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Colorado High Country #1
Barely Breathing
A hot contemporary romance from the author of the acclaimed I-Team series…
Lexi Jewell left Scarlet Springs twelve years ago, vowing never to return to the eccentric Colorado mountain town where she grew up. Now, here she is—over thirty, out of a job and with little choice but to move back in with her father. Lexi knows it’s just a matter of time before she runs into Austin Taylor, her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. She’s determined to show him she’s over him—until he steps out of a pickup truck and back into her life, looking sexy as hell in his mountain ranger uniform.
As far as Austin is concerned, Lexi can turn her snazzy little convertible around and drive back to Chicago. After all, she ripped his teenage heart apart and turned her back on the town he loves. But from the moment he sees her again, he can’t get her out of his mind. Even her smile messes with his head.
When an evening of conversation turns into something else, Lexi and Austin agree to be friends again—with benefits. But as Lexi starts making plans to return to the big city, Austin realizes he’ll lose her a second time unless he can show her that what she’s searching for has been right here all along.
Lexi Jewell left Scarlet Springs twelve years ago, vowing never to return to the eccentric Colorado mountain town where she grew up. Now, here she is—over thirty, out of a job and with little choice but to move back in with her father. Lexi knows it’s just a matter of time before she runs into Austin Taylor, her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. She’s determined to show him she’s over him—until he steps out of a pickup truck and back into her life, looking sexy as hell in his mountain ranger uniform.
As far as Austin is concerned, Lexi can turn her snazzy little convertible around and drive back to Chicago. After all, she ripped his teenage heart apart and turned her back on the town he loves. But from the moment he sees her again, he can’t get her out of his mind. Even her smile messes with his head.
When an evening of conversation turns into something else, Lexi and Austin agree to be friends again—with benefits. But as Lexi starts making plans to return to the big city, Austin realizes he’ll lose her a second time unless he can show her that what she’s searching for has been right here all along.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2016
1909 people are currently reading
2781 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Clare
57 books4,313 followersUSA Today best-selling author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the First Amendment Award and the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, she was honored by the Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with their Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. A single mother with two grown sons and two cats, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. She is a two-time RITA finalist (Surrender, Defiant) and a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist (I-Team series). She loves history, having studied archaeology in college, and has traveled extensively, living for almost three years in Denmark, which feels like home to her. She attributes her love of historical romance with the years she spent visiting ruins and castles in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
May 25, 2017
4.5 Sexy Lexi Stars
What a cute, sexy read. Man I loved this book! From start to finish this book was entertaining , funny, and easy. I couldn't put down. I loved Austin. What a hero, he was sexy, sweet, the total package. When he showed he had a bit of kink in him I was melting. Damn but that man was sexy! Everything about him perfect. Lexi was amazing too. She was cute, endearing, and she could be a sexy little dirty girl too! I loved these two as a couple. I felt they had great chemistry. My God some of the sex scenes were smokin' hot.
"I'm a firm believer in sex therapy." Blood surged into his cock. "Yeah?" He hadn't been expecting this. "In cases like this, fellatio is particularly effective."- Lexi and Austin
"You give head with that dirty mouth?"-Austin
There was this scene with handcuffs that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. I loved that both Lexi and Austin were respectful and mature and didn't play games that caused over the top drama. I really didn't like Lexi's dad and step mom but in the end I felt they did a good job of starting to redeem themselves. This book has some great secondary characters that really made it stand out. I can already tell you who I am wanting to get their own book. I want Chaska, and Sasha to get a book. But OMG I am dying for Eric and Vic to get a book...... Please let their book be next I need it bad! The only reason this book didn't get 5 stars is It's missing an epilogue. I wanted an epilogue badly. I felt this book really needed that peek into their future. Overall I loved this book. I would recommend it to everyone and I can't wait til the next one comes out!
"I'm going to fuck you so long and hard you'll have trouble remembering a time when my cock wasn't inside you."-Austin
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
What a cute, sexy read. Man I loved this book! From start to finish this book was entertaining , funny, and easy. I couldn't put down. I loved Austin. What a hero, he was sexy, sweet, the total package. When he showed he had a bit of kink in him I was melting. Damn but that man was sexy! Everything about him perfect. Lexi was amazing too. She was cute, endearing, and she could be a sexy little dirty girl too! I loved these two as a couple. I felt they had great chemistry. My God some of the sex scenes were smokin' hot.
"I'm a firm believer in sex therapy." Blood surged into his cock. "Yeah?" He hadn't been expecting this. "In cases like this, fellatio is particularly effective."- Lexi and Austin
"You give head with that dirty mouth?"-Austin
There was this scene with handcuffs that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. I loved that both Lexi and Austin were respectful and mature and didn't play games that caused over the top drama. I really didn't like Lexi's dad and step mom but in the end I felt they did a good job of starting to redeem themselves. This book has some great secondary characters that really made it stand out. I can already tell you who I am wanting to get their own book. I want Chaska, and Sasha to get a book. But OMG I am dying for Eric and Vic to get a book...... Please let their book be next I need it bad! The only reason this book didn't get 5 stars is It's missing an epilogue. I wanted an epilogue badly. I felt this book really needed that peek into their future. Overall I loved this book. I would recommend it to everyone and I can't wait til the next one comes out!
"I'm going to fuck you so long and hard you'll have trouble remembering a time when my cock wasn't inside you."-Austin
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
December 13, 2016
Updated: This book is no longer free, but at $0.99 it's a steal. I did a re-read recently and fell in love with the Colorado High Country all over again. http://amzn.to/2hqpRPv
Original review:
A great locale, amazing characters, and an exciting, romantic, VERY sexy story kick off Pamela Clare's new Colorado High Country series. From start to finish, Barely Breathing is a winner - which was not a surprise to me because everything Ms. Clare writes is awesome, so this was bound to be too!
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If you're already a Pamela Clare fan, or interested in learning more about her and her books, be sure to stop by our Pamela Clare Fan Group here on Goodreads!
Original review:
A great locale, amazing characters, and an exciting, romantic, VERY sexy story kick off Pamela Clare's new Colorado High Country series. From start to finish, Barely Breathing is a winner - which was not a surprise to me because everything Ms. Clare writes is awesome, so this was bound to be too!
----
If you're already a Pamela Clare fan, or interested in learning more about her and her books, be sure to stop by our Pamela Clare Fan Group here on Goodreads!
May 25, 2017
Brilliantly perfect!
I just finished reading a book that touched my heart deeply. The story was thoroughly wonderful that I don’t think my review can do it justice. I have so many things running through my mind but it’s hard to put into words. Despite my high expectations, this book still managed to blow me away in a similar way to how Pamela Clare’s other works did me. Barely Breathing is everything I could ever ask for in my reading experience.
This is a second-chance love story between Austin Taylor and Lexi Jewell.
After resigning from her accounting firm in Chicago, Lexi returned to Scarlet Springs, the town she left twelve years ago. She planned to stay there for a few weeks to help her father reconcile with her stepmother. Besides, she needed some time to sort out what she really wanted to do with her life before going back to Chicago.
Austin is a park ranger and part of Search and Rescue team. When the reporting party called in, he never thought he would run into his high school sweetheart who broke his heart badly. But after all these years, he never forgot his first love, never stopped loving her.
As Austin and Lexi spent more time together, it became clear to them that all the feelings that were once there between them even grew stronger and deeper with each passing day. Austin was a fool to let her go once, and it almost crushed him into pieces. He didn’t know if he could do it again this time if Lexi decided to leave him and go back to Chicago. How could he survive losing her as he finally realized that he couldn’t bear to live without her?
I fell head over heal in love with Austin when I read the scene Austin’s reaction wasn’t what I expected. Instead of getting irritated or angry with her, he thought he was the luckiest man and then he pulled her into his arms. Aww…I really wanted to give him a big hug, he totally impressed me with his endlessly gentle response and optimistic attitude. He’s very adorable, isn’t he?
The author totally caught me off guard when . The whole scene was not only damn hot and sexy, but it was also sweet, spectacular, sensual, and full of passion. At that moment, it was not just about sex, it was about an intense emotional bond between two people, it was trust, care, and acceptance. Normally I’m not that much into this kind of scene, but the author has a wonderful way with words and she knows very well what the readers want. So, I found myself surprisingly enjoying it and it turned out to be one of my favorite sex scenes I’ve ever read.
It was my memorable moment when Austin and the rescue team saved Lexi’s life and carried her out of an abandoned mine shaft. The moment she saw the townspeople’s faces and knew that they were there for her, and also her father and stepmother, I couldn’t help but break into tears! I couldn’t continue reading, my vision blurred as tears filled my eyes and they continued to cascade down my face. I felt so overwhelmed with emotions. Oh, it was so beautiful!
This was a great start to the series. I enjoyed every single page I read. The story was full of breathtaking romance, scorching passion, and tons of laughs. It was sweet, lovely, heartwarming—just right for me in every way. I wish I could give this book more than five stars. If you’re looking for a good small-town, second-chance romance with a little bit of suspense, then this book is for you. It’s certainly worth reading and you’ll never be disappointed.
And now I can hardly wait for the next book!
LOVED IT!!!
I just finished reading a book that touched my heart deeply. The story was thoroughly wonderful that I don’t think my review can do it justice. I have so many things running through my mind but it’s hard to put into words. Despite my high expectations, this book still managed to blow me away in a similar way to how Pamela Clare’s other works did me. Barely Breathing is everything I could ever ask for in my reading experience.
This is a second-chance love story between Austin Taylor and Lexi Jewell.
After resigning from her accounting firm in Chicago, Lexi returned to Scarlet Springs, the town she left twelve years ago. She planned to stay there for a few weeks to help her father reconcile with her stepmother. Besides, she needed some time to sort out what she really wanted to do with her life before going back to Chicago.
Austin is a park ranger and part of Search and Rescue team. When the reporting party called in, he never thought he would run into his high school sweetheart who broke his heart badly. But after all these years, he never forgot his first love, never stopped loving her.
As Austin and Lexi spent more time together, it became clear to them that all the feelings that were once there between them even grew stronger and deeper with each passing day. Austin was a fool to let her go once, and it almost crushed him into pieces. He didn’t know if he could do it again this time if Lexi decided to leave him and go back to Chicago. How could he survive losing her as he finally realized that he couldn’t bear to live without her?
I fell head over heal in love with Austin when I read the scene Austin’s reaction wasn’t what I expected. Instead of getting irritated or angry with her, he thought he was the luckiest man and then he pulled her into his arms. Aww…I really wanted to give him a big hug, he totally impressed me with his endlessly gentle response and optimistic attitude. He’s very adorable, isn’t he?
The author totally caught me off guard when . The whole scene was not only damn hot and sexy, but it was also sweet, spectacular, sensual, and full of passion. At that moment, it was not just about sex, it was about an intense emotional bond between two people, it was trust, care, and acceptance. Normally I’m not that much into this kind of scene, but the author has a wonderful way with words and she knows very well what the readers want. So, I found myself surprisingly enjoying it and it turned out to be one of my favorite sex scenes I’ve ever read.
It was my memorable moment when Austin and the rescue team saved Lexi’s life and carried her out of an abandoned mine shaft. The moment she saw the townspeople’s faces and knew that they were there for her, and also her father and stepmother, I couldn’t help but break into tears! I couldn’t continue reading, my vision blurred as tears filled my eyes and they continued to cascade down my face. I felt so overwhelmed with emotions. Oh, it was so beautiful!
This was a great start to the series. I enjoyed every single page I read. The story was full of breathtaking romance, scorching passion, and tons of laughs. It was sweet, lovely, heartwarming—just right for me in every way. I wish I could give this book more than five stars. If you’re looking for a good small-town, second-chance romance with a little bit of suspense, then this book is for you. It’s certainly worth reading and you’ll never be disappointed.
And now I can hardly wait for the next book!
LOVED IT!!!
May 16, 2016
Story Rating ~ 5 HUGE STARS!
Hero Rating ~ 5 GIGANTIC STARS!
Heroine Rating ~ 5 ENORMOUS STARS!
Heat Level ~ 3.75 These two were SCORCHING HOT!!
Ending ~ 5+++ STARS!
Overall Rating ~ ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!!
OMG Ladies, I LOVED this one HARD!! I just finished and I have tears in my eyes, it was THAT GOOD!!
This is a second chance at love romance and I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MOMENT!!! This book was AMAZING! Well of course it was, after all it’s a Pamela Clare book! Pamela Clare took me somewhere where she never has before, a small town romance.
Lexi Jewell has been away from her home town of Scarlet Springs for 12 years. She never thought she'd be going back but certain circumstances had her headed back to help her father out of a mess he’s made. Lexi also knew that she would end up running into the first love of her life Austin Taylor. When they broke it off all those years ago, they both felt the pain of it. It doesn't take long for these two to meet up and the same attraction is still there. They decide that since Lexi has no plans of staying in Scarlet Springs that they would just share a friend with benefits type of relationship while she was there. Once that agreement was made, these two could NOT keep their hands and other things away from each other. YOWZA! PC definitely brought the heat with this one and I devoured every single love scene and throbbed through them all.
