Reading a new installment of Miranda Kenneally's 100 Oaks series is like putting on a favourite cozy sweater. There is a comfort to be found within these pages. Getting glimpses of past characters we've come to love is something I look forward to, and only adds to the nostalgia feel that surrounds these books. Coming Up For Air hit all those sweet spots while still entertaining with a new couple to root for and their story to become invested in.

Maggie is a driven young woman with dreams of qualifying for the Olympics. Swimming is one of the most important things for her, and she is prepared to do what it takes to win. Most of the time she's more than happy to miss out on the 'typical' high school experience to get up early for swim practice. Maggie's journey is one of balance. She, through a college visit, realizes she might have missed out on things in high school that she wants to experience before she leaves (like making out with a guy, for example). Her story arc has her caught between different wants and the pull of what is expected of her, and what she expects for herself. I think her story will be wonderful for those teens who are just as driven as Maggie is, and wondering how they can fit in dating, and other teenage experiences. I admired Maggie's sense of self, and what she wanted. She may get a little lost along the way, but she never looses sight of what she is willing (or not willing) to sacrifice.

Each of these companion novels make some of kind of statement on sex. I was immediately struck with how sex positive this one was. Particularly for the readers who happen to be teen girls. Maggie's desire to hook up and explore that side of herself is presented as being entirely valid, but this novel also explores other choices teens can make and they are made to shown as just as valid. We see people with different view points to relationships, sex, and making out within this novel. It was also refreshing to see a novel address the fact that when you're a teen you feel like everyone is doing the things you're not. That you're the only one who hasn't kissed someone, or had sex, or a million other things. It showcases that everyone experiences things at their own pace, and that you don't have to do something just because you think it is expected of you. It should be because you want to and are ready. It's a message that I don't recall seeing in another novel, and I was glad that it was approached in such a sex positive way.

Romance is something Miranda Kenneally fans have come to expect from her novels, and this one delivers in a big way. If you're a sucker for the 'friends to lovers' trope I predict that Maggie and Levi will be one of your favourite Hundred Oaks couples. The bond of friendship that these two share really is the highlight of the novel, and the move to something more felt entirely natural. It also seems effortless, and I think it takes a lot of skill to make the chemistry that apparent and easy.

While this wasn't my favourite of the Hundred Oaks series it still is a solid contemporary read. I appreciate how this series tackles important issues in each of the books without feeling preachy, or making anyone feel judged. This is easily a series that I could see continue for as long as Miranda wishes to write them. Her fans will love checking in with their favourite characters and falling in love with some new ones.

*I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

LOL what on earth. This book was an enjoyable shambles.

So many times I'd throw up my hands because I couldn't believe what I was reading- the main character is telling people she's been 'having all these urges,' like I can't. WHO TALKS LIKE THIS. WHY WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT. My other cringiest line was 'you taught me how to love' which honest to god makes me want to punch myself in the face. These kids are 17 dear lord this is not supposed to be written like a middle-aged couple in a Nicholas Sparkes novel right?

Don't get me wrong, I love romance and smut and all that but honestly this had such a weird vibe.

And Maggie was SUCH an annoying character, goodness, she just was sex-obsessed and somehow DIDN'T think she'd become obsessed with Levi like save me, how did she go from zero-clingy af and then be like oh it's Levi's fault like jesus he didn't even do anything really tbh.

Who knows mate, like I enjoyed it for what it was and read it in like a day and a half, but this was a strange ride.

Coming Up for Air is the concluding book in the Hundred Oaks series. I am sad to see this series end as I am always looking forward to reading it every summer. Though Coming Up for Air was an enjoyable, quick read, it still left me unsatisfied. The first half of the book is dedicated to Maggie's insecurity of feeling left out in the romance department and we don't get to see much of swimming. She wants to have an experience before she graduates high school and seeks help by selecting Levi, her best friend, as her coach. Normally I love the friends to lovers trope, but I was not convinced by Maggie and Levi's chemistry and I think this is mostly because we didn't really get a chance to see them interact alone. It frustrates me when authors don't feel like they need to develop/explore a relationship because the characters already know each other for a long time. I wanted to learn more about Maggie and Levi as individuals before they were a couple. I would have loved a more emotional relationship between Maggie and Levi instead of them jumping into a physical relationship way too quickly.

I actually liked the second half of the book much more where we finally get back to the sport of swimming. Roxie, Maggie's rival, had a big impact on Maggie and I was curious to see how this story line would play out but Roxie remained your stereotypical mean girl. I also wanted to learn more about Georgiana and her mother and Hunter's romantic troubles. It was important to see Maggie's self confidence came back, but it irritated me that she came to her "ah ha" epiphany after she is in a romantic relationship and not before one. The book also ends abruptly and the question of whether or not Maggie and Levi made it to the Olympics is never answered though it was fun to see what happens to Jordan and Sam in the future. Overall, not the strongest book in the Hundred Oaks series.

