ARC Review: nostalgic young adult (fiction?) set in 1994 about just graduating high school and going pool hopping all summer long. It’s like a checklist that they developed, so they’re determined to complete it, but not quite ready for summer to end, thus “real life” to start. Do parallel universes exist? Does purgatory exist? Is it the best feeling in the world? Or is it all just a dream? This very fast-paced book took a sorta creepy turn that defies all logic, space, and time. Maybe we all need a reset like this…. A never-ending vacation. I loved the in-between chapters that read like prose, and definitely held a plot twist at the end of them. I almost wanted more character development, but I do actually appreciate the length of this book for the plot. This book will leave you thinking about life, time, first-loves, and regrets. Doesn’t night swimming make everyone feel new again?

Trevor has a crush on his best friend, Sarah, but Sarah is dating Mike. After graduation Sarah proposes that she and Trevor swim in all the pools in their small town. Sounds kind of fun but it was only mentioned that they did it and not what happened like the time they met a llama. At the end of the summer word leaks out to their friends who decide to join them. At the last house the owner comes out to swim with them and tells them about a spring fed pool in the woods so they all go there. After that I have no idea what I read. I'm not even going to try to explain. Perhaps because this was a teen story and I'm older but I had no idea what was going on or what the heck happened at the end. I was disappointed to not read about their escapades and of the eight kids none of their characters were really fleshed out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group - Penguin Young Readers for providing me with a digital copy.

This was a creepy YA coming of age/summer story that sees two friends trying to sneak into every pool in their small town but when they learn of a secret one hidden in the woods they find themselves trapped there with weird things happening. This gave me Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore vibes mixed in with Stranger things. It was okay on audio but just wasn't my cup of tea. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I chose to read Night Swimming only at night, and I think it went a long way to keep me immersed in the yearning nostalgia that makes up the foundation of the story.

It was a clever choice to intersect the liminality of a life landmark most readers will relate to (that final summer of grade school before the next step of life begins) with the concept of a time-bending all-nighter.

Also, the pacing was such that I didn’t want to leave the characters but I couldn’t predict or shake the disquiet while reading. A slow burn, but a satisfying and unique title.

This book gave me major Lost vibes—in the best way. I went in expecting the story to follow a certain path, but once the hidden pool in the woods took center stage, things shifted in a totally unexpected (and kind of wild) direction. It had that same feeling where you think you know what’s happening, and then nope—it’s something entirely different and kind of surreal. There are a lot of characters, each with their own backstory and baggage, and at times it felt like maybe too much was going on. I found myself wanting a bit more focus on a few key people rather than trying to juggle everyone’s life story. But overall, I was hooked. The atmosphere was eerie and compelling, and I love when a book can keep me on my toes like this. Definitely worth the read if you like twisty, character-driven mysteries with a touch of the strange.

RATING: 3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've terribly missed reading YA contemporary fiction. Growing up, paranormal or contemporary YA was my go-to genre, so I was immediately interested in reading Night Swimming when the blurb seemed to blend the genres together.

The story follows a small group of teenagers in a small American town during 1994. Fresh high school graduate Trevor makes a pact with his close friend, Sarah, to spend their last summer before heading off to college swimming in all the pools they can find within their hometown. While on their quest, they discover a large pool tucked in a forest and, along with the rest of their friend group, discover that this pool isn't all that it seems.

I enjoyed all the intrigue that the plot had to offer. While the paranormal element of the story didn't occur right away, the setup of friendships and romance between Trevor and Sarah was much needed for the pool-in-the-words plot point to hit as well as it did. Once the group swam in that particular pool, it was nice to see the deeper conversations flowing between them. The nostalgic atmosphere was prevalent throughout the entire story, and I liked the inclusion of chapter titles being inspired by 1990s music.

However, I did want more out of the main characters and their relationship. It was difficult for me to connect with Trevor and Sarah's characterizations, and their romance, while sweet, could have used a few more chapters to develop their relationship (perhaps more chapters dedicated to the different pools they swam in could've fixed this issue). It was a case where I felt a bit more invested in the relationships they had with their friends over each other.

Nonetheless, this reminded me of what I love about YA and I definitely recommend picking this up if you'd like to have a nice, easy read!

