Breathless

The mysterious and heartbreaking book ‘Breathless’ by Anne Swärd looks into the complexity of childhood bonds, forbidden passions, and the long-term effects of our choices. The narrative centers on Lo, who meets thirteen-year-old Lukas during a brushfire that poses a threat to their neighborhood. Their bond grows despite their age gap and Lo’s family’s strong disapproval.

They recreate sequences from their beloved movie, ‘Breathless’ while spending summers beside an abandoned lake house. But as they get older difficulties arise and secrets come to light challenging their innocent friendship. The story jumps back and forth between Lo’s past and present, following her as she deals with the fallout from their connection in Berlin, Copenhagen, and New York.