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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Goodreads

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.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Book Review: Defending Taylor (Hundred Oaks #7) by Miranda Kenneally

Defending Taylor
Hundred Oaks #7

By:
Miranda Kenneally

Publisher:
Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date:
July 5, 2016

Add to
Goodreads

Source:
eARC from publisher in exchange for a honest review

GR's Summary:

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High. 

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start? 

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

 

  

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

I love the Hundred Oaks Series.  It is not only fun and romantic, but it opens up the opportunity to contemplate and discuss social issues relevant in the world today.  Ms. Kenneally always writes the most thought provoking stories, and I appreciate the fact that they are chock-full of substance!

In Defending Taylor, we get to learn about high school senior Taylor Leukens.  When they story begins, we learn that seventeen year old Taylor is the youngest child of a senator.  She attends a prestigious and elite private school, is set to be the captain of the girls soccer team, and has been preparing for years to get into Yale, the ivy league college of choice for her grandfather, father, and sister.  Her brother "rebelled," by attending Princeton.  

Consequently, Taylor undergoes an abundance of stress, lack of sleep, and the constant need to make her family proud of her.  When Taylor get's caught with pills that are not hers, she gets blamed.  Thinking that her father will be able to help her situation, she takes the fall for her boyfriend, Ben, who is attending their private school on a scholarship.  Unfortunately, Taylor's father decides that she needs to endure the repercussions of her actions.  

Therefore, Taylor gets expelled and ends up having to attend Hundred Oaks High School.  Her lie causes a downward domino effect that ends up disrupting more than one aspect of her life.  Along the way, Taylor gets close to her brother's best friend and long time crush Ezra Carmichael, who is dealing with his own secret, challenges, and stresses.

Defending Taylor was quite the page-turner!  I was not surprised, as all of Ms. Keneally's books tend to hook me from the start, and captivate me until the very end.  I loved Taylor's character.  She was the typical teenager that stressed about making the wrong life decisions, and not succeeding in the way that her family expected.  She took pills to help her get the energy she needed, so that she would not fall asleep when studying.  Taylor took on way too much, and was so busy working hard, that her life was passing her by.

Ezra was a character that made her question what she really wanted in life, and I loved that about him.  He supported Taylor, and just wanted her to be happy. Ezra was a sweet, sexy, and all around great guy, that was one of the catalysts for her character growth.  I appreciated how Ms. Keneally addressed the issues of teenage stress, and pill use.  I think this issue is very relevant in the present time.  We see the way that teens are struggling with the need to be perfect and exceed expectations to get into college, and then score at the top of their class. 

   

My Rating:

I give, Defending Taylor, by Miranda Keneally, 4 Taking the Fall, Growing Up, Sweet Romance, Taking Charge of One's Happiness Filled Stars!!!  This was another great story in the Hundred Oaks Series, and I loved getting reacquainted with other characters from previous stories in the series!  Especially, Jack Goodwin, from Racing Savannah!!!  He gave Taylor some priceless advice.  I can't wait to see whose story we get next!  Keep them coming Ms. Keneally!!!  

Preorder At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks 

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.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Book Review: Jesse's Girl (Hundred Oaks #6) by Miranda Kenneally

Jesse's Girl
Hundred Oaks #5

By:
Miranda Kenneally

Release Date:
July 7, 2015

Publisher:
Sourcebooks Fire

Source:
eARC from publisher for a honest review

GR's Summary:

Practice Makes Perfect. 

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol. 

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo? 

Hundred Oaks Series:

My Review of Racing Savannah Here

My Review of Breathe, Annie, Breathe Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

I adore Miranda Kenneally's Hundred Oaks Series.  Every one of these books has hooked me immediately, and it's always a bittersweet moment when I finish one of them.  I was thrilled to learn that Jesse's Girl focuses on Maya Henry (Sam Henry's younger sister) from Catching Jordan!  We get many wonderful moments with Sam, Jordan, and the rest of the Henry family, which had me excited and ready to reread, Catching Jordan.

Maya is a senior in high school.  Music is her passion.  Specifically, playing the guitar and singing.  She's having a tough time due to the fact that she just got dumped by her band and the guy that she likes.  For her school's shadow day, she gets to be mentored by Jesse Scott, a famous eighteen year old country music star and heart throb.  Initially, Maya and Jesse don't hit it off, because Jesse has a hard time trusting others after repeatedly being used for his money and fame.  However, Maya begins to earn Jesse's trust by being herself, and they both realize that in order to be happy in life, you have to be willing to take chances.

I loved the authentic and unique characterization of Maya and Jesse.  They both had their own sense of style, distinctive personalities, and were realistic.  Maya was well loved by an amazing and supportive family.  Poor Jesse was lonely, had deadbeat parents, and very few people in his life that he could trust.  Maya taught him how to enjoy his life, and brought so much happiness, acceptance, support, loyalty, and love in to what had been a very sad and empty life.  

