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The Air He Breathes (THE ELEMENTS SERIES) Paperback – October 30, 2015

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 17,894 ratings

I was warned about Tristan Cole. “Stay away from him,” people said. “He’s cruel.” “He’s cold.” “He’s damaged.” It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster. But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me. We were both empty. We were both looking for something else. Something more. We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays. Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 30, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 151738799X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1517387990
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.77 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 17,894 ratings

About the author

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Brittainy Cherry
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Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. She loves to take part in writing screenplays, acting, and dancing--poorly of course. Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three things that she thinks every person should partake in! Brittainy lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she's not running a million errands and crafting stories, she's probably playing with her adorable pets.

You can find her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/BrittainyCherryAuthor

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
17,894 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story heartfelt, poignant, and passionate. They describe the love story as steamy and lovely. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written and eloquent. The characters are described as amazing, flawed, and human. The book brings laughter and healing power to customers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

1,209 customers mention "Story quality"1,178 positive31 negative

Customers find the story engaging and powerful. They describe it as a well-written read with well-developed characters.

"...It’s a stunning, emotional, heartbreaking and powerful read. It’s outstanding and it’s by far Brittainy’s best work and my favorite book of hers...." Read more

"...the relationship between Tristan and Lizzy’s daughter was heart stoppingly adorable and only made me fall in love with Tristan even more, despite..." Read more

"...This is a truly incredible breathtaking story. This is one of those books you wish you could read again & experience it for the first time all over...." Read more

"...I cried the whole time. This book was so good and had so many relatable quotes. Just enough of everything in the storyline...." Read more

706 customers mention "Heartfelt story"630 positive76 negative

Customers find the story poignant and heartbreaking. They appreciate the tender moments and genuine empathy. The book has them in tears and laughing at times.

"...It’s a stunning, emotional, heartbreaking and powerful read. It’s outstanding and it’s by far Brittainy’s best work and my favorite book of hers...." Read more

"...This book is an angst fest and angst is something I thrive on but it also has some fantastic humour smattered throughout and an adorable little girl..." Read more

"...I cried the whole time. This book was so good and had so many relatable quotes. Just enough of everything in the storyline...." Read more

"...Tristan is as intense as they come. He has a good heart, only it’s been in the shadows, lost, for so long, he doesn’t know how to go back...." Read more

494 customers mention "Romance"427 positive67 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They find the love story touching and intriguing, with a twist. The book features steamy love scenes and emotional moments, including a lovely epilogue. Readers appreciate the contemporary style and intimate scenes that highlight the strong connection between Tristan and Liz. The story explores themes of loss, love, friendship, pain, and healing.

"...The progression of their relationship is paced perfectly. They are both damaged, but together, they feel a little more whole...." Read more

"...It sucked me right in. Breathtaking Fascinating Heart-wrenching..." Read more

"...Just enough of everything in the storyline. Grief, laughter, drama and spice!!" Read more

"...Such a beautiful, honest, sweet, and moving story about love, loss, and a lot of rebirth. I definitely will be reading more books by this author!..." Read more

392 customers mention "Writing quality"343 positive49 negative

Customers praise the writing quality. They find the prose touching and eloquent, with beautiful dialogue that flows naturally. Readers describe the book as an okay read that doesn't live up to the hype, but worth reading at the end.

"...sucking you in with her endearing tales, lovable characters and flawless writing. She is like a unicorn...." Read more

"...help but be swept away in her stories that are honest, real and beautifully written. “Every second. Every minute. Every hour...." Read more

"...This book can be read as a standalone...." Read more

"...The emotions that flow throughout are pure, raw, and tough to read at some points, but it’s so worth it in the end...." Read more

272 customers mention "Character development"253 positive19 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They find the characters amazing with their growth, anger, fear, and self-loathing. The backstories are tragic, but the characters are flawed and human.

"...She has this way of sucking you in with her endearing tales, lovable characters and flawless writing. She is like a unicorn...." Read more

"...Lizzy was a beautiful character inside and out...." Read more

"...It's amazing how you can relate to the characters and it's amazing how for the rest of your life, no matter how many books you read there's one that..." Read more

"...I loved reading about him. He’s passionate about everything and there’s good in him...." Read more

233 customers mention "Laughter"233 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find the characters humorous and the story engaging. The book provokes laughter, smiles, and tears.

"...is something I thrive on but it also has some fantastic humour smattered throughout and an adorable little girl that brings light through the pages...." Read more

"...She's the kind of best friend everyone needs. She's hilarious, compassionate and looks out for Liz. This story shattered me...." Read more

"...Just enough of everything in the storyline. Grief, laughter, drama and spice!!" Read more

"...I cried with these characters, laughed with them, felt so so much for them. I highly recommend this new adult read...." Read more

118 customers mention "Healing power"118 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's healing power profound and necessary. They describe it as a cathartic cry with hope for the future. The storyline is sad yet hopeful, with love and redemption.

