This was very different from other stuff I have read before, while still having a similar feel to it, if that makes sense at all. This is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea, though I didn't know that until after I was finished with it. It makes a lot of sense now.

I was expecting a lot more mob-boss/intimidation, and while that was included, it was also much more. The MC's illness brought a different level to the action than I would have otherwise thought of, and really made me think about the interactions we have with others on a daily basis and the random ways people touch each other and bump into things. ( )

This was actually a nicely paced story, with interesting characters, notably Penny and her character development. The others... not so much. I also liked how the main point of this story was about organ donations, and I'm impressed with the research the author put into the book to come up with a good story to tell, as well as be scientifically accurate. I actually had to look up Penny's condition! ( )

Read my full review of the book at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!

This book was more a coming of age story than an action packed crime family novel like I had hoped it would be. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it--I just didn't LOVE it.

This book also isn't much of a fairy tale retelling. To be honest, I didn't even know the fairy tale it was based on until the very end. Instead I would say it is "inspired" by a fairy tale because it really doesn't have much else to do with it.

Surprisingly, I didn't find Penelope annoying. You know how overly-protected characters want to rebel constantly and carry a lot of angst? Well, Penelope wasn't really like that. Yes, she wanted her freedom but she never did anything stupid and never grated on my nerves. I really enjoyed watching her grow as a character.

The romance to me left something to be desired. I didn't really like how it progressed and at some points it overshadows the story. However, I felt that for the most part, it took a backseat and I could focus on the coming of age story instead.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p3txrs-y4

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Well that was okay. The good: the thriller/suspense plot moved at an excellent, edge-of-your-seat kind of pace. The bad: Somehow, SOMEHOW, the author manages to include an insta!love subplot and only JUST shies away from a full-blown, sappy love triangle. Good story, but nothing stellar. ( )

The first thing struck me when I first laid my eyes on this book is its title. Hold Me Like A Breath? This sounds way to interesting to ignore. I mean, I have heard “hold me like a pillow” (Only Girl by Rihanna ;) ), but “breath”? Just wow… That gives out a fragile vibe, but also somewhat….strong and stubborn, since you are fighting with some kind of forces if you were forced to hold your breath. And so, I can’t “hold” myself and got the book.

Hold Me Like A Breath falls into the criminal/suspense category, but if you are looking for glorious bloody mafia scenes with FBI and politics, you should probably put this book down. The book itself doesn’t have those heart-pounding scenes. However, I wouldn’t deny the fact that the author is very clever with her writing. She never slips away too many details, but gives us enough to keep our brains half-guessing everything. I love that the most about Hold Me Like a Breath.

Penelope Landlow was born in a family of wealth. But their money was from blood….and illegal organs transplant. How ironic it is, when she was born in one of the three biggest Families who control the organs’ black market, she herself grows up with a platelets disease, a disease that cause her immune system to mistakenly destroy her own body’s platelets. Every touch and easily bruised Penelope, and because of that, she spends her entire life in her family’s estate, wishing that one day she can walk the street of New York City. Her wish finally came true, but it’s not like what she thought it would be, especially when she was caught in the fight between Families and had to run away, seeing everyone she loves died. However, Penelope met a young man in the middle of The City That Never Sleeps, and although something about him seems off, she couldn’t help but fall for him, and realized that she herself may not as fragile as everyone thought.

I read this along side with one of my friend, but she put it down after her 30th page, complaining that she couldn’t stand Penelope’s personality. I don’t blame her. Characteristic can be raised. Just imagine, Penelope has spent her entire life getting whatever she wants, and nobody dares to touch her, her personality can be somewhat princess-like. Her sensibility greatly reminds me of The Princess and The Pea, which Penelope herself has been referred to countless of times. However, through many incidents, again and again, she started to develop. The process of Penelope changing was magnificent. How surprising a person can change when he or she went through life.

“Go, fight, win. Ask forgiveness, not permission. If you want respect, demand it. ‘No’ is never the final answer.”

Although this book did a really good job gripping me to it, there are many parts where I couldn’t hold myself from rolling my eyes. You don’t fall in love with a stranger just because he bumped into you and took care of you too carefully that made it looked like “stalking”. There are many questionable parts where trust was giving out too easy, while forgiveness was just ridiculously held tight. And the romance scenes were too dramatic and fast-pace to let the emotions kick in. I would give the book the credit for doing very good on keeping the suspension, however, sometimes sudden surprises are not always a good thing.

I have quite a conflict with Hold Me Like A Breath after reading it. The book is good, but the romance is totally off. I would recommend you to give this book a chance, and well, doesn’t the cover look gorgeous? ;) ( )