I LOVED both Lexi and Austin. They were FANTASTIC characters and had SO many great qualities about them. There were also some excellent secondary characters added in, SO MANY!
At one point, I thought, I’m missing the usual suspense that Pamela has written and done oh so well. Near the end she added a bit into the story line giving me the excitement I usually crave in her reads.
I know I'm not going into much of the story line, I don't want to give anything away. Trust me ladies when I say YOU REALLY SHOULD NOT MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!! Especially if you enjoy an AMAZING and OH SO SEXY contemporary romance.
Hero Rating ~ 5 GIGANTIC STARS!
Heroine Rating ~ 5 ENORMOUS STARS!
Heat Level ~ 3.75 These two were SCORCHING HOT!!
Ending ~ 5+++ STARS!
Overall Rating ~ ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!!
OMG Ladies, I LOVED this one HARD!! I just finished and I have tears in my eyes, it was THAT GOOD!!
This is a second chance at love romance and I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MOMENT!!! This book was AMAZING! Well of course it was, after all it’s a Pamela Clare book! Pamela Clare took me somewhere where she never has before, a small town romance.
Lexi Jewell has been away from her home town of Scarlet Springs for 12 years. She never thought she'd be going back but certain circumstances had her headed back to help her father out of a mess he’s made. Lexi also knew that she would end up running into the first love of her life Austin Taylor. When they broke it off all those years ago, they both felt the pain of it. It doesn't take long for these two to meet up and the same attraction is still there. They decide that since Lexi has no plans of staying in Scarlet Springs that they would just share a friend with benefits type of relationship while she was there. Once that agreement was made, these two could NOT keep their hands and other things away from each other. YOWZA! PC definitely brought the heat with this one and I devoured every single love scene and throbbed through them all.
I LOVED both Lexi and Austin. They were FANTASTIC characters and had SO many great qualities about them. There were also some excellent secondary characters added in, SO MANY!
At one point, I thought, I’m missing the usual suspense that Pamela has written and done oh so well. Near the end she added a bit into the story line giving me the excitement I usually crave in her reads.
I know I'm not going into much of the story line, I don't want to give anything away. Trust me ladies when I say YOU REALLY SHOULD NOT MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!! Especially if you enjoy an AMAZING and OH SO SEXY contemporary romance.
May 14, 2016
4 Stars
I need to start this review off by saying what a treat it was to read a new Pamela Clare novel. I adore the I-Team series (Unlawful Contact has a permanent spot on my favorites list) but I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading a straight contemporary romance by this author before. Barely Breathing, the first book in Ms. Clare’s new Colorado High Country series, managed to take care of that problem for me.
Lexi Jewell and Austin Taylor grew up together in the small mountain town of Scarlet, CO. By the time these two hit seventeen and the hormones were in full effect, they’d fallen in love and were taking full advantage of Austin’s pickup truck bed and the blow up mattress he kept handy. From a young age, Lexi’s only goal was to get the hell out of Scarlet and her relationship with Austin never changed that objective. When their teenage love affair is no match for Lexi’s envisioned future, both Austin and Lexi are left with broken hearts.
That above little ditty is exactly how I pictured a heartbroken Austin. Is it that much more painful when the ultra-good looking get the sads? I digress.
Fast forward 12 years and Lexi’s home and trying to figure out her life, as well as to help her cantankerous father manage the family inn. She knows that, at some point, she’s going to run into Austin but she didn’t expect it to happen before she actually drives into town. What’s obvious from their first adult encounter is that Austin has a massive case of the panty twists and any truce Lexi wants to call isn’t going to come easy.
Austin’s best intentions are to stay far away from the even more beautiful Lexi, but luckily for us that resolve doesn’t last too long.
Some part of him knew kissing her was stupid— really stupid, catastrophically stupid. But then she pressed her body hard against his, and he decided stupid could go fuck itself.
Do you want to know what I loved best about Barely Breathing? This is a contemporary romance written for adults, by an adult. As simple as that sounds, in my experience it’s hard to come by. These characters are thirty and they actually act like thirty year olds. No unnecessary miscommunication, no jumping to conclusions to cause an issue that didn’t need to be there in the first place. This story is about two people finding their way to each other again and taking a chance, even though they both admit their relationship probably won’t be permanent. They both lay their cards on the table and go from there. And the hot sex didn’t hurt a damn thing.
I also enjoyed the bit of suspense interwoven and I’m hoping the unresolved secondary story gets resolved by the end of the series *wink* I’m thinking it will. The only thing that left me a little glazed over was the rock climbing talk and lingo. Yes, there’s a glossary given at the beginning of the book, but I’m admittedly lazy and I just skimmed most of those parts.
Barely Breathing ended up being a wonderful decompression read for me and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. Let me tell you, the secondary character hotness is strong with this one! That’s a whole lot to look forward to.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I need to start this review off by saying what a treat it was to read a new Pamela Clare novel. I adore the I-Team series (Unlawful Contact has a permanent spot on my favorites list) but I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading a straight contemporary romance by this author before. Barely Breathing, the first book in Ms. Clare’s new Colorado High Country series, managed to take care of that problem for me.
Lexi Jewell and Austin Taylor grew up together in the small mountain town of Scarlet, CO. By the time these two hit seventeen and the hormones were in full effect, they’d fallen in love and were taking full advantage of Austin’s pickup truck bed and the blow up mattress he kept handy. From a young age, Lexi’s only goal was to get the hell out of Scarlet and her relationship with Austin never changed that objective. When their teenage love affair is no match for Lexi’s envisioned future, both Austin and Lexi are left with broken hearts.
That above little ditty is exactly how I pictured a heartbroken Austin. Is it that much more painful when the ultra-good looking get the sads? I digress.
Fast forward 12 years and Lexi’s home and trying to figure out her life, as well as to help her cantankerous father manage the family inn. She knows that, at some point, she’s going to run into Austin but she didn’t expect it to happen before she actually drives into town. What’s obvious from their first adult encounter is that Austin has a massive case of the panty twists and any truce Lexi wants to call isn’t going to come easy.
Austin’s best intentions are to stay far away from the even more beautiful Lexi, but luckily for us that resolve doesn’t last too long.
Some part of him knew kissing her was stupid— really stupid, catastrophically stupid. But then she pressed her body hard against his, and he decided stupid could go fuck itself.
Do you want to know what I loved best about Barely Breathing? This is a contemporary romance written for adults, by an adult. As simple as that sounds, in my experience it’s hard to come by. These characters are thirty and they actually act like thirty year olds. No unnecessary miscommunication, no jumping to conclusions to cause an issue that didn’t need to be there in the first place. This story is about two people finding their way to each other again and taking a chance, even though they both admit their relationship probably won’t be permanent. They both lay their cards on the table and go from there. And the hot sex didn’t hurt a damn thing.
I also enjoyed the bit of suspense interwoven and I’m hoping the unresolved secondary story gets resolved by the end of the series *wink* I’m thinking it will. The only thing that left me a little glazed over was the rock climbing talk and lingo. Yes, there’s a glossary given at the beginning of the book, but I’m admittedly lazy and I just skimmed most of those parts.
Barely Breathing ended up being a wonderful decompression read for me and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. Let me tell you, the secondary character hotness is strong with this one! That’s a whole lot to look forward to.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
March 13, 2023
Blazing hot, sweet and exciting. With Pamela Clare you know you’ll be getting contemporary romance at its best kicking off this appealing series with a delicious hero, a cute heroine and a full cast endearing supporting characters you’ll be sure to fall for.
Lexi Jewell didn’t just leave her tiny home town of Scarlet Springs twelve years ago, she practically ran to Chicago, leaving her family and her first love without looking back. But now she’s back to help her father, not quite sure what to do with the rest of her life and knowing she’ll run into Austin sooner or later. Can she disregard the sexy man he’s become?
Austin could not care less whether Lexi is back in town or not, right up until the moment he walks up to her on the side of road. His brain reminds him she broke his heart, but his body and heart have other ideas. Can he convince her to stay in the town he loves with him?
Pamela Clare was one of the first authors I read when I decided to graduate from YA paranormal to Contemporary Romance and let me say that she set the bar pretty high. I’ve read most of her books and loved all of them. She’s definitely an automatic one click author who I know I can count on for deliciously sweet romance laced with excitement. Barely Breathing is no exception. It’s a smooth flowing, fun easy read I didn’t want to put down.
Although I admit angst is sometimes necessary, it’s not my favorite emotion and I’m not a big fan so I was very pleased with how Lexi and Austin relationship developed. Wanting to ignore each other in the beginning because of their young mistakes and the hurt they caused one another but failing, to them being completely being unable to ignore their attraction and slowly and maturely rekindling their romance without unnecessary drama.
I really liked Austin and Lexi separately too. He’s caring and swoony, she’s smart and endearing and the chemistry they share is off the charts.
The secondary characters were equally appealing. Pamela introduces a bunch of interesting men and woman who I’m sure I’ll love to get to know. I’m especially curious about Austin’s best friend and hot fire fighter Eric Hawke. I also need to mention how much I LOVED having cameos of Gabe Rossiter (Naked Edge – I-Team #4) and Zach McBride (Breaking Point – I-Team #5) and all the excitement that Pamela is exceptionally skilled at.
Barely Breathing is book #1 in the Colorado High Country series by Pamela Clare. It’s a standalone, contemporary romance full of fun and sexiness with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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Lexi Jewell didn’t just leave her tiny home town of Scarlet Springs twelve years ago, she practically ran to Chicago, leaving her family and her first love without looking back. But now she’s back to help her father, not quite sure what to do with the rest of her life and knowing she’ll run into Austin sooner or later. Can she disregard the sexy man he’s become?
Austin could not care less whether Lexi is back in town or not, right up until the moment he walks up to her on the side of road. His brain reminds him she broke his heart, but his body and heart have other ideas. Can he convince her to stay in the town he loves with him?
Pamela Clare was one of the first authors I read when I decided to graduate from YA paranormal to Contemporary Romance and let me say that she set the bar pretty high. I’ve read most of her books and loved all of them. She’s definitely an automatic one click author who I know I can count on for deliciously sweet romance laced with excitement. Barely Breathing is no exception. It’s a smooth flowing, fun easy read I didn’t want to put down.
Although I admit angst is sometimes necessary, it’s not my favorite emotion and I’m not a big fan so I was very pleased with how Lexi and Austin relationship developed. Wanting to ignore each other in the beginning because of their young mistakes and the hurt they caused one another but failing, to them being completely being unable to ignore their attraction and slowly and maturely rekindling their romance without unnecessary drama.
I really liked Austin and Lexi separately too. He’s caring and swoony, she’s smart and endearing and the chemistry they share is off the charts.
The secondary characters were equally appealing. Pamela introduces a bunch of interesting men and woman who I’m sure I’ll love to get to know. I’m especially curious about Austin’s best friend and hot fire fighter Eric Hawke. I also need to mention how much I LOVED having cameos of Gabe Rossiter (Naked Edge – I-Team #4) and Zach McBride (Breaking Point – I-Team #5) and all the excitement that Pamela is exceptionally skilled at.
Barely Breathing is book #1 in the Colorado High Country series by Pamela Clare. It’s a standalone, contemporary romance full of fun and sexiness with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
May 8, 2025
ALERT! This book is FREE today -- May 8, 2025 -- on Amazon. Get. It. You literally have zero excuse not to.
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And Pamela Clare owns another romance genre.
When she announced she was writing a new contemporary romance series set in a small Colorado town and focusing on rescue workers in the mountains, I was thrilled. I don't always love contemporary romance, but I figured the odds of Pamela Clare getting it right were pretty good.
I was right to trust. The rescue and climbing elements were well researched and integrated organically which made the story come to life on a level beyond the romance. The setting is engaging and makes me want to visit the town (crucial for me to like a small town romance series). The romance itself is well rendered and sexy as hell.
Austin and Lexie were high school sweethearts until one fateful night when she tripped his abandonment issue trigger and they ended in a horrible breakup not long before she left for college and never came back. They haven't really been around each other for twelve years. She always wanted to leave their small town, but he always planned to stay. She's back because her dad needs her, but she doesn't plan to hang around more than a few weeks. He's part of the Mountain Rescue Team and he's a total hotshot climber while she's a CPA currently living in Chicago (and loving it) and planning her next move after leaving her job. Even with that obstacle and their past in place, their chemistry pops immediately and their relationship progresses believably. Their sexy times are fun and hot and they are very well suited in many ways.
This is the first in a series so many new characters and settings are introduced. PC does a good job of bringing them into the story in a way that doesn't overwhelm but intrigues. One place that gets some attention is a wildlife rescue center and I hope that continues to play a role. Mainly because I love wildlife and the work such centers do. But also ... a tiny fawn! Bobcat kittens! A pet wolf! Come on!
This is an independently published book and while there were a couple of minor typos, it's more polished than most pro-published books I've seen in a while. The price is right at $4.99 and the story and series launch is well worth more.
I can't wait to read more about this setting and these characters. Highly recommended.
