Tuesday, September 19, 2017

ARC Book #Review: Coming Up For Air by Miranda Keneally

Book Title: Coming Up For Air (Hundred Oaks 9)
Author:  Miranda Kenneally |WebsiteTwitter
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult / Sports Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook
Cost: $9.89
Pages: 320
How I got it: Publisher via NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 4th, 2017
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Synopsis:
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 tryout, so Maggie 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 sacrifice in the water to win at love?
Apparently this is the final book in this series.  Oops.  I read the last book first bwahahahaha.  I must be honest, I tried picking up catching Jordan years ago and I wasn't in the mood so I moved on to something else.  These books however have always been on my radar and now I want to read the entire series in order so I can know just how truly awesome they are.

I really enjoyed the fact that the young woman was a serious athlete, she wasn't doing it because her family wanted her to, she wasn't doing it because of some guy, or because she was trying to change who she was, she as here because she has always wanted to be here.  Having spent so much time in the pool or training or competing she really hasn't had the 'typical' high school experience, and when she goes away to a college trip she realizes it's possible to balance it all and have fun while being an athlete. Not sure who else to turn to she asks her best friend Levi to help her gain all the knowledge and experience she's missed out on, because who else would understand that's she's focused on becoming an Olympian but someone else who is also vying for that spot??

Throw in an competitor who seems to have it all together and who is doing better than she is even though she came to the sport later in life, and you have the makings of a great story.  I really enjoyed this one. I loved how Maggie explored with someone she felt safe with, she was still strong and into her sport, she sought out help when trying to learn how to balance it all, which means we got to see several old characters from the other books.  I loved the advice she was given and how she tries to take the advice while still remaining who she was.  I really related to this as a former gymnast, especially the workout schedule and the eating and the focus on doing better by just seconds.  While I'm not a swimmer this definitely made me feel like I understood them better and their training was something to truly respect.

I really loved how this wasn't about a love story, but really a story of firsts, a story of exploration and a story of understanding how to balance all your wants and needs while still being the best you can be in your field.  Maggie has some great friends, and an even better family and it really made the story that her parents were still such a strong couple who totally supported their daughter.

Very well written, and for someone who hasn't read the entire series. it was a heart warming story and it made me want to read all the others as well, so guess what I did?? You guessed it, I got all the others to read in order then read this one again with the history of all the other couples and stories in my head.  it's a journey I look forward to.

I recommend for those looking for a good story featuring a true athlete and an exploration of love and who we can be.
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading my loves, 


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