Breath Too Late

A Breathe Too Late is a beautiful, beautiful work of art. I loved it so much. The writing is gorgeous and lyrical, the characters are real and alive, and the love story is so sweet and unforgettable. While this novel is gut-wrenching and takes on hard and heavy topics, it is equally full of hope. The author is so delicate with the subject matters and balances light and dark with a deft hand.What makes this book more outstanding is the author herself. She is a passionate champion for mental health and helping people find hope in despair. She runs a wonderful initiative called Holdon2Hope Project. It is clear she poured her heart and soul into this novel.This book is not only magical, but so, so important, especially for teens and young adults right now. I hope every reader that needs this story finds it.

This is a powerful story of Ellie's suicide and how doing that affected others so close to her. The content of suicide, sadness, abuse, grief and even a little bit of happiness is set forth in this deep deep story. I cried along with the written words that were set forth on the pages. I kept wishing throughout this book that she had not done it. I truly think that if there are people out there contemplating suicide after reading this book they would not do it. Rocky Callen is a brilliant writer. She has expressed almost a true story of how suicide can affect the people you love. Therefore, in my opinion, this is a must read for anyone suffering from depression or unhappiness. Thank you Rocky Callen for a wonderfully written book.

I read this book because books like this make me remember to feel real. Just because a fictional character assaults your emotions doesn’t mean the real Ellie’s of the world aren’t real. This book was eye opening as a survivor of domestic violence who’s child watched her get beat more than once, I shutter to think what would have happened to my boy if I would’ve stayed a minute longer like Ellie and her mom. There is a warning before you read page one, so read it if you need it.

Wow! The epistolary style used to tell the story of “Ellie” was powerful. Halfway through the book I just left the tissues next to me. I recommend this book to all people, not just young adults. The issues and emotions of suicide and abuse were described in such a way that I know will keep me reflecting on their message for days to come. Ms. Callen penned a well-executed novel that I will proudly recommend to my friends and family.

I met the author, Rocky, at VCFA. Her confidence, guidance, and belief in someone she didn't know gave me the strength to persevere the riggers of earning my MFA. I found the same qualities present in the pages of this novel. Tears flowed, anger abounded, but hope never faded even though I knew how Ellie's story ended. I wish there had been a novel like this when I was growing up and dealing with severe abuse at home. May every preteen and young adult read this novel. It can help those who feel there is nothing to live for and those who have no idea what we are living through understand us a little better. Be brave and read this masterpiece, then share it with others. So they don't come to the same realization as Ellie. One that came A Breath Too Late.

A Breath Too Late by Rocky Callen is a heartrending young adult novel that is quite poignant.Seventeen year old Ellie Walker wakes to a very different world and cannot understand what is happening to her. She eventually discovers she is a ghost following her death by suicide the day before. Her memories of recent days are hazy while her long ago memories are intact. It is only as she begins to understand the previously unseen little things that occurred during her life that Ellie begins to truly regret her decision.Each chapter is a letter addressed to the person that Ellie is viewing through her now ghostly lens. She goes back to her earliest and happiest memories of life with her mom, Regina. It is not until the sudden appearance of her father, Abel, that their life enters increasingly downward spiral as his amicable veneer is slowly stripped away as his true nature is revealed.The only bright spot in Ellie’s life is her beautifully uncomplicated friendship with August Matthews. However, in junior high, Ellie cuts her best friend out of her life and her home life becomes increasingly volatile. Reuniting as seniors in high school, Ellie veers between rejoicing in her plans for the future and the dark grip of depression and despair as her father’s grip tightens on her. With her friendship with August taking an unexpected turn, Ellie descends into a pit of hopelessness that she cannot escape.As she tries to understand why she took her own life, Ellie sees little glimpses of hope that she missed at various times during her all too short life. Angry at momma for staying with her abusive husband, Ellie feels trapped and desperate to escape. Although she positively adores August, Ellie’s cannot share what is happening at home nor can she trust her own judgment. As she revisits the past, will Ellie discover what lead her to such a desperate act?A Breath Too Late is an enthralling young adult novel that is impossible to put down. The characters are vibrantly developed and the storyline is thought-provoking. Rocky Callen deftly incorporates sensitive topics such as suicide, depression and abuse into the storyline in a forthright and realistic manner. Despite the serious subject matter, the novel concludes with a ray of hope that shows positive things can occur even in the darkest moments. I highly recommend this young adult story to older teen and adult readers.I received a complimentary copy for review.

The creative brilliance that Rocky Callen spills on the page is absolutely beautiful, heart breaking, and heart healing all at once. I found myself not being able to place this book down as I was so connected to the characters and the story. I saw my own battle of depression within the words and felt the hug of hope it offered. This book is someone reaching a hand of hope in the darkness and I absolutely loved every ounce of it. It is so incredibly powerful. Highly recommended!

This novel was written so well that it can cause its reader to filter through different emotions. It touches on some very hard and very sensitive issues but it is beautifully written. 10/10 would recommend

WOW, what can I say. I've never read a book so fast - I couldn't put it down! Rocky writes so exquisitely and heart-achingly beautiful. I really identified with Ellie and related to her world. Not easy subjects to write about but done so well. Raw, real, eye-opening...I was in tears throughout.