Breathless is a young adult contemporary novel by Jennifer Niven. It is a coming of age story that does explore mature themes and difficult topics for some readers, so be warned if you are a younger reader. I really enjoyed this story. It felt raw and very realistic. I think there is something in this book that so many young readers will relate to. If you a re looking for a realistic fiction contemporary that discusses, divorce, sex and a million other things that can come with the rite of passage of becoming a young adult, Breathless is a great book for you to check out. It was an emotional ride for me.

Breathless is very much a coming of age story about our main character, Claudine, or Claude as she experiences some significant rites of passages for young adults, as well as her fair she of tough times. In Breathless we are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride as Claude deals with family issues, the divorce of her parents, as well as personal issues stemming from those and stemming from teh fact that Claude is growing up. Be warned that Breathless does discuss the topic of sex and losing your virginity, so if that is something that is sensitive to you or if you would prefer younger readers not read about, this might not be the book for you. But I think it is a wonderful story that felt raw and real, and of so relatable. I think mature young adult readers will really relate to Claude. I will admit that it took me some time to warm up to her as a character, but I very much appreciated her journey and her narrative throughout the story.

The book starts out very much on a lighthearted note. Claude is getting ready for a summer road trip with her friend, hanging out with her crush and just being a normal carefree teenager when her parents give her the big D bombshell- they are getting divorced. Claude’s summer takes a sharp turn and our real emotional journey begins. Breathless does a good job of balancing the lighthearted with the tense and tough. There are some satisfying highs and some heartbreaking lows, but I have come to learn that I like that in my coming of age novels. I want the characters to go through some pain to learn and to grow. Jennifer Niven is fantastic at giving her characters great hurdles, struggles and really digging into what makes them tick and what makes them grow as a character and person. If that sounds like something you would enjoy, then I think breathless is a book you should pick up ASAP. I really enjoyed Claudine’s story.