for doing just that.
She connects with Ruben with a sexual intensity she hasn’t felt since her husband, and Harlem does an amazing job with Katie’s internal struggle over who she really loves, Ruben or the idea of Matt’s heart being in Ruben. Obviously the decision not to tell him who she was isn’t the best one, and at some point she has to face the music and answer for her choices.
A terrific story of grief, love and loss, and the road to finding happiness…and redemption.
**DISCLAIMER** Scha-mokin’ hot book provided by uber cool author for completely shameless plug…I mean…um, honest review. Additional snark provided freely, and at no extra charge. =0)
After a construction accident rips the life of her husband Matt away, Katie is forced to rebuild the pieces of her life, and isn’t doing the best job of succeeding. For years she pines away, mentally, physically and spiritually for the one man who claimed her heart and is convinced no one ever will again. Until Ruben.
Ever since she donated her husband’s organs, Katie desired to find the person who received her husband’s heart. For closure, for a chance to see some part of her husband live on, to me, maybe a little of both.
In some ways, this story reminded me of the movie, seven pounds, where will smith plays a character that loses his wife and the lives of several other people because of a careless text. Unable to really deal with his grief, he uses his brother’s IRS job to get contact information for people he interviews and eventually donates his own organs to, managing to fall in love with the person who ultimately receives his heart. Obviously not the exact same thing, but can you see some of the similarities?
Ruben is a former Formula One mechanic, used to living the fast life; until he has to literally slow down to save his life. He had no idea Katie is the one responsible for doing just that.
She connects with Ruben with a sexual intensity she hasn’t felt since her husband, and Harlem does an amazing job with Katie’s internal struggle over who she really loves, Ruben or the idea of Matt’s heart being in Ruben. Obviously the decision not to tell him who she was isn’t the best one, and at some point she has to face the music and answer for her choices.
A terrific story of grief, love and loss, and the road to finding happiness…and redemption.
**DISCLAIMER** Scha-mokin’ hot book provided by uber cool author for completely shameless plug…I mean…um, honest review. Additional snark provided freely, and at no extra charge. =0)
January 28, 2014
Originally Posted on Bewitching Bibliophile
Ratings: 4.5
I loved this story. Granted she started off kinda crazy and I was worried she was going to be like home~girl from the last book "Anything For Him"but unlike that girl; she evened out and the crazy dropped away.
Granted what she didn't wasn't kosher, by any means at all; but I totally understand why she did it. Grief can lead people to do strange things, and there are some serious moments within the book that make you wonder if perhaps that is why they don't share donor information with the families unless the receiptant wants to meet them. There are some good points brought up by this story that I really enjoyed reading.
The love story that forms is hot and the couple was so beautiful. At least this lie didn't last for an eternity and it actually brought them closer. I liked that Ruben was a strong character even though the story was told from Katie's point of view. His reaction to her truth was amazing and raw and real. I loved it and the way her friends were there for her and were genuinely happy that she was moving on. I truly loved Katie's character as she developed and wanted to be more than just a widow, she wanted to be more and she went for it.
Good story it flowed well & handled the topic of grief and loss so well. Truly enjoyed it & highly recommend it to those who love a good romance and an even better erotica.
I so want to thank Lily Harlem for allowing me to read her story this was amazing.
Ratings: 4.5
I loved this story. Granted she started off kinda crazy and I was worried she was going to be like home~girl from the last book "Anything For Him"but unlike that girl; she evened out and the crazy dropped away.
Granted what she didn't wasn't kosher, by any means at all; but I totally understand why she did it. Grief can lead people to do strange things, and there are some serious moments within the book that make you wonder if perhaps that is why they don't share donor information with the families unless the receiptant wants to meet them. There are some good points brought up by this story that I really enjoyed reading.
The love story that forms is hot and the couple was so beautiful. At least this lie didn't last for an eternity and it actually brought them closer. I liked that Ruben was a strong character even though the story was told from Katie's point of view. His reaction to her truth was amazing and raw and real. I loved it and the way her friends were there for her and were genuinely happy that she was moving on. I truly loved Katie's character as she developed and wanted to be more than just a widow, she wanted to be more and she went for it.
Good story it flowed well & handled the topic of grief and loss so well. Truly enjoyed it & highly recommend it to those who love a good romance and an even better erotica.
I so want to thank Lily Harlem for allowing me to read her story this was amazing.
August 13, 2013
I received this review copy free of charge, in return for an honest review.
Katie thought her world was complete when she married her soul mate, Matt. She had a job she enjoyed, a decent home and best of all, got to spend all her free time with the man she loved and adored. Without warning, all that was about to change and Katies world would come crashing down around her. Would she ever be able to leave the past behind and move on, or will it see her on the path to insanity and self destruction?
I'll leave you to read it as I don't want to give too much away!!
Lily has really excelled herself with this extremely moving romance novel, managing to stir up a whole range of emotions within the reader. I found myself gripped from the very beginning and eager to see what happened next.
There are a few explicit sex scenes which are very poignant to the story and each written appropriately and lovingly. At points I found myself gasping in sheer disbelief as well as shedding the odd tear .....this really is a deeply moving story, and each emotion shines through with such depth that you can actually feel Katies pain. I absolutely LOVED reading this. I became so fond of the main characters and felt as though I actually knew them which made their pain all the more real! We all feel pain, but each and every one of us have our own way of dealing with it. This is one womans fight against her own feelings.
Katie thought her world was complete when she married her soul mate, Matt. She had a job she enjoyed, a decent home and best of all, got to spend all her free time with the man she loved and adored. Without warning, all that was about to change and Katies world would come crashing down around her. Would she ever be able to leave the past behind and move on, or will it see her on the path to insanity and self destruction?
I'll leave you to read it as I don't want to give too much away!!
Lily has really excelled herself with this extremely moving romance novel, managing to stir up a whole range of emotions within the reader. I found myself gripped from the very beginning and eager to see what happened next.
There are a few explicit sex scenes which are very poignant to the story and each written appropriately and lovingly. At points I found myself gasping in sheer disbelief as well as shedding the odd tear .....this really is a deeply moving story, and each emotion shines through with such depth that you can actually feel Katies pain. I absolutely LOVED reading this. I became so fond of the main characters and felt as though I actually knew them which made their pain all the more real! We all feel pain, but each and every one of us have our own way of dealing with it. This is one womans fight against her own feelings.
March 9, 2015
Breathe you in by Lily Harlem is such a great story. A word I would use to describe it is serendipitous. Although Katie did seek out Ruben with purpose, I don’t think she realized she would fall for him.
This is the first book I've read dealing with the topic of donation of organs. I think it’s such a great topic to explore in a book. I've always wondered what it might be like to for a loved one to seek out the recipient of their relatives organs.
Katie, it seems, is desperate for a change and needs to move on from the loss of the love of her life. I don’t think it was in her wildest dreams that it would be with the man that has her lost love’s heart and lungs. I liked the genuine caring and loving manner of Ruben and how he was able to change Katie’s reality. She really needed it. I thought both main characters were completely lovable and so deserving of a chance at love.
Katie choosing to go into this relationship with her secrets would eventually end up biting her. I knew the conflict would come, and I was rooting for a happy resolve. Ruben handled it so nicely, I was blown away. I didn't blame Katie for keeping her secret, after all that she’d been through. There was a moment of holding my breath when the secret came out, and then pure joy when they overcame it!!
This was a nice feel-good read, with a perfect balance of naughty and nice. I highly recommend it!!
This is the first book I've read dealing with the topic of donation of organs. I think it’s such a great topic to explore in a book. I've always wondered what it might be like to for a loved one to seek out the recipient of their relatives organs.
Katie, it seems, is desperate for a change and needs to move on from the loss of the love of her life. I don’t think it was in her wildest dreams that it would be with the man that has her lost love’s heart and lungs. I liked the genuine caring and loving manner of Ruben and how he was able to change Katie’s reality. She really needed it. I thought both main characters were completely lovable and so deserving of a chance at love.
Katie choosing to go into this relationship with her secrets would eventually end up biting her. I knew the conflict would come, and I was rooting for a happy resolve. Ruben handled it so nicely, I was blown away. I didn't blame Katie for keeping her secret, after all that she’d been through. There was a moment of holding my breath when the secret came out, and then pure joy when they overcame it!!
