joliendelandsheer's review against another edition
5.0
Originally at The Fictional Reader
Before I start with the actual review, let’s talk about the “series”. I know this is actually the fifth book in the Hundred Oaks series and I will confess to you now that I have only read the first book and this one. You do NOT have to read them all! It is not necessary by any means, which I really like because some of the others don’t really speak to me as this one did.
PLOT
I’m going to be quite honest here, the first sentence of the synopsis speaks to me. I HATE RUNNING. I really do. It’s probably the form of exercise I dislike the most -that and burpees- so I thought it would be interesting to read this from Annie’s perspective, as she hates it as well. It makes it so much easier for me to connect to her, seeing as I don’t like it either.
So during the novel, Annie is preparing to run the Nashville Country Music Marathon -I believe- which is I think over 26 miles. As a non-runner, that just sounds like death to me. And to her as well. But she wants to run it for her boyfriend, who died. So no matter how much she is suffering and aching, she is not giving up.
While this book was definitely not slow, I did feel like the story slowly unfolded. I know that probably didn’t make any sense, I’m sorry. I read this book quite quickly yet I felt like I slowly got to know the characters and the story. It didn’t feel rushed to me.
CHARACTERS
On to what I consider to be one of the most important aspects of contemporary romances: the characters. First up: Annie. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Annie is committed. I mean, you have to be committed if you want to run that race without any previous experience -aside from her training. So she is a very strong -or stubborn I guess- person. I did like that about her. She is also filled with guilt about her boyfriend’s death. During her last year of high school, she isolated herself after she lost him and spent most of her time alone. I feel like some people may be a bit annoyed at Annie towards the middle/end of the book because she has trouble accepting her feelings for Jeremiah. She feels guilty because of it. It personally didn’t bother me because it wasn’t overplayed. It was present in the story -which in my opinion is only normal- but it wasn’t dragged out.
Overall, I really enjoyed Annie as a main character. I really like Jeremiah as well. Although I don’t always understand him, I feel like he is a really good person. Sometimes you meet someone and you just know that they are a good person, right? I felt that way about him. To be honest, I’d like to try some of the crazy stunts/sports he tried but seeing as I’m already clumsy, I’d probably lose a limb.
There are several other characters I liked as well. First of all, Matt. Matt is Annie’s running coach -and Jeremiah’s brother- who helps her train and reach her goal of running the marathon. And of course, Annie’s family is important as well. Often in YA books, the family aspect is either left out or not really present that much which always makes me sad! Family is very important in my eyes, especially if you are a teenager, so it seems weird to leave that part out. But Annie has a really good relationship with her brother Nick, and really loves her mother as well.
CONCLUSION
I would highly recommend this book! Annie’s story was really heartfelt and I enjoyed every part of it.
★★★★ ½
Before I start with the actual review, let’s talk about the “series”. I know this is actually the fifth book in the Hundred Oaks series and I will confess to you now that I have only read the first book and this one. You do NOT have to read them all! It is not necessary by any means, which I really like because some of the others don’t really speak to me as this one did.
PLOT
I’m going to be quite honest here, the first sentence of the synopsis speaks to me. I HATE RUNNING. I really do. It’s probably the form of exercise I dislike the most -that and burpees- so I thought it would be interesting to read this from Annie’s perspective, as she hates it as well. It makes it so much easier for me to connect to her, seeing as I don’t like it either.
So during the novel, Annie is preparing to run the Nashville Country Music Marathon -I believe- which is I think over 26 miles. As a non-runner, that just sounds like death to me. And to her as well. But she wants to run it for her boyfriend, who died. So no matter how much she is suffering and aching, she is not giving up.
While this book was definitely not slow, I did feel like the story slowly unfolded. I know that probably didn’t make any sense, I’m sorry. I read this book quite quickly yet I felt like I slowly got to know the characters and the story. It didn’t feel rushed to me.
