I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did, the drama wrapped me up and I couldn't get to the HEA quick enough. There is a lot of depth in these characters and they have a shared past that had me rooting for them. The drama was great, the suspense was good, and the chemistry was palpable. If you love childhood secret crushes to lovers with suspense and drama, I recommend this book! I was sent a copy and these are my honest thoughts about this book.

It was overall cute, but I felt like it was a little long for a romance novel, and the stakes didn't feel there as much a I wanted them to be. I adored the body guard romance vibes and the second chance love story, but I guess I wanted more character development between the FMC and MMC. I felt like it was drawn out in some areas, and I wasn't a real fan of all the pop culture references. I did love Ace thoough!

Steal My Breath Away featured FMC Haley Chapman, daughter of a high profile senator. Haley is strong willed, independent, and opinionated. She has aspirations of becoming a singer. The MMC, Ace Murphy, is a few years older than Haley and was her later brother’s best friend. Growing up, Haley crushed on Ace until he broke her heart. Years later, due to someone attempting to kidnap Haley, Ace is back in the picture. They cannot deny their chemistry. Being close to each other, reignites their connection. Soon, they can’t stop the inevitable.

The story featured the tropes listed below:
🛡️ Bodyguard
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 College romance
🥂 Second chance
💙 Brother's best friend
🤐 Forbidden
🚪 Forced proximity
‼️ Woman in danger
🎖️ Military hero
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers

Favorite Quote:
“I hugged him tight, buried my face in his chest, closed my eyes, and breathed him in. He smelled of autumn leaves and fresh mountain air. He smelled of home.”

My favorite character was Ace. He was mysterious and sad. I loved how protective he was of Haley.
Book Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

First off, I’m so grateful to be an ARC reader for this book! I thought this book was so sweet. I love a story with a bodyguard, and this book was no exception. This trope was made even better, because Haley’s bodyguard, Ace, just so happened to have been her brother’s best friend, so with the two’s shared history, book had an extra meaning to it. Overall, I would definitely read this book again, and I totally recommend reading it!

Steal My Breath Away delivers everything I love in a romantic suspense — sizzling chemistry, strong characters, and just the right amount of danger. Sarah Castille knows how to write tension, both in and out of the bedroom. Fast-paced, emotional, and seriously hot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Ace and Haley were childhood friends on the cusp of romance when unexpected tragedy and the subsequent trauma tore them apart. 5 years later when Haley needs a private bodyguard after a failed kidnapping attempt, her mother hires Ace to step in and protect her. The two get a second chance at love as their forced proximity begins to tear down the walls they have built around their hearts.

This one had a bit of everything; suspense, romance, found family, tragic backstories, political intrigue, and a focus on mental health and healing. I was absolutely here for it all. Castille’s characters were stubborn yet likable and the romance was perfectly steamy. I loved the focus on finding closure and emotional healing for both Ace and Haley, and the emphasis on seeking help from a mental health professional. Though this was a college romance it had more mature themes that can easily resonate with an older demographic.

Check this one out if you love characters with tragic backstories and steamy second chance romances with a touch of suspense and political intrigue. Pairs well with a fancy grilled cheese sandwich shared with your bother’s best friend.

Finished reading Steal my breath away a few days back and… whew, what a ride. From musical lights to college hallways, this book has me locked in from page one. Haley is fierce, wildly passionate about her music and stuck in the shadow of her senator mother’s political world. But when a kidnapping attempt turns her life upside down, she ends up under the protection of Ace, her brother’s old best friend, an ex Air Force pilot with enough emotional baggage to fill a cargo plane.

Their dynamic was straight up electric. There’s unresolved tension, soldering chemistry, and all the angst and emotional undertones you crave. And it’s not just romance that hits hard; the grief, family drama, and personal healing make this story more than your typical bodyguard love story.

Tropes like brother’s best friend, second chance and forced proximity are all there, but they are written with real heart and heat. The banter is sharp, the pace never slows, and honestly, I didn’t want it to end.

A gripping bodyguard romance with heart, heat, and healing

If you love protective heroes, emotional stakes, and sizzling slow-burns, this one’s for you. Steal My Breath Away blends romantic suspense with second-chance sweetness—and throws in a wounded military hero, forbidden feelings, and a heroine trying to reclaim her dreams.

