Review: Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Don't Breathe a Word-Holly Cupala
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Source: Review copy provided for blog tour
Author website

Joy Delamere is suffocating.

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words—tender words, cruel words—until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe…if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.
(Jacket copy)

I am a HUGE fan of Holly Cupala's. I devoured her first novel, Tell Me a Secret in one sitting, and I read Don't Breathe a Word in a day. Her books aren't always easy to read, as the subject matter can be unsettling, but there is a sense of beauty that shines through. She writes characters that you care about. I read so quickly because I have to know what happens, as if it's a matter of life and death.

Joy's life should be happy enough, but she's got a huge weight sitting on her chest. The weight of her severe asthma, her parent's over protectiveness, and her possessive, creepy boyfriend Asher. She does what a lot of us only dream about in our darkest moments, she runs away.

She soon discovers that homeless life in Seattle's Capitol Hill is a lot rougher than she imagined. Joy's not naive, she knows she's not stepping into a production of Oliver or something, but surviving alone on the street as a female is nearly impossible. When she and Creed connect, she knows she'll be safe with him, but she soon discovers that safe is only a relative word when you're living on the streets.

Her new 'family' all have secrets and pain that they shield themselves from in various ways. The supporting characters were all interesting and completely believable.

If you love stories of fragile girls shedding their fears and finding their true strength, then you must pick up Don't Breathe a Word as soon as possible.

Holly's website / Official Book Site / Holly's Twitter / Read a sneak peak of the book!

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