Breathe the Sky

Starred review from June 8, 2020
Hazen (Unbreak Me) sets this extraordinary tale of unexpected love in California’s Mojave Desert. Biologist Mari Tucker lives in her truck following a messy divorce from her physically abusive ex and finds work as a biological monitor on construction sites, protecting the desert’s endangered animals from the linemen’s trucks. Mari is less than thrilled to be assigned to work with Jack Wyatt and his crew. Jack has a reputation as a grouch, but Mari can’t afford to turn down the job. In truth, Jack’s rough demeanor is the result of his hard childhood, and his grumpiness belies his desire to keep his team safe. Mari’s calming presence, tactfulness, and mouthwatering brownies entice Jack and his team to follow her rules. Though Mari and Jack are both very guarded, they slowly learn to trust each other and form an easy friendship—with sexual tension building just beneath the surface. Jack’s hardened exterior houses a tender heart, while Mari’s soft exterior conceals surprising strength, and their mutual desire to protect both the animals and each other strengthens their bond. The slow-burning romance and Hazen’s vivid descriptions of the desert keep the pages turning. This sweet, sensual contemporary is sure to tug at readers’ heartstrings. Agent: Naomi Davis, BookEnds Literary.

July 1, 2020

Mari Tucker has rebuilt her life completely. She has a career as a wildlife biologist that she loves among the animals that need her protection. At her current job site, in the remote Mojave Desert, she is picked to work with one of the most difficult construction foremen, Jack Wyatt. He doesn't seem to understand why their work is necessary and his temper has whittled down the number of biologists who are willing to work with him. Yet Mari soon sees that behavior that comes across as mean and harsh is really Jack's concern over the safety of his crew in a dangerous and demanding job. When the past begins to catch up with them, the easy friendship and trust they have built will have to be enough to rescue them both. VERDICT Hazen's (Unbreak Me) heartwarming romance will hook readers from the start with her colorful and well-developed characters. Suggested for readers seeking a new take on contemporary American Western romance.--Morgan Lockard, Campbell Cty. P.L., KY

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2020
When wildlife biologist Mari Tucker was assigned to Jack Wyatt's construction crew, she was worried that his temper would drive her away, just like the other biologists monitoring the extensive building site in the unrelenting heat of the Mojave Desert. But Mari discovers that beneath this foreman's hard exterior is a man who cares deeply about his crew's safety as much as he's learning to care for the endangered critters that live mostly unseen throughout the desert. Both Mari and Jack are survivors of abuse who learned to protect themselves by avoiding friendships, stable jobs, and permanent homes, but their undeniable attraction leads to their professional relationship blossoming into a romance as hot as the desert itself. When Mari gets assigned to another site led by a notoriously difficult foreman, Jack's protective instincts kick in, triggering Mari's fear that she made a mistake by letting another possessive man into her life. But with each other's support, they realize that in order to break free of the past, they must confront their abusers or else remain trapped in a cycle of fear and isolation. Hazen's latest (following Unbreak Me, 2019) heart-melting and intensely passionate contemporary romance is a balm for the soul for anyone who has suffered abuse and survived to love again.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)