toodoorcc's review against another edition
5.0
I really love this book. It was written very well and I enjoyed the characters. There were a few cases where I think the author should stop repeating herself when describing something. For instance, it was written that Noah Thompson was a basketball player and was very nice but Levi hated him. A few pages later when Noah reappears in the book, it's stated the exact same way. I loved the wit and sarcasm and one of my favorite characters was Jason.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Swimming, romance, competitions, friendship, and more. This was just so sweet!
The last Hundred Oaks book, and I am oh so sad that this series is ending. :( But at least I still got a few books to read, and I can always re-read the whole series again. But still, I wouldn't mind more Hundred Oaks books.
This book features several themes and they were all perfectly worked out and it never felt like too much. We have friendship, swimming, competitions, sex/relationships, college, and more.
In this one our girl Maggie is feeling left out. Everyone of her friendgroup has had sex, has a boyfriend/girlfriend, and she is so busy with swimming and competitions that she just doesn't have time. Plus she is afraid she would do it wrong. She is off to college soon and she wants to be a bit more experienced as to not scare the boys away. This was quite relatable to me. Not the swimming, but the whole all my friends have gone so much further than me, is that normal? Should I do something? I know I had the same thoughts when I was her age. That it felt like I was the last one to ever do anything. That I should have done something way earlier. Thankfully, I learned that everyone goes at it at their own pace. Some are early, some are quick, and some just take a while or want to wait. It is all normal. And I was hoping that Maggie would also see that she doesn't have to hurry. That she is doing fine. And she did!
Of course, I didn't mind her and Levi getting it on. :P While it took me a while for me to see them as a couple, or even had me rooting for them. Sorry, it just felt a bit cliche to have two best friends go for it. But eventually I did start rooting for them. To make it all official. To tell each other of their feelings (because come on it is clear that both of them have feelings, even if Maggie keeps saying she is just experimenting). I knew it wouldn't be easy, and Levi didn't make it any easier with the dumb thing he did. But I guess I can understand, they are about to split up to two different sides of the country. Long distance isn't easy. Plus there is the whole they have been friends for years and years, is the friendship still going to work should everything fail?
But Levi and Maggie's changing relationship, and the sexy times, weren't the only thing in this book. We also see the lives of Maggie's friends. Hunter and his love for Shelby who doesn't want to make it official + the fact he has to go to a school where everyone of his family went to. Then there is Georgia who is now a cheerleader and has to watch what she eats, she has a demanding mom, and a new relationship (though she is still a bit hesitant about it due to what happened with her previous relationship). I loved Maggie's friends, and I loved that they got together quite a few times whenever they could. To talk about their week, to talk about their love, to talk about sports, to talk about parents. They really are a tight group of friends.
And of course, since this is a Hundred Oaks book, the focus is also on the sports. This time competitive swimming. Both Levi and Maggie are pretty dang awesome in the water. Levi especially kills it in the water, but Maggie is also a great swimmer though she still has to learn not to focus on her opponents and also not worry about every detail. I loved reading about the competitions, about how they started swimming, how hard they work to get somewhere and then especially the Olympics. To see the training, to see their coach. To see them wake up at ungodly hours of the morning and train for hours.
We also see that at times it isn't easy and that sometimes they miss normal life. Going on dates, going out with friends, prom (then again that is only normal in countries that have prom :P), all sorts of other things.
Roxy, Maggie's rival, was an annoying girl. I especially disliked how she kept making remarks (either online or at the meets), how she seemed to take pleasure in being mean towards Maggie. I just wanted to throw the girl into the water. It amazes me that, seemingly the coaches and such know about what Roxy does, but don't do anything about it.
I have to say I wasn't amused with Maggie constant jealousy issues. I actually felt sorry for Levi. Every time he just glanced at a girl, or even dared to speak to her, Maggie went full jealous. Thinking that he didn't want her, that he would rather want someone else, that he was doing it with another girl, etc. etc.. It just got on my nerves. If it happened once? Like with Roxy? I could understand, but every time a girl gets close to Levi Maggie's shackles just went sky high. Dear girl, that is not healthy behaviour. Your friend/boyfriend is allowed to also talk to other girls or even laugh or even hug them. Really.
I thought it was a bit irresponsible to let a girl, so afraid, go on the road on her own in a car. I get that she probably has to learn somehow, but it just felt dumb. At least have someone go with her until she is used to driving and isn't so afraid. Also weirdly, I guess that people don't get tickets for going too slow? As at times she drove WAY below the limit and even endangered others who were driving the right way. I know here you could potentially get a ticket for this behaviour as it is endangering other drivers.
But all in all a very lovely book, and I was also happy to see Sam and Jordan again, and also get a bit of an epilogue about them (and Maggie/Levi).
I would recommend it to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The last Hundred Oaks book, and I am oh so sad that this series is ending. :( But at least I still got a few books to read, and I can always re-read the whole series again. But still, I wouldn't mind more Hundred Oaks books.
This book features several themes and they were all perfectly worked out and it never felt like too much. We have friendship, swimming, competitions, sex/relationships, college, and more.
