Breathe Me In
Author: J.L. Drake
Series: Wired to Kill #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)
Release Date: June 30, 2026
Synopsis
Thirteen years ago, Bree Jaminson and Brad Stone witnessed something that changed their lives forever.
As teenagers, they saw a murderer disposing of two bodies, an experience that left lasting scars and ultimately drove Bree to leave her hometown behind.
Now a private investigator, Bree is forced to return when a new series of mysterious deaths rocks the small community.
Brad, now a detective, is leading the investigation.
As old feelings resurface and new victims continue to appear, the two must work together to uncover the truth before history repeats itself.
My Thoughts
This book honestly had all the ingredients to become a 5-star read for me.
Unfortunately...
One particular aspect kept getting in the way.
The story opens in the past, giving readers a glimpse into Bree and Brad's shared history and the traumatic event that changed both of their lives.
From there, the narrative jumps forward thirteen years as Bree returns home to assist with a new murder investigation.
Right from the start, I was hooked.
I loved the setup.
The small-town atmosphere worked really well, the mystery immediately caught my attention, and the lingering tension between Bree and Brad made their reunion feel believable after so many years apart.
The investigation itself kept me engaged throughout.
Each new discovery added another layer to the mystery, and I genuinely wanted to know what was happening and how everything connected to the events of the past.
Then...
The romance happened.
Or, more accurately...
The romance became frustrating.
Brad...
My guy.
Please make up your mind.
The ongoing situation with his ex, the constant back-and-forth, and the mixed signals became increasingly difficult to overlook. Instead of adding emotional tension, it often felt unnecessarily messy, and there were several moments where I found myself sympathizing with Bree's growing frustration.
Honestly...
She handled it better than I would have.
And then there's Sherry.
Let's just say...
She wasn't exactly my favorite character.
Not even close, but... anyway...
Despite my issues with the romance, I never lost interest in the mystery itself.
That was what kept me turning the pages.
And then came the ending.
Without giving anything away, it definitely succeeded in making me curious about where this series is heading next.
Final Thoughts
While Breathe Me In didn't quite become the five-star read I initially thought it might be, it still delivered an engaging mystery, an intriguing small-town setting, and a solid foundation for what could become a very entertaining series.
My biggest frustration came from the romantic subplot, which felt more complicated than compelling at times, but the suspense and investigation easily carried the story whenever the relationship drama threatened to overshadow it.
I'm definitely interested in seeing where Bree and Brad's story goes next.
⭐️ 3.5 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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