This was a nice feel-good read, with a perfect balance of naughty and nice. I highly recommend it!!
own-need-to-read
June 6, 2013Not a review...
Free on amazon (June 5, 2013)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C...
Reader advisory – Breathe You In is a romance with themes of love, loss and hope and contains several explicit sex scenes.
Sometimes you don’t realize how special a moment is until it’s a memory.
When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.
What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.
My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. Lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more.
March 17, 2015
I'm a huge fan of Lily Harlem's writing - she can ramp up the action from sweet to sexy beautifully.
The thing about this story is that it has a heartbreaking plot and one which I don't want to spoil too much - Katie is bereaved and finds a new lover in Reuben. Their romance is gorgeous. Lily writes blossoming love with so much joy, and innocence almost - but the transition into a sexual relationship is always so natural and so hot!
The storyline means that there is a lot of underlying tension so it does get nail biting at times - I was literally holding my breath in places, but don't worry, you're always in safe hands with Lily!
This is not only a great romance but a book with real moral dilemmas - a story to get you thinking as well as feeling.
Five stars
The thing about this story is that it has a heartbreaking plot and one which I don't want to spoil too much - Katie is bereaved and finds a new lover in Reuben. Their romance is gorgeous. Lily writes blossoming love with so much joy, and innocence almost - but the transition into a sexual relationship is always so natural and so hot!
The storyline means that there is a lot of underlying tension so it does get nail biting at times - I was literally holding my breath in places, but don't worry, you're always in safe hands with Lily!
This is not only a great romance but a book with real moral dilemmas - a story to get you thinking as well as feeling.
Five stars
July 5, 2013
"No, I had no choice. I had to see this through. There wasn't one part of me that wouldn't. I had to at least try to get a peek of him, this man who had a piece of what was mine, a very important piece too." What a gripping, emotional read. Katie's story is absolutely heart wrenching. Her pain and grief is written in such a real and relatable manner it's very easy to feel a connection to her. Ruben, oh Ruben...how do you tell the gorgeous man you love he has the beating heart and breathing lungs of your dead husband? This book does not disappoint on the emotional level and there is plenty of steam factor. Definitely worth reading.
March 6, 2015
Breathe You In is a passionate, sweet, and heartbreaking story about a second chance at love. Katie is still reeling over the loss of her husband Matt, and goes about trying to find out where his heart is, literally. She stumbles upon Ruben Strong, and the two of them begin their own story. Is it really the beginning though, or will the truth about how she found Ruben come out and destroy them. This impassioned love story left me breathless and emotional. It's different from some of Lily Harlem's other works that I've read, but Breathe You In definitely deserves it's time in the spotlight. I eagerly zipped reading through this book, and you'll want to as well!
August 16, 2013
I received this book as a review copy in exchange for an honest review
This is not as kinky or erotic as some of Lily Harlem's other books, but what we lose in kink and eroticism is more than made up for in emotion and character depth. You could feel every emotion it was so well written. I don't often cry while reading but I did here. I can't say much without going into the plot so I'll leave there. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
This is not as kinky or erotic as some of Lily Harlem's other books, but what we lose in kink and eroticism is more than made up for in emotion and character depth. You could feel every emotion it was so well written. I don't often cry while reading but I did here. I can't say much without going into the plot so I'll leave there. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
August 28, 2013
I'll be honest, I got this book for free and I guess I didn't really read the synopsis because when I did I wasn't too sure about reading it. So I put it off for a long time, but now that I've read it, I'm so happy I did. Katie and Rubens story isn't something of the norm, it was very different than what I normally read but at the same time it wasn't so different. If you're looking for something different, this is the book to read.
September 6, 2014
A brilliant concept for a story and a first for me with a book by Lily...I cried .... in fact I sobbed my little heart out.
I really can't say much about the story without giving the game away, but the love is beautiful.
I would have read this in one sitting, but for dozing off at 1am this morning!!
A very enjoyable, sexy read.
I really can't say much about the story without giving the game away, but the love is beautiful.
I would have read this in one sitting, but for dozing off at 1am this morning!!
A very enjoyable, sexy read.