If you love YA romance then this is your book. I liked the premise and I know many will adore it and will be recommending it.

This one took me a while. It reads like YA and all of the main characters are just finished with high school, but with its 90s setting and pervasive feeling of nostalgia, it feels like it was written for the millennials.

There was absolutely a plot, but I think Night Swimming is absolutely more about trying to capture a feeling. And to each, what that feeling is may differ.

There is a line about how things can be askew, and that doesn’t necessarily make them bad. I think that sums up my reading experience. I don’t know if I ever felt like I settled into the story, and I think that might have been the point.

No spoilers but I left this book both wistful and melancholy, and wondering if such a thing as halcyon days ever did or could exist.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Definitely a palette-cleanser type with my typical epic fantasy and/or emotional reads since it's short.

I did struggle a bit at first with the character dump at the party. I kept on confusing everyone and had to frequently turn back to their introductions to understand who and who and what their relationship was with others. However, maybe around 40% in I understood the characters and what kind of bubble they fell into.

I didn't really care for Trevor and Sarah's relationship. Sarah kind of gave off manic pixie dream girl vibes but in a non-manic way.

The overall vibes of the enclosed pool setting were great! It truly felt otherworldly and I was intrigued by the whole "mystery" of why they were stuck. The ending definitely leaves room for questions and interpretation. Without giving away spoilers, it made me really think about what went on in that small pocket in the woods, and if the group's conversations about purgatory, inter-dimensional space travel, and death were alot more real than just the rambles of a teen going crazy by the unknown.

Night Swimming by Adam Starmer is an intriguing young adult novel.

Trevor and his friends have just finished high school and are spending their last summer together. Trever agrees to go swimming with his crush, Sarah, in all the pools in their small town. He is hopeful this special time together will help their relationship to go deeper than friendship. Their last swim involves their friends and ends in an unexpected way.

Trevor and Sarah could not be more different. Trevor is always on the straight and narrow. Going on their swims goes against his inclination to stay out of trouble. Sarah is a bit of a free spirit and she is ready to leave their small town behind her. She can be a little reckless but not in a dangerous way. Their last swim is a little off but realization of what is happening slowly creeps in.

Set in the summer of 1994, Night Swimming has a nostalgic atmosphere. The characters are interesting and eclectic. The small-town setting is well-developed. The storyline is engaging and the narrator between chapters adds an unanticipated layer of suspense. The friends’ experience during their last swim is a bit spooky. Adam Starmer brings this young adult novel to a bittersweet conclusion.

Wow. I absolutely adored this book.

This story is about a friend group of recently graduated high school seni0rs. They are trying to find themselves before they move on to whatever is next. While living their best "final summer," Tevor and Sarah make a plan to swim in every single pool in their town - a little harmless mischief. Until they find a swimming hole, and that's when it starts to really get weird...

There were several things I loved about this book. First, it took place in the northeast and there were so many references to cities and stores (shout out wegmans) that just left me missing home. Then, this took place only a few years before I graduated high school and can we just say NOSTALGIA! Gosh... the parties, the friend drama, the two day relationships, the weight of the world... it really brought it all back. I even remember very specific swimming spots we used to sneak off to. Before cell phones and Facebook. When there was still stems and seeds in your green. LOL! The characters were just so relatable to my younger self. I know this is a YA book, but if a lot of us geriatric millennial, or whatever we are called now, read this, it will bring us all back.

I found this book to be such a great metaphor for life. The dichotomy of still being a child, yet the only path ahead is adulthood. Tough choices have to be made. We don't always know what we want and even if we did, we don't always get it. We make bad decisions. The world keeps moving regardless of the decisions I am making right now.

The reason for 4 instead of 5 star - i would have liked to see a slightly more flushed out ending. Was a little too abrupt for me. But otherwise, I gobbled this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m not even sure how to rate this. It’s weird, it’s good, it’s bad, it’s everything in between. I’ve never read anything else like it, that’s for sure. I wanted more from the last 1/3 but satisfied enough. I loved the 90's setting, and the atmosphere that Starmer created. Super creative but fell short in the end and felt unresolved to me.

