Rebecca Donovan has done it again. A sequel to the mind-bendingly amazing first book in the series, we trace Emma's path from surviving to reconnecting with her mother. She makes a decision that is dumbfounding at first, but then I realize why—from my own experience. She moves in with Mom, a woman she has barely ever known, to grasp desperately for the mothering she never had. Mom's (Rachel's) alcoholism never went away though. To say that fixing things with her is complicated is a gross understatement. Evan and Sara can only watch helplessly as Emma and Rachel are drawn into the dark whirlpool of a past that won't let them go, grasping for Emma's hand every time she goes past. Then, enter Jonathan. He starts out as Rachel's boyfriend, but there are hidden depths to him that only one other person ever really understands: Emma. He has a past mired in pure pain. It only gets more complicated from there.

As a writer, I stand in awe of what Donovan has done here. People, tension, events, and subplots pass as tenderly as a breeze, or as hard as a thunderstorm, completely seamlessly. Romance is less prominent here than in Reason to Breathe, but drama is definitely not. The suspense is riveting. Descriptions, emotions and actions are rendered so well you can't see the joins. This is a work stupendous fluidity, as the depths and back stories of each character are gradually revealed, and the way they act begins to make sense. Emma is in trouble. Everything else in my life is on hold until I finish the series. ( )

I was disappointed with this book. I devoured the first one in the series but Barely Breathing fell flat. The plot was too similar to the first book and the characters didn't seem genuine. ( )

I was not really sure what book two was going to bring to keep the story moving, but it did deliver. This continues to follow the same characters from book one. Emma is moving in with her mother which you know is going to bring some issues/drama/trauma based on their past together.

I enjoyed this one, but again, feel it was a little too long for what it was. However; the author had a way of keeping your interest during the whole story. I was never bored and I finished it pretty quickly for being such a big book.

Overall, I did not love this one as much as the first but it was still pretty good….on to the conclusion! ( )

Not quite as good as the first book of the series, but still very interesting - enough that I'll read the third book. Definitely read book 1 first and if you like that you should read this one, too. ( )

The amazing journey of Emma Thomas continues in this amazing book. The twists and turns of her story are incredible and her struggle to reclaim her life are inspiring. I am loving this trilogy and I can't wait to read the conclusion. I definitely recommend this one but you really have to read all three to understand the full story. ( )