🎙️ Audiobook Note: Dual narration by Anthony Palmini & Samantha Brentmoor is on point—each emotion, memory, and moment comes alive.

💥 What hooked me:
• The dual timelines—seeing Haley & Ace as teens and now as adults made their emotional connection hit deeper.
• Haley’s journey—grieving daughter, aspiring singer, senator’s daughter—torn between duty and desire.
• Ace—brother’s best friend, ex-military, and walking heartbreak. Loyal, broody, and impossible not to root for.
• Layers of tension: fake relationship, forced proximity, and a danger that simmers beneath every scene.

🌶️ Overall vibe:
🛡️ Bodyguard romance with high emotional stakes
🎓 College + second-chance reunion
⚔️ Enemies-to-lovers meets forbidden crush
🎵 Healing, heartbreak, and a heroine finding her own voice
🔥 A steady burn with the right dose of suspense

💭 Final Thoughts:
Yes, it leans predictable in places, and Haley’s resistance to protection got frustrating—but the chemistry? The angst? The journey from grief to healing? Worth it. A perfect pick for fans of protective love, unspoken feelings, and slow-burning redemption arcs.

Steal My Breath Away by Sarah Castille truly took my breath away while I was reading it. Sarah, you could have given this reader a heads-up that I would be crying. Tissues are definitely a must when reading this emotional book. I’m tearing up while trying to write this review. I loved Haley and Ace and their story so much. This book will undoubtedly be on my list of Top Reads for 2025 due to the significant impact it had on me while reading.

I knew immediately with the FMC, Haley Chapman, that I was going to adore her character. She was the fun, go-getter type even when life was throwing her loops every once in a while. She was determined, though, to prove to herself and everyone that she could manage not only going to college but also becoming a famous musician. She never suspects that someone wants to threaten her life due to her mother being up for reelection, and she also doesn’t ever think her childhood crush and friend, Ace Murphy, will be back in her life, but he shows up one day to be her bodyguard, even though she doesn’t think she needs one.

Ace Murphy hasn’t been the same since leaving the Air Force after losing his best friend, and he blames himself for what happened to his friend. Since getting out of the service, he has worked in security for celebrities. While home on mandatory vacation, he never expects his past to resurface. However, he’s determined to protect the girl he’s loved for years, even if she makes it difficult at times, especially since he still has strong feelings for her.

My heart felt so much for both Haley and Ace when reading their story. I love how Sarah Castille not only wrote dual POVs for this book, but she also made sure to write past moments between these characters, how they met, and what happened between the two for one of them not to trust the other. Both characters have been dealt with so much, and they have issues to get through, but in the end, these two were always meant to be together.

I loved how the book’s ending brought everything together for the characters despite their many challenges. This was an emotional moment for me, and it involved someone they both loved dearly who brought them together. No spoilers from me; just know that you’ll need tissues.

Overall, such a fantastic book, and I give it five stars. I look forward to reading more books from Sarah Castille. =)

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading emotional second-chance romance stories about two characters who have loved each other for years but only finally admit their feelings when forced together, especially when one is in danger, then you should add this book to your TBR list.

What to Expect:
✔️Brother’s Best Friend
✔️Second Chance
✔️Bodyguard Romance
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Military Hero

This was a new to me author and I LOVED this one. The reconnection of Hailey and Ace was perfect. Their story and what they overcame was heart wrenching, but in all the best ways. The layer of suspense was an added bonus but their story truly stole the show. I will definitely be going into the backlist of this author!

A bodyguard romance but more…as he was her high school crush and late brother’s best friend. Ace is naturally protective but also so very sweet and supportive. Haley is a young musician that needs a push to recognize her talent and achieve her dreams. Together they have to overcome the guilt and the hurt from the past and give in to their magnetic chemistry. Their romance is full of passion and spice—the intensity fueled the plot and brought many emotions along with it. There’s music, there’s college romance and there’s so much emotion in this book!

Thanks to Hambright and Sarah Castille for the ARC of Steal My Breath Away.