CHARACTERS
On to what I consider to be one of the most important aspects of contemporary romances: the characters. First up: Annie. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Annie is committed. I mean, you have to be committed if you want to run that race without any previous experience -aside from her training. So she is a very strong -or stubborn I guess- person. I did like that about her. She is also filled with guilt about her boyfriend’s death. During her last year of high school, she isolated herself after she lost him and spent most of her time alone. I feel like some people may be a bit annoyed at Annie towards the middle/end of the book because she has trouble accepting her feelings for Jeremiah. She feels guilty because of it. It personally didn’t bother me because it wasn’t overplayed. It was present in the story -which in my opinion is only normal- but it wasn’t dragged out.
Overall, I really enjoyed Annie as a main character. I really like Jeremiah as well. Although I don’t always understand him, I feel like he is a really good person. Sometimes you meet someone and you just know that they are a good person, right? I felt that way about him. To be honest, I’d like to try some of the crazy stunts/sports he tried but seeing as I’m already clumsy, I’d probably lose a limb.
There are several other characters I liked as well. First of all, Matt. Matt is Annie’s running coach -and Jeremiah’s brother- who helps her train and reach her goal of running the marathon. And of course, Annie’s family is important as well. Often in YA books, the family aspect is either left out or not really present that much which always makes me sad! Family is very important in my eyes, especially if you are a teenager, so it seems weird to leave that part out. But Annie has a really good relationship with her brother Nick, and really loves her mother as well.
CONCLUSION
I would highly recommend this book! Annie’s story was really heartfelt and I enjoyed every part of it.
★★★★ ½
donttakemybooks's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love the romance and the ending felt a bit cheesy, but I really liked Annie and really was rooting for her to find her way. To run that marathon, to open herself back up to friendship and love, to take some risks. I really wish the love interest was not named Jere. There are some names that just kill the romantic vibe for me and Jere is on that list, I guess.
savetris's review against another edition
5.0
I love how the books interconnect. I really didn't like Kate in Things I can't forget and I was starting to get tired of the style but Breathe, Annie, Breathe reminded me of why I loved the first book in the first place. (Catching Jordan, since I'm reading them chronologically, which you don't have to but it makes more sense that way.) The girls are each a different person but they're all strong and driven and I really admire them. It's a good thing this book is set 4 years after Things I Can't Forget, we get to see how the characters from previous books turned out. The overall sports theme of these books is inspiring.
noura_rizk's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing I'm gonna do when the final book is released is reading the whole series again, Loved all the other books and loved this one too. I like Miranda's writing,she's one of my favorite authors, and I want more books from her :)
freesien's review
5.0
Aahh, war das geil! Mal was anderes als sonst. Auch wenn es EXTREM lange gedauert hat, bis rauskam, was denn nun eigentlich it Kyle passiert ist
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
I had the privilege of reading a very early version of this, something I'm still smiling about! One of the reasons I enjoy Miranda Kenneally's books so much is because of her writing style, it's clean, crisp and easy to follow. The other is because she gives us characters who are wonderfully human, perfectly flawed and easily releatable, and Annie and Jeremiah are no different. Breathe, Annie, Breathe, is a story about taking risks, learning to love again and finding yourself in the process.
Annie is trying to find a way to deal with her grief, having lost her boyfriend Kyle not too long ago, and Jeremiah is working to repair his relationship with his family. He's an adrenaline junkie who thrives off of taking risks and looking for the next high, even if it means he ends up hurt. Their attraction to each other is palpable right from the start and even though Jere is by Annie's side both in and out of training, it's easy to understand why she's afraid to move past the "Friendzone" with him. Doing so would mean putting herself and her heart on the line again, something Annie isn't sure she can do. But life is full of risks, you just have to decide which ones are worth taking.
As with the other books in her Hundred Oaks series, Breathe, Annie, Breathe, can be read as a stand alone, BUT, it's a lot more fun to read the previous books first,because Sam Henry and Matt Brown especially since some of those characters appear in this one. One in particular had me seriously considering training for a marathon, but then I remembered:
A) I hate to run. Unless, of course, Matt Brown was at the finish line holding the next Hundred Oaks book, then I would make an exception.
B) The 5k I ran a few years ago nearly killed me. (Not really, but it sure felt like it.)