The Hundred Oaks series holds so many great memories for me, the first book Catching Jordan came out when I’d first started blogging and making friends in the blogging community. The fact that I’m still a blogger today and have come to the end of The Hundred Oaks series brings about the end of a fantastic reading journey for me. I’ve become attached to every single character in this series, I’ve loved how I’ve been able to follow them all on their journeys and see them develop into even greater individuals. With so many great characters that Kenneally has given us, I can’t really choose a favourite, but once again Kenneally has won me over with characters such as Maggie and Levi.

I have to admit I didn’t know a lot about Coming up for Air before I started and I think this was the best decision I could have made as I ended up enjoying it so much. I enjoy how Kenneally gives us her sport romances, being the sports junkie that I am, I love following characters through their passion for sports and watching them grow and develop into successful stars. So I was thoroughly excited when I found out this book would feature on a MC who was a swimmer. I’ve always been a fan of swimming and watching all the heats or competitions when they come on. So I loved that Kenneally gave us an MC in Maggie who was continually trying to be the best, she had a rival in Roxy who was the absolute worst, she would always get into Maggie’s head, when she was trying to get her mind set for any big race. But most of all Maggie was your typical girl who was trying to balance everything in life. Swimming was her number one priority, but she also wanted to enjoy her social life before she went away to college, she had great friends in Levi, Hunter and Georgia, but she just wanted that somebody special, she had no real experience and so thought that now would be the perfect time to. I don’t know what I really was expecting, but I loved the way that things played out, I guess because I wasn’t expecting them to, but Kenneally totally made their relationship believable and not just two people pretending to be with each and help the other to get experience. I also was totally rooting for their relationship to go to the next level. I knew that there could be several barriers in the way, with both Levi and Maggie having a focus on so many important upcoming competitions, but I just wanted and needed them to make it work. I especially enjoyed the time they spent together, the development of their relationship was absolutely swoon worthy! (Also who could resist a guy that reads all the YA books?) But like I mentioned earlier, their relationship wasn’t smooth sailing, and despite the bumps that came along the way, I felt that those were necessary for our characters to develop and grow and to realise what they wanted, despite the hurt it caused along the way (I was a sobbing mess at one point!).

Coming up for Air was another brilliant read from Kenneally, I’m actually quite sad about having to say goodbye to such great characters, but I’m sure that these are books I will come back to time and time again in the future!

Rating: 5 stars

I've always loved Miranda Kennally's books and Coming Up For Air was no different.
This book was a coming of age story. It told the story of Maggie who is a Swimming Superstar.
Even with someone who is amazingly talented as Maggie though, will have some confidence problems. She battles not just others in the pool, but herself as well.

I really love how well Kennally told the story of a girl who wasn't afraid to go for what she wanted, even if she had every right to be.
I can't wait to read yet another book by her.

I was really excited to read Coming Up for Air, as the cover is super cute, and it sounded like a really quick, fun summer read! I’ve read one of Miranda Kenneally’s books in the past, and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to starting this one. I somehow didn’t realize that this book was part of a series, or that the book I previously read was the first book in the series, but I had no problem reading this book as a standalone, and I'm super curious to read the rest of the books in the series as well!

I really enjoyed the storyline for the book. I have only read a few books that have swimming in the storyline, and I always find it completely fascinating. (Even though I’m the least competitive person that I know, and swimming sounds super competitive.) It’s definitely a sport that I don’t know much about, so it was fun to read about. Going by the cover, I thought the book was set during the summertime, and I’m ALL about summer books at the moment, but it was set during the school year instead. That threw me for a moment, but didn’t really affect the story at all. This was a super quick read for me as well; I had it finished in no time!

There were a lot of characters in this story to like, including the main character, Maggie, who basically spends all her free time training in the pool, and her best friend, Levi, who also swims as well. The relationship between the two was super cute, and it was interesting to watch it grow and change over the course of the story. Both had really awesome friends and family members as well, and that’s something that I always love to read about.

Overall; As I mentioned above, Coming Up for Air was a really quick, fun read! I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline, and I’m definitely going to have to check out the other books in the series now to see what I missed out on by not reading them yet. It sounds like a fun series!

Happy Reading!

Coming Up for Air follows Maggie as she deals with graduating, relationships, rivalries, and qualifying for the national swim team. Overall, Kenneally wrote another deliciously realistic book book that tackles being a teen in a refreshingly upfront way. From Maggie’s fear of driving to finding a budding friends with benefits type relationship with her best friend, Levi, Coming Up for Air never rips the reader from the Hundred Oaks world we’ve come to know and love.

All the characters are well-rounded, and I loved Maggie. She was easy to relate to and you’re rooting for her 100%. Even though she’s an amazing swimmer, she works hard for it, and I really appreciated that. I also really loved that Kenneally didn’t make it a big rivals becomes best friends again situation because that doesn’t always happen.

