Can't Hardly Breathe

I love this author and this series! So sexy and fun. Great characters and story. Just wonderful!

Can't Hardly Breathe was such a fun book for me! I've been in a bit of a reading slump so I decided to pick up this book. I'm a sucker for romance novels, even the cheesy ones. This book was far from cheesy. I loved every minute of it.

The book starts out sharing a glimpse into Dorothea (don't call her Dottie!) and Daniel's past. Beginning the story the way she did, I think Gena Showalter set the tone for the rest of the book very well. Dorothea is tough as nails but because of things in her past, she has convinced herself otherwise. Her self-esteem is lower than lower as we meet the present Dorothea. It's very easy to relate to and sympathize with her. Who hasn't had a moment of feeling like they weren't worthy?

One of my favorite things about this book is that Dorothea doesn't just think she's not the traditional standard of beautiful, she really isn't. Every guy in town isn't falling all over themselves for her attention. Well, not at first, anyway. She's beautiful to Daniel. He sees her in a way that the other characters in the book don't and while it thrills Dorothea, it scares her too. Throughout the book her confidence and self-worth grows as she grows as a person. She finally breaks out of the shell she's been living in and makes an effort to live in the real world, even when it's hard and scary.

The characters are fleshed out well. Most of the focus is on Dorothea and Daniel but you do get a glimpse into the personalities of the other characters and what makes them tick. It's a really good set up for the rest of the series. You learn just enough about them to keep you interested.

I highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down until I was finished! Gena Showalter has been added to my favorite authors list and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series! (Especially Brock, he was one of my favorite characters!)

Can’t Hardly Breathe is an uproariously funny, insightful and sexy romance with a lot of heart. Dorothea Mathis was bullied as a teenager in Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, and her heart was unintentionally shattered by her longtime crush, Daniel Porter. After moving away to attend college, she’s back in Strawberry Valley, divorced and managing her family’s inn. Daniel is also back in town after spending years in the Army, but he’s struggling to adapt to civilian life and plagued with troubling memories of war.

Daniel and Dorothea see each other again and sparks fly. She’s hesitant to get involved with him, but neither can deny their palpable sexual chemistry. He seeks to tempt her by throwing her off kilter at every opportunity, and he is utterly charming in his pursuit. They share flirty banter and have a dynamic repartee, and their delightful push and pull slowly draws them together. But both are dealing with personal demons that threaten their growing feelings. I fell in love with Dorothea’s sass and resilience and Daniel’s charisma and complexity, and I found myself rooting for their happily-ever-after. Gena Showalter’s Can’t Hardly Breathe is an outstanding small town romance with memorable characters and an engaging story that should not be missed.
USA Today's Happy Ever After

For all the survivors of spiteful bullies and heartbreakingly cruel jokes. To every person with a beautiful heart, but a tortured soul. For every hero in disguise looking for salvation. Ms. Showalter wrote Can't Hardly Breathe for you. Dorothea is the girl that longed to fit in, but never quite managed to do so. Daniel is the boy that is beautiful both inside and out, yet has never felt good enough. Gena Showalter is good at stirring up emotion. It's inspirational tales of courage like this one that keep her name on people's lips and her stories in their hearts. Ugliness is a state of mind, not a physical trait.