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“I already knew that, but it’s nice to hear you say we’re the same disgusting flavor of cake. That might be the best thing a girl has ever said to me.”

Breaking Free starts with the main female character, Kelsie, in the present time talking with her therapist - her nanny waiting outside the door. After she receives a journal/notebook that belonged to JC, a friend she made in a wilderness therapy program over the summer, the story then starts switching from present time to Kelsie’s time in the program. The double perspective keeps the story interesting and going at a healthy pace, but the transition between the two are not executed very well. Usually Kelsie is talking to her nanny and begins a flashback scene. It also makes it hard to really form a connection with the characters other than Kelsie. Other than those snags, the change from past to present did add mystery and suspense to the story.

The storyline touches on deep topics such as losing family members, friends, drinking and cutting using a group of teens in the same wilderness therapy program as Kelsie. Kelsie’s character was forced into the program while her love interest, JC, voluntarily entered the program. The romance pops up between the two quickly and seems underdeveloped. The characters skip from a shaky friendship to love rather quickly and even then it doesn’t feel solid.

The second half of the book slows the story down considerably. There is no mystery, the suspense is minimal, and the story continues long after what I considered the climax of the book ended.

Overall, Breaking Free was a good read. I’d recommend for anyone who enjoys young/new adult contemporary romance, but be sure to notice the cautions that this book does hit on hard topics. ( )

“Eventually we’ll forgive ourselves for what we did. And believe in ourselves again. Until then, we just need to be strong.”

Well, this was such a nice surprise! I didn't have high expectations before I dived into this book and let's just say this managed to impressed me.

Brief Summary:

Kelsie was in an car accident with her bestfriend, Jenna. Jenna was killed in the process and Kelsie blames herself for it. One awful thing lead to another and it ended up with Kelsie cutting herself to avoid the shame, guilt and pain that she felt. Her stepmother discovered her actions and she was sent away to be fixed. (Huh.)

So Kelsie went to a Wilderness Therapy camp where the people basically surround themselves with nature and just reflect on life. At first, Kelsie was skeptical. I mean, duh? Does this camping thingy really works? But soon, she met new people and they managed to learn and teach each other a thing or two. And maybe now, she'll learn to forgive anyone who hurt her, and maybe also forgive herself..

Well, I'm not sure about that camping thing. I doubt it'll work for me since I hate hiking. But as for this story, the author did it. Make it work, I mean. I couldn't stop reading.

The characters are described in such a beautiful way. They felt real and true. They're messed-up and I accepted it. The author made me. Being brutally honest about this issues, S.M. Koz made me see these people for who and what they are and not for what they have done. The past can't be changed anymore and the best thing to do is move on. Easier said than done, right? The author told me to embraced it, to not let it go, to see past the imperfections, past the outer layers.

I don't really understand why people cut. I guess as the book says, people cope using different ways. This topic is sensitive and very disturbing and I'm glad this book cleared some questions about self-harm that I have in mind.

Overall, this was such a brilliant debut. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's works.

Final Rating: 3.5/5 stars

**Copy provided by author in exchanged of an honest review. ( )