With Every Breath by Valerie Chase Pages: 216
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on April 28, 2014
Genres: contemporary, Love & Romance, New Adult
Source: eARC from Author
~* Each novel in the Sea Swept series can be read as a stand-alone romance *~
Yasmin Alejo used to have a plan: get into grad school, work her butt off, and become Dr. Alejo, PhD. But then her sister’s death shatters everything. Heartbroken, Yasmin gets a job as a cruise ship photographer aboard the Radiant Star. She just wants some time to heal, but her infuriating—and annoyingly sexy—boss won’t give her any peace.
West Campbell used to care about more than money, but those days died along with his mom’s passing. Now he has only one goal: squeezing as much profit from the Radiant Star’s photography department as he can, in order to win a prized corporate management job. He won’t let anyone mess with that—especially not the feisty and gorgeous Yasmin, who seems more interested in getting to know the passengers than selling them vacation packages.
As they sail across open waters, Yasmin and West will fight storms, seasickness, and each other, until they can’t deny their connection any longer. Every tantalizing kiss will take their breaths away … but if they can’t get over the past, it might destroy their future.
Valerie Chase has done it again! I can’t get over how much I loved this book. If you like contemporary romances, you NEED to read Valerie Chase’s Sea Swept series. It is one of my favorites and perfect for summer. I liked Yas from the first book, but we didn’t get to know her too much. I thought she was a good friend, but I didn’t get too much of an idea of who she was as a person. We really get to know her so well in With Every Breath. Get ready to fall in love with her. Each book in the Sea Swept Series can be read as a standalone, but I loved both of them so I would recommend reading books 1 & 2.
Yas lost her older sister to cancer, and she is still really shaken up about it. She deferred a psychology grad school to become a photographer on the cruise ship she cruised on with her sorority sisters in the first book. It is very different being on the ship as staff though, she is about to find that out. Her sister was an artist and she loved taking pictures. Yas is determined to live out some of her sisters photography dreams and complete a project in her honor. I thought it was super sweet. Of course, she isn’t looking for love though.
Enter West, her photography team leader. I cannot get enough of Yas and West’s dynamic. They are so fiery together. Sometimes they brought out the best in each other, and sometimes the worst. But they are fantastic to read about together. I want to see the two of them in a romantic comedy or the whole sea swept series as a tv show. I think these books are perfect for that. I cannot put Valerie’s books down. I stayed up until 2 am on a work night because I just had to keep reading. There is smokin’ hot romance, tons of light fun, but there is also a depth to the characters and their development that leaves a lasting connection. We go much further than the superficial layer that both Yas and West present for themselves. I loved getting to know each of them better and better as the book progressed.
I loved the behind the scenes peak at how the crew and staff on cruise ships live and work. Having recently been on a cruise, the scenes came to life before my eyes and I have to say Valerie did an excellent job with every description. They felt exactly like a cruise ship. I was transported back onto one. She is an excellent writer, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I need her next book NOW!
Other books in the Sea Swept Series:
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Kim { Book Swoon }
Yay, I’m glad you loved this one so much & the fact you mentioned the books can be read as standalones it great. *Looking at wishlist, shaking head* I don’t think I’ve read a romance with a cruise ship in it and the romance sounds right up my alley. I don’t tend to read as many contemporaries, but this one sounds pretty awesome. Once again Michelle, your review has tempted me to push that good old amazon ‘one click’ button. LOL 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I know about never ending wish lists Kim. If you ever get a break in your TBR or you are looking for a fun summer romance. Keep this one in mind. I think you will enjoy it 🙂
kindlemom1
I have never tried this author but after reading your 5 star review, I definitely want to! Adding this one to my TBR pile now!
Stephanie
This sounds like an amazing series to jump into this summer! Thanks for the great review.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Oh, I hope you get to try this series Stephanie. It is so perfect for summer. Both of them are awesome reads!
Stephanie
The first book is only .99 on Kindle and the second only 2.99. I snagged them both. I will let you know when I’ve read them. 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
YAY! I can’t wait to see what you think of them. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Wow Michelle this sounds fantastic and perfect for summer. Woot to working as a standalone..I think my tbr pile is imploding! I am so glad this rocked for you 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
haha oh Kimba, I know that only too well. I have been trying to make a sortable chart of all of my books and ebooks, but the main reason that I have not yet is that I am legitimately nervous to see how many of them I have.