November 11, 2013
Breathe Me In by Lily Harlem is a sweet love story with lots of hot sex! An odd twist connecting her deceased husband and a man she meets in another town sets the stage for a new love. I give it 5 stars!
I received this book as a review copy in return for an honest review.
I received this book as a review copy in return for an honest review.
June 7, 2013
I started reading this to pass the time and didn't think it would hook me so badly. I read the novel in one sitting. In a few hours of pleasurable reading, my emotions have been touched again and again. I have laughed, cried, feared, hoped and more in this wonderful sweet erotic romance.
June 30, 2013
I absolutely loved this story. Yes is started out tragic however it ended up being one of the best love stories I have read. I would recommend that everyone read this book!
October 25, 2017
I read "Breathe You In" by Lily Harlem recently and would highly recommend it. Kate is in deep mourning for her late husband when she takes it into her head to seek out the man who received his heart and lungs via transplant. What unfolds is a truly heart-warming love story that transpires about how you might expect, but it's written in such a way that you are pulled into it so completely you feel her sadness, then her hope, then her worry, and then her utter happiness when she realizes that she is allowed to love again. 5-stars!
(I lived in England a few years and one of my favorite things about this book are all the the special turns of phrase and names for things that are so distinctly British!)
(I lived in England a few years and one of my favorite things about this book are all the the special turns of phrase and names for things that are so distinctly British!)
May 9, 2013
Breathe You In by Lily Harlem
Rating: 5 Stars
Author site: www.lilyharlem.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Hot)
Blurb: Sometimes you don’t realize how special a moment is until it’s a memory.
When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.
What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.
My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. While we were lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more.
Reader advisory – Breathe You In is a romance with themes of love, loss and hope and contains several explicit sex scenes.
Review: Katie Lansdale is sifting through the pieces of her shattered life. Eighteen months earlier, a construction accident claimed the life of her beloved husband Matt. He was her whole world; every part of her life centered around being Matt's wife. Now, she is an emotional and physical wreck. She's lost weight. Her friends try to help by pushing her to go after life again, but she just can't let Matt go. Katie's grief is a tangible, palpable thing and it ripped my heart out from the beginning of this beautiful story of loss and finding love again.
After the accident, Katie chose to donate Matt's organs. Almost a little mad with grief, she becomes obsessed with the need to know who received Matt's heart and lungs. She needs to see the recipient healthy and thriving, to know that the heart that loved her so much still beats. This might have been a little odd for some readers, but showing the depth of Katie's grief made her initial actions acceptable in my eyes. People do odd things when they are grieving. She only wants a peek at the man from afar. It seems harmless, until she bumps into Ruben Strong in the museum where he works and falls in love.
Ruben was a real live wire. A Formula One mechanic, he lived his life in the fast lane of racing. Fast cars and faster women were his thing. And then, his heart starting fading away. After his heart transplant, he's slowed down, works at a museum and lives a quite careful life. He and Katie click immediately. He doesn't know that she is the donor's widow. This makes for a strong conflict between the pair. Ruben is a broken hero, broken but still whole. He needs to feel alive again and Katie does that for him.
Any more and I'd be giving away the story. Breathe You In is both sexy and sweet, tragic and hopeful. The level of emotion Ms. Harlem evokes not only from the characters but the reader as well shows a rare gift. In a few short pages, she managed to make me cry, laugh, and yearn for this couple to connect. Breathe You In has become my favorite title by Ms. Harlem to date. As always, I can't wait to see what else she has in store for her readers.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. While I do consider the author a colleague and close acquaintance, our association in no way effects my review of her book.
Rating: 5 Stars
Author site: www.lilyharlem.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Hot)
Blurb: Sometimes you don’t realize how special a moment is until it’s a memory.
When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.
What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.
My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. While we were lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more.
Reader advisory – Breathe You In is a romance with themes of love, loss and hope and contains several explicit sex scenes.
Review: Katie Lansdale is sifting through the pieces of her shattered life. Eighteen months earlier, a construction accident claimed the life of her beloved husband Matt. He was her whole world; every part of her life centered around being Matt's wife. Now, she is an emotional and physical wreck. She's lost weight. Her friends try to help by pushing her to go after life again, but she just can't let Matt go. Katie's grief is a tangible, palpable thing and it ripped my heart out from the beginning of this beautiful story of loss and finding love again.
After the accident, Katie chose to donate Matt's organs. Almost a little mad with grief, she becomes obsessed with the need to know who received Matt's heart and lungs. She needs to see the recipient healthy and thriving, to know that the heart that loved her so much still beats. This might have been a little odd for some readers, but showing the depth of Katie's grief made her initial actions acceptable in my eyes. People do odd things when they are grieving. She only wants a peek at the man from afar. It seems harmless, until she bumps into Ruben Strong in the museum where he works and falls in love.
Ruben was a real live wire. A Formula One mechanic, he lived his life in the fast lane of racing. Fast cars and faster women were his thing. And then, his heart starting fading away. After his heart transplant, he's slowed down, works at a museum and lives a quite careful life. He and Katie click immediately. He doesn't know that she is the donor's widow. This makes for a strong conflict between the pair. Ruben is a broken hero, broken but still whole. He needs to feel alive again and Katie does that for him.
Any more and I'd be giving away the story. Breathe You In is both sexy and sweet, tragic and hopeful. The level of emotion Ms. Harlem evokes not only from the characters but the reader as well shows a rare gift. In a few short pages, she managed to make me cry, laugh, and yearn for this couple to connect. Breathe You In has become my favorite title by Ms. Harlem to date. As always, I can't wait to see what else she has in store for her readers.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. While I do consider the author a colleague and close acquaintance, our association in no way effects my review of her book.
December 22, 2013
4 1/2 stars
“Breathe You In” by Lily Harlem details the experiences of bereaved widow, Katie Lansdale, who feels driven to find the recipient of her late husband’s donated organs. Her rather questionable search leads her to museum worker Ruben Strong just before the second anniversary of her loss and inexplicably starts her on a journey of change and an end to her apathy about her life. Ruben is grateful for his new lease on life and delighted to find a woman who seems to be sharing in his attraction but the discovery of the secrets she is hiding may end their relationship before it has a chance to flourish.
This is one of those emotional reads that just makes you say “wow” when you read it. I am impressed by the author’s sensitivity in depicting an extremely difficult decision and its aftermath while ensnaring the reader in the emotions involved in a new relationship made even more awkward by the underlying circumstances. There are deliciously sensual scenes but also very vivid vignettes (I think my favorite is Ruben’s reaction to the hot air balloonists) that give depth and texture to this impressive story of new beginnings and its tribute to the life that can be provided with such a profound gift. There is a fine line between obsession and natural curiosity and one could argue that perhaps Katie needed professional counseling but the story wonderfully conveys the intense pain that she seeks to assuage. A beautiful love story.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
“Breathe You In” by Lily Harlem details the experiences of bereaved widow, Katie Lansdale, who feels driven to find the recipient of her late husband’s donated organs. Her rather questionable search leads her to museum worker Ruben Strong just before the second anniversary of her loss and inexplicably starts her on a journey of change and an end to her apathy about her life. Ruben is grateful for his new lease on life and delighted to find a woman who seems to be sharing in his attraction but the discovery of the secrets she is hiding may end their relationship before it has a chance to flourish.
This is one of those emotional reads that just makes you say “wow” when you read it. I am impressed by the author’s sensitivity in depicting an extremely difficult decision and its aftermath while ensnaring the reader in the emotions involved in a new relationship made even more awkward by the underlying circumstances. There are deliciously sensual scenes but also very vivid vignettes (I think my favorite is Ruben’s reaction to the hot air balloonists) that give depth and texture to this impressive story of new beginnings and its tribute to the life that can be provided with such a profound gift. There is a fine line between obsession and natural curiosity and one could argue that perhaps Katie needed professional counseling but the story wonderfully conveys the intense pain that she seeks to assuage. A beautiful love story.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
July 19, 2013
“I received this book free on Amazon”
Breath you In by Lily Harlem is a fantastic love story.
How would you cope if you lost your spouse and donated their organs so that someone else may live? Well Lily does a wonderful job of getting you into the story.
I felt like I knew the characters and I was living in the story right along with them.