-----
And Pamela Clare owns another romance genre.
When she announced she was writing a new contemporary romance series set in a small Colorado town and focusing on rescue workers in the mountains, I was thrilled. I don't always love contemporary romance, but I figured the odds of Pamela Clare getting it right were pretty good.
I was right to trust. The rescue and climbing elements were well researched and integrated organically which made the story come to life on a level beyond the romance. The setting is engaging and makes me want to visit the town (crucial for me to like a small town romance series). The romance itself is well rendered and sexy as hell.
Austin and Lexie were high school sweethearts until one fateful night when she tripped his abandonment issue trigger and they ended in a horrible breakup not long before she left for college and never came back. They haven't really been around each other for twelve years. She always wanted to leave their small town, but he always planned to stay. She's back because her dad needs her, but she doesn't plan to hang around more than a few weeks. He's part of the Mountain Rescue Team and he's a total hotshot climber while she's a CPA currently living in Chicago (and loving it) and planning her next move after leaving her job. Even with that obstacle and their past in place, their chemistry pops immediately and their relationship progresses believably. Their sexy times are fun and hot and they are very well suited in many ways.
This is the first in a series so many new characters and settings are introduced. PC does a good job of bringing them into the story in a way that doesn't overwhelm but intrigues. One place that gets some attention is a wildlife rescue center and I hope that continues to play a role. Mainly because I love wildlife and the work such centers do. But also ... a tiny fawn! Bobcat kittens! A pet wolf! Come on!
This is an independently published book and while there were a couple of minor typos, it's more polished than most pro-published books I've seen in a while. The price is right at $4.99 and the story and series launch is well worth more.
I can't wait to read more about this setting and these characters. Highly recommended.
May 17, 2016
5 - "We care about our own in this town." Stars!
Barely Breathing was a book of firsts for me in that it’s the start of a new series, and it was also the first book I have read by Pamela Clare. Hugely impressed are the first words that come to mind. I have seen a lot of positive feedback for this author over the years, so it was nice to read what all the fuss has been about, and I was not disappointed.
Lexi Jewell and Austin Taylor are your perfect couple for a second-chance romance. As teens, they were inseparable, but college came a-calling and one left town with a view of permanence to pursue a future in the city, while the other came home and lived the life they had envisaged them both sharing. Harsh words were spoken, and young hearts were broken. But it’s pretty clear from their first meeting that that old burn of attraction is still glowing strong between them. But Lexi is only planning on being in town for a couple of months, and although Austin wants her to stay, he will take whatever he can get while she’s in town, and work on trying to keep her around for as long as possible.
"Let’s just enjoy each others company-no expectations, no strings."
There is a lot going on in this book, new town, new characters and a lot of back stories and past to be interspersed within the relationship rebuilding between the main pair and I think the author did really well, nothing was confusing and everyone was bought in at a pace that you remembered who they were and what their place in the story was as it progressed.
"You give head with that dirty mouth?"
The banter between the Search & Rescue guys was absolutely spot on, and I just loved the locale and descriptions that the author gave, it was easy to picture and I really did travel to Scarlet Springs, Colorado in my head for the time I was reading. The sexy-times between Autin and Lexi were imaginative, plentiful and at times funny and the suspense aspect played out really well too, it was just really good all-round reading for me.
As I said this book was a first for me, it definitely won’t be my last. I will be waiting (im) patiently for Pamela to deliver up more books from the Colorado High Country Series, and looking to familiarize myself with some of her already published work as well.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Barely Breathing was a book of firsts for me in that it’s the start of a new series, and it was also the first book I have read by Pamela Clare. Hugely impressed are the first words that come to mind. I have seen a lot of positive feedback for this author over the years, so it was nice to read what all the fuss has been about, and I was not disappointed.
Lexi Jewell and Austin Taylor are your perfect couple for a second-chance romance. As teens, they were inseparable, but college came a-calling and one left town with a view of permanence to pursue a future in the city, while the other came home and lived the life they had envisaged them both sharing. Harsh words were spoken, and young hearts were broken. But it’s pretty clear from their first meeting that that old burn of attraction is still glowing strong between them. But Lexi is only planning on being in town for a couple of months, and although Austin wants her to stay, he will take whatever he can get while she’s in town, and work on trying to keep her around for as long as possible.
"Let’s just enjoy each others company-no expectations, no strings."
There is a lot going on in this book, new town, new characters and a lot of back stories and past to be interspersed within the relationship rebuilding between the main pair and I think the author did really well, nothing was confusing and everyone was bought in at a pace that you remembered who they were and what their place in the story was as it progressed.
"You give head with that dirty mouth?"
The banter between the Search & Rescue guys was absolutely spot on, and I just loved the locale and descriptions that the author gave, it was easy to picture and I really did travel to Scarlet Springs, Colorado in my head for the time I was reading. The sexy-times between Autin and Lexi were imaginative, plentiful and at times funny and the suspense aspect played out really well too, it was just really good all-round reading for me.
As I said this book was a first for me, it definitely won’t be my last. I will be waiting (im) patiently for Pamela to deliver up more books from the Colorado High Country Series, and looking to familiarize myself with some of her already published work as well.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
July 19, 2017
2.5 It's not you, it's me.
I think I'm in a bit of a weird moment when it comes to books, I just can't seem to find something I really enjoy. As a result, a book that everyone loved wasn't so much fun for me.
It was boring! The book was way too long, all of their problems could have been solved so much faster. Maybe most people love all the descriptions and stuff but I, for one, just skip them. I didn't really care about all those details.
So, yes, I skipped, like, 1/3 of the book.
Ah well, on to the next one!
I think I'm in a bit of a weird moment when it comes to books, I just can't seem to find something I really enjoy. As a result, a book that everyone loved wasn't so much fun for me.
It was boring! The book was way too long, all of their problems could have been solved so much faster. Maybe most people love all the descriptions and stuff but I, for one, just skip them. I didn't really care about all those details.
So, yes, I skipped, like, 1/3 of the book.
Ah well, on to the next one!
July 3, 2016
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Lexie Jewel returns home to Scarlet, Colorado when her father's marriage falls apart and her own career unravels. She left twelve years ago with no intention of ever going back, especially after the heartbreaking end of her relationship with Austin Taylor, now a park ranger and member of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. Both blame the other but neither really wanted it to end.
At first I didn't think this story was going to be all that interesting given the set up (communication misunderstandings that take forever to resolve). Well, shame on me for not remembering this author's stellar writing chops. She wastes no time moving the story along and having Lexie and Austin behave like adults. And, these two turn the heat up beyond any temperature reading you can register. Loved how their relationship developed and these were two very likable, admirable characters.
I also enjoyed learning about the intricacies of mountain climbing, both in the contexts of search & rescue and professional climbing. I've a whole new respect for the engineering and athleticism.
There's just a smidgen of a suspense element that occurs at the right time in the story and bolsters the other aspects. The sense of community within the town and the team resonates strongly, which I found highly appealing. Everything about this story worked for me and I'm excited about the prospects of future books in the series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Lexie Jewel returns home to Scarlet, Colorado when her father's marriage falls apart and her own career unravels. She left twelve years ago with no intention of ever going back, especially after the heartbreaking end of her relationship with Austin Taylor, now a park ranger and member of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. Both blame the other but neither really wanted it to end.
At first I didn't think this story was going to be all that interesting given the set up (communication misunderstandings that take forever to resolve). Well, shame on me for not remembering this author's stellar writing chops. She wastes no time moving the story along and having Lexie and Austin behave like adults. And, these two turn the heat up beyond any temperature reading you can register. Loved how their relationship developed and these were two very likable, admirable characters.
I also enjoyed learning about the intricacies of mountain climbing, both in the contexts of search & rescue and professional climbing. I've a whole new respect for the engineering and athleticism.
There's just a smidgen of a suspense element that occurs at the right time in the story and bolsters the other aspects. The sense of community within the town and the team resonates strongly, which I found highly appealing. Everything about this story worked for me and I'm excited about the prospects of future books in the series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
May 25, 2016
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lexi couldn't wait to leave her hometown in the dust after graduation but that also meant leaving her high school sweetheart Austin behind. Their breakup crushed them both and twelve years later, the feelings are still there. When Lexi's work life goes up in flames and her dad having a breakdown after his wife leaves him has her returning to Scarlet Springs, she's unprepared to see Austin again. Austin knew Lexi was returning but he still wasn’t prepared to see her again. As circumstances throw them together, they realize that feelings of love never truly go away.
The first in a new series, Barely Breathing, introduces us to a Search and Rescue group in Scarlet Springs, Colorado. The first thirty percent of the story was a barrage of introductions to one hot heroic character after the next; it was slightly overwhelming with trying to keep track of everyone. I also understand that romance books are a fantasy but, I don't know, could someone be near sighted, have some split ends, or something? Having a group of around twelve characters whose hotness and goodness only gets topped by the next one, gets to be somewhat eye roll inducing when they keep coming one after the other. The setting up of all the characters also gave the beginning a crammed feeling as it fell to first book in a series syndrome.
Our main couple seemed to have had a solid relationship when they were in highschool, we don't get any flashbacks, only a recounting of how their breakup conversation went, and therefore their emotions and falling in love was missed. The relationship we do get to see was seeing each other for the first time in twelve years and thinking "Hey, they're even hotter than before!", "I wish we hadn't broken up", and "Sex with you is better than with anyone else." There just didn't seem to be a lot of emotion between the two, we're just told that they had it in highschool and the residual effects are still being felt today.
Lexi was a good character, she just felt kind of dry to me (I felt that way about the story as a whole). She had emotional trauma from losing her mother at a young age, an emotionally absent father, and distant stepmother but other than a few conflicting moments with her drunk father and snappy conversations with her stepmother, the depth of these issues was never delved into. Lexi also has a sister but their relationship was very much to the sidelines. Austin had the bullet points for being a great hero but he came off being a bit stiff. It was alluded to that he was angry at Lexi for the way things ended and even though it has been twelve years and his anger would have lessened, it felt like he just even keeled his way into being in love with Lexi again. There was no gradual build up either, they think each other is hot, remember how good the sex was in highschool, have sex, and then "Hey, I still love you."
Clare's writing is always good and she does make you want to keep reading but this story had a lot of rinse and repeat. There was both a rescue mission or training exercise, the group would head out to have a few beers at the local bar, and then Lexi and Austin would go back to his place to have sex; this pattern was repeated numerous times and made the story extremely monotonous. As I mentioned, with the introduction of several characters with heroine/hero potential, this series looks to be shaping up to be a longer one. I'll definitely be giving the next one try, a guest appearance from a Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall Zach McBride and the remembered amazing way Clare wrote his book assures that, but I'll also be hoping for more depth, emotion, and showing not telling.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lexi couldn't wait to leave her hometown in the dust after graduation but that also meant leaving her high school sweetheart Austin behind. Their breakup crushed them both and twelve years later, the feelings are still there. When Lexi's work life goes up in flames and her dad having a breakdown after his wife leaves him has her returning to Scarlet Springs, she's unprepared to see Austin again. Austin knew Lexi was returning but he still wasn’t prepared to see her again. As circumstances throw them together, they realize that feelings of love never truly go away.
The first in a new series, Barely Breathing, introduces us to a Search and Rescue group in Scarlet Springs, Colorado. The first thirty percent of the story was a barrage of introductions to one hot heroic character after the next; it was slightly overwhelming with trying to keep track of everyone. I also understand that romance books are a fantasy but, I don't know, could someone be near sighted, have some split ends, or something? Having a group of around twelve characters whose hotness and goodness only gets topped by the next one, gets to be somewhat eye roll inducing when they keep coming one after the other. The setting up of all the characters also gave the beginning a crammed feeling as it fell to first book in a series syndrome.
Our main couple seemed to have had a solid relationship when they were in highschool, we don't get any flashbacks, only a recounting of how their breakup conversation went, and therefore their emotions and falling in love was missed. The relationship we do get to see was seeing each other for the first time in twelve years and thinking "Hey, they're even hotter than before!", "I wish we hadn't broken up", and "Sex with you is better than with anyone else." There just didn't seem to be a lot of emotion between the two, we're just told that they had it in highschool and the residual effects are still being felt today.
Lexi was a good character, she just felt kind of dry to me (I felt that way about the story as a whole). She had emotional trauma from losing her mother at a young age, an emotionally absent father, and distant stepmother but other than a few conflicting moments with her drunk father and snappy conversations with her stepmother, the depth of these issues was never delved into. Lexi also has a sister but their relationship was very much to the sidelines. Austin had the bullet points for being a great hero but he came off being a bit stiff. It was alluded to that he was angry at Lexi for the way things ended and even though it has been twelve years and his anger would have lessened, it felt like he just even keeled his way into being in love with Lexi again. There was no gradual build up either, they think each other is hot, remember how good the sex was in highschool, have sex, and then "Hey, I still love you."