Haley Chapman is the daughter of a high-profile Senator and psychology student at Havencrest University in Chicago but her dream has always been to become a singer-songwriter. Haley wanted to move to LA after finishing high school but her brother died while serving in the Air Force when she was a senior– and this is after her father suddenly passed when she was 13– so Haley decided to attend the same college as her best friend instead of striking out on her own. She's busking on Michigan Ave one day when a man asks her if she's Senator Chapman's daughter and before the end of her set, another tries to push her into a van. When Haley tells her mom what happened, her mother jumps into action to hire her a bodyguard. But this bodyguard isn't just a random professional. He's Haley's older brother's best friend, the boy Haley had a huge crush on while growing up. Ace has been in love with Haley since she was 15-years-old but he never acted on it since she was his best friend's little sister and he felt guilty for encouraging her brother to enlist in the Air Force instead of attending college. He hasn't seen Haley since the funeral and now that they're forced together, he's not sure how he's going to survive the combination of attraction and guilt while keeping Haley safe.

Steal My Breath Away is a new adult, romantic suspense novel. I don't know that I realized that when I requested the ARC– I think I stopped reading the trope list at "bodyguard" and "brother's best friend" instead of reading to the end. I'm not the biggest fan of romantic suspense as a genre and I tend to find the new adult to be a bit challenging. In this context, I was fine with the new adult of it all, but did struggle with the mystery/suspense plot. It didn't feel resolved enough for me at the end of the book. I didn't really understand why these people were going to such lengths to threaten Haley's mom when there were no specifics given beyond, "she has important legislation up for a vote."

The other thing I bumped up against is I don't think Sarah Castille has ever really spent time in Chicago and doesn't know the neighborhoods, geography, architecture or music scene. I happen to be a professional musician who lives in Chicago and I didn't recognize anything beyond Castille's placement of Haley's attempted abduction near Grant Park. Coincidentally, that location does not allow for street performers since it's usually partly blocked off by barricades. This book really could have benefitted from a Chicago-based beta reader.

The thing I did really like about this book was the exploration of how different people process the same traumatic events. Ace and Haley grew up together. He moved to her hometown in Virginia when he was 13 and she was 10 and immediately was folded into her family through his friendship with her older brother. Ace was super close to Haley's dad and considered Matt, her brother, to be his family, too. Haley processed her dad's loss by acting out and then swung hard the other direction when her brother died by being as compartmentalized and outwardly cheerful as possible. Meanwhile, Ace emotionally processed her dad's death but felt so weighed down by the guilt of Matt's that he ran, cutting himself off from everyone who knew him before he joined the Air Force. And Haley and Ace see how the other's preferred coping mechanisms are making their lives harder but are blind to their own. I thought that contrast was compelling.

Sarah Castille wrote a pretty solid romance with good character work that was very readable. I just wish the suspense plot had been fleshed out further and the basics of my city were correct. 3 stars.

ARC Review

Thank you Hambright PR, NetGalley and Sarah Castille for an advanced copy of this book.

This story takes place in a college setting, but dives deep into anxiety, friendship, and love. Both of our MCs deal with some very traumatic things and don’t do it well. Our FMC struggles with anxiety and avoidance. Our MMC suffers from PTSD and low self esteem.

This book connects the two characters through all of their pain and we get to watch them grown individually as well as together as a couple. There are strong friendships that take place, and I love a good ride or die bestie.

There’s a fun, thriller/suspense aspect to the book, but really it was secondary to the growth the characters made while they worked through the mystery.

Give this book a shot if you want a broken boy and a broken girl to find their way to one another and come out on the other side stronger and better for it.

"He was also Haley's teenage crush and the man who abandoned her when she needed him most, breaking her fragile heart. Now, as Ace poses as her boyfriend on campus, their personalities clash."

I've just finished Steal My Breath by Sarah Castille, and I must say, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that truly captivated me from the very first page. If you're a fan of bodyguard romances, second-chance love stories, or the 'brother's best friend' trope, then this book is definitely one to pick up. Sarah Castille really delivered on all fronts.
The story centres around Hayley, the daughter of a prominent senator, who finds her life turned upside down after a kidnapping attempt. Forced to accept round-the-clock protection, she ends up with the last person she expected: Ace, her late brother's best friend and her teenage crush, now a former Air Force pilot working in personal security. Their history is fraught with unspoken emotions and a past hurt where Hayley felt abandoned by Ace, and it's clear from the start that their dynamic is anything but simple.