3.5/5

The setup of this novel is familiar in the best way: teens languishing in their hometown post-high school graduation, unsure about what’s coming next and how to say goodbye. Trevor has a major crush on Sarah and is hopeful for something to happen before they go their separate ways. The turn towards magical realism makes this stand out in the coming-of-age genre, and the 90s setting makes it a great nostalgic read. (Recommendation will be sent to readers of WordSmarts email newsletter)

Well, this was one wild, nostalgic, unusual read from start to finish. I’ve never quite read a book like this. The prose was a bit choppy with very little frill but it vibed. The descriptions took me back to my childhood in the 1990s. The vibes were THERE.

This is a story of a group of friends living their last free summer after high school. They’re each going through things and they each want something.

And then there’s that creepy POV that haunts you throughout the story. A truly fun and reminiscent way of telling a story based during one of the BEST times.

{I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}

I think I was expecting something different than what I got with this story, which threw me off a bit. I still did enjoy it, but it's not the type of story I would usually reach for. I do believe that a lot of people would eat this up if it's what they were looking for! I also struggled with the pace of the story at times and almost feel like the author was dragging their feet at certain parts. The romance was okay, but I wasn't that into it. I did love the characters, though, and find them well written!

Overall, this was a cool read. Like I stated not something I would reach for if I knew the full plot, but it was fun and I loved the vibes and atmosphere. I definitely think this would be super successful if it found an audience that was more into this vibe (trying not to spoil lol), but I'm glad I had the chance to try it out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

~ 3.75 stars ~
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Workshop for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication: April 29th, 2025

Night Swimming is a nostalgic coming of age YA book with nostalgic vibes and a relatable theme. Taking place in the summer of 1994, Trevor and his friends have graduated high school and decide to swim in every pool in their hometown for their final summer together.

Aaron Starmer’s take on the transition between high school and college and teenage to young adult is timeless; whether in 1994 or 2025, the sentiment is the same.

I found Starmer’s writing style to be creative but ultimately not my cup of tea. Sentences were blunt and choppy, paragraphs were long-winded, and characters and romances were under-developed.
The vibes were there but the execution was not.

In short, a nice read but not my kind of book ♡

It’s the summer of 1994. As Trevor and his friends transition from being high school graduates to the rest of their lives, his best friend Sarah decides they must swim all the backyard pools in their town as a final goodbye to their youth. What starts as secret between the two, transitions into a final night with the whole crew coming upon a mysterious natural pool on the edge of town. No one knows who takes care of it, but the teens are ready for an epic night. Can one last adventure with friends last forever?

This was a good novel that reflects on a short window of time where kids truly step out into an adult world, face questions of what happens next and try to determine if they are on the right path. The setting in the nineties provides some more simple life nostalgia, but the light romance, coming of age and feeling of moving on is relevant to any time frame. Enjoyable and thoughtful. 4 stars.

Based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy (uncorrected proof) provided by Penguin Young Readers Group/Penguin Workshop and NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

70/100 or 3.5 stars

I liked what the author was doing with this story, as the vibes/atmosphere is there. It does take a decent amount of the story to get to the main part, but I do like where the author took this. The writing was good enough to hook me into the story even when it felt like not much was happening. I would be interested in checking out future stories from Starmer!

Part of what didn't work with this one for me was the odd writing style. There were word choices and certain ways the author would word things that just felt awkward. One example is in the exposition, the author referred to one of the teens as "young man," which just didn't mesh with the rest of the scene/tone of what was happening. The author also overly relied on telling rather than showing, which left most aspects of the book feeling flat. There were also pages of rambling exposition that provided background to elements that really weren't relevant to the plot and didn't help to bring the characters to life.

This work was also in a weird place between genres in a way that didn't quite work for me. It's advertised as a romance, but despite a large part of the book focusing on the protagonist's feelings for his friend, I never felt those feelings and the book did not feel like a romance. The magical realism element was stronger, even though it took a long time in the book to get to that aspect and it wasn't really explained.

Despite this being a relatively short read, it felt much longer to me. If you're looking for some '90s nostalgia that focuses on teens, a summer relationship, and has an element of magical realism, you may enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for allowing me to read this work, which will be published April 29, 2025. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I'm sure this ends up being great and the 90s nostalgia is probably a hit for a lot of people. I really couldn't get invested in the story. I was almost 80% through when I asked myself, "Do I care what happens?" The answer was no, I didn't.