Breathe by Elena Dillon

 Jasmine’s life wasn’t normal for a 16 year old girl. It hadn’t been normal since the murder of her older sister, Daisy, two years ago. Her life had been changed forever. The monster that murdered Daisy was never caught. That was the reason her family decided to move away from their hometown in Southern California, to start over. Hopefully in a place where the last name Rourke wouldn’t bring on staring or judgment or morbid curiosity.

In Lafayette, Louisiana things are quite a bit different but in a good way. Good manners, Cajun accents and a whole lot of Southern Hospitality all make her think things are going in the right direction. On top of that the most gorgeous boy she has ever met is interested in her. Her new friends are better than she could have hoped for even if she is worried about what they might think when they find out who she is. Life would be perfect if odd things didn’t keep happening. Creepy phone calls, texts, and flowers in her locker start adding up quickly to something terrifying. Could the Monster have followed them to Lafayette? Was he coming after her this time? Maybe she was just worrying unnecessarily…or not.
Picture and description by Goodreads

My Review

      I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
   I normally do not like thrillers.  I don’t like reading about murders, people being kidnapped or tortured, etc.  If I ever feel like reading a thriller I tend to stick to YA because it is just intense enough without all the graphic violence of adult books.  Such is the case with this book.  It was intense at times and truly scary but only enough to keep me reading and not enough to make to make me throw the book away.
   Jasmine is a teenage girl trying to put her life back together after a tragedy.  Years earlier her older sister Daisy, whom she absolutely adored, was kidnapped and murdered and the killer was never found.  Now her family has moved across the country in order to have a fresh start.  The problem is that you can’t always run away from your problems and Jasmine has a big one.  After her sister was murdered she developed a horrible habit of passing out when she is stressed or startled.  One of her first nights in her new town she is innocently startled and collapses in to the arms of an amazing guy.  Guess her fainting isn’t always bad.  Then, just when her new life starts to seem like it may be wonderful, she begins to get strange messages about her ending up like her sister.  Either someone is playing a sick joke or the killer has followed them.
   The characters in this book are great.  I did love Jasmine and reading about her story, she is strong and resourceful and will do anything to protect what is left of her family.  No matter how wonderful Jasmine was, for some reason the character I liked the best was her little brother.  Maybe because I have younger brothers, but who knows.  Caedan is everything you think of when you imagine a younger brother.  He can be frustrating and annoying but he is loyal and loves his family fiercely. 
   I loved the plot line in this book.  Maybe because I am a girl or maybe because I have a teenage daughter but the idea of stalking terrifies me.  What could be creepier than some unknown guy creeping around spying on you when you least expect it?  I can guarantee that the idea of this poor girl possibly being stalked by the killer of her sister definitely keeps this book intense. 
With great characters, a great plot and great twists and turns to keep you drawn in this book is a wonderful read.

Parent's Guide: This book deals with the subject of what happens to one family after the death of a teen as well as the subject of a stalker.  It is intense at times and does have mild swearing.  I would not recommend this book for anyone younger than 14.