Ten Tiny Breaths

Ten Tiny Breaths follows the story of Kacey Cleary, the only survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, boyfriend and best friend. Kacey suffers from severe PTSD and uses drugs, alcohol and sex as coping mechanisms. When she sees how these choices affect her younger sister, Livie, she decides to put her energy into the gym instead. While living with her aunt and uncle, Livie gets molested and Kacey decides that they need to get away. They start life over in Miami where they find an unlikely friend in their neighbor, Storm, Kacey finds work as a bartender at a strip club and Kacey starts falling for her mysterious neighbor, Trent. But Kacey is still dealing with her demons from the accident and is intent on keeping her heart protected. Trent isn't willing to give up on her and together, they go through a tumultuous relationship that causes them both to unlock their inner demons and face their pasts.

This cover is stunning and represents the book beautifully!

I really enjoyed this book. It's been on my TBR shelf for months and I finally got around to buying it. I'm really glad that I did. I love books that make me feel strong emotions and make me think. This book got me thinking about concepts that I never thought about before. It affected how I look at things and people, which is always the sign of a good book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters as well. I found it so refreshing to read about Kacey because she was very flawed and she knew it. In fact, she owned it. Granted, she did suffer from denial about some things but not who she was or what she wanted. The romance was very interesting and complex. Trent was unlike any guy that I had personally ever read about and I thought that his attention to getting Kacey help was admirable, even though she didn't think so.

I absolutely flew through this book. It's a pretty quick read because it's just under 300 pages. If you're interested in New Adult or stories about redemption, I would recommend this book.

I gave it 4/5 stars.

Have you read it? What were your thoughts?

-Chelsea

Currently (8)

I've had a lot going on recently and I haven't been posting as much as I'd like. I wish that I had more time to write in-depth posts but now just isn't a good time. But I missed blogging, even if what I post is just a quick update!

• Reading: I just finished Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. I'm about to start If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin.
• Watching: Revenge, Grey's Anatomy, Once Upon a Time and The Dick Van Dyke show. I absolutely love Netflix and Hulu, if you couldn't tell!
• Feeling: I recently lost someone very close to me and I'm grieving the loss as best as I can. But, of course, I'm hurting a lot. I miss them every single day. Life just isn't the same without them. 
• Excited for: Kelsey and I are trying out some new recipes this week and I'm very excited to try them!
• Loving: All of the reading that I've been getting done. 
• Writing: I've been jotting down new story ideas but today was the first day of school. I'm pretty overwhelmed with my workload but I'm going to make time for my stories!

That's it for now! 

-Chelsea 

A Reflection

2014 has definitely been an eventful year for me. I finally got to move in with Kris, 1,400 miles away from my family and friends, and started living my own life. I met Kelsey, one of the best friends that I've ever had in my life. I also made the transition from child to adult and it's been a scary yet exhilarating process.

I've been pushed out of my comfort zone, forced to make adult decisions and learned how to live with Kris as a couple. Needless to say, it's been a very educational year for me. I'm actually very proud of myself. The concept of living on my own, without completely depending on my parents, has always scared me. Being an adult is tough but it isn't the end of the world, like I've always imagined it to be. I've managed to survive seven and a half months away from home with minimal help from my parents. Don't get me wrong, I call them when I need their help but I try not to burden them; I want to learn how to stand on my own 2 feet completely.

Before we got married, Kris and I didn't live together. So, I was a little afraid that it would be a really hard and messy transition for us. But so far, we get along great and we've had minimal problems. I've heard conflicting things about the first year of marriage; some people say that it's the best year and some say that it's the hardest. So far, I'd say that I have to agree with the former. Kris and I make each other happy and seeing each other every day makes every day better.

Kris and I rescued Jax this year and he's brought nothing but happiness into our lives. Adopting him was one of the best decisions that we've ever made. I love coming home to him wagging his tail and jumping around. I love the way that he gets excited when we give him a treat or buy him a bone. I love how loving he is towards Kris and I. In short, I just love everything about him.

Kelsey has changed my life in a matter of a few short months. She's shown me just how important friendship can is and she's taught me the definition of true friendship. I truly feel blessed to know her and lucky to have her in my life.

With 2014 coming to a close, I felt the urge to reflect on the year. And so far, I must say, it's been pretty great!

-Chelsea

The Christmas Tag

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year! Just thinking about it makes me smile and keeps me in a good mood! So I thought that I'd spread the Christmas cheer by doing The Christmas Tag!

1. What is/are your favorite Christmas movie/s?
My all-time favorite movie is The Year Without a Santa Claus! However, I also love Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Santa Claus Trilogy, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas and Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas!

2. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
My dad's side of the family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, so we open presents after dinner that night. But on Christmas morning, we open presents with my mom's side.

3. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?
I used to wake my sister up at 3 or 4 in the morning every year on Christmas morning. We'd get to excited looking at the huge stack of presents underneath the tree and separate them. It was always one of my favorite things to do.

4. What is your favorite festive food?
Stuffing!

5. What was your favorite Christmas gift? 
Maroon 5 concert tickets!

6. Favorite Christmas scent?
Fresh-baked cookies!

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
We always read The Night Before Christmas before we go to bed.

8. What tops your tree?
A star with Mickey Mouse on it. :)

9. As a kid, what was one gift that you always asked for but never got?
A snowboard. I always wanted to learn.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?
Everyone is in a good mood and spreading happiness. It's a time to forget about negativity and just embrace the good things in life, like family and friends.

11. What are your favorite things about Christmas?
I love the food, the gift giving and being with my family.

-Chelsea

4 Years

Four years ago today, Kris and I started dating! It's been a tumultuous 4 years. We've been through a lot together. Good times and bad times. We've grown and matured a lot in those 4 years and we continue to fall in love with each other every day. 

I never knew that I'd end up marrying my high school sweetheart but I'm so glad that I did! I'm incredibly lucky and blessed to have him in my life! I love you, baby! Happy anniversary! 

-Chelsea 

The First Snowfall

I'm from Florida but I recently moved up north. And just a few days ago, it snowed here for the first time this winter. I was so excited! I still am! The snow is so beautiful and it's so amazing to look outside my window and see that blanket of snow there. I'm loving every second of the changing of seasons up here. It's refreshing to have a change of scenery even though I do miss Florida. So I couldn't resist posting a few pictures!

-Chelsea 

Listening

People go through rough patches in life. They're inevitable. They're obviously no fun but they help turn us into the people that we are. I haven't had a rough patch for a while now but I just got into one about 3 days ago. Of course, I'm very distraught about it and it's been driving me nuts ever since it started. I've been trying to find a balance between dealing with it and trying not to obsess about it. I can't seem to figure out the best way to handle the situation because most of it is out of my control.

And ever since this rough patch hit, I've been going to Kelsey and Kris for comfort. They weren't able to think of a way to solve my problem but they did help significantly. They listened. They've been listening to me for days. They've also been giving me much-needed reality checks. I've ranted. I've cried. I've gone silent because I didn't want to talk about it anymore. They've really been there for me and honestly, I've never felt so supported by my friends before. It may not seem like much but being listened to and really being heard are some of the best feelings in life. I know that I'll be able to get through this rough patch because of their support. I'm extremely grateful that I don't have to go through this alone.

-Chelsea