Clare's writing is always good and she does make you want to keep reading but this story had a lot of rinse and repeat. There was both a rescue mission or training exercise, the group would head out to have a few beers at the local bar, and then Lexi and Austin would go back to his place to have sex; this pattern was repeated numerous times and made the story extremely monotonous. As I mentioned, with the introduction of several characters with heroine/hero potential, this series looks to be shaping up to be a longer one. I'll definitely be giving the next one try, a guest appearance from a Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall Zach McBride and the remembered amazing way Clare wrote his book assures that, but I'll also be hoping for more depth, emotion, and showing not telling.
July 8, 2016
What was it about Lexi that got to him like this? How did she make him want her so badly that he could never get enough? She was an addiction, an obsession, a disease.
Now this is my kind of second chance romance!!! Second chance romances are not a favorite of mine, but when it’s done right, like this book, I love it.
Lexi and Austin were teenagers when they fell in love, and broke each other’s hearts. They were way too young to realise and appreciate what they had, and now it is twelve years later and both are still hurt by what happened between them.
I really liked Lexi. She’s very hardworking, caring and hesitant to love. I think after losing her mother, basically having her father check out after her death, and a stepmother who didn’t treat the little girls right, Lexi wasn’t used to love and didn’t quite know how to handle it.
Pamela Clare has written another great hero with Austin. He’s a bit gruff and broody in the beginning, upset by seeing Lexi again, and realising that the feelings he had so long ago for her is still there. But he was so sexy with how serious he took his work, and how hard he tried to not fall for Lexi again.
The romance was just as fantastic as I’ve come to expect from this author. The sexy times were as scorching as always, and the romance sweet and spicy. I especially liked the handcuffs scene ;-)
I really enjoyed the plot with all the mountain climbing, it was very fascinating. I absolutely love Ms. Clare’s romantic suspense series and although this was a bit more contemporary romance she still added her trademark suspense to keep things interesting.
I loved all the secondary characters, especially Eric Hawke and Lexi’s best friend Victoria. I really hope they get a book. And I was so happy that Zach McBride made an appearance!! Yay :-D
I am such a huge fan of this author, and once again she has written a winner. Her romances are always so hot and romantic and riveting. I love it!! A definite must read for all fans of this author, and if you haven’t read her yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??!!
May 12, 2016
The first book in Pamela Clare's Colorado High Country series. Lexi Jewell returns to her home town of Scarlett Springs, Colorado, to help her dad. Not that her dad wants her help but since she lost her job and her boyfriend she has the time. Almost immediately she encounters Austin Taylor, the "boy" who broke her heart twelve years before. Austin is not a boy any longer. He is part of the Search and Rescue team.
First off I will start by saying this cannot be compared to her I-Team series. That was Romantic Suspense and this series is Contemporary Romance. I have to admit that I have a preference for RS but as far as CR goes I think this one stands well. There are really only a handful of CR authors that I have on my must-buy list. Authors such as Jill Shalvis and Lori Foster. Now, Pamela Clare has earned a spot on that list for me. There is not a cliffhanger, thank goodness! But I do suspect that certain issues will come up in future books. We were introduced to some intriguing possible leading men and ladies that I look forward to reading about. Great start to the series!
First off I will start by saying this cannot be compared to her I-Team series. That was Romantic Suspense and this series is Contemporary Romance. I have to admit that I have a preference for RS but as far as CR goes I think this one stands well. There are really only a handful of CR authors that I have on my must-buy list. Authors such as Jill Shalvis and Lori Foster. Now, Pamela Clare has earned a spot on that list for me. There is not a cliffhanger, thank goodness! But I do suspect that certain issues will come up in future books. We were introduced to some intriguing possible leading men and ladies that I look forward to reading about. Great start to the series!
May 13, 2016
Following a long line of her top-rated books, Pamela Clare debuts a new series with a great mixture of her witty dialogues, wonderfully drawn characters, breathless Colorado mountaintops, and a brand new team of search & rescuers – the SAR Team – all rolled into a second chance at love romance. As a huge fan of this author, it was a safe bet that I would immediately be pulled in by her writing skills and intensely researched and detailed storyline. I wasn’t disappointed. I’m in for the long haul.
The first book focuses on Austin and Lexi - although readers will be introduced to a multitude of new characters that I’m assuming will reappear in future books and even get stories of their own. Set in a small mountain town, Lexi is returning after a 12-year absence. As high school sweethearts, things ended badly between them and she left. Even after so many years apart, encountering each other again sends sparks flying and, although maybe a tad too instantaneously, the heat is back on hotter than ever! And we all know that this author excels at sealing the deal for her couples!
A sexy and spicy page-turner with edge-of-your-seat rock climbing experiences to keep the adrenaline pumping on high and Clare’s amazing ability to add the right amount of her trademark humor between her characters, satisfaction is guaranteed.
The first book focuses on Austin and Lexi - although readers will be introduced to a multitude of new characters that I’m assuming will reappear in future books and even get stories of their own. Set in a small mountain town, Lexi is returning after a 12-year absence. As high school sweethearts, things ended badly between them and she left. Even after so many years apart, encountering each other again sends sparks flying and, although maybe a tad too instantaneously, the heat is back on hotter than ever! And we all know that this author excels at sealing the deal for her couples!
A sexy and spicy page-turner with edge-of-your-seat rock climbing experiences to keep the adrenaline pumping on high and Clare’s amazing ability to add the right amount of her trademark humor between her characters, satisfaction is guaranteed.
May 11, 2016
Solid read from PC. Even though I REALLY don't like second chance at love stories this was pretty enjoyable and here at least the way they broke up was different. I appreciated that they were adult about discussing it and accepting that they both held part of the blame although him a bit more than her.
I found all the climbing details dense dense dense. I skimmed them. The rest of the story was well done and the HEA believable. There were an awful lot of secondary characters though. I know this is going to be a series. Not sure that we needed to meet everybody in the first one though.
Still the quality of PC's writing will have me happily signing up to read any and all follow ups.
I found all the climbing details dense dense dense. I skimmed them. The rest of the story was well done and the HEA believable. There were an awful lot of secondary characters though. I know this is going to be a series. Not sure that we needed to meet everybody in the first one though.
Still the quality of PC's writing will have me happily signing up to read any and all follow ups.
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January 6, 2021
R A T I N G: 4.5 stars!!
★ ★ ★ ★
Vic smiled. “So far Scarlet Springs is not at all what I imagined it would be.”
Lexi had to know. “What did you expect?”
“Going off what you’ve told me, I figured it was a tiny town where there’s nothing to do but wish you were someplace else.”
Lexi couldn’t blame her for having that impression. “That’s pretty much how I felt about it for most of my life.”
‘She had two worlds, and they were worlds apart.’
Barely Breathing indeed. This exciting CR romance swiped multiple notes, scuffed many a syllable until I was barely breathing. A fantastic, refreshing reading experience! I caved and tumbled into grateful love when I flipped the first page on my tablet. Lexi was lucky enough to plant some roots in picturesque Scarlet Springs. Unfortunately, little me wasn’t fictional enough to warrant a stay so I had to take my inevitable leave when the story edged into its finale.
I felt a kinship to this story. To this backdrop. For these characters. To Clare’s writing. A spark. A connection. It’s something I’ve been missing from my reads in this madness that we brand 2020. It looks like Pamela Clare brought it back to life. Well, it looks like this year, though edging into the fringes of its own end, still has some glorious morsels of marvel to impart amid all the divisive distress and pandemonium. I want to fashion a ladder, inch my way up to the clouds, grab a handful of stars in the sky and sprinkle them all over this story.
The universe bestowed a hell of a lot of mercy on me by gifting me with this book during a time when I adamantly desired it, so I’m voluntarily going doing the same for this story because it deserves any praise I have to give! Harness on, gear in place, strapped and ready. Time to ascend this mountain…
Lexi Jewell, from small town to city, from city back to small town, she spent the best part of her childhood and teenage years hoping to take a one-way leave from her hometown. She did, but not without leaving heartache in her wake, in the heart of her high-school sweetheart Austin Taylor, and tucked deeply within herself as she fled to an adoptive city. 12 years later, when scandal hits her career through no fault of her own, she’s jobless and back in the beauty and bane of Scarlet Springs, Colorado - home of breathtaking scenic mountainscape, gossip through the sound wave-speed grapevine, good-willed locale, a community of climbers, rescuers and commitment-heavy residents…and memories she’d rather forget.
Where has Pamela Clare been all my life? I know. Writing amazing stories for me to read. Stories I’m set on stockpiling if this read is anything to go by. Where to start! What to say. What to write! I’m both voiceless and bursting with inarticulate chatter. So many great places to start this complimentary appraisal because there are so many wonderful things to say about ‘Barely Breathing’. Truly, this is an imaginative, authentic, feel-good adventure of overhauling second chance love, rehabilitating bonds and domestic strife, while the art of rock climbing energetically claims the rock-hot limelight.
T H E - L A N D S C A P E / S E T T I N G
The fascinating universe of rock climbing affirms the magnum opus of this story; it’s bred into the culture and history of Scarlet Springs, and hence, we’re given a window into the vigorous, high-powered sport that is rock climbing - the teamwork, the dynamic discipline itself, the lingo. If I didn’t know it before, I do now. Clare excellently and meticulously lays out the fundamental scale of the climbing culture and the life saving incentive of the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue team - it’s mountainside recovery and rescue dangers and humanitarian spirit. I quickly amassed a real sense of appreciation for not the just the sport of rock climbing but for SAS service rescue.
You’re not only getting a warm romance to root for, but a well-researched backdrop that tours the scenic space of Scarlet Springs and its rescue service. Fascinating! Every subject that twists into this story is succinctly researched, attesting to an authentic, believable story. I take my hat of to you Ms. Clare! This story is a big nod to the brave dedication of non-profit SAS and their humane working mission.
I’m not the athletic type. Not at all. In fact, I failed miserably in any form of athletic dexterity, panting to my knees in any stamina-heavy sport, but I was truly fascinated just by reading about the sport itself. Dare I say, when i was done with the book, I might have possessed a desire to try my hand at it :D…(Um…yeah…we’ll see how well that thought manifests - athleticism and poor coordination is not an effective mix so I may have to sit this particular excursion out despite my best intention).
The scenic scape is an idyllic setting with refreshing landscape descriptions. I felt like I’d been living under a rock after reading this. Truth: I am, though not literally. I wanted to nestle myself amid the god-sized, white-capped mountains, devote an evening atop one of those elevations and vigilantly watch the breathtaking panorama before me, feeding my eyes with the gentle pigments of nature, then trek down come morning and soak in the tribe-like unity of the townsfolk who all care about this gorgeous town, it’s history and its good-willed people. Books should come with a mini transportation device. It’s only fair.
C H A R A C T E R S
I embraced these characters. They were A M A Z I N G! This story is populated with a diverse set of them - starring and supporting. Every one had personality and belonged this story. Loved the committed ambiance of the townsfolk. The locale care about Scarlet Springs, but more than that they’ve got a sincere community spirit. There’s a real philanthropic commitment to each other that adopts the heart and soul of a small town. I loved the Rocky Mountain adventure squad :D…
Lexi and Austin are crowning leads for this story - They’re mature (yes, it’s a rare brand of character in romance so you better stab those plucky fingers and get your fill). They have real lives with real problems. They’re both protagonists with great qualities and even better character temperaments. Lexi is a superstar - she’s a true grafter in life. She works hard, always has, it’s just a shame she had to accept the inheritance of hard work in the place of love. Without proper role models, love and functional family, I’ve decided she’s pretty amazing. She’s a remarkable lady.
AUSTIN. Oh, Austin. It was a blessing. A real B L E S S I N G to read about a passionate guy, a “rock jock”, a sexy, law-abiding park ranger with tender heart, confidence, who pacified my hero complex thanks to that conclusion. But most importantly, a male lead character opposed to one-night stands, who can maintain healthy, stable, monogamous relationships with women. We need to pop a cork readers because I think we’ve breached foreign land here. Kudos to you Pamela Clare - you already have my respect. He’s the whole package readers, a wonderful man. He cares about the mountain landscape - it’s habitation, organism culture, his professional responsibilities as a ranger. Austin, you rock. Pun intended.
F I N A L - T H O U G H T S
After Lexi’s mother died, grief split the Jewell family down the middle. Losing one parent to death and one to grief, Lexi scarpered from an absentee father and a town that no longer inhabited her mother, only to return to the carpet of egg-shells she has to walk on around her alcoholic father as she tries to rehabilitate him and mend his failing marriage.
12 years ago she was itching to ditch, now she can’t bring herself to leave. From humdrum to unexpectedly exciting, it takes a trip home to re-awaken love and worthwhile pursuit as she finds moving work in the landscape of a town that has never forgotten her. Good thing too, because the warm attraction of Scarlet Springs is seeping into Lexi’s skin, and she’s temped to obey the will of its sun-baked temptation.
She didn’t think a town that sparked her flight instinct would offer her the safe space to enjoy new experiences; new friends and memories, surrounded by tonnes of jagged rock, heady rock jocks and badass female climbers. Heartening down to the marrow of the town’s historical bone. Lexi is taken hostage by its hot rays, placid in its charitable miner’s siren song.