C) I couldn't actually hire him to train me because Matt Brown is fictional. *pouts*
And then there is Jeremiah Brown...
We're first introduced to Jere as Matt's younger brother in, Things I Can't Forget, and I never had any doubt that I would love him like I do Sam, Will, Matt and Jack, but after Breathe, Annie, Breathe, I don't just love him, I LIGHTENING BOLT Jeremiah Brown! So much so, Andi from Andi's ABCs and I decided to have buttons made before BEA this year.
I may not have been able to relate 100% to Annie's desire to run a marathon, but I could totally relate to Jere's need for adventure. I like adventure too, I'm just a little moresafe selective about mine. For example, I'm terrified of heights, but I love to ride roller coasters, the faster the better, and I even jumped out of an airplane a couple of years ago. But you will not get me on a Ferris Wheel. Ever.
Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an excellent addition to the Hundred Oaks series and I'm really looking forward to where these characters take us next!
Annie is trying to find a way to deal with her grief, having lost her boyfriend Kyle not too long ago, and Jeremiah is working to repair his relationship with his family. He's an adrenaline junkie who thrives off of taking risks and looking for the next high, even if it means he ends up hurt. Their attraction to each other is palpable right from the start and even though Jere is by Annie's side both in and out of training, it's easy to understand why she's afraid to move past the "Friendzone" with him. Doing so would mean putting herself and her heart on the line again, something Annie isn't sure she can do. But life is full of risks, you just have to decide which ones are worth taking.
As with the other books in her Hundred Oaks series, Breathe, Annie, Breathe, can be read as a stand alone, BUT, it's a lot more fun to read the previous books first,
A) I hate to run. Unless, of course, Matt Brown was at the finish line holding the next Hundred Oaks book, then I would make an exception.
B) The 5k I ran a few years ago nearly killed me. (Not really, but it sure felt like it.)
C) I couldn't actually hire him to train me because Matt Brown is fictional. *pouts*
And then there is Jeremiah Brown...
We're first introduced to Jere as Matt's younger brother in, Things I Can't Forget, and I never had any doubt that I would love him like I do Sam, Will, Matt and Jack, but after Breathe, Annie, Breathe, I don't just love him, I LIGHTENING BOLT Jeremiah Brown! So much so, Andi from Andi's ABCs and I decided to have buttons made before BEA this year.
I may not have been able to relate 100% to Annie's desire to run a marathon, but I could totally relate to Jere's need for adventure. I like adventure too, I'm just a little more
Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an excellent addition to the Hundred Oaks series and I'm really looking forward to where these characters take us next!
dtrumps's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on Gone Pecan
Annie, several months after her boyfriend’s death, has decided to run a marathon in his name because she feels guilty for wanting to go thirty minutes away to college instead of marrying him right out of high school. So she gets herself a running coach (I had no idea there was such a thing outside of high school and college) because she obviously has no idea what she’s doing.
Enter Jeremiah Brown, younger brother of Matt Brown from Kenneally’s Things I Can’t Forget, who is one of my favorite YA book boyfriends. Matt is Annie’s running coach and Jeremiah, now 20 and in college, is working for him. Annie and Jere have this instant attraction to each other, but there are several obstacles, including Annie’s grief and Jere’s inclination to dangerous activities like bungee jumping and motorcross, that keep them separated.
So Annie and Jere begin a tentative friendship, which is less than Jere wants but she cannot seem to let him out of her life. Annie and Kyle’s relationship, as well as the pitfalls of growing up, has caused her friendships to slide away, so Annie doesn’t have anyone other than her family. She needs to be interacting more with other people her age and get ready to move away. Annie is not really the type to put herself out there, and she is a little jealous of the friendship of other girls at school, so when a couple of them reach out to her, she tentatively moves in that direction.
This book is about grief and it’s effects. Annie is quite young and losing Kyle was devastating, but the people in her life don’t want her to wallow in the pain. Her mother and brother were very sweet, but they were ready for Annie to get back out there and not miss out on life and anything that might come her way. I loved how cute they were when Jere was around and Annie had to keep reminding them that they were JUST FRIENDS.
