Review: With Every Breath by Lia Riley
With Every Breath
by: Lia Riley
Publication Date: Dec. 29, 2015
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.
Page Count: 288 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
BREATHE DEEP . . . AND JUMP IN
At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It's also the last spot a "play-it-safe girl" like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she'll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.
After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it's up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can't resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn't enough.
Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected—love.
At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It's also the last spot a "play-it-safe girl" like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she'll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.
After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it's up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can't resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn't enough.
Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected—love.
When I first saw Lia Riley was writing a romance based in Patagonia, I knew I HAD to read it. I'm so glad I did, because I love travel-adventure books! Not to mention I am always up for a grumpy, gruff hero! (Who is Scottish at that!) While I enjoyed this one and its setting, I did struggle a bit with Auden's character.
She was a lot of fun, but sometimes her inner monologue could drive me a little crazy. She is pretty quirky, which I love, but some of it felt over the top. I also didn't like some of the choices she made when it came to Rhys and being truthful with him. I did admire her gumption though. After being made a fool by her twin sister, she is determined to go out and do things that scare her and I just loved that she took such a risk. She is not the most... organized though. She has never done a real climb before, so she isn't properly prepared and when she goes off the beaten path, she stumbles across Rhys MacAskill, a grumpy Scottish man who just wants to be left in solitude.
Oh boy did I both love and hate Rhys! (Mainly love though.) I hated how he tried to push her away and convince himself she was nothing more than hook up. He is SO grumpy and I just love grumpy heroes! He has mountain climbing in his blood and after a horrible accident, he is seeking salvation at the top of La Aguja. He isn't thrilled about Auden's presence, but he can't deny that he is attracted to her. They have some pretty sexy times in this one and I liked seeing Rhys slowly drop his guard with her. Their relationship isn't perfect and could be downright hard to witness at times because I hated seeing either of them feel hurt by the other. There is so much self-discovery and growth with them though and I loved seeing how far they'd both come by the end of the novel.
I love Lia Riley's writing. She does such an amazing job of infusing such passion into her words and there were several passages that just gave me chills at the depth and magnitude they conveyed to the bigger picture.
"We've stumbled to the place of secrets, where lovers through the ages have snuck away. We can't stay here. No one can. But that's what makes it better. Knowing that you'll lose a thing sharpens the sweetness. A kiss should be the simplest thing in the world. Not this gentle stirring, like wind through the underside of leaves, inexorable as the glacier grinding behind us. So hot and yet it doesn't scorch. No, with every breath, with every touch, his kiss carves. When he's finished, my landscape will be forever changed."
I always get the worst case of wanderlust when I read these kinds of books and it is clear that Riley did her research. I really felt as if I were with Auden and Rhys as they were traversing La Aguja. It's a beautiful journey that is filled with so much- love, life, loss, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Those are usually the most memorable and I'm glad I picked this one up.
12 comments
Sounds fun, but I'm not sure if I could stand that much inner monologue.
ReplyDeleteMajanka @ I Heart Reading
I understand Majanka. That did drive me a little nuts. It was a little overdone, but still cute at times.
DeleteLove the sound of this grumpy Scottish man! The book sounds like a really good read and I love the sound of the setting. Books like that always make me want to travel :)
ReplyDeleteLovely review
What is it about grumpy heroes that make me swoon? LOL. The setting was so awesome! I really want to go to Chile now! They always make me too.
DeleteYAAAS grumpy heroes! IDK why but they are just so fun! Great review Jess!
ReplyDeleteYESSSS! I love them! Why are they so amazing? They're grumpy! Hahaha.
DeleteI haven't read a Lia Riley book yet, though I own quite a few and I know Becca really loves her writing. This is on my TBR so I hope to get to it soon. Glad to see you enjoyed it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa! I hope you do too! I LOVE Lia's Brightwater series the most, so definitely check those out when you can!
DeleteI really want to read this one. I love books that make me feel like I am in a wonderful setting. Plus a grumpy Scottish man!
ReplyDeleteI always get the worst case of wanderlust after reading these books! I just love when I get transported to a different location! And yes! Rhys is SO grumpy! I loved it!
DeleteAs I mentioned on Twitter, I have really been wanting to try out Lia Riley's NA books. I'm sorry this wasn't AMAZING, but I'm glad you did still enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAnd seriously, I'm all about the grumpy heroes (especially when they are Scottish!).
Yes! I think after her Brightwater series, it's hard to top those. But I did really like this one still. Do we love the grumpy heroes because when they finally come around it's even more satisfying? Is that why? LOL.
DeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.