Maya was insecure in her music ability, and Jesse helped her with building on her talents and confidence.  It was beautiful to see the deep bonds of friendship, romance, and sweet love bloom!  Jesse's Girl was fun, entertaining, fast-paced, and romantic.  I connected with and loved the main characters, as well as the secondary ones.  Jesse made me laugh throughout the story.  He was a big flirt, loved shocking people, and was just a good time in general.  Maya was so sweet, compassionate, sensitive, and a person that was a treasure to have as a friend!

My Rating:

I give, Jesse's Girl, by Miranda Kenneally, 4.5 Adorable Heart throb, Adventurous, Sweet, and Romantic Stars!  If you enjoy contemporary Y.A., I recommend the Hundred Oaks Series.  It ranks in my top favorite list of all time!

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

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.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour : Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks, #5) by Miranda Kenneally

Breathe, Annie, Breathe 
By: Miranda Kenneally (Hundred Oaks #5)  Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 
Published: July 15, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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Synopsis: 

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line. 

“Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautiful story about finding yourself after loss and learning to love. It gave me so many feels. Her best book yet.” — Jennifer Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You.

Hundred Oaks Series:

My Thoughts:

In my opinion, Ms. Kenneally is one of the most powerful Y.A. Contemporary authors currently out on the market.  I cannot possibly recommend her stories enough.  While the previous stories in this series were definite Y.A., I would categorize, Breathe, Annie, Breathe as a story that is on the cusp between the young adult and new adult genre.

When the story begins, Annie is in her senior year of high school.  She is training for a marathon, on behalf of her now deceased high school boyfriend, Kyle.  Throughout the story, she reflects on how she met Kyle, their relationship, and then finally, how Kyle came to pass.  Annie is struggling, and in a place of tremendous sadness and heartbreak.  She met Kyle when they were just fourteen years old.  He wasn't her type, but he won her over, because he was such an extraordinary person.  Kyle set his sights on Annie, and won her over with the way he treated her.  He was such a gentleman, and Annie really was the love of his life.  When Kyle dies from a tragic accident, Annie has a huge hole in her heart, and has to learn to go through the motions of everyday life, as she finds it difficult just to get out of bed everyday and function.

Again, Ms. Kenneally faces realistic and tough life circumstances head on.  If you have ever lost a loved one then you will be able to relate to this story, and if you have been lucky to not have, you will be immersed in a vast and intense well of emotion as you read this story.  Ms. Keneally makes us feel the pain right alongside Annie, as she mourns, deals with survivor's guilt, and eventually learns how to heal, and move on with her life.

Training for the marathon proves to be therapeutic for Annie.  It gives her a regimented schedule of something to do to distract her, and help pass the time.  She meets amazing friends from her marathon running coach, Matthew, "Matt," and co-runners Liza, and Andrew.  However, the person that she meets, that makes the largest positive impact on her is Matthew's younger brother, 20 year old Jeremiah "Jere" Brown.  Jere is a fun loving, spirited, easy going, adrenaline junky.  He is assisting his brother Matt with marathon training.  When he sets eyes on Annie, he thinks she's beautiful, and wants to get to know her.  Annie is attracted to Jere, and he gives her butterflies.  However, she feels guilty for being attracted to him, and enjoying his company, which creates a bit of a push-pull to their relationship.  Jere is very patient with Annie, and offers her his friendship.  These two grow very close, and he is a catalyst for healing and moving forward in her life.  As I read, Breathe, Annie Breathe, it was an excellent reminder to me that life is not about the destination, but the journey we embark in on this adventure we call life.

My Rating:

I give, Breathe, Annie, Breathe, by Miranda Kenneally, 5 Profound, Heartfelt, Emotional, an Exciting New Beginning Filled Stars!  This story can be read as a standalone.  However, if you've read the Hundred Oaks Series, you will be overjoyed, as I was, to be reunited with some of my past favorite characters.  I loved seeing Jordan, Sam Henry, Savannah, and Jack again.  It's always wonderful to see characters that I have missed from previous books in the series.  I highly recommend this series, and Breathe, Annie, Breathe shines brightly all on its own, as part of an already amazing series.

My Favorite Quotes:

"If you don't put yourself out there, if you don't take risks, you can't truly feel."  (eARC, Loc. 2625)

~Jeremiah

"I never knew what an adrenaline rush really was until we met.  When I first saw you?  That was the day all my running really paid off-because you were on the trails.  You make me feel three times the rush of skydiving or bungee jumping...I felt the biggest rush of my life when you said you love me."  (eARC, Loc. 2667)

~Jeremiah

Purchase At:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

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.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Tour Wide Giveaway:

*2 X $50 B & N Gift Cards
*3 X Signed Copies of Breathe, Annie, Breathe

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