Janice Lynn Mather

I can never tell her about him, what he did. We're so different and the words from my world don't translate anymore.

Thank youuu to Netgalley & Indigo for the ARC.

I'm kinda...hunting for the right words here. This wasn't a bad book by any means but I had the bare minimum passion for it the entire time. The words are beautiful, the meaning and payoff are satisfying, the little town is homey and comfortable. And yet it didn't really have any bite or charisma. It's a dreamy, lofty little read. So like, not bad, but not my taste - it maybe deserves more like 4 stars but 4 doesn't reflect my enjoyment or engagement.

Still hunting for a phrase or two. Nothing really stuck with me. Oh, man. Everything was,,,just enough. And I feel soooo bad saying it, I don't know. It's definitely an important book and an impactful book but it didn't have the right tools to really get into my brain.

A lot of ratings are similar to mine and yet everyone mostly summarizes the plot and compliments it in their review. Please are we all at a loss for what exactly works well and what doesn't?! I felt lost in it, but like, a comfortable lost, you know? I can't go on nitpicking because everything worth nitpicking just floated by me because of the style.

Anyhow...it's a rainy day read, but you've likely already read it before.… (more)

Indy's mother has a bad reputation, and she does everything she can to avoid following in her mother's footsteps. She's respectful, gets good grades, and stays away from boys. Her life changes when she is sent to live with relatives and her worst fears come to fruition. Feeling alone and betrayed, Indy has to make some tough decisions and learn how to trust again.

This is a really hard book to review because although it dealt with some very serious and realistic issues, and I am completely empathetic to Indy's trauma, I just didn't connect with this story. The book was slow-paced and predictable but on the other hand, it delivered a powerful message. So, while I didn't necessarily love it, I think it could be an impactful read for others.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (more)

Learning to Breathe is the debut YA novel by Janice Lynn Mather. It is a beautifully written and completely engrossing coming-of-age novel. Although it deals with some very tough and emotionally charged issues including sexual assault, Mathers treats them with sensitivity and empathy while providing a story that is unputdownable. And much of this is down to Indy, the sixteen-year-old protagonist who is strong, resilient, and most of all likable making the reader care deeply about what happens to her. The story is aimed at 14 and up but it is the kind of book that adults can appreciate. However, due to some of the content, I would suggest it might not be suitable for younger children.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review… (more)