"...He Breathes is the most beautiful story of love, loss, friendship, healing and perseverance...." Read more

"...While this book is incredibly sad in places it was also hopeful and really hammered home the importance of making the effort to see what lies..." Read more

"...She's the kind of best friend everyone needs. She's hilarious, compassionate and looks out for Liz. This story shattered me...." Read more

"...beautiful, honest, sweet, and moving story about love, loss, and a lot of rebirth. I definitely will be reading more books by this author!..." Read more

74 customers mention "Readability"74 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and absorbing. They say the story holds their attention throughout and makes them appreciate life.

"...It was a ride that was truly exhausting and wonderful at the same time. By the time I crossed the finish line, I was emotionally spent...." Read more

"...The hurt is deep, the anxiety of moving on is poignant, and the emotions run strong. “..." Read more

"...Beautifully written. This book is heavy though...." Read more

"...And this book makes you feel SO much...it’s therapeutic...." Read more

something about brittainy cherrys writing is just so captivating
4 out of 5 stars
something about brittainy cherrys writing is just so captivating
📖: single parent. small town. widower. grumpy/grumpy(ish). emotional.“your a beautiful, broken kind of monster” grief changes people and i found it so interesting how elizabeth & tristisn cope in completely different ways but find comfort in each other. “we both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays” to have someone who understands, who can actually see past their pain, loving the good and the badin terms of the plot this book hurt, it was extremely heartbreaking and felt so personal. i felt connected to this plot in ways i didn’t expect. i was really enjoying this up to 80% and the remainder 20% kinda lost its spark for me. idk why but i wasn’t attached to the characters, i think if i were this book would of been an even more emotional & deeper experience. overall 4★
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015
    The Air He Breathes is the most beautiful book I’ve read this year. It’s a stunning, emotional, heartbreaking and powerful read. It’s outstanding and it’s by far Brittainy’s best work and my favorite book of hers. In fact, it’s my favorite book of 2015. Yes. You read that right. The same author that wrote my favorite book of 2014 (Loving Mr. Daniels) also wrote my favorite book of 2015. This is a book that will stay with you and one you don’t want to miss out on reading.

    Loss. It can be devastating and debilitating. Losing someone you love has to be one of the worst feelings in the world. Losing the love of your life makes it that much worse. Elizabeth is trying her best to move on, to live every day. To breathe. It helps that she has Emma, her beautiful daughter. She has to stay strong. For her. After an extended visit with her Mama, Elizabeth decides to come home. It’s time. When she gets there, things around her are much of the same, but nothing feels the same for her.

    Then she meets him. The new town jerk. The guy everyone talks about but avoids. Tristan Cole.

    There is more than Tristan than meets the eye. You know that loss we talked about earlier? Tristan has had the ultimate loss. And it forever changed him.

The last thing Tristan Cole wants is a friend. But Elizabeth befriends him anyway. He resists, but eventually, she wears him down. Her persistence is stronger then his stubbornness. For the first time since his loss, Tristan finds some happiness and even a little peace with Elizabeth and Emma. They are bonded together by their loss. Their loss is what connects them at first. It’s clear as day they are attracted to one another, though both are hesitant to act on it. The progression of their relationship is paced perfectly. They are both damaged, but together, they feel a little more whole. Even if it only is pretend… for now.

    Lets talk about the characters- Tristan was such a jerk at the beginning. I wasn’t sure he would win me over, but he certainly did. I loved that even when he and Liz’s friendship started to grow, he didn’t automatically change. It was a gradual progression and it worked well with the story. You could tell how hurt and damaged he was and it took a lot of time for him to come around. And a ton of patience on Liz’s part.

    Lizzie was just amazing. She was such a strong heroine. She lost so much, yet was able to give so much of herself to helping Tristan and accepting him. I love that she didn’t care what others thought of her being friends with him etc. I loved the kind of mother she was to Emma and also what kind of friend she was. She had great character. And a special shout out to her best friend- seriously what a hoot! Faye brought some much needed laughter to the serious story and was a great addition.

    Another thing I loved about this book is that it wasn’t predictable. There were several twists I didn’t see coming at all. I love being surprised in a book. I also loved so much how the friendship turned into something more. At first it started just as a way for the two of them to cope, then it turned into something beautiful.

    Brittainy C Cherry can tell a story like no other. She has this way of sucking you in with her endearing tales, lovable characters and flawless writing. She is like a unicorn. That one special author that never fails to produce a book that goes straight to the top of my favorites list. The one who writes and speaks to my heart, my mind and my soul.