In this one our girl Maggie is feeling left out. Everyone of her friendgroup has had sex, has a boyfriend/girlfriend, and she is so busy with swimming and competitions that she just doesn't have time. Plus she is afraid she would do it wrong. She is off to college soon and she wants to be a bit more experienced as to not scare the boys away. This was quite relatable to me. Not the swimming, but the whole all my friends have gone so much further than me, is that normal? Should I do something? I know I had the same thoughts when I was her age. That it felt like I was the last one to ever do anything. That I should have done something way earlier. Thankfully, I learned that everyone goes at it at their own pace. Some are early, some are quick, and some just take a while or want to wait. It is all normal. And I was hoping that Maggie would also see that she doesn't have to hurry. That she is doing fine. And she did!
Of course, I didn't mind her and Levi getting it on. :P While it took me a while for me to see them as a couple, or even had me rooting for them. Sorry, it just felt a bit cliche to have two best friends go for it. But eventually I did start rooting for them. To make it all official. To tell each other of their feelings (because come on it is clear that both of them have feelings, even if Maggie keeps saying she is just experimenting). I knew it wouldn't be easy, and Levi didn't make it any easier with the dumb thing he did. But I guess I can understand, they are about to split up to two different sides of the country. Long distance isn't easy. Plus there is the whole they have been friends for years and years, is the friendship still going to work should everything fail?
But Levi and Maggie's changing relationship, and the sexy times, weren't the only thing in this book. We also see the lives of Maggie's friends. Hunter and his love for Shelby who doesn't want to make it official + the fact he has to go to a school where everyone of his family went to. Then there is Georgia who is now a cheerleader and has to watch what she eats, she has a demanding mom, and a new relationship (though she is still a bit hesitant about it due to what happened with her previous relationship). I loved Maggie's friends, and I loved that they got together quite a few times whenever they could. To talk about their week, to talk about their love, to talk about sports, to talk about parents. They really are a tight group of friends.
And of course, since this is a Hundred Oaks book, the focus is also on the sports. This time competitive swimming. Both Levi and Maggie are pretty dang awesome in the water. Levi especially kills it in the water, but Maggie is also a great swimmer though she still has to learn not to focus on her opponents and also not worry about every detail. I loved reading about the competitions, about how they started swimming, how hard they work to get somewhere and then especially the Olympics. To see the training, to see their coach. To see them wake up at ungodly hours of the morning and train for hours.
We also see that at times it isn't easy and that sometimes they miss normal life. Going on dates, going out with friends, prom (then again that is only normal in countries that have prom :P), all sorts of other things.
Roxy, Maggie's rival, was an annoying girl. I especially disliked how she kept making remarks (either online or at the meets), how she seemed to take pleasure in being mean towards Maggie. I just wanted to throw the girl into the water. It amazes me that, seemingly the coaches and such know about what Roxy does, but don't do anything about it.
I have to say I wasn't amused with Maggie constant jealousy issues. I actually felt sorry for Levi. Every time he just glanced at a girl, or even dared to speak to her, Maggie went full jealous. Thinking that he didn't want her, that he would rather want someone else, that he was doing it with another girl, etc. etc.. It just got on my nerves. If it happened once? Like with Roxy? I could understand, but every time a girl gets close to Levi Maggie's shackles just went sky high. Dear girl, that is not healthy behaviour. Your friend/boyfriend is allowed to also talk to other girls or even laugh or even hug them. Really.
I thought it was a bit irresponsible to let a girl, so afraid, go on the road on her own in a car. I get that she probably has to learn somehow, but it just felt dumb. At least have someone go with her until she is used to driving and isn't so afraid. Also weirdly, I guess that people don't get tickets for going too slow? As at times she drove WAY below the limit and even endangered others who were driving the right way. I know here you could potentially get a ticket for this behaviour as it is endangering other drivers.
But all in all a very lovely book, and I was also happy to see Sam and Jordan again, and also get a bit of an epilogue about them (and Maggie/Levi).
I would recommend it to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
mrsmoger's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
booklirious's review against another edition
4.0
Maggie King is a swimmer, wait scratch that. She’s a competitive swimmer trying to make it on the US Olympic Team. So it goes without saying she doesn’t have time to enjoy high school let alone live. Maggie spends more time in the water than land but at least has best friend Levi there to keep her sane. They understand each other since they both are after the same goal, making it to the Olympic trials. With graduation right around the corner, Maggie is realizing how much she missed in high school. With months left of her senior year, she’s focused on making up all those lost years. First on her list, finding someone to make out with. Settle with a stranger or someone she’s already close with? Decisions alter your future and how much is Maggie willing to risk.
Coming Up For Air is an enjoyable, feel good, read-in-one-sitting book. This reminded me of my high school years, the transition from high school to college, awkward flirting, and cringe worthy moments. Entering the mind of an inexperienced high school student brings out hilarious encounters and how someone deals with insecurities, making Maggie relatable and likeable. As a reader, you are on the sidelines cheering her on whether she was inside and outside of the pool. Also I can never look at superman the same way again. Highly recommend!