One of the reasons I cared about this story was because the author did too. It’s evident in its written appeal. Second chance romance is a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine because there’s just something hopefully destined in the idea of two people brought back together after years spent apart. ‘Barely Breathing’ had me sighing a soothing breath and bursting with a melody of relief. If I haven’t done it justice enough, then here is another reason: Pamela Clare was born to write books. A brilliant voice and a dazzling writer who has clearly written a dazzling story. Pick this up! You won’t be disheartened. Tack this on top of your romance reads. It’s worth the immersion with a community I wanted in on, characters I wanted to fight for, a town I wanted to plant myself in and an atmosphere that’s affectionately small-town Bohemian.
When puppy love fades and real love peaks....
“Yeah. I guess so.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Dance with me?”
“You want to dance with a sweaty, scraped-up climber?”
“You bet.” She smiled, got to her feet, held out her hand.
If she had asked him to go with her straight into hellfire, he’d have done it.’
Trigger Warning: sexual harassment (Retrospective - happens before the book begins), swearing, mentions of suicide, alcohol addiction, sex scenes (with some BDSM and a bit of kink).
------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
------------------------------------------
T H O U G H T S / T H I N G S I L I K E D / C O N C E R N S
1) I find 3rd person POV tricky to get into when reading romance - but with this book, I didn’t feel that way at all, nor did I feel the traditional detachment I typically feel with this narrative viewpoint. It worked!
2) I have never once read a romance with any kind of glossary. I love the addition as it explained terms I would have otherwise had to look up. It also reminded me of the good old days of reading fantasy. In fact, I really would have loved a map to showcase the landscape.
3) I think Lexi is right. These climbers should definitely bring out a calender… ;)
4) Austin you naughty ranger! I love a male protagonist with some kink. Love a female protagonist who is just as receptive to it. The sex scenes were both delicious and funny.
5) I really thought Lexi was invested in a lost cause trying to help her father and spiteful, bitter, piece-of-work stem-mom divert the path of destruction. A foolish labour of love. Shame it took a near-death experience for Daddy Jewell to see what he’d be losing with Lexi. I am glad that he seemed to be making an effort at the end, but I still think he has a long way to go, because he did, after all, neglect his daughters.
6) For some reason, and as much as I love him, I just got the feeling that Austin didn’t really understand Lexi’s heartache or the problems she had with her family. He’s supportive enough for sure. He’s dreamy, loving and gentle but I felt that he was detached from Lexi’s emotional plight with her dad. Some more conversations/scenarios where he really puts forth his support might have helped.
7) I can really appreciate the lack of superfluous angst as this very much felt like a mature read, without the over-dramatisation that often comes with the CR/NA romance genres. With no artificial drama to egg on the ego, this felt like the shock of the new. If there’s anything you should know before starting, you shouldn’t expect the traditional romance angst. It’s deeply enjoyable without the need for faux drama and all the other time-worn, vapid hokum that can shrivel up a well-spirited story. I love romance, but sometimes, it's nice to just read a story without too much dramatic angst :)
6) Reading from both Lexi and Austin was a tranquilizing balm, a cool cloth to my fevered temperament, a soothing hand to dull the fire created by many an author who write weak, loose-limbed, overly dramatic, child-like, philandering, unreliable examples of both male and female protagonists. Well, I’ll be damned. Who knew there were romance heroes who aren’t nauseatingly promiscuous? I think celebrations are in order. It was a blessing and a balm to my reader spirit to not have to read about really unpleasant alphas and limp-spined women.
7) But I have to admit, though i cheered both Austin and Lexi on, though I wanted the very best for them, there was something missing from the romance.
8) The ending was a tad humdrum for me. I think the story needed an epilogue.
Vic smiled. “So far Scarlet Springs is not at all what I imagined it would be.”
Lexi had to know. “What did you expect?”
“Going off what you’ve told me, I figured it was a tiny town where there’s nothing to do but wish you were someplace else.”
Lexi couldn’t blame her for having that impression. “That’s pretty much how I felt about it for most of my life.”
‘She had two worlds, and they were worlds apart.’
Barely Breathing indeed. This exciting CR romance swiped multiple notes, scuffed many a syllable until I was barely breathing. A fantastic, refreshing reading experience! I caved and tumbled into grateful love when I flipped the first page on my tablet. Lexi was lucky enough to plant some roots in picturesque Scarlet Springs. Unfortunately, little me wasn’t fictional enough to warrant a stay so I had to take my inevitable leave when the story edged into its finale.
I felt a kinship to this story. To this backdrop. For these characters. To Clare’s writing. A spark. A connection. It’s something I’ve been missing from my reads in this madness that we brand 2020. It looks like Pamela Clare brought it back to life. Well, it looks like this year, though edging into the fringes of its own end, still has some glorious morsels of marvel to impart amid all the divisive distress and pandemonium. I want to fashion a ladder, inch my way up to the clouds, grab a handful of stars in the sky and sprinkle them all over this story.
The universe bestowed a hell of a lot of mercy on me by gifting me with this book during a time when I adamantly desired it, so I’m voluntarily going doing the same for this story because it deserves any praise I have to give! Harness on, gear in place, strapped and ready. Time to ascend this mountain…
Lexi Jewell, from small town to city, from city back to small town, she spent the best part of her childhood and teenage years hoping to take a one-way leave from her hometown. She did, but not without leaving heartache in her wake, in the heart of her high-school sweetheart Austin Taylor, and tucked deeply within herself as she fled to an adoptive city. 12 years later, when scandal hits her career through no fault of her own, she’s jobless and back in the beauty and bane of Scarlet Springs, Colorado - home of breathtaking scenic mountainscape, gossip through the sound wave-speed grapevine, good-willed locale, a community of climbers, rescuers and commitment-heavy residents…and memories she’d rather forget.
Where has Pamela Clare been all my life? I know. Writing amazing stories for me to read. Stories I’m set on stockpiling if this read is anything to go by. Where to start! What to say. What to write! I’m both voiceless and bursting with inarticulate chatter. So many great places to start this complimentary appraisal because there are so many wonderful things to say about ‘Barely Breathing’. Truly, this is an imaginative, authentic, feel-good adventure of overhauling second chance love, rehabilitating bonds and domestic strife, while the art of rock climbing energetically claims the rock-hot limelight.
T H E - L A N D S C A P E / S E T T I N G
The fascinating universe of rock climbing affirms the magnum opus of this story; it’s bred into the culture and history of Scarlet Springs, and hence, we’re given a window into the vigorous, high-powered sport that is rock climbing - the teamwork, the dynamic discipline itself, the lingo. If I didn’t know it before, I do now. Clare excellently and meticulously lays out the fundamental scale of the climbing culture and the life saving incentive of the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue team - it’s mountainside recovery and rescue dangers and humanitarian spirit. I quickly amassed a real sense of appreciation for not the just the sport of rock climbing but for SAS service rescue.
You’re not only getting a warm romance to root for, but a well-researched backdrop that tours the scenic space of Scarlet Springs and its rescue service. Fascinating! Every subject that twists into this story is succinctly researched, attesting to an authentic, believable story. I take my hat of to you Ms. Clare! This story is a big nod to the brave dedication of non-profit SAS and their humane working mission.
I’m not the athletic type. Not at all. In fact, I failed miserably in any form of athletic dexterity, panting to my knees in any stamina-heavy sport, but I was truly fascinated just by reading about the sport itself. Dare I say, when i was done with the book, I might have possessed a desire to try my hand at it :D…(Um…yeah…we’ll see how well that thought manifests - athleticism and poor coordination is not an effective mix so I may have to sit this particular excursion out despite my best intention).
The scenic scape is an idyllic setting with refreshing landscape descriptions. I felt like I’d been living under a rock after reading this. Truth: I am, though not literally. I wanted to nestle myself amid the god-sized, white-capped mountains, devote an evening atop one of those elevations and vigilantly watch the breathtaking panorama before me, feeding my eyes with the gentle pigments of nature, then trek down come morning and soak in the tribe-like unity of the townsfolk who all care about this gorgeous town, it’s history and its good-willed people. Books should come with a mini transportation device. It’s only fair.
C H A R A C T E R S
I embraced these characters. They were A M A Z I N G! This story is populated with a diverse set of them - starring and supporting. Every one had personality and belonged this story. Loved the committed ambiance of the townsfolk. The locale care about Scarlet Springs, but more than that they’ve got a sincere community spirit. There’s a real philanthropic commitment to each other that adopts the heart and soul of a small town. I loved the Rocky Mountain adventure squad :D…
Lexi and Austin are crowning leads for this story - They’re mature (yes, it’s a rare brand of character in romance so you better stab those plucky fingers and get your fill). They have real lives with real problems. They’re both protagonists with great qualities and even better character temperaments. Lexi is a superstar - she’s a true grafter in life. She works hard, always has, it’s just a shame she had to accept the inheritance of hard work in the place of love. Without proper role models, love and functional family, I’ve decided she’s pretty amazing. She’s a remarkable lady.
AUSTIN. Oh, Austin. It was a blessing. A real B L E S S I N G to read about a passionate guy, a “rock jock”, a sexy, law-abiding park ranger with tender heart, confidence, who pacified my hero complex thanks to that conclusion. But most importantly, a male lead character opposed to one-night stands, who can maintain healthy, stable, monogamous relationships with women. We need to pop a cork readers because I think we’ve breached foreign land here. Kudos to you Pamela Clare - you already have my respect. He’s the whole package readers, a wonderful man. He cares about the mountain landscape - it’s habitation, organism culture, his professional responsibilities as a ranger. Austin, you rock. Pun intended.
F I N A L - T H O U G H T S
After Lexi’s mother died, grief split the Jewell family down the middle. Losing one parent to death and one to grief, Lexi scarpered from an absentee father and a town that no longer inhabited her mother, only to return to the carpet of egg-shells she has to walk on around her alcoholic father as she tries to rehabilitate him and mend his failing marriage.
12 years ago she was itching to ditch, now she can’t bring herself to leave. From humdrum to unexpectedly exciting, it takes a trip home to re-awaken love and worthwhile pursuit as she finds moving work in the landscape of a town that has never forgotten her. Good thing too, because the warm attraction of Scarlet Springs is seeping into Lexi’s skin, and she’s temped to obey the will of its sun-baked temptation.
She didn’t think a town that sparked her flight instinct would offer her the safe space to enjoy new experiences; new friends and memories, surrounded by tonnes of jagged rock, heady rock jocks and badass female climbers. Heartening down to the marrow of the town’s historical bone. Lexi is taken hostage by its hot rays, placid in its charitable miner’s siren song.
One of the reasons I cared about this story was because the author did too. It’s evident in its written appeal. Second chance romance is a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine because there’s just something hopefully destined in the idea of two people brought back together after years spent apart. ‘Barely Breathing’ had me sighing a soothing breath and bursting with a melody of relief. If I haven’t done it justice enough, then here is another reason: Pamela Clare was born to write books. A brilliant voice and a dazzling writer who has clearly written a dazzling story. Pick this up! You won’t be disheartened. Tack this on top of your romance reads. It’s worth the immersion with a community I wanted in on, characters I wanted to fight for, a town I wanted to plant myself in and an atmosphere that’s affectionately small-town Bohemian.
When puppy love fades and real love peaks....
“Yeah. I guess so.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Dance with me?”
“You want to dance with a sweaty, scraped-up climber?”
“You bet.” She smiled, got to her feet, held out her hand.
If she had asked him to go with her straight into hellfire, he’d have done it.’
Trigger Warning: sexual harassment (Retrospective - happens before the book begins), swearing, mentions of suicide, alcohol addiction, sex scenes (with some BDSM and a bit of kink).
------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
------------------------------------------
T H O U G H T S / T H I N G S I L I K E D / C O N C E R N S
1) I find 3rd person POV tricky to get into when reading romance - but with this book, I didn’t feel that way at all, nor did I feel the traditional detachment I typically feel with this narrative viewpoint. It worked!
2) I have never once read a romance with any kind of glossary. I love the addition as it explained terms I would have otherwise had to look up. It also reminded me of the good old days of reading fantasy. In fact, I really would have loved a map to showcase the landscape.
3) I think Lexi is right. These climbers should definitely bring out a calender… ;)
4) Austin you naughty ranger! I love a male protagonist with some kink. Love a female protagonist who is just as receptive to it. The sex scenes were both delicious and funny.
5) I really thought Lexi was invested in a lost cause trying to help her father and spiteful, bitter, piece-of-work stem-mom divert the path of destruction. A foolish labour of love. Shame it took a near-death experience for Daddy Jewell to see what he’d be losing with Lexi. I am glad that he seemed to be making an effort at the end, but I still think he has a long way to go, because he did, after all, neglect his daughters.
6) For some reason, and as much as I love him, I just got the feeling that Austin didn’t really understand Lexi’s heartache or the problems she had with her family. He’s supportive enough for sure. He’s dreamy, loving and gentle but I felt that he was detached from Lexi’s emotional plight with her dad. Some more conversations/scenarios where he really puts forth his support might have helped.
