A sentimental novel that cuts to the heart.
“My breath catches. Do I love Nick? The answer terrifies me.” For most people, the notion of being in love warms the soul like a steamy mug of tea, but not so much for Robin. Instead, love is a painful memory that tethers her to the past. It doesn’t help matters that Robin is starring in a play written for her by a man she can’t let go of. Sure, it’s been ten years, but Jed’s presence still affects her decisions, ambitions, and especially her ability to let love back in. Nick is a great guy, willing to give Robin all the space and time she needs, but he’s been kept in the dark, confused by her emotional reticence. She wants to be everything he needs, but will Robin ever be ready to commit to anyone else after her bond with Jed? No wonder she hasn’t told Nick everything about her past; after all, could any man really be happy as a second choice? Robin will have to stare her most anguished memories in the eye or risk losing the love standing right before her.
Past and present are on a collision course with happiness and acceptance in Laurel Osterkamp’s The Next Breath. Ideal for fans of Nicholas Sparks or other pass-the-tissues authors, the sincere storytelling and honest personal revelations will lull readers, and then wrench them from the inside out. The main cast features a love triangle between a realtor running out of patience, a resourceful woman drowning in fear, and a man with a devastating genetic disorder whose parting gift means more than he could ever realize. Secondary characters wrapped up in their own anxieties help tune the scene to a frequency where readers can imagine themselves. Audiences will also appreciate how consistently and effectively the author weaves dream sequences into the book. Rather than needless filler, as can sometimes be the case with dream scenes, these concise flashes deliver dramatic emotional impact and allow Robin to work through her inner turmoil while slowly filling the gaps in her relationship with Jed. Writing natural dialogue is no minor feat, but Osterkamp makes it look easy! Warm banter sets the tone, quirky contemporary references set the timeframe, and painfully realistic plot developments contribute to a heartfelt and engaging atmosphere. A few well-chosen metaphors elevate this book, making it a love story you won’t be able to forget. A modern slice-of-life tale with layers upon layers of emotional complexity, The Next Breath is a sentimental novel that cuts to the heart.
