This is the first book by Miranda Kenneally that I've read. I had the Hundred Oaks series in my to-read shelf, so I had to take a peek at this one. I was not disappointed.

The best part of this book is not the friends-to-lovers theme, but the way Maggie values her swimming career as much as her love life, probably more. Such a character is sure to steal people's hearts. Her struggle to ignore what others think of her is something we can all relate to. I was rooting for her, and now I'm rooting for the book's success. I'll surely read the other books soon.

I didn't care for many of the characters in this nearly as much as those in previous books but the humor was spot on. THICK JUICY STEAK DINNER! OMG I think I almost peed a little!

Determined, even a little scary, Maggie is keen to get to experience a relationship of sorts before she leaves for college. Unfortunately, intensive swim training doesn't leave a lot of time for relationships. So it's handy that her best friend, Levi, agrees to help. What follows is obvious from the start, but it's still good fun.

This was my first Miranda Kenneally book, but I have been eying her work for some a while. Just hadn't had the chance to pick something of hers up. With that being said, I plan on reading more of her work. As a contemporary YA I did enjoy this book. Is it the best next thing? Not really, but it delivers what is to be expected.

At the start of this I thought our character was going to be a flawless dedicated swimmer, on her way to the Olympics. What I got was an uncomplicated girl except for two things: she was obsessed with besting her rival rather than herself and she had few teenage experiences. Aside from that her life consisted of swim, eat, school, wash, rinse, and repeat. In the meantime, as she's growing up her three best friends somehow manage to balance their athlete life with the experiences we all know shape and mold us from inexperienced kids to adults. So one day, Maggie decides that before she goes to college (which is creeping ever so quickly), that she's got to get a little experience. The only problem is she underestimates the consequences of who she ends up fooling around with and how it will affect her three best friends.

The simple writing style of this book made for a very fast, easy read. The content of the book was never too heavy that left you in a pensive mood. A few laugh out loud moments left me grinning well past the embarrassment that Maggie endured as I recalled over and over the awkwardness of her situations.

Maturity level seemed a little wishy washy with the characters as theyare 17/18 year olds old enough to mess around and worry about not having any real relationships. Maybe it's because I am an early millennial that I think that the way they handle their sexual conduct and relationships to be more of the level of a college student (granted they are about to graduate and head off to college). I don't mean that I don't think that teens don't explore and mess around, it's just that Kenneally made it sound like it was totally normal for these teens to just hook up with other random athletes at swim meets, etc. Maybe I'm too old fashioned.

What I loved about the book was the respect that the athletes had towards their sport. It was sad, yes, that Maggie knew she didn't have any of the normal teenage experiences. However, she knew what she had to do to meet her lifetime goals.

"Sacrifice sucks, but sometimes it's necessary to get what you truly need."

As the story progresses Maggie has to decided what sort of distractions are healthy for her lifestyle and which are not. Balance in life is essential and she can't just keep having these urges (her words, not mine) distracting her.

Anyway, the book was cute. With themes of knowing your boundaries and communicating with your friends/partner about what you are actually feeling/needing along with the one-that-was-there-all-along trope it makes for a great book for any young adult to read.

Miranda Kenneally does it again. I can always count on her books for all the happy feels.

I needed something to put me in a good mood, and Coming Up for Air delivered. This might be my favorite Hundred Oaks book. Maggie and Levi were the cutest.

Maggie's feelings at the beginning of the book were super relatable. I really appreciate that this book addressed the important issue of feeling "left out" when all her friends seemed to be experiencing something she wasn't - and eventually realizing that wasn't a bad thing.

And I just love that these books are about teens who are really really good at things. Kenneally always does her research, and it always makes for an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. I've heard a lot about Miranda Kenneally's books but had never read one. I really enjoyed the glimpse into what goes into becoming an elite swimmer. I REALLY enjoyed a YA that gives voice to the kids who don't date in high school, whether by choice or circumstance. The friend relationships are lovely and realistic. The college pressures are relatable. An enjoyable read!

