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The Last Exhale
Marriage isn’t easy—especially without honesty. In this exploration of love, intimacy, guilt, and infidelity, two people learn what happens when their feelings get in the way of the truth.
For Sydney Holmes and Brandon Carter, love is losing its strength. Infidelity is the side effect of both of their broken marriages. Now, struggling to pick up the pieces, each is clinging to the hope that lasting love still waits for them, inside—or outside—of marriage.
Sydney’s not happy. Ever since marrying the wrong man, she’s regretted her decision to marry for the ring—not for her husband. Now, nearly seven years and two kids later, it’s not so easy to walk away. When a man drops into her life who gives her the oomph she’s been missing, she may be on the verge of making another wrong decision.
Brandon’s hurt. The death of his son was painful enough, but now he’s faced with losing the love of his life. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t make his wife love him. But soon the attention of another woman begins to mend his shattered ego. He moves out, and just as his new life grows comfortable, the reason his wife pushed him away surfaces, and Brandon must decide if the love they once shared is worth holding on to.
Love is the muscle of marriage. Both partners have to work to keep it strong and healthy, and without it, a marriage has no chance of survival. In The Last Exhale, Sydney and Brandon uncover the truth of what it really means to love—for better or for worse.
For Sydney Holmes and Brandon Carter, love is losing its strength. Infidelity is the side effect of both of their broken marriages. Now, struggling to pick up the pieces, each is clinging to the hope that lasting love still waits for them, inside—or outside—of marriage.
Sydney’s not happy. Ever since marrying the wrong man, she’s regretted her decision to marry for the ring—not for her husband. Now, nearly seven years and two kids later, it’s not so easy to walk away. When a man drops into her life who gives her the oomph she’s been missing, she may be on the verge of making another wrong decision.
Brandon’s hurt. The death of his son was painful enough, but now he’s faced with losing the love of his life. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t make his wife love him. But soon the attention of another woman begins to mend his shattered ego. He moves out, and just as his new life grows comfortable, the reason his wife pushed him away surfaces, and Brandon must decide if the love they once shared is worth holding on to.
Love is the muscle of marriage. Both partners have to work to keep it strong and healthy, and without it, a marriage has no chance of survival. In The Last Exhale, Sydney and Brandon uncover the truth of what it really means to love—for better or for worse.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
11 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Julia Blues
5 books24 followersBettering lives univer(soul)ly every story. Find out how at www.juliatwilliams.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 1, 2015
Ugly is the best word to describe this book. I’m not talking the writing being bad, but the subject and characters of the story. This is not a pretty romance with an HEA. It is about all the ways that love can go wrong.
The reason I didn’t like this wasn’t because it was badly written. I didn’t like it because there wasn’t a single character that I liked in this book. Every single character had not one single redeeming quality. Even in books with darker, uglier story lines I want to be able to connect and find some worth in the characters. There is nothing here.
Sydney is a spineless doormat that keeps making horrible decisions and throws away her life in the process. Sure she finally makes a decent one in the end, but there is so much that took so long that it really kind of screams too little too late. Eric is really kind of a scummy, heartless, hypocritical bastard. You’d think a woman dying of cancer and who’d lost her son would tug the heartstrings, but she is so incredibly selfish it wipes out any desire to feel compassion. Brandon came the closest to having something to recommend, but he is just as guilty as being stupid as the rest. I won’t even get into how utterly terrible the secondary friend characters are.
Everyone makes mistakes, makes bad decisions and has to live with the consequences. I get it takes time sometimes to realize what needs to be done to make things better in your life and move on from those mistakes. Some people never get to that point. But we are talking a book here and when I read, I want to find something positive in it, even in the ugly stuff.
I came so close many times throughout this entire book to just putting it down, but I kept thinking that it had to have a more positive end. Nope, it ended pretty much just as ugly as it started so I really wish I would have listened to my instincts and put it down the first time I didn’t think it was worth my time.
The reason I didn’t like this wasn’t because it was badly written. I didn’t like it because there wasn’t a single character that I liked in this book. Every single character had not one single redeeming quality. Even in books with darker, uglier story lines I want to be able to connect and find some worth in the characters. There is nothing here.
Sydney is a spineless doormat that keeps making horrible decisions and throws away her life in the process. Sure she finally makes a decent one in the end, but there is so much that took so long that it really kind of screams too little too late. Eric is really kind of a scummy, heartless, hypocritical bastard. You’d think a woman dying of cancer and who’d lost her son would tug the heartstrings, but she is so incredibly selfish it wipes out any desire to feel compassion. Brandon came the closest to having something to recommend, but he is just as guilty as being stupid as the rest. I won’t even get into how utterly terrible the secondary friend characters are.