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Coming Up For Air will be out July 2017!
Coming Up For Air is an enjoyable, feel good, read-in-one-sitting book. This reminded me of my high school years, the transition from high school to college, awkward flirting, and cringe worthy moments. Entering the mind of an inexperienced high school student brings out hilarious encounters and how someone deals with insecurities, making Maggie relatable and likeable. As a reader, you are on the sidelines cheering her on whether she was inside and outside of the pool. Also I can never look at superman the same way again. Highly recommend!
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Coming Up For Air will be out July 2017!
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
I received this an eARC through Netgalley.
Maggie has been a competitive swimmer for as long as she can remember and she loves it. However, she wishes she had more experience with guys. Her best friends are experiencing the same trouble of balancing their own personal pursuits and commitment to their sport. After attending a college experience program, Maggie decides she needs to step up her game in the romance department and get the experiences in high school that she can use in college. Maggie has decided that her best practice partner would be her best friend Levi because she is so comfortable with him. They both made a point that they would not develop feelings for each other, but it just may be beyond their control.
This book was steamy, but fun. It felt real and it worked to reject gender stereotypes. It presents athletic/driven teens in a positive and realistic way.
Maggie has been a competitive swimmer for as long as she can remember and she loves it. However, she wishes she had more experience with guys. Her best friends are experiencing the same trouble of balancing their own personal pursuits and commitment to their sport. After attending a college experience program, Maggie decides she needs to step up her game in the romance department and get the experiences in high school that she can use in college. Maggie has decided that her best practice partner would be her best friend Levi because she is so comfortable with him. They both made a point that they would not develop feelings for each other, but it just may be beyond their control.
This book was steamy, but fun. It felt real and it worked to reject gender stereotypes. It presents athletic/driven teens in a positive and realistic way.
reviewsfromabookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Cutesy contemporary romance. It was okay. Not sure I will review it as I have very little to say about it -maybe a mini review at a later date.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
I had the privilege of reading an early draft of this. I loved it then and I love it now.
Miranda Kenneally is one of the few authors on my Auto-Buy/Read list. And it's no surprise I have added Levi to my Kenneally Boys Book Shelf! I'm truly envious of how she writes book boys so well every single time. Each one is awesome in his own right, but none of them ever sound the same. Neither do her leading girls.
Miranda's depiction of the life of a swimmer was spot-on. My cousin swam competitively for years and at times, I felt like I was reading her life.
I loved the friendship dynamic between the girls, the guys, and as a group. The tension was great in and out of the pool. I felt Maggie's feelings of insecurity and self-doubt right along with her, and found her determination inspiring. The leap from Friends to Lovers is always risky. I enjoyed watching the way it played out between Maggie and Levi (especially the make-out scenes); it was complicated, awkward, and at times, heart-breaking, but it felt real and relateable. The end had me swooning with a big goofy smile on my face, just like all the other books in the series.
The cameos and connections to previous characters and storylines are always a plus! And that Epilogue was perfection. <3
The Hundred Oaks Series has been one of my absolute favorites and I'm a little sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I'm looking forward to reading whatever Miranda writes next!
Read it.
Miranda Kenneally is one of the few authors on my Auto-Buy/Read list. And it's no surprise I have added Levi to my Kenneally Boys Book Shelf! I'm truly envious of how she writes book boys so well every single time. Each one is awesome in his own right, but none of them ever sound the same. Neither do her leading girls.
Miranda's depiction of the life of a swimmer was spot-on. My cousin swam competitively for years and at times, I felt like I was reading her life.
I loved the friendship dynamic between the girls, the guys, and as a group. The tension was great in and out of the pool. I felt Maggie's feelings of insecurity and self-doubt right along with her, and found her determination inspiring. The leap from Friends to Lovers is always risky. I enjoyed watching the way it played out between Maggie and Levi (especially the make-out scenes); it was complicated, awkward, and at times, heart-breaking, but it felt real and relateable. The end had me swooning with a big goofy smile on my face, just like all the other books in the series.
The cameos and connections to previous characters and storylines are always a plus! And that Epilogue was perfection. <3
The Hundred Oaks Series has been one of my absolute favorites and I'm a little sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I'm looking forward to reading whatever Miranda writes next!
Read it.
mfgulick's review against another edition
4.0
This book was ADORABLE. It took a minute for it get going but once it did, so good.
I wish I had realized it was part of a larger series but thankfully, it stood on its own haha
I wish I had realized it was part of a larger series but thankfully, it stood on its own haha
sasha2599's review against another edition
4.0
Although this was my first read in the Hundred Oaks series, Coming Up for Air absolutely read wonderfully as a standalone. Since it combined two of my favorite tropes, friends-to-lovers and sports romance, I enjoyed this book so much! Both Maggie and Levi were well-written, well-developed characters and I felt their dialog and interactions were so realistic. Although I am far from an expert on the sport of swimming, Miranda Kenneally did a great job explaining the intricacies of the sport so a newbie like me could follow and understand. A great YA read!
**I voluntarily read an advance copy**
**I voluntarily read an advance copy**