I always enjoy reading her books. I do enjoy seeing the others from her series in her books. It was nice to see someone who did well in her sport , and having a friendship. I enjoyed Hunter and her cheer friend. I could see something between them . Another great story in the 100 oaks :) I think that I have a new book boyfriend. I loved that she wanted to experience high school . I also enjoyed the 4 years later :)

It's pretty amazing that this book is the eighth book in the Hundred Oaks series and I'm just as invested in these characters, from that high school as I was in the beginning. Sure, I've liked some books more than others but I'm still excited to read these books as if I'd read them for the first time.

This book follows Maggie and Levi. Best friends turned more than best friends. They're competitive swimmers that grew up together, are always in each other's pockets and with their schedules as jam packed as they are, they don't really have much time for friends and relationships and what not. Normally that wouldn't be a problem because Levi finds the time to hook up with girls and Maggie is too tired for anything more than swim and her weekly night out with her best friends. All of that is enough for Maggie until she goes on a college visit trip and becomes curious. She doesn't have any experience with boys and now that the idea is in her head, she wants to hook up with someone. She wants to kiss and fool around and really, she wants more than just swimming.

Once that is decided, Maggie tries it on her own with disastrous results so she figures that she needs someone she trusts to help her out and who better than her bestie, Levi?

Levi is not excited about delving into this because Maggie is important to him and he doesn't have the time and doesn't want to risk what they have over kissing and hooking up. He's scared of all of the normal things that will happen with other girls, things he doesn't want to risk with Maggie but because he can't say no to her, he goes along. He helps her out. They kiss. They make out. They learn from each other until things start to really heat up.

Maggie and Levi were adorable on their own and I really loved their friendship. They had a solid foundation as friends and I was glad that they were able to get back to that friendship once the waters were tested and their bond was shaken a little. Kenneally does a great job of telling both of their sides and helping them figure their stuff out and she does it all so easily. Not once was I bored. Not once was I frustrated with either Maggie or Levi and I really enjoyed seeing them come into their own while not losing what was between them. Sure, it wasn't easy and their relationship wasn't perfect but it was still pretty awesome and I really enjoyed being along for their journey.

<strong>Grade: 4 out of 5</strong>

Maggie has spent most of her life training for the Olympics. She is a champion swimmer but she is missing out on her life. Maggie decides that she is going to use the last few months of high school to have all of her perfect teen experiences and her best friends, Levi is going to help her. However, Maggie soon uncovers new feelings for her best friend. Can they move from friends to more?

I don't know what it is that I like about Kenneally's novels but I just do. The characters feel extremely real with families, friends, and dreams. The relationship between Maggie and Levi is sweet. Plus, I appreciate how Kenneally gives her characters from past books cameos so we can revisit our favorite character.

(This review is scheduled to post on: July 1, 2017)

REVIEW: Oh, Miranda Kenneally, why must you constantly keep me up waaayyy past my bedtime? I have read all of the Hundred Oaks books (this was #8!), and while I do have my favorites, I devoured every single book. The seeing-the-best-friend-in-a-new-way theme mimics Catching Jordan a bit, and Miranda Kenneally seems to acknowledge that with Jordan's talks with Maggie. As Maggie's PE coach and health teacher, Jordan Woods makes more than her usual brief cameo in this one.

A quick reminder--you do not need to read these books in order. Characters from previous books do make appearances, but each book is about different characters who all attend the same high school. All their stories stand independently of one another.

So this is about Maggie and Levi. I loved both of them! Maggie is sufficiently awkward and, despite being an Olympic-worthy swimmer, she is surprisingly normal. I think many girls can relate to her, and I love the message that it's okay to be almost-18 and still not have had a boyfriend. Many, many years ago, I was in the same boat, sister.

Levi kind of got on my nerves a bit, but though he was a complete bonehead at times, he was perfect for Maggie. Love the best friend romances--they really are the ones that last.

