Book Review: Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town working at the library and lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

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Breathing made me mourn summer. I started the book in the middle of the first big snowstorm of the winter, and the description made me wish that I could go lay out in the sun.

I really enjoyed the way the story dealt with teen love. It didn't treat it like "puppy love" (a phrase my parents use to describe teen love), and it felt very real. Savannah, though immature and naive at times, cares very deeply about Jackson. I felt particularly bad for Savannah during the portion of the book where she was separated from Jackson. It seems like there was a new weight on her shoulders, and it effected all the other parts of her life.

My main issue with the book was a completely personal one. I had trouble getting through the heavy southern dialect. I don't mind if the characters don't use perfect English, because most people don't. I did, however, feel like this book used more of this language than was necessary. I will point out that some people loved this aspect of the book. I'm completely personal, so don't let this turn you off from the book completely.

Breathing
By Cheryl Renee Herbsman
Published by Viking Juvenile
265 Pages
Rating: C