Just Remember to Breathe (Thompson Sisters, #3) in The Indie Bookshelf

Oct 18, 2012 Lise *friends don't flag* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-feel, fav-ya, soldier-love

5 stars for the index cards alone... will review later

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Oct 15, 2012 Angela Mclaurin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star-books, indie-bookshelf

Heart wrenching and full of that wonderful angst. This was a beautiful YA romance addressing real and painful social issues threatening young love in America. Alex and Dylan's relationship is tested constantly throughout the story as the challenges of coming from different backgrounds and social classes and post traumatic stress disorder from the Army and war are working over-time to tear them apart. Written from an interesting way of alternating points of view, the author seamlessly took us thr ...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Jenn rated it it was amazing

Just Remember to Breathe is the kind of book that only gets better every time you read it. It is such a wonderful story of second chances and the power they hold.

This is the story of Alex and Dylan, two young people who met as teenagers on a foreign exchange trip. There was an immediate connection between the two of them but as so often happens with young love, situations and misunderstandings get in their way. They accidentally meet again when they are both attending Columbia and end up with t Just Remember to Breathe is the kind of book that only gets better every time you read it. It is such a wonderful story of second chances and the power they hold.

This is the story of Alex and Dylan, two young people who met as teenagers on a foreign exchange trip. There was an immediate connection between the two of them but as so often happens with young love, situations and misunderstandings get in their way. They accidentally meet again when they are both attending Columbia and end up with the same work-study program. Dylan and Alex are different people now, Alex a serious student following her 'plan' and Dylan, he’s returning as an injured vet from Afghanistan trying to put the pieces back together.

The rekindling of their friendship and love is touching and beautiful. They struggle with the ever present, even though slightly buried, love that is still there and try to form a friendship based on ‘rules’ avoiding discussions of their history together. Dylan is struggling with his injuries from the war and the impact they’ve had on who he thinks he is now while Alex is dealing with her broken heart from Dylan’s disappearance from her life.

I love the hope and forgiveness in this book, it’s what keeps me coming back to read it again and again. Their journey felt so real and honest together. I appreciated the alternating view points, going from Alex to Dylan; it made it all the more dynamic. I felt like I was a part of this story, not just a reader. I loved this book and will never see an index card the same way. (insert swoon here)

I must also point out the reality of war that is addressed by Mr. Sheehan-Miles. He does not sugar coat the seriousness of what men and women have sacrificed for this wonderful country. Dylan is a man who has suffered through hell at a young age with lifelong consequences. His struggles are not there to add angst to a love story, but a very real part of life. My thoughts immediately went to all those who have served and are serving and reminded me to be thankful every day for their sacrifice. Thank you, Charles Sheehan-Miles for reminding readers of these realities and also for writing a beautiful, poignant story showcasing the power of love and second chances and what it means to ‘go for it’.
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Jan 28, 2013 Ginifer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE is the second book in the Thompson Sisters series, however, I read book two (A SONG FOR JULIA) first. And the way the series is written it doesn’t matter which book you read first – they can all be read as a stand-alone. So if series freak you out, you’re safe with this one. :) However, I adore both books so I highly recommend checking them both out. Now, let’s chat about the awesome that is this first book.

In JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE we get acquainted with Alex, the thi JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE is the second book in the Thompson Sisters series, however, I read book two (A SONG FOR JULIA) first. And the way the series is written it doesn’t matter which book you read first – they can all be read as a stand-alone. So if series freak you out, you’re safe with this one. :) However, I adore both books so I highly recommend checking them both out. Now, let’s chat about the awesome that is this first book.

In JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE we get acquainted with Alex, the third oldest Thompson sister. This story has the second-chance-love theme, but it is vastly different than the ones I’ve read before (and I’ve read a good many because I LOVE that storyline). First of all, Alex and Dylan are not from the same town or even state. They met on a high school trip a few years ago and hit it off. But being so far away from each other after the trip was over, they had an interesting relationship to say the least.

After high school Dylan joined the military and served in Afghanistan, while Alex (a year younger than Dylan) finished up her senior year, then enrolled in Columbia University. The book begins with the start of Alex’s sophomore year at Columbia and she and Dylan have not spoken in months. She isn’t sure what happened between them – Dylan just stopped speaking to her in the spring. Alex has been heartbroken over the abrupt end of their relationship and was worried for a while that something had happened to him in Afghanistan. She is still recovering from the loss, but is trying her best to move on.

Dylan was injured in Afghanistan and is beginning his first year at Columbia, hoping to avoid running into Alex. That’s just not in the cards though as they have both been assigned to a work-study program together. And there’s no getting out of it since all the other programs are completely full with waiting lists.

Dylan is a great guy, but he’s also suffering from PTSD and trying to overcome the injury he sustained in the war. Alex is a fairly no-nonsense kind of girl, but she is vulnerable...particularly when it comes to Dylan. I feel so close to Dylan and Alex both. The story is so life-like it’s easy to get sucked in and believe that these characters actually exist. The setting and dialogue and emotions are so tangible – some of the most vivid I’ve ever read.

The author knows his stuff when it comes to war and politics, but is also well-versed in feelings and relationships – whether it be romantic, family, or friendship. It’s a perfect mix that creates a fantastic story. These books do not focus solely on the romance and I find that rejuvenating – the characters do not seem to revolve exclusively around each other. I like my romances with a little less cheese – a nice side helping is great, but it doesn’t need to be the main course. So as an author and a reader, Charles Sheehan-Miles and I are a match made in Heaven. :)

And of course being a series focused on all of the sisters, there are side-stories with each of them. (I was so excited to get a glimpse into Julia and Crank’s future!) JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE gives just enough of a peek into the Thompson family to grab reader’s attention, but it doesn’t feel like an obvious setup for the next book either, as these types of series so often do. In fact, the Thompson Sisters series doesn’t follow any of the typical standards.

The third book will be published soon (scheduled for May) and I cannot tell you how eager I am to delve in. It takes place a few years after JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE and I’m excited to see how things are going for the Thompsons, especially Carrie and a certain someone we’re introduced to in this first installment.

In short, these books are amazing folks, and I think you should all read them.

** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No incentive was offered or accepted for a favorable rating or review. (Though I will be adding physical copies of the entire series to my shelves.) ...more

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