I might have laughed out loud a few times. Especially that scene where Maggie runs into her Dad at the drugstore. And Levi's Dutch grandparents are the cutest couple ever!

Cute cover! I like how it goes with the rest of the series. They even got the cover models right, right down to Maggie's unruly brown waves, Levi's gray t-shirts, and how much taller Levi is than Maggie.

So is Coming Up for Air my favorite Kenneally book yet? Nope, that honor still goes to either Things We Can't Forget and Breathe, Annie, Breathe. It doesn't matter though--I still loved it and sucked it down, just like I do with all the Hundred Oaks books.

Considering the epilogue, I have to wonder if this the last book in the series. The author's note doesn't say, so I'm hoping there is still at least one more to come. I've heard there are to be nine in the series, but that's only rumor on Goodreads. Maybe Noah, a basketball player who asks Maggie out on a date, will get a story next time?

THEMES: friendship, determination, swimming, sports, confidence, rivalry, growing up

THE BOTTOM LINE: Another home run from Miranda Kenneally! A must-read for fans of her previous books.

STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: I have all the others in my library, and yes, they are popular. I'll be getting this one, too. As always with this series, be advised that there are mature sexual situations. The sex itself is very "fade to black" and only one time, but all bases are covered leading up to the home run.

RATING BREAKDOWN:

Overall: 5/5
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to teens: 5/5
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5

CONTENT:

Language: medium; 2 f-bombs, a few sh**
Sexuality: high; intense making out; second and third base crossed; intercourse (once; nothing described); teens talk about "hooking up" casually, as if it is something everyone does in high school; Maggie is the only virgin character--all her friends have long sexual histories
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: very mild; one reference to past raiding of parents' liquor cabinet

Captivating, cute and inspiring are a few words to describe Coming Up for Air.

I was excited when I received a copy of this book, because I big a fan of Hundred Oaks series.
What I love about this series is that the lead girls have actual goals, who work hard for their dreams. Maggie wasn't the exception.

Maggie is a swimmer who breaths, eats swimming who is not a conformist and wants more. Her goal is to get into the Olympics but always feels she isn't as good as she could be which leads her to push herself too much. I admire Teens who push themselves to be better, who have goals to be the best in what they love to do, but when it turns into something so overpowering to the point of turning back an think "Man I didn't really live and enjoy my life to the fullest" that makes you have regrets about the little things or big thing you missed, makes it not worth it in my eyes. Having a balance is good in situations like this.

Maggie feels the need to experience more. She asks Levi (One of her bestfriends) to help her explore things beyond swimming. When the line gets blurry between friendship and Love is when things get complicated. I love how the author played out this situation. (I wish I can say more but if I do I would give spoilers lol)

My opinion as a mom of two beautiful daughters what makes me love this series is not the romance aspect of it but how inspiring this MC's are. I always tell my girls that no matter how great a guy is they aren't worth on putting your dreams and goals on hold.

I received an ARC for voluntary for netgalley. It was a nice coming to age story as well as a friends to more story. I always enjoy when there are a group of good friends that stand by each other and are there when you need them. I wanted to slap Luke upside the head when he got scared of his relationship with Maggie progressing and acted stupid. However, I had to remember that he was just a young teenager and acted idiotic before he realized he was to commit a dumb act before he did it. I was happy that Maggie told him about his stupidity, and stuck up for herself, and then pushed him back to just friend only spot. He did realize his mistake as soon as it was done and to read how he was emotional was heartwarming. Was a sweet story.

Maggie's life is all about swimming and eating. Yes she has friends. Her best friend Levi is also a swimmer, They met because they and two other people had to share an odd lunch hour due to their mixed up schedules. They four of them became fast friends and years later they still meet up for burgers every Friday. But ever since she went on her college tour, she has realized that she hasn't done any of the normal teen stuff and doesn't know where to begin when it comes to guys. Levi on the other hand has had the experience she is lacking, so she decides to ask him to be her teacher in the art of hooking up.

