Book Review: Breathless by Jennifer Niven 

 

I have read All The Bright Places by the same author a couple of years ago, and was interested to read her latest YA novel titled Breathless. I finished it recently and thought that it was a pretty decent novel, and knowing that the author based it off some of her own life experiences made it even more enjoyable.

 The story is told from the perspective of 18 year-old Claudine Henry.

She has plans to spend the summer holidays enjoying a road trip with her best friend Saz before they leave for college. Her plans also involve getting to know her crush Wyatt Jones a bit better.

But a week before graduation, her dad makes a devastating and life-changing announcement that he is leaving Claudine and her mother, and the world as she knows it will never be the same. She feels betrayed and heartbroken.

Her mother decides to spend the summer with Claudine on a remote Georgia island, and Claudine is disappointed that she won't get to go on the road trip after all.
When they arrive on the island, Claudine feels even more alone when she realises that there is no phone service, so no way to stay in touch with Saz or Wyatt.

But lucky for her, she meets Jeremiah, who is a free-spirited, charming and handsome young guy, and it isn't long before they feel a real connection. As the days go by, the two get to know each other and they start dating, even though they know that they are both leaving the island after the summer ends.

What follows is an exploration of love, sex, and discovery, as well as forgiveness and acceptance.
By the end of the novel, the reader sees a real change in Claudine as she discovers herself and as she works towards making her dreams come true.

Breathless is available now through Penguin Books Australia.