One of the things I truly appreciated about this novel was the palpable chemistry between Hayley and Ace. Sarah Castille excels at building that slow-burn tension, allowing their connection to simmer before exploding. Watching them navigate their forced proximity, especially as Ace has to pose as Hayley's boyfriend on campus, was a delight. Their personalities clash in the most entertaining way, leading to some truly engaging banter and emotionally charged moments.

Beyond the romance, the book also delves into themes of grief and healing. Both Hayley and Ace are carrying their own burdens from the past, and seeing them work through their individual traumas, as well as finding solace and understanding in each other, added a wonderful depth to the narrative. It’s a testament to Sarah Castille’s writing that she can blend the high-stakes action of a bodyguard romance with such tender emotional exploration. I particularly enjoyed seeing Hayley find her voice and passion through music, even as she wrestled with the expectations placed upon her by her family. It's a gripping story that certainly keeps you turning the pages, eager to see how everything unfolds.

I love a dual timeline romance, and this one combines that with another favorite trope of mine—bodyguard romance. This was an emotional second chance romance with some angst, but it also has so many sweet moments. I really enjoyed seeing Haley and Ace’s journey!

There are some heavy topics in this book for sure, so make sure to check your trigger warnings!

TROPES:
•Bodyguard Romance
•Second Chance
•Angst
•Hurt/Comfort
•Dual Timeline
•Brother’s Best Friend
•Forced Proximity

Thank you so much to Sarah Castille and Hambright PR for sending me a copy for an honest review. 💖

I devoured this audiobook! The book was amazing and the narrators were absolutely perfect!
This was a sweet second chance romance for Haley and Ace.
Hayley always loved Ace but he was her brothers best friend. Haley's mom is a senator and there have been threats against Haley. Ace is hired as her bodyguard to keep her safe.
This book had some of my favorite tropes!
Forced Proximity
Second chance romance
Fake Dating
Brothers best friend
Thank you for the ALC Hambright PR and Netgalley

I devoured this one - I don’t remember the last time I flew through a physical read so quickly. It has so many elements that I love - bodyguard, brother’s best friend, dual timeline.

The flashbacks perfectly grasp the pain & trauma that both Ace & Haley experience that lead them to present day. It’s nostalgic & heartfelt but also devastating. My heart breaks for all that Ace had been through and why he closed himself off from Haley.

The way Ace tries to resist his attraction to Haley had me giggling - their chemistry is electric in both timelines. He feels great duty to his late best friend and his position has her body guard. But Haley won’t let that stop her from going after her dream or tempting him. She’s incredibly determined, talented, and rebellious. The way their relationship plays out kept me invested from start to finish.

Okay - SWOON! I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I'm obsessed with a bodyguard romance!

-Brothers best friend
-Second chance
-Aspiring singer FMC/Bodyguard MMC
-Forced proximity
-Past OP deaths
-Dual POV
-Spice

So many emotions in this one! Between the MC's feelings in the past, the present and the tragic things they have both been through - you will be feeling all the feels! There is drama, mystery, swoony moments - I ate it up!

Highly recommend for any romance fans!

This one STOLE my breath away! This was such a beautiful story. Ace and Haley are both struggling with their past traumas and losing important people in their lives. Haley is so determined and positive while Ace is protective and supportive. My heart ached for both of them throughout this book but their love for each other was so strong. There was just enough suspense and added with the brother’s best friend who has always been in love with her and now her bodyguard, it was perfect.

Thank you Sarah and Hambright PR for this advanced reader’s copy!

I absolutely devoured this. I am completely obsessed with this book. THIS is what I mean when I say I love brother’s best friend. This is everything to me. Ace and Haley going from childhood friends to lovers - I just couldn’t get enough. The ONLY thing I would change about this is getting a longer epilogue but it was still perfect. This is such an emotional story that made me cry a few times so be prepared for the heavy topics discussed in this - you’ll definitely need tissues for the part with the letter! I’m so excited for this to release because I will absolutely be adding this to my shelf so I can come back to it because this book is the epitome of why brother’s best friend is my favorite trope. Ace definitely made the book boyfriend list! I was so lucky to be selected for this ARC.