Thanks to the publisher and net galley for the advance copy of this. I always look forward to the Hundred Oaks books and have to say this in one of my favorites. I like how the characters we fell in love with in previous books always make an appearance in the new ones. I think this one could have been a bit longer, but that could just be me loving it so much that i wanted more.

Miranda Kenneally is a must-read YA contemporary author for me, I've read all of her books and thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them because they all have protagonists who are complex, smart, funny women. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to review an ARC of 'Coming Up for Air', for which I thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire.

In 'Coming Up for Air' Kenneally continues the tradition of having sports be part of the plot and protagonist Maggie King is a dedicated swimmer training to go to the Olympics. I loved seeing an ambitious, focused girl with goals and dreams that she worked hard for and for which she sacrificed traditional teenage experiences. Kenneally does a great job of portraying Maggie's questioning of what she's been missing and whether she can achieve a balance in her life that still lets her get everything she wants.

Basically, I loved that this book's message was that "yes, women/girls can have it all-whatever all means for them- if they work hard for it and are flexible and find solutions", something quite different from the constant "no" we get from media. I think it's an important message that should be said more often.

As with other Kenneally books, the friends and family of the main character are a constant presence. Maggie's parents, event planners, were funny and supportive and exactly the sort of parents you'd like to have when growing up. Her three friends, all athletes, all brought comic relief and friendship to the story and one of them,Levi, was even the main romantic interest.

As for Maggie's and Levi's relationship, I know many people don't like the best friend get together trope but it really worked here and Levi was a great male lead, funny and kind and willing to own up to his mistakes.

Maggie's journey is essentially also one of self-esteem, she starts out being very focused on competition, on bettering her rival, on how the outside perceives her and at the end she has a stronger hold of who she is, why she swims, and what it means to compete with yourself and not with others.

Another solid YA contemporary from Kenneally, with great characters, and an inspiring plot.

Coming up for Air By Miranda Kenneally
ISBN: 978-1-4926-3011-1
$10.99 US/ 7.99 UK

Maggie is a swimmer and a strong one at that. She intends on being an Olympic swimmer, but so does her best friend Levi. They follow the same stick schedule every day of every week. Maggie believes that she is leaving the best dream and life that she could ever ask for. She has her three besties, a great backstroke and supportive family; what else is there? It's not till she attends a program for athletes at Berkeley College and is face to face with her arch nemesis. The only girl who can get under her skin and in her head. They use to swim together, but when she moved away not only did she taunt Maggie at the meats enough where she lost nearly every one, but she shows her that she truly has no life. In order to get one, love life that is, she enlists the help of her corked cheerleader BFF Georgie and her best friend Levi. She attends how to style with Georgie and make out lessons with Levi; the only question is can she and Levi keep their friendship in tack? Only time will tell...

This is one of the best coming of age and teen love stories that I have read in a long time. Not only does Miranda bring back a more laid-back and believable way of falling in love, but she brings all the butterflies and stress that comes along with that young love. The story line and plot were consistent and easy to follow. Each character was alive and vibrant through out the whole book. This is just a magnificent read!

My only rant is the end of the book I am not really sure what was the reasoning of adding the coach and her husband at the end. I did enjoy knowing what was happening to Maggie and Levi, but I am sure this could have been done without the confusion of bring all the way forward two semi new characters. It's true they are the coaches from their school, however they seemed more as supportive ones and not in the way of needing to be leading ones towards the end.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars! It was a wonderful read, and I believe that it will resin-gate home with pre-teen as well as teen's of both genders! I think that Miranda is a strong writer and will go far in her career!

Unfortunately this book will not be available until around Valentines 2017; but subscribe to my blog and get notified when it does; and keep up with the author on her website as well (www.mirandakenneally.com)

Writing felt a little stiff at times and there was some questionable information to do with swimming, but the story was enjoyable and I liked the characters. I don't know if I completely bought Maggie's completely forthright honesty, but her honesty brought up some interesting questions and issues faced not only by teens. It's not my favorite of the Hundred Oaks series (that's Breathe, Annie, Breathe), but, like the others, I enjoyed it. And if this is the last in the series I will be quite sad!

