Room to Breathe by Kasie West
on January 6, 2026
ISBN: 0593897722
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads

Room to Breathe is a quick read, realistic fiction, and romance teen novel about Indy and Beau. Indy’s life has been imploding and her close friends—Beau, Caroline, and Ava—have no idea what’s going on because Indy’s mom has sworn her to secrecy. With no one to turn to, Indy starts acting out and her friendships fall apart. Then Indy and Beau find themselves locked in a school bathroom. Can they finally talk and repair their friendship or is this really the end?

West weaves a compelling and engaging story. There’s a mystery around what’s happening with Indy and what led to the fallout with her friends and suspense with how West tells the story by moving back and forth in time. There’s romance in the will they or won’t they between Beau and Indy, especially with the forced proximity trope of them being trapped in a bathroom together. At 260 pages, this one will be a great addition to any library that serves readers 13 and up who enjoy romance. It’s a quick read with compelling characters, an engaging storyline, and a heart-warming romance. This was a four-star read for me. Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner