**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Hold Your Breath is the first book in the adult romance series, called Search and Rescue, by Katie Ruggle. Oooeee, did I love this book. So much love. Without a doubt, this is an author I want to be on the lookout for and a series I need to be continuing. I really loved everything about this book. I loved the characters (especially Callum), I loved the concept of a series centered around various responder units (Hold your Breath is about a search and rescue dive team, but there are also cops and firefights in the town that I think will get their own stories), I love the idea of a overarching plot line with a murderer throughout the books; and I really, really loved Callum. (did I already mention that?)

Hold your Breath is told in dual narrative between Callum and Lou. Lou is a new diver on the team and is relatively new to the area. Lou certainly has attached a fair bit of attention, and I have to believe that part of it is due to her winning personality and part of it is due to the remote location and nature of being in a small town in the middle of nowhere. If they were in a big city and every guy she encountered (young and old) tried to ask her out I would have probably rolled my eyes, but for some reason in this set of circumstances it was completely believable and felt genuine. Not to mention Lou only had eyes for Callum. (and I don't blame her one bit!)

Speaking of Callum, let's talk. He is currently in the lead for Book Briefs Book Boyfriend of 2016. Let's just say I am a big fan. He is take charge- the strong quiet type for sure, but he is also caring and very kind. And just a tad possessive, which you all know if exactly what I look for in my book boyfriends. (in fact, I am on a current mission to read more books that feature leading men like him...so leave me recs in the comments below. I have already started and stopped two perfectly good books because the guys just weren't Callum.)

Bottom line: Hold Your Breath will appeal to both readers of romance, as well as mystery/suspense novels. Each of the books in the series will focus on a new couple, but this is one that I would read in order because there is an over-arching murder mystery throughout the novels. Plus, Hold Your Breath is a fantastic read. You do not want to miss it.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs