Breathe With Me by Becka Mack: My Book Review

Check out my book review of Breathe With Me by Becka Mack, the last book in her epic Playing for Keeps series, to see what I think of this steamy yet heartbreaking romance. You can also check out my interview with Becka Mack on the She Reads Romance Books Podcast.

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Breathe With Me Summary:

Cara Hunter is a self-made woman. Driven and fearless, she’s never lost a battle. In fact, the only time she’s fallen to her knees was, well . . . for him.

Emmett Brodie might be one of hockey’s hottest players, but the moment he sees Cara, he’s reduced to a single word: hers. And he’ll stop at nothing to change her last name.

With a love as all-encompassing and fierce as theirs, they become the ultimate power couple and the backbone of their family. But when they decide it’s time to have a baby, they discover their journey to conceiving will be anything but easy. As they face off with infertility, a battle that strips them to their bones, they’ll see just how unshakable their foundation really is.

They thought they could survive anything together, but how do you survive when you’re barely breathing?

Breathe With Me: My Review

To say that I’ve been anticipating Cara and Emmett’s story in the Playing for Keeps series is a total understatement. I’ve been waiting for it and yet slightly hesitant to dive in at the same time because 1) it would mean that this series has met its end and I honestly never want it to, and 2) I’m not sure I’m ready for what Becka will do to my heart with this storyline!

Cara and Emmett have been fixtures throughout the entire Playing for Keeps series and though they haven’t been the stars of the previous books, they have stood out none the less in each and every one because they are amazing individuals and their marriage is TOP GOALS!

To finally get their love story is a gift and yet its one that comes with such joy and steaminess as well as heartache because of the infertility that they face and which is the predominant focus of this new romance.

If infertility is a trigger for you, you may want to skip this one because Becka doesn’t hold back and yet she approaches this subject with such grace and heart and truth and  I had every faith that she would do so.

Because we know Cara and Emmett already from the previous books, I loved that we get a glimpse of how their relationship started and their first meet cute was HOT and just perfect for them. Becka seriously nailed it (and oh how Emmett nailed Cara…). From this awesome beginning you get chapters from the present intermixed with chapters from the past to see how their relationship has developed to the present day where they are trying for a child of their own.

And if you are looking for Becka’s signature steaminess, have no fear that she brings it and then some in the first half of the book. Holy heck are Cara and Emmett so freakin’ hot with the BEST chemistry. I loved every single moment.

But of course, as things got a bit heavier, my heart absolutely hurt for these two and the tears were flowing. Yet rest assured that your heart will make it out the other side – so full with the best epilogue to end this incredible series.

While this is Cara and Emmett’s story, you of course get LOTS of page time with the OGs from the previous books. Carter is up to his usual shenanigans and everyone is there to support this couple which another reason I love this series so much – the deep friendships and the found family they create.

I’m still in shock that this series is the first from Becka because her writing is OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD. I mean, seriously good with each book in the series being absolute perfection – combining amazing character development, intriguing storylines, incredible growth and pacing and writing that is top notch.

If you’re a fan of this series then you just have to read this book. If you haven’t read Playing for Keeps yet, do yourself a favor and binge read them all before checking out this one. It is seriously the best!

*I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Related Book Lists:

• Top 10 Most Anticipated New Romance Books of October 2025
• Best Sports Romance Series
• Best Hockey Romance Books
• Becka Mack Interview: Talking About Breathe With Me

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