Book Review: The Last Breath by Kimberly Belle

Title: The Last Breath
Author: Kimberly Belle
Source: ARC for honest review

Goodreads Summary:

Humanitarian aid worker Gia Andrews chases disasters around the globe for a living. It's the perfect lifestyle to keep her far away from her own personal ground zero. Sixteen years ago, Gia's father was imprisoned for brutally killing her stepmother. Now he's come home to die of cancer, and she's responsible for his care—and coming to terms with his guilt. 

Gia reluctantly resumes the role of daughter to the town's most infamous murderer, a part complete with protesters on the lawn and death threats that are turning tragedy into front-page news. Returning to life in small-town Tennessee involves rebuilding relationships that distance and turmoil have strained, though finding an emotional anchor in the attractive hometown bartender is certainly helping Gia cope. 

As the past unravels before her, Gia will find herself torn between the stories that her family, their friends and neighbors, and even her long-departed stepmother have believed to be real all these years. But in the end, the truth—and all the lies that came before—may have deadlier consequences than she could have ever anticipated…


My Thoughts:

I was riveted from the first sentence, and the story just kept getting better and better.

Gia Andrews' family once used to be happy, with her father a revered member of the community. That all came to an abrupt end one day, when he was accused of killing her stepmother, and sent to jail.  After sixteen years, he is on his way home, dying of terminal cancer. He will be under house arrest with hospice, and Gia is responsible for his care. Neither Gia, nor her brother or sister have seen him since he was locked up, and her siblings still are not interested in rekindling the relationship with their murderer father, despite the fact that he is on his deathbed.

As Gia cares for her father, questions arise, doubts surface, and Gia is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened the night her stepmother was killed. Throughout it all, Gia and her siblings must come to terms with their family and their father, and maybe even change the way they are living their own lives.

This story completely engrossed me. I didn't want to put it down, I just kept reading and reading until I was finished. I thought it had a few weak spots, but they were so small that they didn't bother me or my overall enjoyment of the book. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good murder mystery. I know this review is a bit vague, but I don't want to give any of the good stuff away!