• Barely Breathing

  • Breathing, Book 2
  • By: Rebecca Donovan
  • Narrated by: Kate Rudd
  • Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,602 ratings)

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Barely Breathing  By  cover art

Barely Breathing

By: Rebecca Donovan
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
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Publisher's summary

Barely Breathing is the second book in the million-copy bestselling Breathing Series.

“I’ve spent most of my life trying to make it to a future that still hasn’t happened, or avoid a past that won’t let me go. I don't remember when I’ve ever just stopped to live in the present, to hold on to the seconds I’m in.”

Emma Thomas’s struggle with an abusive home life came to a heart-pounding conclusion in the final chapters of Reason to Breathe, the first installment of the Breathing Series - Rebecca Donovan’s bestselling romantic-thriller (USA Today). Now her secret life has been exposed, and her tormentor can’t hurt her anymore. Yet some are still haunted by that night. The bruises may have faded, but scars and fears remain. How will she reclaim her life when she’s barely breathing?

©2012 Rebecca Donovan (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Barely Breathing

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    5 out of 5 stars
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5 Breathing Stars


This is a first time listen with audiobook, for this book not first time I have read i. I don’t know how I forgot some of the things that happened.

I knew it was going to be emotional, look how the last book left off. But what I didn’t expect was for Emma to go from one hell to another.

Making the choice to move in with her mom I don’t know. I felt she needed it for closure or what have you but I didn’t feel she should have. Does that make sense? Then when Emma didn’t remember her childhood I thought oh dear there is a reason she suppressed it.

Evan we see less and less in this book and I think that’s why Emma turned to Jonathan, Emma’s mother’s new boyfriend.
I can understand why Evan needed a little space but I don’t know I think it opened up the reason Emma and Jonathan could connect they had an understanding of each other no one else understood.

Sara as well I kind of felt was pulling away and that created a little loneliness in Emma. She is dealing with this mother who isn’t really a mother. I would have thought Sara and Evan would have hovered a little more or at least noticed the difference in Emma.

Again with the cliff-hanger but I have book 3 on deck so I am ready to go. Again Kate Rudd killed it in this audio, beautifully performed.

*All my Reviews are 100% honest and my own.*

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another WOW!!!!!

This book was as good if not better than the 1st book. I LOVE this series and will be recommending this to all my friends. Again I was so glad that I had already purchased book 3 before I finished book 2. Kate Rudd does a good job narrating too.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

LOVED IT but so frustrated with Emma!

Okay, now I've listened to #1 & #2 of this series back to back and I have to say I'm a little blown away by how much I've enjoyed these books especially given the subject matter. I am usually not a fan of YA but this series is good. Again the characters intrigue me, even the ones who weren't very likable and RD really is a wonderful weaver of tales. I enjoyed seeing the progression of Emma and Evan's relationship as well as the circumstances and emotions that continued to trip them up. I'm delighted that Sara's character also grew and changed as well. I had a lot of trouble with the relationship between Rachel and Emma. I'm a mother of a teenage girl who is also reading this series and I have to say there were some scenes between these two characters which literally made me cringe and unable to read until I'd calmed down. I haven't really had that kind of visceral reading experience very often. It makes me think that RD perhaps without even realizing it has given us a story that could help so many people experiencing the kinds of emotional devastation the book talks about. On that note, I'm really not sure how I feel about the Jonathan character but that fact alone makes me glad he was included in this story. I read a lot and it's not unusual for me to lose my attachment to a story shortly after finishing it. I don't think I'll be forgetting Emma and Evan's love story anytime soon and I'm hopeful for their happiness. Sigh...now I wait for Out of Breath like everyone else. Well maybe now at least I can get some sleep until it comes out.
Kate Rudd was outstanding with the delivery of the story.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Again, what a great story.

Where does Barely Breathing rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This series is one of my favorites.

What other book might you compare Barely Breathing to and why?

Pieces of You by Cassia Leo because of the personal struggles of the character.