Lily could have gone many different ways with this but she chose wisely and kept it simple. If you would like to know Lily’s inspiration for the story here is the link. Check it out. It is worth the purchase!
http://lilyharlem.blogspot.co.uk/2013...
Breath you In by Lily Harlem is a fantastic love story.
How would you cope if you lost your spouse and donated their organs so that someone else may live? Well Lily does a wonderful job of getting you into the story.
I felt like I knew the characters and I was living in the story right along with them.
Lily could have gone many different ways with this but she chose wisely and kept it simple. If you would like to know Lily’s inspiration for the story here is the link. Check it out. It is worth the purchase!
http://lilyharlem.blogspot.co.uk/2013...
March 8, 2015
I so love this story! Yes it has the heartache of losing one's husband and reading about Katie's grief does connect you emotionally to her. But this story is so much more then loss, it's about coming to terms with yourself and learning to love yourself. But there is also a new love interest and it does make you wonder if it is the actual heart that Ruben has only has feelings for Katie because of that or his own. Its a wonderful beautiful story that has you crying, laughing, smiling, crying, and wondering what will happen. This was so well written you feel a part of the journey and are emotionally invested to the chatacters. An absolute must read!
March 13, 2015
A brilliant concept for a story and a first for me with a book by Lily...I cried .... in fact I sobbed my little heart out.
I really can't say much about the story without giving the game away, but the love is beautiful.
I would have read this in one sitting, but for dozing off at 1am this morning!!
A very enjoyable, sexy read.
Review of a previous edition.
I really can't say much about the story without giving the game away, but the love is beautiful.
I would have read this in one sitting, but for dozing off at 1am this morning!!
A very enjoyable, sexy read.
Review of a previous edition.
May 14, 2018
I read a recent Facebook post where the author stated this was her favorite book she had written. I can understand why. It was wonderful...just the kind of book I look for when I want a read I can get lost in and experience all the emotions the characters are feeling. Love. Loss. Bone-crushing grief. Heart-racing sensuality. Anticipation. This story had it all and used it to maximum effect, hence the swollen (from crying), bloodshot (from lack of sleep because I couldn't until I finished the book) eyes. Her depiction of grief and the emergence from under that dark cloud were spot on as was the surprise the character felt the first time she realized that oppressive weight had lifted for just a brief moment. The author nailed it. And the romance...ah, so heartwarming. Some might say it was a bit of 'insta-love'. I didn't feel that. I thought the romance progressed at a satisfying pace and greatly increased the anticipation I felt for their smoking-hot intimate scenes. This was a British-based story with British colloquialisms which this Southern born woman had to decipher. While I am a word nerd and love discovering new words and phrases, this use did hamper my enjoyment just a mite as it interrupted my processes while reading. I had to use my head instead of my heart. Not a big deal as I still thought it a five star read for me but worth the mention for those who are really bothered by such. All-in-all, I loved this cry-worthy story. Have your tissues handy. You will need them.
October 3, 2025
Woww—
Beautiful!!!
Amazing!!!
Emotional!!!
Sexy!!
Spicy!!
Very unique-
This book needed to be about 50 pages longer -
When Ruben found out what Katie did, it was wrapped up too quickly. I would’ve liked the angst to be dragged out a bit more.
But otherwise, perfection- 🤩🤩🤩
Beautiful!!!
Amazing!!!
Emotional!!!
Sexy!!
Spicy!!
Very unique-
This book needed to be about 50 pages longer -
When Ruben found out what Katie did, it was wrapped up too quickly. I would’ve liked the angst to be dragged out a bit more.
But otherwise, perfection- 🤩🤩🤩
March 27, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't yet read any other books from the Totally Bound "What's her secret?" series.
Such a lovely story of how two broken people come together and find love. A widow whose husband died in a senseless work accident. She donated his organs, and nearly two years later, she's still drowning in grief until she stumbles into Reuben Strong and life starts making sense once more... I recommend you read this love story for yourself to find out how they get their Happy Ever After! <3
Merged review:
**I received this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This is the story of Katie Lansdale, a woman grieving the loss of her husband Matt to a tragic work accident. She courageously donated his organs, and saved another man's life. However, nearly two years on, she is still drowning in grief, and barely managing to keep herself moving forward every morning, going to work, struggling to get on with her life day after day!
