All Magnolia Vickers ever wanted was to follow in her father's path and head up the Family business. And, once upon a time, she and Carter Landlow were going to do it together. But new legislation is about to destroy the Family's operations in the black-market organ trade, and Carter, her love, is dead.
Then Maggie runs into Alex, who needs something her family is uniquely able to deliver, and he's willing to manipulate her to get it. Maggie hates being blackmailed into fulfilling his bargain, but the longer it takes to help him--and as Alex's health declines--Maggie is surprised to find herself falling for him. Like it or not, if she wants to save Alex's life and carve out a place in the new legalized organ business, she's going to have to fight for both.
With swoon-worthy romance and thrilling tension perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kimberly Derting, this second book in the Once Upon a Crime Family series will hold readers spellbound.
"Business-minded Maggie, academically gifted Lupe, and family-focused Patricia represent diverse and resilient female characters who engage the reader’s interest." - VOYA
"Deeply emotional . . . works well for readers who like their sweet romance mixed with spicy suspense." -BCCB
"Just like her first Once Upon a Crime Family novel, Schmidt’s well-written second installment delivers just as many raw, emotional moments and risky, suspenseful situations. Getting to know Maggie is a real gift. If you need a break from dystopian YA but are in the mood for something just as thrilling, start this series immediately." - RT Book Reviews
"Riveting." - Kirkus Reviews
"A satisfying sequel that continues black market organ drama with liberal doses of romance, angst, and suspense." - School Library Journal
"[An] outstanding second romantic suspense novel in the Once upon a Crime Family series." - Booklist
"Ambitious and original, Hold Me Like a Breath captured my attention before I even turned the first page. It's a thriller in every sense of the word." - Michelle Hodkin, New York Times bestselling author of the Mara Dyer trilogy on HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH
"The tightly coiled suspense and superb romance had me holding my breath!" - Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DON'T LOOK BACK on HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH
"A gripping modern thriller for readers who still love fairy tales and people who think they've outgrown them. This is an offer you can't refuse!" - E. C. Myers, author of THE SILENCE OF SIX and FAIR COIN on HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH
"Hold Me Like a Breath is heartfelt and haunting. Penny is a heroine to root for, a princess who creates her own ever-after." - Jessica Spotswood, author of the Cahill Witch Chronicles on HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH
"The romance at the heart of the book is a sweet one . . . A decent girl-power twist on an old fairy tale for thriller lovers." - Kirkus Reviews on HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH
