Bottom of the Breath by Jayne Mills follows protagonist Cyd Carr after discovering that she is the beneficiary of her late Aunt Mae's estate, which includes a mysterious box and a house in Sedona. Struggling with the emotional toll of her fractured marriage to Loren, who has been unfaithful, and recovering from a car accident that leaves her with memory loss, Cyd decides to travel to Phoenix and Sedona and get to the bottom of her family’s secrets. Along the way, she is faced with more skeletons, including a surprise about her brother. As she processes all this in the desert wilderness, Cyd makes pivotal decisions about her future, while connecting with new people, and rediscovering her own sense of self. Her journey ultimately leads her to a greater understanding of her family's history and her place in it.

Jayne Mills’ Bottom of the Breath is an emotionally charged, wonderfully sympathetic literary novel that focuses on the idea that the journey matters as much as the destination. Cyd Carr's journey, both literal and metaphorical, unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Arizona, where she trawls through her problems and we are taken right along with her. Mills’ writing is straightforward and uncomplicated, allowing the characters to do the heavy lifting. Aside from Cyd, Bobby is a fan favorite in my mind, and there were a couple of fist-pump moments that I greatly enjoyed. Aunt Mae is someone I'd absolutely love to have a cup of coffee with. Holy moly! Overall, this is an extremely thoughtful and powerful tale of the canyons that sometimes must be navigated to find our true selves and one that will stay with readers beyond the last page.

Bottom of the Breath by Jayne Mills follows the story of a middle-aged woman who unexpectedly finds herself on a journey of self-discovery after a series of unforeseen events. Now in her early fifties, Cyd Carr's life turns upside down when she discovers her husband of the last twenty-eight years, Loren, has been having an affair with another woman for the past four months. Cyd also receives news that her deceased Aunt Mae has left her a sizeable inheritance and a few items she must personally collect in Phoenix, Arizona. She travels from her small town of Lola in Florida with Loren to Texas and then continues the journey on her own. Soon, Cyd uncovers shocking secrets about her family, spends time in Sedona, and embarks on an enlightening adventure of a lifetime in the Grand Canyon.

Bottom of the Breath is a character-driven drama about overcoming past baggage and trauma and finding the courage to start anew. Author Jayne Mills tells a heartfelt tale about a middle-aged woman coming to terms with her family's past and broken marriage who rediscovers her inner strength after undertaking a journey of self-discovery. Cyd's story demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit that helps her navigate adverse situations and circumstances. Cyd is a fascinating protagonist. She is vulnerable, strong, and burdened by grief, yet hopeful about the future. I loved her blossoming romance with Bobby Swanson, as well as her deep and meaningful conversations with Clint. Helen is another secondary character who will endear herself to readers. Overall, it's a contemporary drama about the human condition. I was invested in Cyd's story from start to finish, and I highly recommend it.