Overall, it was a bittersweet book about Annie finding the courage to move on after the love of her life dies. She’s still reeling the from guilt and loneliness that comes with something like this. Annie was brave, though, deciding to do something that she’d never even contemplated doing before and stuck with it, despite all the pain and complications. I loved that about her.
This book brings in a lot of characters from the other books in the series. Most of them, Matt and Jordan, have grown up and it was really sweet seeing them older and what direction their life has taken. Savannah, from Racing Savannah, was one of the girls that Annie becomes friends with, so she was the same age (I haven’t read that book yet, I need to get on it because she was adorable). It’s been so long since I read the other books, that I didn’t remember a lot of what and who were in them, so I think a reread might be in my future.
This book is less about the romance, though that was definitely there, than about Annie moving on and growing up. Jere is there for her in both ways and was a real prince. I loved their friendship as well as the other friendships she develops over the course of the book. A lot of times, friends are more important than family and I know, leaving this book, that Annie will be just fine because of all the people she has in her corner. Sometimes a book and it’s characters will make an impact on you in a way that makes you want to think about how you’re doing in life and what you could do to be a better person and more happy. Breathe, Annie, Breathe is definitely that book for me and I think it could be for a lot of people.
4/5
Annie, several months after her boyfriend’s death, has decided to run a marathon in his name because she feels guilty for wanting to go thirty minutes away to college instead of marrying him right out of high school. So she gets herself a running coach (I had no idea there was such a thing outside of high school and college) because she obviously has no idea what she’s doing.
Enter Jeremiah Brown, younger brother of Matt Brown from Kenneally’s Things I Can’t Forget, who is one of my favorite YA book boyfriends. Matt is Annie’s running coach and Jeremiah, now 20 and in college, is working for him. Annie and Jere have this instant attraction to each other, but there are several obstacles, including Annie’s grief and Jere’s inclination to dangerous activities like bungee jumping and motorcross, that keep them separated.
So Annie and Jere begin a tentative friendship, which is less than Jere wants but she cannot seem to let him out of her life. Annie and Kyle’s relationship, as well as the pitfalls of growing up, has caused her friendships to slide away, so Annie doesn’t have anyone other than her family. She needs to be interacting more with other people her age and get ready to move away. Annie is not really the type to put herself out there, and she is a little jealous of the friendship of other girls at school, so when a couple of them reach out to her, she tentatively moves in that direction.
This book is about grief and it’s effects. Annie is quite young and losing Kyle was devastating, but the people in her life don’t want her to wallow in the pain. Her mother and brother were very sweet, but they were ready for Annie to get back out there and not miss out on life and anything that might come her way. I loved how cute they were when Jere was around and Annie had to keep reminding them that they were JUST FRIENDS.
Overall, it was a bittersweet book about Annie finding the courage to move on after the love of her life dies. She’s still reeling the from guilt and loneliness that comes with something like this. Annie was brave, though, deciding to do something that she’d never even contemplated doing before and stuck with it, despite all the pain and complications. I loved that about her.
This book brings in a lot of characters from the other books in the series. Most of them, Matt and Jordan, have grown up and it was really sweet seeing them older and what direction their life has taken. Savannah, from Racing Savannah, was one of the girls that Annie becomes friends with, so she was the same age (I haven’t read that book yet, I need to get on it because she was adorable). It’s been so long since I read the other books, that I didn’t remember a lot of what and who were in them, so I think a reread might be in my future.
This book is less about the romance, though that was definitely there, than about Annie moving on and growing up. Jere is there for her in both ways and was a real prince. I loved their friendship as well as the other friendships she develops over the course of the book. A lot of times, friends are more important than family and I know, leaving this book, that Annie will be just fine because of all the people she has in her corner. Sometimes a book and it’s characters will make an impact on you in a way that makes you want to think about how you’re doing in life and what you could do to be a better person and more happy. Breathe, Annie, Breathe is definitely that book for me and I think it could be for a lot of people.
4/5
mfgulick's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. The love story felt real and not your typical story.