"Room to Breathe" is another captivating, heartfelt story from Kasie West about navigating hard times and discovering your own strength.

As soon as I got the notification that I had been approved for this ARC, I dove in. I was instantly drawn into Indy’s world and her emotional struggles. Kasie West once again delivers with compelling characters, sarcastic wit, and just the right amount of tension. She masterfully blends themes of loss, friendship, love, and the pressure of balancing home life with school life.

What stood out most to me was the emotional depth woven into Indy’s journey. Readers can expect a raw, honest look at what it feels like to carry something too heavy to share, when your support system starts to fall apart, and you're trying to hold everything together on your own. The story beautifully captures that quiet kind of pain, the kind that builds slowly under the surface and makes you feel invisible, overwhelmed, and completely alone. Kasie West handles this emotional weight with empathy, sincerity, and care.

From the very beginning, I was rooting for Indy to overcome her hardships and find her way back to herself and to Beau. Their relationship felt genuine and earned, with the kind of tension and tenderness that makes the friends-to-lovers trope shine.

Perfect for readers who love:

Friends to lovers

Stories about resilience and growth

Honest portrayals of teen friendships and family dynamics

Quick reads with emotional impact

This is a powerful, fast-paced contemporary YA read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of being stuck in the middle of something too big for words.

Kasie West has a way with reaching YA readers. This book packed quite the emotional punch. The themes of family and friendship were so well done. Even though this is a romance book I really felt like Indy’s struggles and pain were at the forefront.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books!

ROOM TO BREATHE was full of angst, tension, and emotional growth! I felt so drawn to these characters, and loved Indy and Beau’s relationship so much! One of my favorite Kasie West books :)

This book packed quite the emotional punch. The themes of family and friendship were so well done. Even though this is a romance book I really felt like Indy’s struggles and pain were at the forefront.