Charming, frank, and funny, Miranda Kenneally's Coming Up for Air is a delightful addition to her Hundred Oaks series. Maggie has spent her whole life in the pool, training for the Olympic trials, but as her senior year draws to a close and college threatens to separate her close-knit friend group, she begins to feel like she might be missing out on important life experiences. Featuring a confident heroine, pitch-perfect friendships, a simmering romance, and a refreshingly healthy and positive approach to ambition, self-confidence, and sex, Coming Up for Air is a great read. Highly recommended!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Like most of Miranda Kenneally books, I read this one straight through. I love the Hundred Oaks characters and this one was no different. While Chasing Jordan is my favorite, this book is a close 2nd.
This is a great story about a group of hard working teens who sacrifice everything for their sport. I literally could not put this one down. I loved the Maggie and Levi. They were both so interesting and dynamic. I also like the story of their two best friends that was intermixed with theirs. Every year I wait until June when the next Hundred Oaks books comes out and I appreciate the publisher, author and Netgalley allowing me a chance to start 2017 off with this great book. SO GOOD!!!!!

Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I am such a huge fan of Miranda Kenneally, her books are full of fun, depth, amazingly fabulous characters and storylines that I truly connect with; I was hooked on this book from the very first page and devoured it in one sitting.

Coming Up for Air has one of my all-time favourite tropes, best friends to more and I adored how this played out despite the sometimes awkward, cringe worthy and also upsetting moments.

Our MC is Maggie who has been training to qualify for the Olympics for as long as she can remember, her best friend is Levi who has already earned his tryout. When Maggie propositions Levi to help her gain experience before heading off to college he hesitantly agrees and this is where things become complicated.

Maggie was a fabulous character, passionate and dedicated; she has a select few friends and has devoted her life to swimming but in the process has forgotten to experience fun, daily life because of her strict schedule; Levi was a great friend and support to Maggie and didn’t handle the change in their friendship as much as Maggie did, he was more conflicted but I loved how it all played out.

The side characters were all great, the swimming information was engaging and detailed without being too much, I enjoyed the routine and competing parts most; there were also many sweet and funny moments; it all flowed well and came together nicely.

One thing that did baffle me a little was the rivalry between Maggie and Roxy; nothing really came of this situation when it was highly focussed on throughout the book, I would have liked a little more closure on this.

Coming up for Air is beautifully written and is a wonderful addition to the Hundred Oaks series, I am excited for the next book! The epilogue at the end was also truly special.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy; it is greatly appreciated.

I’m a huge, huge fan of Miranda Kenneally. I’ve read the whole Hundred Oaks series except Things I Can’t Forget. Based on the other books in the series, there ware a few things I expected from Coming Up for Air:

* An awesome story about sports (that totally has me wanting to start up the sport).
* A deliiicous and fun romance.
* High school / coming of age.

You know what wasn’t on my list of expectations?

Absolutely hilarious.

Coming Up for Air met every single one of my expectations, but then it added a humour element that I totally didn’t expect! I was laughing out loud pretty much the whole time. It’s filled with some great awkward scenes or just plain funny moments.

The romance was everything I hoped it would be. Maybe even better! Maggie and Levi were BRILLIANT together. I love how they were long time friends already. They had this great history and were so adorable together!

Another thing I loved was Maggie’s interest in sex. It’s common for books to have a girl that really craves a relationship, but Maggie wanted to learn how to fool around. She was so open about her sexuality in a way you don’t usually see from girls (in real life or books). I loved it though, and I thought it was a great message that it’s okay to just want to experiment, have fun, and fool around a little.

If you’re already a fan of Miranda Kenneally, then Coming Up for Air will meet every one of your expectations. If you’re not already a fan, then what the hell are you waiting for? Catching Jordan is ready for you!