An unintentional face-to-face encounter with Ruben Strong, the man who received the donated heart and lungs, which gave him a new lease on life after a life-threatening illness nearly ended it those two years earlier, in a highly memorable manner (enter the renegade peacock of Northampton city park!), awakens Katie to the possibility of finding love once more, and the two start out as friends when Katie abruptly decides to up sticks from Leicester and relocate to Northampton, almost on the spur of the moment.
Ruben doesn't know of the gift Katie unwittingly gave to him, and thus saved his life, even though hers felt like it was ending at the time. Ruben tells Katie about his illness and the heart transplant as they get to know each other, but Katie doesn't share her secret with him - that he has Matt's heart and lungs! They fall deeply in love with each other, but will they be able to keep it together when Katie's secret is inadvertently revealed by a former colleague when Katie takes Ruben to a friend's wedding back in Leicester?
You'll have to read for yourself and find out if this lovely romance written by Lily Harlem allows the pair to find their happily ever after!
I haven't yet read any other books from the Totally Bound "What's her secret?" series.
Such a lovely story of how two broken people come together and find love. A widow whose husband died in a senseless work accident. She donated his organs, and nearly two years later, she's still drowning in grief until she stumbles into Reuben Strong and life starts making sense once more... I recommend you read this love story for yourself to find out how they get their Happy Ever After! <3
Merged review:
**I received this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This is the story of Katie Lansdale, a woman grieving the loss of her husband Matt to a tragic work accident. She courageously donated his organs, and saved another man's life. However, nearly two years on, she is still drowning in grief, and barely managing to keep herself moving forward every morning, going to work, struggling to get on with her life day after day!
An unintentional face-to-face encounter with Ruben Strong, the man who received the donated heart and lungs, which gave him a new lease on life after a life-threatening illness nearly ended it those two years earlier, in a highly memorable manner (enter the renegade peacock of Northampton city park!), awakens Katie to the possibility of finding love once more, and the two start out as friends when Katie abruptly decides to up sticks from Leicester and relocate to Northampton, almost on the spur of the moment.
Ruben doesn't know of the gift Katie unwittingly gave to him, and thus saved his life, even though hers felt like it was ending at the time. Ruben tells Katie about his illness and the heart transplant as they get to know each other, but Katie doesn't share her secret with him - that he has Matt's heart and lungs! They fall deeply in love with each other, but will they be able to keep it together when Katie's secret is inadvertently revealed by a former colleague when Katie takes Ruben to a friend's wedding back in Leicester?
You'll have to read for yourself and find out if this lovely romance written by Lily Harlem allows the pair to find their happily ever after!
April 30, 2013
Article first published as eBook Review: Breathe You In by Lily Harlem on Blogcritics.
Breathe You In is an erotic romance novel from Lily Harlem. It tells the story of two people that meet under very strange circumstances (I can't tell you - it'll give it away!). The female lead has been having a very tough time, and when she meets Ruben, things get even tougher for a while - but then she suddenly sees the ideal way to get out of her rut and begin a new life, a happier life.
Ruben very much saves her from her bleakest time, her darkest thoughts, but he's had troubles of his own. Together, maybe the two of them can find their way back to love and laughter.
I really can't say much else without giving away the plot, but let's just say this is a very unique plot which will really tug at your heartstrings and make you think. Packed full of pain, emotion, romance and eroticism, you'll remember Breathe You In long after you've finished reading.
Breathe You In is an erotic romance novel from Lily Harlem. It tells the story of two people that meet under very strange circumstances (I can't tell you - it'll give it away!). The female lead has been having a very tough time, and when she meets Ruben, things get even tougher for a while - but then she suddenly sees the ideal way to get out of her rut and begin a new life, a happier life.
Ruben very much saves her from her bleakest time, her darkest thoughts, but he's had troubles of his own. Together, maybe the two of them can find their way back to love and laughter.
I really can't say much else without giving away the plot, but let's just say this is a very unique plot which will really tug at your heartstrings and make you think. Packed full of pain, emotion, romance and eroticism, you'll remember Breathe You In long after you've finished reading.
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