Claudine Henry comes from a long line of strong, amazing women. Her 18th summer tests her own strength as her world caves in, her family falling apart. Fleeing the wreckage, Claudine and her mum hole up on a remote Georgia Island to lick their wounds.

This island is special to her (author) mother, as this is where her family hails from. Mum has special memories there and it’s just the place to think about their futures. While staying in a family member’s home, she plans on researching her women descendants, and maybe even plan for a new book.

Claudine is angry at her father, misses her best friend Sas, and is also wondering about a guy at school she’s finally had the courage to speak to, but had to leave behind.

But she also knows her mum needs her, and Claudine soon realises she needs her own time to work through her father’s betrayal. And then she meets Jeremiah, or Miah for short. At first he’s infuriating. Then interesting. Then possibly more than that. Suddenly he’s everything. Even though she vowed she wouldn’t fall for him. After all, they will only see each other for a month, while both still on the island.

Claudine has had other boyfriends, but this is something different. With no promises between them for anything more than the four weeks ahead, Miah shows Claudine all the wonderful, hidden and beautiful places on the island. They kayak, ride bikes, watch turtles, meet at midnight and completely totally fall head over heels for each other.

They fight, cry, share their stories, however raw and painful, and talk about everything and anything. Miah is Claudine’s first sexual encounter, her first real love, and just the person she needed – even if they ignored all the warnings in the beginning.

A wonderful, painful, heart tearing, personal, intense, gorgeous journey of a late teen whose security, plans for her future and trust in others is torn to shreds then rebuilt again. She is left stronger, wiser, older and with a refreshed view and a new beginning.

I fell back into my own memories of first love, friendships changing, self doubt, family relationships and finding who I was and wanted to be, as the main character Claudine travelled her own journey. The island where Breathless is set is described beautifully, and I felt the sun’s warmth, then sting of sitting too long on a beach. I felt the soft breeze at midnight, and the thrill of seeing the island wildlife for the first time.

This is an incredibly personal story taken from the author’s own past, and includes love letters from her parents to each other at the back of the book. Stunning.   

Author – Jennifer Niven

Age – 16+

Quick Review

18 year old Claudine must leave all she has ever known, including her home, her father and her best friend Sas. Claudine’s father has asked for a separation, devastating Claudine and her mum. They go to a remote island with little cell phone coverage or internet. Little does Claudine know, a boy even more damaged than her will help her heal. Beautiful.

Read other Jennifer Niven Books

(First love, Self Doubt, Confidence, Relationships, Family, Island, Summer, Discovery, Trust, Betrayal, LGBTQ+, Friendship, Betrayal, Loss, Grief, Guilt, Love Story, Family History)