Don’t Fade. Breathe Easy
Third book in the TNT trilogy
Sarah Delany
Self-published

Pub. 2020

April 13, 2022

Don’t Fade. Breathe Easy is the third and final book in Sarah Delany’s TNT trilogy. It is the emotional conclusion to Tamsyn and Tate’s journey together. Continuing on from the tragedy of the second book, Tamsyn, Tate and those close to them need support more than ever. Can their love help them through it all?

Tamsyn’s heart is shattered because of what happens down at the dock, one of the places she loves most. When she receives his phone call, she knows something is wrong. So, she races down to the dock and doesn’t stop when she sees one of her best friends face down in the water. Had Tamsyn gotten there a moment later, he wouldn’t have made it. It was because of her quick thinking and performing CPR that he was saved. Everyone in their friend group is shocked, because the life of the party – the loudest and happiest one – wouldn’t try to end his life, would he?

It takes Rafe a while to admit he needs help and that what happened at the dock wasn’t an accident. When he does, he goes away to recover. During this time, Tate and Tamsyn’s friend group also try to recover from the almost unthinkable event.

While Tamsyn is battling the thoughts in her mind and her pain, Tate is also doing the same. A few months before Rafe’s attempted suicide, his twin sister Quinn had done the same and died in a coma. Tate had only just started to properly recover from this pain, and now this? Thankfully, Tate finds solace in a counsellor and his love, Tamsyn. As their final year at school goes on, Rafe recovers and goes back. For the last few months before they graduate, they all go on a school camp and have one of the best times of their lives. I could practically feel the happiness radiating from them as I read the last few chapters.

Finally, as the book comes to a close, Tate decides to travel the world to complete Quinn’s bucket list, while Tamsyn does her first year at university. Before he goes, he leaves Tamsyn one more treasured note: my feet will always lead me back to you. And, one year later, they do.

The trilogy finishes on a happy note, with a small but satisfying cliffhanger but leaving the reader in a peaceful state of mind. This was my favorite book in the TNT trilogy, a hooking story of finding love and support in others during difficult times. I give this book four out of five stars, but would certainly recommend it to older teens as it has some detailed and difficult topics.

• Kyra lives in Greymouth.