7) I can really appreciate the lack of superfluous angst as this very much felt like a mature read, without the over-dramatisation that often comes with the CR/NA romance genres. With no artificial drama to egg on the ego, this felt like the shock of the new. If there’s anything you should know before starting, you shouldn’t expect the traditional romance angst. It’s deeply enjoyable without the need for faux drama and all the other time-worn, vapid hokum that can shrivel up a well-spirited story. I love romance, but sometimes, it's nice to just read a story without too much dramatic angst :)
6) Reading from both Lexi and Austin was a tranquilizing balm, a cool cloth to my fevered temperament, a soothing hand to dull the fire created by many an author who write weak, loose-limbed, overly dramatic, child-like, philandering, unreliable examples of both male and female protagonists. Well, I’ll be damned. Who knew there were romance heroes who aren’t nauseatingly promiscuous? I think celebrations are in order. It was a blessing and a balm to my reader spirit to not have to read about really unpleasant alphas and limp-spined women.
7) But I have to admit, though i cheered both Austin and Lexi on, though I wanted the very best for them, there was something missing from the romance.
8) The ending was a tad humdrum for me. I think the story needed an epilogue.
May 14, 2016
Barely Breathing is my first book by Pamela Clare and, whilst enjoyable enough I have to admit I'm a little on the fence over it.
"...he’d been her first serious boyfriend, her first lover, her first heartbreak."
This could well be a case of it's not you it's me, I've had an outstanding couple of weeks with my reads, but this just seemed a little steady going. There's no denying that Austin and Lexi burn the sheets; they're very sexy together and I did like them, as I did the setting and the secondary characters, I just think too much page space was devoted to introducing many of them and the intricacies of rock climbing, which is likely paving the way for more in the series.
"The people we care most about are the ones with the power to hurt us."
That said, the story did gather pace later on and had this been the case much earlier then I'd have likely rated higher, because that to me was more of a reflection the authors writing-style. Barely Breathing didn't blow me away, but I certainly wouldn't discourage others from reading.
Copy received courtesy of NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
"...he’d been her first serious boyfriend, her first lover, her first heartbreak."
This could well be a case of it's not you it's me, I've had an outstanding couple of weeks with my reads, but this just seemed a little steady going. There's no denying that Austin and Lexi burn the sheets; they're very sexy together and I did like them, as I did the setting and the secondary characters, I just think too much page space was devoted to introducing many of them and the intricacies of rock climbing, which is likely paving the way for more in the series.
"The people we care most about are the ones with the power to hurt us."
That said, the story did gather pace later on and had this been the case much earlier then I'd have likely rated higher, because that to me was more of a reflection the authors writing-style. Barely Breathing didn't blow me away, but I certainly wouldn't discourage others from reading.
Copy received courtesy of NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
May 23, 2016
I love Pamela Clare. It's been awhile since I've read her, actually. I always tend to compare authors to themselves, and for me, this wasn't a favorite of hers. It was a sweet contemporary, nothing standout until the end, when we get a little suspense. It reminded me of a Jill Shalvis novel, an author which I like but don't love. The rest of the town is intriguing. I loved the obvious love of Colorado and the research and effort she put into search and rescue and climbing. Will definitely read the next. According to GR ratings, I liked it :D
May 11, 2016
An awesome start to a new series! Pamela Clare delivers a flawlessly written scorching hot story; with characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Belay! Belay!
I know this is a review, but I want to share a little background about how I fell in love with Pamela Clare’s books. A few years ago, my brain started feeling thirsty for books, I was used to reading paranormal young adult books, crime and suspense stories, but never really got into the romance scene until I began using Goodreads. It came a time when I got tired of the drama, so the search for happy endings begun. My love for suspense, and all things related to law enforcement drove me to look for romantic suspense stories, hence my coming across the I-Team series. It was love at first chapter! From that day forward, every single book wrote by Ms. Clare has been devoured by yours truly.
When I heard that Pamela Clare was working on a new contemporary romance series, I was very excited. I knew she would deliver, and Barely Breathing is all that I expected and more.
The story is set in a fictional picturesque town in beautiful Colorado. Lexi Jewell was born and raised in that town, but her life as a child and a teenager drove her to leave for college, with the firm idea of never coming back. At least, that’s what she thought. After facing a terrible work related ordeal in Chicago, and the circumstances surrounding her father’s life, she decides to take a break and return to the town she left in order to help her Dad win his wife back and, take care of the Inn that’s been in her family, for as long as she remembers. Lexi knew that eventually, in such a small town, she would end up running into her first love, her first heartbreak, her first everything: Austin.
<
Austin Taylor: Ranger, Climber, Search and Rescue Team member (anything else??). Lexi broke his heart at 18, but when he sees her again, he can’t help but remember how much he used to love her back then. Circumstances bring them together, they talk, they remember and give in. Friends with benefits, for as long as Lexi stays in Scarlet. Stupid, stupid idea.
<
<
The story, is fast paced, super sexy and introduces a whole plethora of characters, who just make it the more interesting. The SAR Team. Yes we have a new team! Men and women who volunteer and risk their lives every day for the sake of others. A family of climbers, who take care of each other, each in their own unique way. I loved them all and I want to be their Belay Betty (LOL)
We get humor, lots of sizzling sex scenes, tender moments and suspense, surrounded by a beautiful scenery and a master’s degree in mountain climbing! There’s even a glossary in the beginning which is awesome. Understanding a little bit more about climbing and everything surrounding it, made the story even more stimulating. Pamela is also known for the best bromances ever! And she delivers here too; the interactions, banter and humor between besties was just perfect!
<
After reading, my wheels are turning. I can already see the stories coming and can’t wait to read Hawke. I fell in love with him from the start. I also know that we haven’t seen the last of Lexi and Austin… Pamela you owe us an epilogue.. you are the queen of epilogues after all!
Hawke related quotes…
<
<
In the end, all I can say is that I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romance. For sure, you’ll not stop reading and devour it in one sitting, just as I did. If you’ve never read a book by Pamela Clare, this is your chance to begin. I promise you’ll not regret it!
For more of my reviews and those of my best book bud, and updates
Visit our blog
Stalk us on FaceBook
As well as Twitter
I know this is a review, but I want to share a little background about how I fell in love with Pamela Clare’s books. A few years ago, my brain started feeling thirsty for books, I was used to reading paranormal young adult books, crime and suspense stories, but never really got into the romance scene until I began using Goodreads. It came a time when I got tired of the drama, so the search for happy endings begun. My love for suspense, and all things related to law enforcement drove me to look for romantic suspense stories, hence my coming across the I-Team series. It was love at first chapter! From that day forward, every single book wrote by Ms. Clare has been devoured by yours truly.
When I heard that Pamela Clare was working on a new contemporary romance series, I was very excited. I knew she would deliver, and Barely Breathing is all that I expected and more.
The story is set in a fictional picturesque town in beautiful Colorado. Lexi Jewell was born and raised in that town, but her life as a child and a teenager drove her to leave for college, with the firm idea of never coming back. At least, that’s what she thought. After facing a terrible work related ordeal in Chicago, and the circumstances surrounding her father’s life, she decides to take a break and return to the town she left in order to help her Dad win his wife back and, take care of the Inn that’s been in her family, for as long as she remembers. Lexi knew that eventually, in such a small town, she would end up running into her first love, her first heartbreak, her first everything: Austin.
<
"A tall man in an olive green ranger uniform and mirrored aviator sunglasses stepped out.
Lexi’s pulse tripped.
Austin
He was taller, his dark blond hair shorter, his body filled out, more muscular, but she would have recognized him anywhere – those cheekbones, that jaw, those lips.
She’d known she’d run into him sooner or later, but why did it have to be today?
She sucked in a breath and put a smile on her face. “Austin.”
Austin Taylor: Ranger, Climber, Search and Rescue Team member (anything else??). Lexi broke his heart at 18, but when he sees her again, he can’t help but remember how much he used to love her back then. Circumstances bring them together, they talk, they remember and give in. Friends with benefits, for as long as Lexi stays in Scarlet. Stupid, stupid idea.
<
Something about that smile fucked his equilibrium all to hell, knocked his brain out of working order, turned him into a mindless idiot.
<
But then she was in his arms, his mouth coming down hard on hers, her arms going around his neck, drawing him closer. Some part of him knew that kissing her was stupid – really stupid, catastrophically stupid. But then she pressed her body hard against his, and he decided stupid could fuck itself..
The story, is fast paced, super sexy and introduces a whole plethora of characters, who just make it the more interesting. The SAR Team. Yes we have a new team! Men and women who volunteer and risk their lives every day for the sake of others. A family of climbers, who take care of each other, each in their own unique way. I loved them all and I want to be their Belay Betty (LOL)
We get humor, lots of sizzling sex scenes, tender moments and suspense, surrounded by a beautiful scenery and a master’s degree in mountain climbing! There’s even a glossary in the beginning which is awesome. Understanding a little bit more about climbing and everything surrounding it, made the story even more stimulating. Pamela is also known for the best bromances ever! And she delivers here too; the interactions, banter and humor between besties was just perfect!
<
“You know, for a tough guy with a uniform and a gun, you’re basically a bunny-loving-tree-hugger.”Lexi
After reading, my wheels are turning. I can already see the stories coming and can’t wait to read Hawke. I fell in love with him from the start. I also know that we haven’t seen the last of Lexi and Austin… Pamela you owe us an epilogue.. you are the queen of epilogues after all!
Hawke related quotes…
<
…That wasn’t a hat. It was a firefighter’s helmet.Lexi
He was the fire department’s response?
One man in shorts, an unbuttoned shirt, and flip flops.
Only in Scarlet.
<
… If he dressed like this, the women and gay men of Scarlet from age nine to ninety might start setting their houses in fire just to stare at him….Lexi
In the end, all I can say is that I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romance. For sure, you’ll not stop reading and devour it in one sitting, just as I did. If you’ve never read a book by Pamela Clare, this is your chance to begin. I promise you’ll not regret it!
For more of my reviews and those of my best book bud, and updates
Visit our blog
Stalk us on FaceBook
As well as Twitter
June 15, 2017
PRE READ
Marathon reading this lovely woman's Colorado High Country series.
3 books. Ms Clare and I will be inseparable.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
POST READ
*breathes a sigh of relief*
There, I said it.
I. Didn't. Like This.
*cringes again*
Look, I'm a big HUGE fan of Ms Clare and I esp adore her I-Team series. I was a sook and sobbing mess when she ended it.
And I couldn't believe that there will be a book of her that I would consider a disaster but as it turned out Barely Breathing was, atleast for me.
Lexy ruined it for me. I tried my hardest to love this book but how could I, if the main character bugged the hell out of me.
This is a story about second chance at love.
Austin Taylor and Lexy Jewell were high school sweethearts and broke each other's hearts when Lexy decided to go and leave for uni.
Austin never planned to leave their town but she always wanted to flee.
Fast forward 12 years and Lexy had to come back to help his father, his business and his marriage with his second wife.
It was a perfect timing too as she needed to get away. She had unpleasant legal situation against her boss that made her unemployed.
So back where she came from. The place where she tried her best to put in her rear view mirror.
Colorado being a small town wasn't difficult for her to see him again.
And as it happens, they did see each other on the day she drove back.
Austin, a park ranger and part of the Mountain Search and Rescue team was a babe. He's seriously a hot shot, very sweet and totally in love with our heroine.
Whilst Lexy is a CPA and lives in Chicago.
Well, I could very well say that this is where I had difficulty with.
I didn't connect with her. I found her shallow and more in it for the sex esp when they were in high school.
Even after 12 years nothing had changed. I couldn't see any emotional investment coming from her. Her seemingly very casual approach to Austin was disagreeable. And this happens very often as she was always (ALWAYS!) naked and spreading her legs for him each time I turn those pages.
Their non stop bumping pelves was supposedly hot but because of Lexy, didn't do it for me.
And why is everyone and I mean everyone knew they have mended their fences and are sexually involved again?! I know this is a small town but still.
So wrong in so many levels.
Their story ended in good note though. She even redeemed herself a bit. A bit.
What / who stole the show for me were
1. Bob, Lexy's dad. Whilst he was the grouchiest character on here, Ms Clare has captured the true angle of a person when bogged down with problems. His crankiness was pure delight to read.
2. Colorado, their tommyknockers myth and the fine men and their loyalties & valuable services they offer. You have to read the book to know what I'm referring to.
3. Hawke. I want to get to know him.
*mouth went dry*
*clears throat*
Rating this 2 Stars
On to the next book. Hawke's book.
Marathon reading this lovely woman's Colorado High Country series.
3 books. Ms Clare and I will be inseparable.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
POST READ
*breathes a sigh of relief*
There, I said it.
I. Didn't. Like This.
*cringes again*
Look, I'm a
And I couldn't believe that there will be a book of her that I would consider a disaster but as it turned out Barely Breathing was, atleast for me.
Lexy ruined it for me. I tried my hardest to love this book but how could I, if the main character bugged the hell out of me.
This is a story about second chance at love.
Austin Taylor and Lexy Jewell were high school sweethearts and broke each other's hearts when Lexy decided to go and leave for uni.