    If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel, make you love, move you and make your heart soar, read this book. I cried, I smiled, I cried some more, and by the end, I may have cried again (those were the happy tears). I highlighted a ton because every page was stunning. Every scene had something worth highlighting. The lines in this book were beyond gorgeous.

    The Air He Breathes is the most beautiful story of love, loss, friendship, healing and perseverance. It’s a book that is sitting at #1 on my favorites list and one I would recommend to any and everyone. I’m shouting it from the rooftops here READ THIS BOOK! You won’t regret it!
    244 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015
    The Air He Breathes (Elements #1) by Brittainy C Cherry
    4.5 stars!!

    “How did two people so broken find each other’s shattered pieces?”

    What an emotional and powerful book, every single Brittainy Cherry book I have read has left an indelible imprint on my heart and this book is no different. This author definitely seems to be making her presence felt in my soul and it still hasn’t recovered from my previous read of hers. There is something commanding about Brittainy Cherry’s writing that once you flick open that first page she takes you prisoner until you have devoured every single word. Every single word has a reason, a meaning or an emotion attached and you cannot help but be swept away in her stories that are honest, real and beautifully written.

    “Every second. Every minute. Every hour. Every day.”

    This story centres around tragedy, how lives are affected in different ways by turns of events and how two broken souls come together in misery. While this book is incredibly sad in places it was also hopeful and really hammered home the importance of making the effort to see what lies underneath, to find the real person hidden behind the mask because you may actually fall in love with what you see.

    “Sometimes the hardest part of existing without your loved ones was remembering how to breathe.”

    This book is an angst fest and angst is something I thrive on but it also has some fantastic humour smattered throughout and an adorable little girl that brings light through the pages. Yes it is emotional and the plethora of emotions that Brittainy Cherry smacks you with will have you crying one minute and laughing the next but overall I felt that the book was well balanced and was certainly a page turner, I could not put it down.

    Lizzy was a beautiful character inside and out. She was living for her daughter, her daughter was her sole reason for getting out of bed every day and their relationship was fantastic. Having lost her husband she was slowly beginning to stand on her own two feet, she was still grieving, but the end was in sight, she was coming to terms with her loss and slowly but surely looking towards her and her daughter’s future. It had been a slow journey for them both but one that they were slowly coming to terms with.

    “I missed being held, I missed being touched, I missed being wanted...”

    Tristan was a loner; he had tucked himself away in a self-imposed state of exile with just his dog for company. He was the butt of the town gossip, what with his unkempt look; he was every conceivable bad thing...except he wasn’t. Tristan had his own battles to fight and he wasn’t fighting very well, he had closed himself off from everyone, including his parents, my heart broke for him.

    “Show me the shadows that keep you up at night. Kiss me with your darkness.”

    Living next door to each other it was obvious that their paths would cross but these two do not make anything easy. Tristan has his guard firmly in place and even though Lizzy has hers too, she had a chink and that chink was Tristan. There was something about him that called to her. Having ever only loved her husband Lizzy believed in her heart, her heart was telling her to make a difference, she sensed that Tristan needed someone and Lizzy made it her mission to try to get to know him. She was drawn to him and she needed to know why.

    “She undressed me and made love to her past. I slid into her and made love to my ghosts.”

    Their relationship is far from easy going. There are a lot of walls to be broken down, a lot of trust to be found and a lot of history to push aside. Forgiveness and willingness to move on are tantamount for these two but sometimes it is easier said than done. But most of all this is an incredibly beautiful love story and the relationship between Tristan and Lizzy’s daughter was heart stoppingly adorable and only made me fall in love with Tristan even more, despite his own pain he made sure that little girl didn’t hurt no more.

    “During the light days, we held each other close. During the dark days, we held each other closer.”

    So why not five shiny stars? For me towards the end there was a plot twist that I never saw coming (which is great) but I felt that it wasn’t needed and I felt it over shadowed the beautiful story that we were presented with. For me, this was Tristan, Lizzy, Emma and Zeus’s story and that is how I want to remember it, but other than that an amazing story and one that I will definitely be reading again.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • cramdfm
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stara
    Reviewed in India on December 24, 2024
    A very good read. The author captures the depth of emotions with an amazing way of storytelling. Loved the book!
  • A. Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars mi fav de la autora
    Reviewed in Spain on May 9, 2022
    es una historia muy muy emotiva que te pone los pelos de punta. Es una novela súper emocionante, con grandes historias y unos personajes fantásticos. Es una historia llena de vida, a pesar de los malos momentos, que te hace valorar cada momento, cada persona que tienes a tu lado. Muy bonita.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreakingly beautiful
    Reviewed in Australia on August 17, 2024
    This was an amazing story of love and loss and finding your way back with a twist that'll have you realing
  • Michelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars 4,5 “Todo segundo. Todo minuto. Toda hora. Todo dia.” estrelas
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 16, 2015
    THE AIR HE BREATHES é parte de uma série que irá trabalhar os quatro elementos: água, terra, fogo e ar. Cada história será independente e você poderá ler fora de ordem sem medo (A autora já manifestou que TALVEZ irá escrever sobre a personagem Faye, que aparece neste livro, entretanto, não disse se será dentro dessa série).

