Book Review: THE BREATHLESS by Tara Goedjen

No one knows what really happened on the beach where Roxanne Cole’s body was found, but her boyfriend, Cage, took off that night and hasn’t been seen since. Until now. One year—almost to the day—from Ro’s death, when he knocks on the door of Blue Gate Manor and asks where she is.

Cage has no memory of the past twelve months. According to him, Ro was alive only the day before. Ro’s sister Mae wouldn’t believe him, except that something’s not right. Nothing’s been right in the house since Ro died.

And then Mae finds the little green book. The one hidden in Ro’s room. It’s filled with secrets—dangerous secrets—about her family, and about Ro. And if what it says is true, then maybe, just maybe, Ro isn’t lost forever.

And maybe there are secrets better left to the dead.

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This book came just in perfect time for the start of October and all the fun there is to be had leading up to what has to be the best holidays ever (Halloween, duh)! While there are so many already-classic novels to be read during this month, The Breathless offered a refreshing viewpoint for a hauntingly mysterious thriller.

Tara Goedjen created an eclectic set of characters full of southern sass and wit, perfect for the bayou backdrop. Fittingly, as being set in the deep South might insinuate, tainted pasts and controversial futures are focused on. While some subjects in this novel might seem touchy, they added to what made an interesting backdrop for what might typically be considered a horror/thriller piece.

Secrets and lies come together slow and teasingly, leaving the reader playing the guessing game for the most part, which made reading a fun experience. While confusing at times, taking a moment to try and piece together different elements and characters in the story made for a fun activity. Suspicions fill-up most of the text and leave readers in the dark to put together their own assumptions in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.

Anyone looking for a hightail hit and run mystery murder will love the hauntingly romantic elements of this gothic thriller set in the South.

Find The Breathless on shelves October 10th, 2017 wherever books are sold.