Austin never planned to leave their town but she always wanted to flee.
Fast forward 12 years and Lexy had to come back to help his father, his business and his marriage with his second wife.
It was a perfect timing too as she needed to get away. She had unpleasant legal situation against her boss that made her unemployed.
So back where she came from. The place where she tried her best to put in her rear view mirror.
Colorado being a small town wasn't difficult for her to see him again.
And as it happens, they did see each other on the day she drove back.
Austin, a park ranger and part of the Mountain Search and Rescue team was a babe. He's seriously a hot shot, very sweet and totally in love with our heroine.
Whilst Lexy is a CPA and lives in Chicago.
Well, I could very well say that this is where I had difficulty with.
I didn't connect with her. I found her shallow and more in it for the sex esp when they were in high school.
Even after 12 years nothing had changed. I couldn't see any emotional investment coming from her. Her seemingly very casual approach to Austin was disagreeable. And this happens very often as she was always (ALWAYS!) naked and spreading her legs for him each time I turn those pages.
Their non stop bumping pelves was supposedly hot but because of Lexy, didn't do it for me.
And why is everyone and I mean everyone knew they have mended their fences and are sexually involved again?! I know this is a small town but still.
“You and Lexi—just fuck buddies? If you believe that, you’re even dumber than I thought.”
“Off to sleep with Austin the beefcake boy, huh? Hey, I don’t blame you. Get it while you can, girl. You won’t stay young and pretty forever.”
So wrong in so many levels.
Their story ended in good note though. She even redeemed herself a bit. A bit.
What / who stole the show for me were
1. Bob, Lexy's dad. Whilst he was the grouchiest character on here, Ms Clare has captured the true angle of a person when bogged down with problems. His crankiness was pure delight to read.
2. Colorado, their tommyknockers myth and the fine men and their loyalties & valuable services they offer. You have to read the book to know what I'm referring to.
3. Hawke. I want to get to know him.
“Eric Hawke had grown up to be … well, ripped was the first word that came to mind. Hot was the second.
There was stubble on his jaw, his skin tanned.”
Eric went back to work, “I’m not sure why she prefers you to me. I’m better looking, and my cock is at least three inches longer than yours.”
*mouth went dry*
*clears throat*
Rating this 2 Stars
On to the next book. Hawke's book.
August 6, 2016
Oh my! I am in a minority here. I love Pamela Clare but this one was a bit of a meh for me. I went by all those excited reviews before picking it up but sadly it did not do much for me.
It’s a usual coming back home and hooking up with your high school sweetheart again trope-story. The h had left her Colorado town after school, breaking up with the H and breaking his heart in the bargain, and mostly never looking back.
She has some family issues-a long dead mom, an uncaring father and a snarky resentful stepmother. I usually don’t much like secondary stories interfering with and overshadowing my romance but the drunk dad/dad-stepmom saga drew me in, perhaps because there wasn’t much emotion/drama/depth in the primary story and also because this other story succeeded more in capturing the very human angle of pig headed stupidity, unresolved grief and lost chances.
I adored the H. He is all one could want in a H. Seriously hot, sweet, caring, sexy and totally into the h. what more could any girl want? But I guess she wasn’t any girl.
So it goes without saying that I dint relate with the h - at least not for much of the book. She came off as shallow, flighty and more in it for the sex even when they were teenagers.
Her teenage breakup with the H was unimaginably insensitive and unthinking. Of course the H overreacted but whereas he was overly invested emotionally, she seemed to take it as just a high school hookup, to be left behind when they go off to college,
Even in the present, I found her emotionally lacking initially and her seemingly very casual approach to relationships was simply un-endearing. Like when this other guy texts her for a date on the morning after she had sex with the H, and she is thinking that had she not hooked up with the H, she might have not minded dating this other guy! Just that thought was a huge turn off for me.
And her constant litany of ‘am here only for a few weeks’ was annoying at best.
After an initial awkwardness, the h/H decide to be 'friends with benefits'. The sex was often, repetitive, supposedly hot but dint do much for me.
As slowly they settled back into being a couple, I began liking them and their sweet and endearing chemistry. Their time together was fun and relaxed with a ‘feel good’ feel to it. The sex also got better (for me!) when I could accept her and them as a couple.
Of course, the H realizes first that he never really fell out of love with her. While she goes around with her muddled thoughts and without any firm plans on leaving but certain that she was not staying either. In the second half, the h was more likable as she faces her confused feelings and at same time tries to work out things with and for her father.
The repeated and over use of jargon and various rescue ops were a distraction and I tended to skim and skip. This being the first in a series, the author had a lot of introduction to get over with. Future mcs from a host of depts. like PD, fire, park rangers, ex-military, RMRG work together as a team doing various SAR ops, mountain climbing and stuff.
So not a bad start, but I was expecting more depth and emotions and the story seemed just an extension of their ‘teenfic romance’. And I always like at least a mention of things like proposals, weddings, babies, permanence to end my romances!
It’s a usual coming back home and hooking up with your high school sweetheart again trope-story. The h had left her Colorado town after school, breaking up with the H and breaking his heart in the bargain, and mostly never looking back.
She has some family issues-a long dead mom, an uncaring father and a snarky resentful stepmother. I usually don’t much like secondary stories interfering with and overshadowing my romance but the drunk dad/dad-stepmom saga drew me in, perhaps because there wasn’t much emotion/drama/depth in the primary story and also because this other story succeeded more in capturing the very human angle of pig headed stupidity, unresolved grief and lost chances.
I adored the H. He is all one could want in a H. Seriously hot, sweet, caring, sexy and totally into the h. what more could any girl want? But I guess she wasn’t any girl.
So it goes without saying that I dint relate with the h - at least not for much of the book. She came off as shallow, flighty and more in it for the sex even when they were teenagers.
Her teenage breakup with the H was unimaginably insensitive and unthinking. Of course the H overreacted but whereas he was overly invested emotionally, she seemed to take it as just a high school hookup, to be left behind when they go off to college,
Even in the present, I found her emotionally lacking initially and her seemingly very casual approach to relationships was simply un-endearing. Like when this other guy texts her for a date on the morning after she had sex with the H, and she is thinking that had she not hooked up with the H, she might have not minded dating this other guy! Just that thought was a huge turn off for me.
And her constant litany of ‘am here only for a few weeks’ was annoying at best.
After an initial awkwardness, the h/H decide to be 'friends with benefits'. The sex was often, repetitive, supposedly hot but dint do much for me.
As slowly they settled back into being a couple, I began liking them and their sweet and endearing chemistry. Their time together was fun and relaxed with a ‘feel good’ feel to it. The sex also got better (for me!) when I could accept her and them as a couple.
Of course, the H realizes first that he never really fell out of love with her. While she goes around with her muddled thoughts and without any firm plans on leaving but certain that she was not staying either. In the second half, the h was more likable as she faces her confused feelings and at same time tries to work out things with and for her father.
The repeated and over use of jargon and various rescue ops were a distraction and I tended to skim and skip. This being the first in a series, the author had a lot of introduction to get over with. Future mcs from a host of depts. like PD, fire, park rangers, ex-military, RMRG work together as a team doing various SAR ops, mountain climbing and stuff.
So not a bad start, but I was expecting more depth and emotions and the story seemed just an extension of their ‘teenfic romance’. And I always like at least a mention of things like proposals, weddings, babies, permanence to end my romances!
May 16, 2016
I felt like I received such a gift when I got this book to read.
I'd been in such a reading slump.
I just knew this book would be a good one. I loved the setting: Colorado-in the summer- so NO snow storms & everyone gets around just fine. Loved the H, Austin. Loved the h, Lexi.
At the start of the book- after 12 long years, Lexi is coming back to her hometown of Scarlet, Colorado. It's a small mountain town where everyone knows your name. Austin, her first love definitely knows her name. And a lot more. They were first loves that had a bad break up at the end of high school. Lexi went off to college and a CPA career in Chicago.
The first scene in the book is their "meet cute" after all these years. There's some bitterness and some sparks. In my opinion, 12 years ago- they were BOTH wrong and BOTH right too.
The animosity in present day doesn't last long-fortunately. There's no big flash back scenes-fortunately. There's the here and now. Lexi and Auston back in the same town. Even if it's temporary.
Lexi and Austin agree to be friends. They both see how much they've grown up and are still attracted to each other. Lexi is a CPA and had left her job in a firm where she was sexually harassed. She's back in Scarlet to help her Dad get back together with her step mother.
Lexi has an uphill battle since her dad is a cold & distant bitter drunk. Lexi's step mom, Kendra is a major bitch. IMO Lexi had the patience of a saint in dealing with these two. Step mothers are a major trigger for me. Kendra seemed very real to me. Not OTT, but a cold fish to her step daughter.
Austin works in the forestry dept and volunteered in the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue team.
There were so many minor characters that I had a little difficulty keeping up.
There are so many sweet moments that it's hard to just name a few.
There's the town homeless guy, "Bear" who preaches and then asks for money. Austin's dog, "Mack". Erick Hawke-Lexi and Austin's friend from high school. Eric is now the town's Fire Chief. He's always had a crush on Lexi and is Austin's long time best friend.
Lexi and Austin know that Lexi is there only temporarily but they still start a romantic relationship.
Austin tries to guard himself for Lexi leaving again. Lexi also feels bad how that they left it when they were young lovers. I think that I liked Austin more in most of the story. He's very loving to Lexi while she's still planning to go back to Chicago. Lexi does some sweet things throughout the story- ie the animals and volunteering. I love when a character grows on me. Austin was easy to love since he stayed in their hometown.
There's a lot of technical terms in the search and rescue aspect of the story.
The big suspense part at the end had me holding my breath! I could really picture it.
There's an HEA, but no real epilogue. 4.5 stars!
Copy of book provided by Netgalley.
I'd been in such a reading slump.
I just knew this book would be a good one. I loved the setting: Colorado-in the summer- so NO snow storms & everyone gets around just fine. Loved the H, Austin. Loved the h, Lexi.
At the start of the book- after 12 long years, Lexi is coming back to her hometown of Scarlet, Colorado. It's a small mountain town where everyone knows your name. Austin, her first love definitely knows her name. And a lot more. They were first loves that had a bad break up at the end of high school. Lexi went off to college and a CPA career in Chicago.
The first scene in the book is their "meet cute" after all these years. There's some bitterness and some sparks. In my opinion, 12 years ago- they were BOTH wrong and BOTH right too.
The animosity in present day doesn't last long-fortunately. There's no big flash back scenes-fortunately. There's the here and now. Lexi and Auston back in the same town. Even if it's temporary.
Lexi and Austin agree to be friends. They both see how much they've grown up and are still attracted to each other. Lexi is a CPA and had left her job in a firm where she was sexually harassed. She's back in Scarlet to help her Dad get back together with her step mother.
Lexi has an uphill battle since her dad is a cold & distant bitter drunk. Lexi's step mom, Kendra is a major bitch. IMO Lexi had the patience of a saint in dealing with these two. Step mothers are a major trigger for me. Kendra seemed very real to me. Not OTT, but a cold fish to her step daughter.
Austin works in the forestry dept and volunteered in the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue team.
There were so many minor characters that I had a little difficulty keeping up.
There are so many sweet moments that it's hard to just name a few.
There's the town homeless guy, "Bear" who preaches and then asks for money. Austin's dog, "Mack". Erick Hawke-Lexi and Austin's friend from high school. Eric is now the town's Fire Chief. He's always had a crush on Lexi and is Austin's long time best friend.
Lexi and Austin know that Lexi is there only temporarily but they still start a romantic relationship.
Austin tries to guard himself for Lexi leaving again. Lexi also feels bad how that they left it when they were young lovers. I think that I liked Austin more in most of the story. He's very loving to Lexi while she's still planning to go back to Chicago. Lexi does some sweet things throughout the story- ie the animals and volunteering. I love when a character grows on me. Austin was easy to love since he stayed in their hometown.
There's a lot of technical terms in the search and rescue aspect of the story.
The big suspense part at the end had me holding my breath! I could really picture it.
There's an HEA, but no real epilogue. 4.5 stars!
Copy of book provided by Netgalley.
January 15, 2018
Here are some of my thoughts:
• OK, I absolutely haaaate second-chance-romance, but this is honestly one of the very few times that worked for me. I think it is because in this case, they both made mistakes, and the girl was the one who wanted to chase after her dreams and go elsewhere. I find second chance romance to be imbued with bitterness and too many flashback, but fortunately, this book has not gone down that path. It feels positive as they work through the relationship, and everything is going forward.
• I appreciate that while the romance is the central plot, there are also many other things going on. I like that Lexi learns to love her small town, to find a place here, to make new friends, and to get a direction in her life.
• I also like the family aspect. I can feel sadness and distance between her and her family, but also the healing and forgiveness that come into place towards the end.
• The small town unity at the end – aw.
• The puppy Mack – aw.
• I am certainly curious about and interested in the next books in the series, as we already meet potential “main characters” for later books.