Everyone makes mistakes, makes bad decisions and has to live with the consequences. I get it takes time sometimes to realize what needs to be done to make things better in your life and move on from those mistakes. Some people never get to that point. But we are talking a book here and when I read, I want to find something positive in it, even in the ugly stuff.
I came so close many times throughout this entire book to just putting it down, but I kept thinking that it had to have a more positive end. Nope, it ended pretty much just as ugly as it started so I really wish I would have listened to my instincts and put it down the first time I didn’t think it was worth my time.
May 22, 2017
Love this Authors writing style. A good story.
May 16, 2016
This story kept me guessing from one chapter to the next. The characters were all over the place with their thoughts and I honestly thought that Sydney would never get to a place of final disposition. Each relationship had its own set of problems but the common thread was harboring secrets. The shocker was that they each consciously made bad decisions but hoped for the best. Not only is that true to real life but also hits home for me. The exploration into the different types of love was also relatable in that love isn't bound to a specific level of feeling or public definition. I love the 'Reflections from the Author' section as it gave me a personal understanding of both the author and the story. Hearing the author's inspiration and reasoning behind writing this story made me appreciate the realness even more. Overall, a good read!
March 23, 2017
This was an awesome read. The psychology of human behavior in marriage is right on.
April 28, 2023
dnf @ 12%. I really don't care about the character and they are trying really hard to make me care. meh.
June 19, 2014
The Last Exhale is the story of Brandon and Sydney and their broken marriages...Oh...but they're not married to each other...but they start to think that they might be the solution to the other's problems.
Sydney's perfect marriage is boring to her...she wonders if she has ever loved her husband. When she meets Brandon...just one innocent comment from him makes her feel alive in ways that her husband has never been able to do.
Brandon married the love of his life but can't figure out why he has been getting the silent treatment...FOR YEARS...he's been trying to do everything to please his wife but she won't let him. He doesn't know what to do. What does anyone expect him to do? He's already lost his son...and now his wife acts wonky?? So...what's a man to do when a woman actually pays attention to him and engages him in conversation.
Sometimes...it's just so simple to see that thing you want in someone other than the mate you have. When familiarity breeds complacency, what do you do? Do you leave? Do you stay? Do you stay and step out? Brandon and Sydney have to decide what's important and if their marriages are worth saving.
I love the way Julia lets the story be told. The stories flow as naturally as if you are living them yourself. You are a part of the story. There's no other way to experience it. I can't begin to describe the myriad of emotions I went through with this book. Anyone who follows my reviews know that books that are able to evoke emotions from me are some of my favorites.
The most I can say about this book...is to get ready for a book hangover...you're going to love it.
Sydney's perfect marriage is boring to her...she wonders if she has ever loved her husband. When she meets Brandon...just one innocent comment from him makes her feel alive in ways that her husband has never been able to do.
Brandon married the love of his life but can't figure out why he has been getting the silent treatment...FOR YEARS...he's been trying to do everything to please his wife but she won't let him. He doesn't know what to do. What does anyone expect him to do? He's already lost his son...and now his wife acts wonky?? So...what's a man to do when a woman actually pays attention to him and engages him in conversation.
Sometimes...it's just so simple to see that thing you want in someone other than the mate you have. When familiarity breeds complacency, what do you do? Do you leave? Do you stay? Do you stay and step out? Brandon and Sydney have to decide what's important and if their marriages are worth saving.
I love the way Julia lets the story be told. The stories flow as naturally as if you are living them yourself. You are a part of the story. There's no other way to experience it. I can't begin to describe the myriad of emotions I went through with this book. Anyone who follows my reviews know that books that are able to evoke emotions from me are some of my favorites.
The most I can say about this book...is to get ready for a book hangover...you're going to love it.
January 12, 2016
Julia Blues is most certainly a deft writer who crafts stories that evoke a myriad of emotions within the reader. And that's a good thing! Captured in The Last Exhale are examples of how rippling effects are created when the fine lines of trust and communication are crossed and vows are broken in marital relationships. But this isn't only a story about infidelity. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, Blues throws in startling twists that makes you realize these characters are not simply dealing with surface problems, but flaws and issues that run deep within their very souls. Just like real life, right? Absolutely. In this life, we have freedom of choice in many areas, but what we are not free from are the consequences of those choices, whether positive or negative. What we have in The Last Exhale is a tale of consequences when people choose the timing of honesty with themselves, their partners, and life itself.
Great read!
Great read!
