Book Review: Coming Up for Air (Hundred Oaks #8) by Miranda Kenneally

Coming Up for Air
Hundred Oaks #8

By:
Miranda Kenneally

Release Date:
July 1, 2017

Publisher:
Sourcebooks Fire

Source:
eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review

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GR's Summary:

Swim. Eat. Shower. School. Snack. Swim. Swim. Swim. Dinner. Homework. Bed. Repeat. 

All of Maggie’s focus and free time is spent swimming. She’s not only striving to earn scholarships—she’s training to qualify for the Olympics. It helps that her best friend, Levi, is also on the team and cheers her on. But Levi’s already earned an Olympic try out, so she feels even more pressure to succeed. And it’s not until Maggie’s away on a college visit that she realizes how much of the “typical” high school experience she’s missed by being in the pool. 

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Maggie decides to squeeze the most out of her senior year. First up? Making out with a guy. And Levi could be the perfect candidate. After all, they already spend a lot of time together. But as Maggie slowly starts to uncover new feelings for Levi, how much is she willing to lose to win?

Hundred Oaks Series:
My Review of Racing Savannah Here
My Review of Breathe, Annie, Breathe Here
My Review of Jesse's Girl Here
My Review of Defending Taylor Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

The Hundred Oaks Series is still going strong!  I love reading young adult contemporary sports romance.  Ms. Keneally's series is both light and fun, while at the same time delivering significant and meaningful insight in to various social issues pertaining to teens today.  I never tire of Ms. Keneally's stories, as she always delivers in her ability to spark and hold my interest, as well as giving me subject matter with depth to contemplate.  As an individual whom loves both Psychology and Sociology, her stories always offer me something special to treasure.

Coming Up for Air can be read as a standalone, as can the rest of the books in this series.  Yet, sometimes we'll see characters from other books.  I really enjoyed Coming Up for Air.  It is the story of Maggie King and Levi Lucassen.  Both of these characters are serious student athletes.  They have been swimming since they were toddlers, and are both trying to get a tryout for the olympics.  Maggie and Levi have been best friends since a young age, and they are close to each others families, due to being in the same social circles as swimmers and athletes.

Maggie feels like she has missed out on a social life.  Her whole life revolves around swimming, and now that she will be going to college next year, she feels like she is behind and too inexperienced in being intimate with guys.  Therefore, she propositions Levi to teach her how to "hook up."  Levi is experienced, and has had sex before.  Plus, he makes her feel safe, comfortable, and like he wouldn't judge her.  It takes Levi a short time to agree to a no-strings arrangement with Maggie, that is suppose to be strictly physical and not interfere with swimming which is both of their top priority.  However, what will happen when unexpected feelings get involved?

This story had a entertaining and fun secondary cast.  I enjoyed both Maggie and Levi's families, as well as their best friends Georgia (a competitive cheerleader,) and Hunter (a star baseball pitcher.)  I would be overjoyed if these two get their own book and end up together.  

I loved the themes in this story.  One main lesson had to do with putting your best foot forward, and trying to better yourself, as opposed to focusing on competing against others. Another theme I enjoyed was the fact that everybody grows, mature's, and experiences things best at their own pace, and shouldn't worry about keeping up with the crowd.  There were so many wonderful themes in this story and I recommend it for mature young adult readers and older. 

My Rating:

Coming Up for Air, and the whole Hundred Oaks Series is fantastic.  Readers that are enthusiastic with the young adult contemporary romance genre will love this light-hearted, feel-good, and meaningful set of stories!  I give, Coming Up for Air, by Miranda Kenneally, 5 Competitive Athlete, Friends to Lovers, Romantic, Growing Up Filled Stars!!!   

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

About Miranda Kenneally:

Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

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