Overall, I believe it is a solid read. 3 stars (maybe 3.5). 3 because I like it and it is nice, but I don’t feel particularly emotionally invested in the characters or plotline. I am not wowed, but I have enjoyed this, and I am definitely going to read more from this series.
Also, ayeee we see Zach and Gabe from Clare’s I-Team – nice cameo.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
What age level would be appropriate?
• OK, I absolutely haaaate second-chance-romance, but this is honestly one of the very few times that worked for me. I think it is because in this case, they both made mistakes, and the girl was the one who wanted to chase after her dreams and go elsewhere. I find second chance romance to be imbued with bitterness and too many flashback, but fortunately, this book has not gone down that path. It feels positive as they work through the relationship, and everything is going forward.
• I appreciate that while the romance is the central plot, there are also many other things going on. I like that Lexi learns to love her small town, to find a place here, to make new friends, and to get a direction in her life.
• I also like the family aspect. I can feel sadness and distance between her and her family, but also the healing and forgiveness that come into place towards the end.
• The small town unity at the end – aw.
• The puppy Mack – aw.
• I am certainly curious about and interested in the next books in the series, as we already meet potential “main characters” for later books.
Overall, I believe it is a solid read. 3 stars (maybe 3.5). 3 because I like it and it is nice, but I don’t feel particularly emotionally invested in the characters or plotline. I am not wowed, but I have enjoyed this, and I am definitely going to read more from this series.
Also, ayeee we see Zach and Gabe from Clare’s I-Team – nice cameo.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
What age level would be appropriate?
May 13, 2016
4.5 Stars! What can I say, it is a Pamela Clare, who as usual done an awesome job of bringing us some contemporary romance. Of course we have a whole new team of hotties to go through as well as a charming new town. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 5, 2016
Okay small town second chance romance. Between the climbing subculture, the h's family drama plus the random kidnapping, there wasn't much page time devoted to romance. The romance also seemed rather shallow and too convenient. Meh.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
June 8, 2016
ARC was generously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating ~ 3.5 - 4 stars
I am a huge fan of Pamela Clare's writing and her I-team series. When I heard she was starting a new series I was over the moon. This is slightly different to her I-team series which was a lot more action and suspense based but the writing, the romance and the plot still flowed beautifully.
Austin Taylor a former football player and is now a mountain ranger with some abandonment issues.
Lexi Jewell had a difficult childhood, her mother died when she was very young leading Lexi and her sister growing up esentially without their parents love because their father after the accident didn't seem to care about his children and married another woman who also didn't know how to take care of two young girls. So Lexi grew up working every hard in her fathers B&B with one goal in mind to leave behind Scarlet springs.
Lexi and Austin were high school sweet hearts who because of a misspoken sentence broke apart with both of them blaming the other for their broken heart. So when Lexi comes back to town Austin is just impatiently waiting for to leave again because he doesn't want with the feelings and memories she brings back.
Lexi and Austin had a very adorable, cute and fun relationship. It was sweet and lovely to read especially they both knew they shouldn't get involved with each other again but neither could resist. With some mountain climbing, rescuing and some suspense the book makes for a good lighthearted read about a second chance at love and HEA.
Quibbles: I really did not like Lexi's father and her step-mother. They were both so aggravating; their characters and their behaviour. I also felt like we knew a lot more about Lexi then we did about Austin and maybe less scenes with Lexi's family members and other secondary characters could have benefited the book more.
While this is a contemporary I liked that Ms. Clare did not completely forgo the suspense. It's not to the extend that I-team had but its there and it blended extremely well with the story.
Overall, it was a good start to a series, the writing was always engaging and the secondary characters were very interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Rating ~ 3.5 - 4 stars
I am a huge fan of Pamela Clare's writing and her I-team series. When I heard she was starting a new series I was over the moon. This is slightly different to her I-team series which was a lot more action and suspense based but the writing, the romance and the plot still flowed beautifully.
Austin Taylor a former football player and is now a mountain ranger with some abandonment issues.
Lexi Jewell had a difficult childhood, her mother died when she was very young leading Lexi and her sister growing up esentially without their parents love because their father after the accident didn't seem to care about his children and married another woman who also didn't know how to take care of two young girls. So Lexi grew up working every hard in her fathers B&B with one goal in mind to leave behind Scarlet springs.
Lexi and Austin were high school sweet hearts who because of a misspoken sentence broke apart with both of them blaming the other for their broken heart. So when Lexi comes back to town Austin is just impatiently waiting for to leave again because he doesn't want with the feelings and memories she brings back.
Lexi and Austin had a very adorable, cute and fun relationship. It was sweet and lovely to read especially they both knew they shouldn't get involved with each other again but neither could resist. With some mountain climbing, rescuing and some suspense the book makes for a good lighthearted read about a second chance at love and HEA.
Quibbles: I really did not like Lexi's father and her step-mother. They were both so aggravating; their characters and their behaviour. I also felt like we knew a lot more about Lexi then we did about Austin and maybe less scenes with Lexi's family members and other secondary characters could have benefited the book more.
While this is a contemporary I liked that Ms. Clare did not completely forgo the suspense. It's not to the extend that I-team had but its there and it blended extremely well with the story.
Overall, it was a good start to a series, the writing was always engaging and the secondary characters were very interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one.
May 12, 2016
4.5 stars
When I found out Pamela Clare was starting a new series, I was like:
I was so sad when she finished the I-team series, which is my all time favorite series in this genre. Her books are well-researched, really well written, and the plot is always interesting. I love finishing one of her novels knowing I learned something about a certain subject, whether it's Indian culture or drug trafficking, Clare manages to create amazing characters, awesome love stories, sexy times, and still manage to make you truly feel the reality so many people in the world have to live through.
In Barely Breathing, we get my all time favorite subject. First love.
Lexi and Austin were high-school sweethearts who reunite after twelve years when Lexi needs to come back into her home town to take care of her dad. We see everything here, from a crazy ex-con making trouble to a reunion not only between two former lovers but also between a father and a daughter. There were times I was laughing out loud and others where I was crying and emotional.
The inner feminist inside me absolutely LOVED this novel. Half the time I felt like doing this
What. A. Change! There is no slut shaming, women have an important role in climbing and the task force, and how men treat women is always respectful. Clare presented the subject of sexual harassment , and the subtleties behind it now that people actually get punished by law, something many women today have to deal with despite the advances in many cultures when it comes to women's rights.
We get introduced to sexy new characters and I can't wait to read the next one!!
I highly recommend this novel and her I-team series if you're into difficult, but well-delivered world problems that many people take for granted.
When I found out Pamela Clare was starting a new series, I was like:
I was so sad when she finished the I-team series, which is my all time favorite series in this genre. Her books are well-researched, really well written, and the plot is always interesting. I love finishing one of her novels knowing I learned something about a certain subject, whether it's Indian culture or drug trafficking, Clare manages to create amazing characters, awesome love stories, sexy times, and still manage to make you truly feel the reality so many people in the world have to live through.
In Barely Breathing, we get my all time favorite subject. First love.
Lexi and Austin were high-school sweethearts who reunite after twelve years when Lexi needs to come back into her home town to take care of her dad. We see everything here, from a crazy ex-con making trouble to a reunion not only between two former lovers but also between a father and a daughter. There were times I was laughing out loud and others where I was crying and emotional.
The inner feminist inside me absolutely LOVED this novel. Half the time I felt like doing this
What. A. Change! There is no slut shaming, women have an important role in climbing and the task force, and how men treat women is always respectful. Clare presented the subject of sexual harassment , and the subtleties behind it now that people actually get punished by law, something many women today have to deal with despite the advances in many cultures when it comes to women's rights.
We get introduced to sexy new characters and I can't wait to read the next one!!
I highly recommend this novel and her I-team series if you're into difficult, but well-delivered world problems that many people take for granted.
December 5, 2016
ARC provided by the Author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love The I-Team books by Pamela Clare. This is certainly a change. This book is billed as a "Contemporary Romance". I don't read that genre and when I do, the books are usually "Contemporary Crap", full of angst, TSTL moments and self pity. Not my idea of a fun read at all. Pamela Clare manages to skirt most of the issues that plague this genre and product a wonderful second chance love story. She just can't help it, I'm sure, but there is also a touch of suspense and a mystery too. When you throw in appearances by two of my favorite I-Team hotties, well.....
Lexi Jewell is coming home to Scarlet Springs, CO after 12 years away. Her father is in self destruct mode, he's drinking and his wife has left him. Lexi is going to try and repair the damage he has done and get things back to normal. Then she will return to her life in Chicago. Or rather, what is left if it after what happened at her former CPA firm. She is also going to face Austin Taylor, the high school love that broke her heart. Yes, it should be a fun time.
Austin Taylor is blindsided by Lexi's return to town. Feelings he thought he had buried are not so dead after all. As a Ranger for the county and a Search and Rescue volunteer, he thought his life surrounded by family and friends was full and happy, until Lexi returns and rocks his world.
The world of climbing is a world unto itself. It is a sport that I know little about and Pamela Clare give us an window into the life and the people who live for it. As the basis for this new series, I can see the series only getting better as the lives of these gravity defying people are explored.
I love The I-Team books by Pamela Clare. This is certainly a change. This book is billed as a "Contemporary Romance". I don't read that genre and when I do, the books are usually "Contemporary Crap", full of angst, TSTL moments and self pity. Not my idea of a fun read at all. Pamela Clare manages to skirt most of the issues that plague this genre and product a wonderful second chance love story. She just can't help it, I'm sure, but there is also a touch of suspense and a mystery too. When you throw in appearances by two of my favorite I-Team hotties, well.....
Lexi Jewell is coming home to Scarlet Springs, CO after 12 years away. Her father is in self destruct mode, he's drinking and his wife has left him. Lexi is going to try and repair the damage he has done and get things back to normal. Then she will return to her life in Chicago. Or rather, what is left if it after what happened at her former CPA firm. She is also going to face Austin Taylor, the high school love that broke her heart. Yes, it should be a fun time.
Austin Taylor is blindsided by Lexi's return to town. Feelings he thought he had buried are not so dead after all. As a Ranger for the county and a Search and Rescue volunteer, he thought his life surrounded by family and friends was full and happy, until Lexi returns and rocks his world.
The world of climbing is a world unto itself. It is a sport that I know little about and Pamela Clare give us an window into the life and the people who live for it. As the basis for this new series, I can see the series only getting better as the lives of these gravity defying people are explored.
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May 30, 2016
05/24/2016 --
I haven't read a Pamela Clare book in for "freaking -- ever." I liked this, but didn't think it great. Why you ask? I think it lacked some of the depth I've come to expect from a "Pamela Clare" story. It was pretty simple. Two old lovers who meet years later. Both are in different places in life. I liked how the author highlighted rescue teams, rock-climbing, and the skill required. I don't know about this, but it seemed pretty authentic. The romance was pretty predictable, but nice. I'd read it again and I'll read others in the series. 3.5 Stars!
Happy Reading!
ARC provided by the author and publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read a Pamela Clare book in for "freaking -- ever." I liked this, but didn't think it great. Why you ask? I think it lacked some of the depth I've come to expect from a "Pamela Clare" story. It was pretty simple. Two old lovers who meet years later. Both are in different places in life. I liked how the author highlighted rescue teams, rock-climbing, and the skill required. I don't know about this, but it seemed pretty authentic. The romance was pretty predictable, but nice. I'd read it again and I'll read others in the series. 3.5 Stars!
Happy Reading!
ARC provided by the author and publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2016
I stumbled onto Pamela Clare last week and devoured two of the books in her I-Team series. They were both five-star reads for me, so I had high hopes when I took a break from that romantic suspense series to read this contemporary romance. Unfortunately, as much as I loved the I-Team stories, this book just fell flat for me, for several reasons. To begin, it is the first novel in a new series, and Clare spent way too much time throwing out names and info about more than a dozen secondary characters. This much groundwork for subsequent books wasn't necessary, and I found it tedious. Speaking of tedious, much of the novel centers around rock climbing--both as a hobby and as part of search-and-rescue work--and the book is weighed down with an excessive amount of information about it. It also includes some superfluous climbing scenes which neither fleshed out the characters nor advanced the plot--they existed merely to highlight Clare's meticulous research and/or indulge her own interest in the sport--and I did A LOT of skimming. Finally, the hero, Austin, and the heroine, Lexi, did not feel fleshed out to me, and there was not much tension between them. The simple plot was pretty much by the numbers and the ending felt ho hum.
That said, I want to emphasize that Clare is a talented writer. After reading those two I-Team books, I felt a kinship with her unlike any other author. (I will elaborate on that in my reviews of those novels.) Perhaps those lofty expectations are why this read was jarring and disappointing. In any event, I still can't wait to read the other books in the I-Team series. I think I'll start one now...
That said, I want to emphasize that Clare is a talented writer. After reading those two I-Team books, I felt a kinship with her unlike any other author. (I will elaborate on that in my reviews of those novels.) Perhaps those lofty expectations are why this read was jarring and disappointing. In any event, I still can't wait to read the other books in the I-Team series. I think I'll start one now...
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