Don't Forget to Breathe Book Cover Enlarge Book Cover
“Earnest, evocative, and unapologetically tender. Don’t Forget to Breathe is the sort of love story that wears its heart on its sleeve.” – Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Imogen, Obviously

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Dugan and Nina LaCour, this tender, contemporary sapphic romance follows a dancer and a musician who find themselves on a collision course that could change their lives forever.

Zoe’s always had a plan. Ballet has been her past, present, and future for so long that she’s never even considered otherwise. It’s been the escape she’s always needed. Yet when senior year arrives, it arrives with a feeling of uncertainty she never expected—and a paralyzing fear about choosing the wrong future.

Hanna’s rarely stayed in a place longer than a year. The greatest consistency she has is her piano playing, and her dad diving back into his Jewish faith every time her mom leaves on assignment. So when her senior year begins with yet another move to a new school, she’s not planning on putting down roots—she’s learned that hard way how that ends.

But when the girls’ paths collide, everything they thought they knew is turned upside down. Their relationship could change them each forever—if they have the courage to let their worlds fall apart.

An honest, messy, and very real approach to first love that focuses keenly on the queer and neurodiverse experience, Don’t Forget to Breathe proves the power of overcoming fear to be wildly, truly yourself.
ISBN: 9781335013903
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Oct 21, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 384
Trim Size: 5.740 in (w) x 8.480 in (h) x 1.160 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / General
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science & Nature / Environment

Sara Waxelbaum

Biography

Sara Waxelbaum is the author of contemporary YA novels. Under the name Sara Taylor Woods, she is the author of erotic romance, including Hold Me Down, a HOLT Medallion finalist in two categories. You can find her at @sarataylorwoods.gt;

Brianna R. Shrum

Biography

Brianna R. Shrum is the author of six novels for young adults, including Never, NeverHow to Make OutThe Art of French KissingKissing Ezra Holtz—And Other Things I Did for ScienceThe Liar’s Guide to the Night Sky; and Rebel Boys and Rescue Dogs – or – Things That Kiss with Teeth. Her work has been translated into multiple languages across two continents. She is queer and Jewish and rebelliously lives in the Bible Belt (South Carolina) with her favorite people, when she’s not writing, you can usually find her climbing rocks or reading with a chai. You can find her at briannashrum.com, or @BriannaShrum.gt;

“Earnest, evocative, and unapologetically tender. <em>Don’t Forget to Breathe</em> is the sort of love story that wears its heart on its sleeve.” – Becky Albertalli, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda </em>and <em>Imogen, Obviously</em><br /><br /><strong>Perfect for fans of Jennifer Dugan and Nina LaCour, this tender, contemporary sapphic romance follows a dancer and a musician who find themselves on a collision course that could change their lives forever.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Zoe’s</strong> always had a plan. Ballet has been her past, present, and future for so long that she’s never even considered otherwise. It’s been the escape she’s always needed. Yet when senior year arrives, it arrives with a feeling of uncertainty she never expected—and a paralyzing fear about choosing the wrong future.<br /><br /><strong>Hanna’s</strong> rarely stayed in a place longer than a year. The greatest consistency she has is her piano playing, and her dad diving back into his Jewish faith every time her mom leaves on assignment. So when her senior year begins with yet another move to a new school, she’s not planning on putting down roots—she’s learned that hard way how that ends.<br /><br />But when the girls’ paths collide, everything they thought they knew is turned upside down. Their relationship could change them each forever—if they have the courage to let their worlds fall apart.<br /><br /><strong>An honest, messy, and very real approach to first love that focuses keenly on the queer and neurodiverse experience, <em>Don't Forget to Breathe</em> proves the power of overcoming fear to be wildly, truly yourself.</strong>

ISBN: 9781335013903
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Oct 21, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 384
Trim Size: 5.740 in (w) x 8.480 in (h) x 1.160 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / General
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science & Nature / Environment

Sara Waxelbaum

Biography

<style> </style> <b>Sara Waxelbaum</b> is the author of contemporary YA novels. Under the name Sara Taylor Woods, she is the author of erotic romance, including <i>Hold Me Down</i>, a HOLT Medallion finalist in two categories. You can find her at @sarataylorwoods.gt;

Brianna R. Shrum

Biography

<style> </style> <b>Brianna R. Shrum </b>is the author of six novels for young adults, including <i>Never, Never</i>; <i>How to Make Out</i>; <i>The Art of French Kissing</i>; <em>Kissing Ezra Holtz—And Other Things I Did for Science</em>; <i>The Liar’s Guide to the Night Sky</i>; and <i>Rebel Boys and Rescue Dogs </i>– or –<em> Things That Kiss with Teeth</em>. Her work has been translated into multiple languages across two continents. She is queer and Jewish and rebelliously lives in the Bible Belt (South Carolina) with her favorite people, when she’s not writing, you can usually find her climbing rocks or reading with a chai. You can find her at briannashrum.com, or @BriannaShrum.gt;