Truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the other sisters’ stories! Well developed characters I wanted to know more about, and a truly original plot line. Written flawlessly and left me wanting more!

Reason to Breathe is a look at family relationships as the members walk through life changes. Three Chandler sisters reflect on the recent death of their mother and the difficult paths of navigation with the absence. The father is somewhat distant emotionally, but the three sisters are quite close. The book is Christian in essence and tells the universal tale of love, loss, forgiveness, and identity. Rainey deftly weaves the relationships around the renovation of three small. cottages that the three sisters can use for some income and also home base for the next books in the series. The sisters, Phylicia, Joanna, and Britt are facing different situations with their own gifts and failings. The dashing Quinn is a family friend who steps in with handyman gifts and good advice for their investments. The book is an easy read and uplifting because the human spirit is filled with emotion, and here in the small community edged with natural waters, the people have moments to reflect and to exhale through the difficult and through the joyous times. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. You should read the book for a welcome walk through the renovation of cottages and hope for the good life.

A contemporary story with a heartfelt message! Following their mother's death, three sisters find themselves facing some big decisions, and must rely on each other to work out the details with their dad mysteriously leaving town.

“That’s one thing I know for certain. God has been with me every step of the way. Even when I couldn’t feel Him there."

This well written story carries with it a timeless message of hope in the midst of grief. The family dynamics and emotional upheaval with the death of a parent were realistically shown in the sister's lives, but without being depressing. I could relate to a lot of their problems and questions of faith after walking this same path with my own family. Phylicia, or Phee as her sisters call her, is struggling with trust issues, on top of the loss of her mom, and carrying the brunt of responsibility as the oldest. This was her story mainly, as she works through her relationship with her dad, and overcomes obstacles in her growing friendship with Quinn. He is a great guy too. *sigh* The conversations between the sisters are funny at times, and their love for each other shines past any personality differences. The nods to the show Fixer Upper had me smiling too. I look forward to reading the next book to find out what happens next in their lives.

Recommend to readers who enjoy character driven stories with inspiration, and a tender romance. 4.5 stars

Reason to Breathe is the 1st in a (Chandler Sisters) series. - I love it when I get to start a new series of books.
This book was a lot of fun to read. The story is about 3 sisters who lose their mother and their father runs off to Florida leaving them to deal with selling the family home and wondering why their father left them when they needed him the most.
Along the way they end up purchasing a piece of property with 3 fixer-upper cottages that their father has gotten his business partner to sell the girls on purchasing. The girls soon learn a family secret that threatens to change their entire view of their parents and family. They must depend on each other and their faith to work through this.
There is also a hint of romance between the oldest sister, Phee and her father's business partner, Quinn.
It's a good, clean romance story that makes you fall in love with the characters. Plus there will be more in the series which is a big plus in my book. I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me feel good and that's one thing that is important to me when I read a book.

I didn't enjoy the characters in this book. I thought the writing was fine, but I got tired of the imature complaining sisters. I never connected with the oldest one, she was just such a whiny girl the whole time unless something went her way. That type of character throws me off. Not for me.

This is a good book to start the series. It was contemporary yet filled with spirituality which made it very believable.
The novel is about 3 sisters struggling with the death of their mother and their father's odd behavior. They rely on one another, their faith, and a co-worker of their father. Decisions and changes are complicated yet necessary and this book hits on many of them. I enjoyed it and look for book 2.

'The tears came, and she took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down, to go for help to the One who was never confused.'

I have been a Deborah Raney fan for decades and never miss one of her good books. She writes with great emotional depth, placing her readers right into the middle of her situations. This book was no exception.

The Chandler sisters are still reeling after the death of their beloved mother, who suffered a long time with cancer. Now, just two months later, their father has run off to Florida with a woman nearly young enough to be his daughter. They are devastated. He is very distant on their phone calls....if they don't go to voice mail. They are still dealing with all the ramifications of a death in the family, too. Then their father's business partner, Quinn Mitchell, shows up with a plan he says their father asked him to present to the sisters. He hopes they will purchase a series of 3 cottages to live in and possibly use as a business opportunity. Again, they reel with this news because their father has never mentioned a word to them. Phylicia, the eldest, at 29, feels they should not do this, but the other sisters are all for it. Quinn Mitchell, who has forever had a crush on Phylicia, offers to help the sisters get the cottages renovated and up to using. He wants to let Phylicia know how he feels about her, but worries his age might turn her away because he is 12 years older than her. Then, a huge family secret looms large in their lives and so many questions arise that would Phylicia. Will any of them ever be the same?

This book was powerfully written. Deborah Raney always manages to convey such deep emotion in her writing. I have wept many times in the reading of her books, both tears of joy and sorrow. I cherish each one on my shelf. This one particularly spoke to me because of a situation in my own life. We all, as believers, have a Father that will never let us down and Deborah Raney has planted this truth deep in my heart. Highly recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Deborah Raney can write emotions that can stir me like few others. This story is full of human emotions and life's complexities. Phylicia Chandler and her sisters are having life changing events occurring too quickly and close together. They are searching for answers. This is the story Of Phylicia and Quinn as they traverse the bumpy road to true love. It is a very satisfying story which kept me guessing as to the answer to the mysteries involving her parents. Not as heavy as some of Raney's other books but engaging and definitely makes me want to read the next in the series.I was given a copy to read by Netgalley (thank you) but the opinions are entirely my own.

Deborah Raney's uplifting stories beat with the heart of everyday life. Every one of Deb's books has left me wanting more, including Reason to Breathe, the first book in the Chandler Sisters novel series. I adore Phylicia's spunk and determination even when she doubts the family plans. And Quinn is a sweetheart. His patience with Phee and her sisters goes above and beyond. But the part of the story I enjoyed most was the relationship of the sisters; three women, totally different, yet grounded with the same upbringing. As the mom of three girls, I especially enjoyed their spot-on, tug-of-war interactions and the love they share, despite their disagreements. I found myself smiling as I read this story of new beginnings, old friendships, family secrets, and redeeming love. Reason to Breathe will appeal to all the fans of the fixer-upper shows on television as the sisters consider diving into a huge project together. I can't wait to read more of the Chandler sisters' stories. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gilead Publishing by way of NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is so good. It will make you laugh and cry in spots. It is full of emotions and is very well written. If you like good clean christian fiction, this is the book for you. Thank you Gilead Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book.

Deborah Raney writes a fun book on the joys and woes of sisterhood. This is book one of (hopefully!) at least a three book series. Phylicia, Britt, and Joanna have just lost their mom to a long-fought battle with cancer. As the young women navigate their grief, their father takes a temporary job in Florida, leaving the sisters to sell the family home in Missouri and figure out life's next steps without their mother. Long-time family friend Quinn steps in to help the sisters navigate selling a house, possibly purchasing a new house to share, and ends up falling in love with one of the sisters. Sweet, realistic, at times humorous book about coming to grip with grief, falling in love, and sisterhood. I can't wait to read book 2 in the series and see what happens next!!!

Reason to Breathe is the first book in a wonderful new series by Deborah Raney. This story centers on the oldest sister Phee, who upon the death of her mother finds evidence that her mother kept a secret. This secret could potentially change everything Phee has believed about herself and her parents. As the sisters mourn their mother and try to make sense of their father’s unusual behavior and decisions, they embark on a new adventure with the help of Quinn. This story was a delightful read. I enjoyed the character development, and the plot has some unexpected turns. If you enjoy clean inspirational fiction with a purpose you will love this book. It was also refreshing to have two flawed characters who had a healthy and godly view of marriage and sex.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley. The opinions expressed are my own.