What about Kate Rudd’s performance did you like?

I thought Kate did a good job with this story. She wasn't my favorite narrator that I have heard, but she was good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The swing.

Any additional comments?

This book followed the emotional roller coaster as well, but I loved it all.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A……MAZING!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

Never read many books where the second is even better than the first. What an incredible book and wonderful story. I highly recommend thie series.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Intense, heartache and full of turmoil

Any additional comments?

WOW, what's a follow up for the Breathing series. It's so intense, heartache, turmoil, etc. I am amazed that Emma could take so much. This book explained some of the events toward the end of Reason to Breathe. Emma got away from her abusing aunt to head straight in to another abusing relationship with her mom, Rachel. Although, Rachel may not physically abused Emma, she did it mentally. Emma endured the abuse b/c she loved her mom. Again, she hid the abuse everyone including both Evan and Sara this time. I know that Emma is young and is still learning about life but for a smart girl, you would think that she learned from what happened with her aunt. I think this is where Barely Breathing drove me crazy.

Emma and Evan's relationship struggled in this book b/c Emma constantly pushing Evan away. She sought out comfort with Jonathan who was Rachel's boyfriend. This is where I felt it was a little twisted but maybe a little bit realistic? Granted Jonathan may be closer to Emma's age, he was dating her mom. He fell for Emma b/c he felt the connection because both were abused. Emma strung both Evan and Jonathan along. From someone who claimed that she loves Evan, she lied to her teeth to him. This is very hard for me to take. She constantly reached out to Jonathan. I felt that Emma turned in to a not very nice person. She took her guilt out of Jonathan. She was mean to him and was verbally abusive. It looks like the vicious cycle repeating itself. My heart broke for Evan when Emma left. Maybe it was the best decision she made by being honest.

This book was well written, full of turmoil and heartache. I look forward to Out of Breath for the conclusion of this series.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I'm Barely Breathing

This is book 2 in the Breathe series and although there is slightly less intensity, it is equal in emotion and heartbreak.

I have read these books but it has been a while and I saw them on Audible, so I decided to try listening. Kate Rudd is an amazing narrator and her performance genuinely added so much to the story.

The story begins with Emma finally getting away from her aunt and beginning to deal with the horrific trauma she suffered. I just can't even express how much I adore Evan. His love, acceptance and support of Emma is displayed at every turn and he is exactly the kind of boy you would hope your daughter to find.

Just as in book 1, you are left in a cliffhanger of sorts. Complete emotional destruction and upheaval. So be prepared. I am so happy that I know how this is going to end and I don't have to go through the unknowing like I had to the first time.

The whole series is worth all the credits.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

UGGGH, I finally turned it off

Constant whining drama, so stupid! The first book grabbed me and as soon as it finished I was amazed there was another book.....cause she died? The second book is an ongoing nightmare of drivelling, sniveling, stupid, made-up drama! Avoid if you value your sanity.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Teenage Angst and Emotional Immaturity

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Teenage, angst-filled girls.

Would you ever listen to anything by Rebecca Donovan again?

Probably not.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Kate Rudd's performance was fine, considering what she had to work with.

Any additional comments?

Despite it's many good reviews, this book was clearly written for teenagers. It's filled with high school ridiculousness and agonizing situations all driven by emotional immaturity. I can't explain why I kept listening…perhaps I was hoping the Emma would grow up and stop being a martyr. I won't be listening the third book in the series as I've already wasted too much of my life on the first two.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

SO SAD- but oh so GOOD!

Where does Barely Breathing rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks in my top 5 favorite overall books!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the continued great story writing from the author. She does such an amazing job with the story line.

What about Kate Rudd’s performance did you like?

Kate Rudd does a great job with voice/personality mix- you feel every emotion of each character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't say I was moved, but heart broken for Evan and Emma toward the end. I just cried and cried.

Any additional comments?

I think this series is worth several credits!!! I will listen again to this series as soon as my heart settles and the tears stop.

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