Reviewed by True
TITLE: One Breath
SERIES: Isle of Kala #2
AUTHOR: Crea Reitan
PUBLISHER: Dragon Fire Fantasy
LENGTH: 363 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2026
BLURB:
Every note of longing tastes like Cash.
Falling in love with my best friend’s little brother is the biggest mistake I could possibly make. But Cash Ellis has hypnotized me since we were children. Every song I write is a love letter. A plea. Lamenting what can never be.
As my best friend gets angrier and more unrecognizable with each setting sun, I find that I’m taking solace in Cash’s company. I shouldn’t. It’ll prove my undoing. It’s only a matter of time before my one-time best friend finds out.
***
This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.
REVIEW:
Onyx and Benson were best friends since they were little. Cash, the two-year-younger brother of Benson, always tagged along. Benson adored his little brother.
But times have changed, Benson wasn’t the nice brother and friend anymore; he’d become hostile and angrier with the day. He hated Cash and was loud about it.
Onyx and Benson created a local band, Onyx is the drummer and songwriter, Benson is the guitarist and singer, and can’t seem to accept Onyx’s lyrics.
Where Benson should have sung the lyrics as a ballad, he angrily shouts them.
What nobody knows; most lyrics are about Cash and are written as love letters. Onyx has been in love with Cash for years, Cash is his muse. Onyx knows he’ll get the wrath if Benson knew.
Sadly the uncomplicated childhood is gone, the present is hard to digest.
Onyx’s friendship with Benson is almost nihilistic, he’s spending way more time with Cash, they kiss and fool around.
But once again, the present of one nasty brother shoves a wedge between Cash and Onyx.
The story is not just about a secret love; it’s about suppressed feelings, longing, and pining. It’s about friendships and situationships, about failing parents, about island matters, and, last but not least, the story is about a strong mutual love that survived storms.
Yes, it’s also about a derailed brother who doesn’t deserve more room in my review.
The daily life situations as their jobs, hobbies, families, and friendships, are entertainingly and realistically pictured. The conversations made so much sense.
Overall, an impressive story that deserves all the stars!
RATING: 
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