April 28, 2015
This story shows the result of what happens when you stay in a loveless situation and lies too long. Sydney knew she never loved her husband, shouldn't have ever married him but fear of being alone pushed her to go through with a marriage she knew was doomed to fail. Brandon loved Rene with all his heart but the loss of their 5 year old son and a cancer diagnosis shuts down communication. When Sydney and Brandon meet at an all night gym sparks fly and the beginning of an affair. What I took from this novel is you have to be honest with yourself or so many people will end up hurt. Who knows what will happen in the future, but you have to at least start off with a determination to fight for what you know and believe, not get caught up in the what ifs, or the uncertainties. Never start a marriage with a lie and never do it out of fear, its hard work and to make it work you both must be committed. Great read Julia Blues!
April 21, 2015
I enjoyed the book and the style in which it was written. The sentence structures reminded me of my own internal dialog throughout the day. I also liked that the chapters were short. That made the reading go by quickly!
I gave my three star rating because there were some turns in the story that I didn't care for and some repeated language that bothered me. The author used the word "cut" a lot. She mentioned "cutting on the water", "cutting off the light switch", and "cutting the car on". I know some people use that as slang and I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a specific part of the lingo for the characters, but it got aggravating and very distracting towards the end of the book. I was also hoping Brandon and Sydney would have ended up together (I guess I'm a sucker for a happy ending), but it didn't turn out that way. I started caring for these characters and it was unfortunate to see how much they went through only to not end up together.
I gave my three star rating because there were some turns in the story that I didn't care for and some repeated language that bothered me. The author used the word "cut" a lot. She mentioned "cutting on the water", "cutting off the light switch", and "cutting the car on". I know some people use that as slang and I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a specific part of the lingo for the characters, but it got aggravating and very distracting towards the end of the book. I was also hoping Brandon and Sydney would have ended up together (I guess I'm a sucker for a happy ending), but it didn't turn out that way. I started caring for these characters and it was unfortunate to see how much they went through only to not end up together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2017
I did not enjoy this book. I pressed on and finished reading it because it was a BOM selection for out book club, but there was nothing that I liked about this story. Not the characters, not the storyline, not the plot, not the author's writing style.
This story is about 2 unhappily married couples, Sydney to Eric and Brandon to Rene. It's about what happens when Sydney and Brandon cross paths due to a case of mistaken identity. It's about the actions they take or fail to take, and how lives are impacted by the actions and inaction. I found it to be repetitive, and one dimensional. I found the writing style to be very basic and elementary. I was not able to engage at all.
I really wanted to like this story and the lessons that it tried to teach, but I think that the author missed the mark during execution. I am undecided on if I will try other books by Ms. Blues.
This story is about 2 unhappily married couples, Sydney to Eric and Brandon to Rene. It's about what happens when Sydney and Brandon cross paths due to a case of mistaken identity. It's about the actions they take or fail to take, and how lives are impacted by the actions and inaction. I found it to be repetitive, and one dimensional. I found the writing style to be very basic and elementary. I was not able to engage at all.
I really wanted to like this story and the lessons that it tried to teach, but I think that the author missed the mark during execution. I am undecided on if I will try other books by Ms. Blues.
May 11, 2016
A Wake-Up Call for Lovers and Those Craving Love
When I started this book, I didn't know what to expect. But as I flipped the pages, I realized Julia Blues was about to give us readers a lesson on what it takes to develop and sustain relationships and, in this case, marriages. I identified with Brandon and Sydney, even becoming enraged by their decisions to cross self-employed lines. But when all is said and done, it is the truth that sets one free to live a fully enriched life, and it is imperative that we choose our life partners wisely. We must be friends before we become lovers. Keep up the good work, Julia Blues.
When I started this book, I didn't know what to expect. But as I flipped the pages, I realized Julia Blues was about to give us readers a lesson on what it takes to develop and sustain relationships and, in this case, marriages. I identified with Brandon and Sydney, even becoming enraged by their decisions to cross self-employed lines. But when all is said and done, it is the truth that sets one free to live a fully enriched life, and it is imperative that we choose our life partners wisely. We must be friends before we become lovers. Keep up the good work, Julia Blues.
December 30, 2014
Good story, just took me awhile to get through since I was reading the paperback. First read by this author but I would read more by her if I come across it. Powerful messages on love and marriage and how each party reacts to the downs more so than the ups.
August 23, 2014
LOVED this book took me 2 days to read. it was hard to put down Julia Blues has a true talent for writing a must read for romance lovers!
October 7, 2014
There's no sophomore slump here...Excellent book...Full review to come!!!
January 16, 2015
I enjoyed this book at the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews