Inhale: A Just Breathe Novel (edition 2012)

Free Kindle Download 10/9/2012

Finished this last night - as in I stayed up way later than I should so I could finish it. I couldn't put it down. This book takes a deep dive into Australian folklore and aboriginal culture. Although I can understand some readers' reluctance or a feeling of being lost as there wasn't much preface given before you are literally dumped into the Dreaming / Dreamstime, if you keep an open mind and keep reading, the explanations are given over time in a splendid example of universe building at its best.

There are two parallel story lines to this book. One takes place in the Dreaming and the other in Realis (Reality). They are wonderfully interwoven and are both well executed. Both of the main characters are strong, believable and have great chemistry. There are also a few twists and turns that will have you wondering just who is on whose side until the end and beyond. The writing it tight. The author has a talent for tossing phrases.

A warning - this is a series and the story of Zoe and Gavin continues on in the second book. The author did give a "happy for now" for those of you who demand it. I think this may actually be my only negative for this book. I didn't like the HFN - I would have preferred for the ending to ((Don't click unless you read it!)) For her to find the bird at the bar and not find Gavin until the book 2. With the way book 1 ended, although I am curious about the storyline for book 2, I am not hungry for it. That is probably my only negative.

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Originally reviewed here.

Inhale came onto book radar (bookdar?) when I saw a rave review from Kara on Great Imaginations, followed, pretty soon after, by another fabulous review by Giselle of Xpresso Reads. Of course, being the person that I am, I only scanned their reviews, because I really do not like to impact my reading of books with reviews unless I'm making up my mind. I read enough to know I was interested, but, going into it, pretty much all I knew was that it had hot sex and whales.

From that, I was really expecting a slightly better than average romance novel. I thought there would be tons of hot sex and that the whales might be some sort of background story. Actually, Inhale is an epic paranormal romance. The paranormal elements are crucial to the story, and the romance feels like a part of that, rather than the other way around. I definitely wouldn't categorize this as a romance novel if I had to choose just one category.

The opening chapters of Inhale were a bit confusing. You're just sort of thrown into this fantasy world that was VERY different from anything I've read before. It's a bit complicated, and I really don't think I can do a great job of explaining, so I'll just say this: it may take a bit, but it will be worth it. Grey's world draws on some familiar themes but combines into something very unique and fantastical

Zoe and Gavin are both enthralling and strong characters, though they suffer a wee bit from instalove. That didn't bother me that much because of the circumstances under which they come together. They meet and get to know one another in the Dreaming and dreams just don't follow the same logic as Realis. There's also the small matter of the elements pretty much pointing out their feelings for them, although their bodies do that too. So, yeah, there are some seriously hot sexy times in here, not quite as many as I expected, but judging from some word counts from Exhale, I'd say there will be more.

Most of the other characters I don't feel like I got to know particularly well, except for Scarlet (who I want to punch in the face. From the brief bits I've gotten of them, Zoe's whale research team (the unfortunately and accurately-named Randy excluded) is totally awesome. Those four women make such a great time, and I love how much Adriene has Zoe's back. Oh, and I have to point out, too, how utterly fantastic it is that the women in this novel definitely come off as, if anything, stronger than the men.

The character I really want to know more about, though, is Sinnder. I get the feeling that he knows a lot more than he's letting in. Not only that, but I suspect he has his own secret agenda and depths. Scarlet seems like your average mean, power-hungry, evil wench so far, but Sinnder definitely seems like he has the possibility to be the bad guy you really, really root for (like Eric from True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse). If you have a thing for bad boys, this is so your book, because Gavin definitely falls under that heading too.

In case you missed it in the description, Kendall Grey is donating all of her proceeds to programs for whales, which is just so sweet. I loved the whales in the book, and I was so awed by and envious of Zoe's connection to them. That definitely took me back to The Ring of Endless Light, if you read that as a child. I've always felt that all animals are more connected and similar than we humans like to think, so this was perfect for me.

The most fun aspect of the novel I think was Grey's writing. She is so incredibly sassy and funny, and unapologetically foul-mouthed. And I just love it. I actually wanted to point out what I almost used as my favorite quote, because it's so Kendall Grey (I didn't end up using it because it's from the Acknowledgements): "Last but not least...To everyone who said no, this middle finger is for you. :-)"

For those of you afraid of self-pubs, don't worry; Inhale is well-written and well-edited. The Kindle version is only $2.99, which is totally worth it. I have zero doubt that the series will only get better from here, as we learn more about the characters and the fantasy world. Fyres could not keep me from reading more of this trilogy! ( )

This book was incredibly written. Ms. Grey has a way with words. From the world building to the character building, it did not lack in the least. The only complaint I had with Inhale was how it started. It forces you to jump right into the double worlds of the Dreaming and Realis almost instantly. It left me quite confused for the first couple of chapters, but once it clicked, it all made sense.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Zoe and Gavin. They meet in the Dreaming and instantly fall for one another. Although, Zoe just thinks of him as a "dream guy" and doesn't believe that he really exists outside of the Dreaming. I wish they could have met in Realis sooner than they did but I completely understand the reasoning behind it not happening. I'll just have to read book two to dive into their relationship more!

I also loved reading so much about the wales. Zoe is a Whale Researcher, so Ms. Grey really dips into the whole marine life scene and it was interesting! Towards the end, there is one scene where Zoe actually talks with a wale ... and it talks back. That was a little overkill in my opinion, but it did fit the story. As for Gavin, yum. The way Gavin is described (rocker, tattoos, bad boy) allowed me to fill my imagination with my favorite guitarist. Now reading this book and picture him in my head the whole time ... perfection.

The Fyres (bad guys) do everything they can to destroy the relationship between Zoe and Gavin, but they always find their way back to each other. One way or another. Love conquers all right? I am so eager to get my hands on the next book! I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

FYI: This book does have lots of language and a couple of graphic sex scenes. So if that isn't your thing, you probably won't like this book. And I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 18.

As a bonus, The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.

*I purchased my e-copy from Amazon when it was on sale for FREE!! (Check it out, it may still be available!) ( )

Since I was a little girl I have always been a huge fan of whales, I find them to be fascinating creatures, so I like that this book has something to do with whales as well as having profits donated to whale education. I have to say that of all the books with paranormal elements in them that I have read, this one has a really unique premise, which is always refreshing to me.

I have to say in terms of the world building, I think it might be too complex for some people to grasp onto right off the back. There is a lot of information that goes into explain how the word works within the book, and in a couple of spots I felt like the author was guilty of a couple of info-dumps. There are a lot of things people might need to reread a couple of times to make sure they got the meaning. I think the world building aspect needs a bit of work in that respect, although it is a unique world, so props to the author for their imagination.

The romance level is very heavy in this book, there is definitely some hot and steamy sex scenes within the book. That being said they didn't feel forced, like they were just their for the sake of having them. They felt organic for the characters, and I think it is easy to really enjoy the character both separately and even more when they are together.

The pacing in the book is really good, so it's an easy read in that respect. I would have enjoyed the book more if the world building had been better fleshed out, but overall I think it was a solid book. I think anyone who is looking for a unique take on urban fantasy would enjoy this book, especially the people who love paranormal romance, this book would be right in their wheelhouse. ( )