    Traduzindo o título ao pé da letra é "O ar que ele respira". E o livro é baseado no que esse título significa; O que nos faz respirar? O que nos mantem vivos?

    Tristan Cole, é casado e tem um filho. Entretanto, logo no começo do livro já "assistimos" um acidente que muda sua vida. Na verdade, Tristan, se torna apenas um corpo que ainda funciona, já que o que o motivava a viver, seu ar, é tirado dele.

    Liz é uma mulher que também teve uma grande perda em sua vida. Tendo agora que aprender a viver para poder cuidar de sua filha de 5 anos.

    O livro narra a história de duas pessoas que perderam muito e agora tem que re-aprender a "respirar". Brittainy conta este drama daquela maneira que faz o leitor querer abraçar cada personagem, conhecê-los e, sem querer, amá-los. É um livro com uma história bem sofrida, mas que tem um final feliz. Pra mim, que não tenho filhos, senti um baque com esta história, e acho que quem tem filhos talvez sinta a tristeza dos personagens de uma maneira ainda mais profunda.

    Apesar de todo o drama, tem sim partes divertidas e essas cenas são protagonizadas pela melhor amiga de Liz, a Faye, que é aquela pessoa que não tem filtro nenhum, mas que eu queria ter como BFF. Ela é muito divertida. Amei a personagem e espero realmente que a autora escreva sobre ela. E também a filha de Liz, a Emma. Que menina mais esperta e fofa!!! A minha cena favorita dela foi:

    - Emma, cuide da sua mamãe, tudo bem?
    - Por que? Eu sou a criança, não ela.

    Quem já leu livros dessa autora sabe o tanto que ela escreve bem e consegue transformar uma história simples em algo lindo. Esse livro é cheio de frases marcantes que se eu fosse postar todas aqui ia ser uma resenha só de citações.

    “Algumas vezes a parte mais difícil de existir sem o seu amado era lembrar de como respirar”.

    THE AIR HE BREATHES é sobre perda, sobre o perdão, e principalmente sobre reaprender a viver após uma tragédia, mas apesar disso, valeu cada vontade de chorar e cada risada. E teve aquele tipo de final que, pra mim, é do melhor tipo: não só é feliz como também é merecido.

    ”Ele e eu juntos eramos uma ideia terrível. Nós dois somos instáveis, nós dois estamos quebrados, e não tem como sair disso. Ele era o trovão e eu era o raio, e estamos perto de criar a tempestade perfeita."

    O próximo livro será sobre o fogo. "Through the Fire (Elements #2) deverá ser lançado no começo de 2016.

    Pick a Book
  • Ana Castañeda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cuando la pérdida trae ganancia
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 9, 2015
    Leído en Inglés, pero digno de merecer 5 estrellas e incluso de ser de los mejores del año. Estupendamente ambientado, personajes fuertes y reales, trama bien cimentada, diálogos que tocan distintas emociones en el lector. Tristan y Elizabeth han sufrido pérdidas irremediables; cada uno aprende a superarlo a su modo, pero en ambos ellos encuentran la confianza en vivir y seguir adelante. El camino no es fácil, pero la vida es igual.
    Tristan es un hombre duro consigo mismo, pero debajo de esa barba gruesa y lo obscuro de su hogar se esconde un ser con heridas por cicatrizar. Elizabeth, es un madre que debe luchar por su hija mientras reencuentra el significado de su vida, una lectora ávida de romance y un conveniente cesped que debe ser podado. La autora Brittainy C. Cherry nos inmersa en una historia de amor donde las segundas oportunidades en la vida vienen de la mano del aparente monstruo del pueblo.
    Personajes secundarios que fortalecen aún más a esta pareja--Faye, una amiga llena de vida y muy directa. Plumas blancas que atraen la felicidad y un mensaje de los que ya partieron. Un perro fiel y una linda niña que arrancan el corazón con su ternura, lealtad y juegos.
    The Air He Breathes es una novela que nos enseña que las pérdidas por duras que parezcan son parte de nuestra rutina; está en nosotros acabar con nuestros miedos, nuestros monstruos, nuestras críticas y encontrar la razón para seguir disfrutando de esta vida.
    Si lo que busca es enamorarse accidentalmente, este libro cuenta con todos los elementos para eso y más.