I recommend this for teens that are a little older since Kenneally does tackle sex and sexual issues in a frank and no-nonsense manner. She always does it so well, making sure it’s understood that no-one, especially girls, should feel bad about thinking or talking about sex. It’s natural and her handling of the topic always leaves me satisfied.

The romance was one of the best best friends to lovers I’ve read. It’s in my favorite tropes for romance novels, and Maggie and Levi’s friendship felt real. They cared about each other, and that made the novel work so well. This is probably my favorite Hundred Oaks book, and it’s so sad to know the series has ended with it.

When it comes to Miranda Kenneally's books, I love the way she writes romance, and sports. For someone who's not a huge contemporary fan, her books are ones I've enjoyed reading. When this arrived on my Kindle, I dove right in. Sadly, I wasn't a fan.

First off, let me start off by saying I loved the swimming aspect of this story. Having had friends who swam in high school, I know how brutal their schedules are. Swimming basically owns your life, as it has for Maggie. I got Maggie, and why she didn't have a social life, and why she was feeling the pressures she was.

The part of this story that just didn't do it for me was Maggie's quest to have her friends teach her how to hook up, because she didn't want to go to college without having some experience. Honestly, this is where I stopped being interested in the book. I felt like the sports element became secondary to Maggie's wanting to not be inexperienced. I think I would have liked this book more if it was the other way around.

I liked the friendships, character chemistry, and seeing a few other characters from through the series, in this book, and the roles they played. I also liked Levi, and his feelings and thoughts towards Maggie, and her requests from him. I totally got him not wanting to cross those lines and ruin their friendship. I also understood their feelings when lines did get crossed. I went back and forth on loving their friendship, and liking their relationship.

Over all, this is one book in the series I wasn't a fan of. However, I loved the competitive swimming aspect of the story, and the role previous characters from the series played in the book.

Apparently this is the final book in this series. Oops. I read the last book first bwahahahaha. I must be honest, I tried picking up catching Jordan years ago and I wasn't in the mood so I moved on to something else. These books however have always been on my radar and now I want to read the entire series in order so I can know just how truly awesome they are.

I really enjoyed the fact that the young woman was a serious athlete, she wasn't doing it because her family wanted her to, she wasn't doing it because of some guy, or because she was trying to change who she was, she as here because she has always wanted to be here. Having spent so much time in the pool or training or competing she really hasn't had the 'typical' high school experience, and when she goes away to a college trip she realizes it's possible to balance it all and have fun while being an athlete. Not sure who else to turn to she asks her best friend Levi to help her gain all the knowledge and experience she's missed out on, because who else would understand that's she's focused on becoming an Olympian but someone else who is also vying for that spot??

Throw in an competitor who seems to have it all together and who is doing better than she is even though she came to the sport later in life, and you have the makings of a great story. I really enjoyed this one. I loved how Maggie explored with someone she felt safe with, she was still strong and into her sport, she sought out help when trying to learn how to balance it all, which means we got to see several old characters from the other books. I loved the advice she was given and how she tries to take the advice while still remaining who she was. I really related to this as a former gymnast, especially the workout schedule and the eating and the focus on doing better by just seconds. While I'm not a swimmer this definitely made me feel like I understood them better and their training was something to truly respect.

I really loved how this wasn't about a love story, but really a story of firsts, a story of exploration and a story of understanding how to balance all your wants and needs while still being the best you can be in your field. Maggie has some great friends, and an even better family and it really made the story that her parents were still such a strong couple who totally supported their daughter.

Very well written, and for someone who hasn't read the entire series. it was a heart warming story and it made me want to read all the others as well, so guess what I did?? You guessed it, I got all the others to read in order then read this one again with the history of all the other couples and stories in my head. it's a journey I look forward to.

I recommend for those looking for a good story featuring a true athlete and an exploration of love and who we can be.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I've read several other books in this series, and I know they're usually quick, fun reads. This one was no different.

The story line was a little predictable (similar themes to previous books in the series), but the characters were likable. I read this in its entirety on 3-hour flight. It was entertaining.

I loved this one and I really think all of the other Hundred Oaks fans will as well. Kenneally does what she does so great in all of the previous books in this one as well. She takes great characters and difficult subjects and puts them together and makes a book that shows teens dealing with issues that are relevant to them in a relatable and very readable way. And she also makes them enjoyable for someone like me, who’s much older than the characters and already gone through what most of them are dealing with. As someone on the other side, I can say that this book has great messages for teens but not in a heavy-handed way. I obviously can’t say how teens will react to this book but I loved it and I think it should be one that’s in every library and that every teen girl should read it! (Yes, boys too, of course but I would have loved to have had a book like this as a teen girl.)

The two main characters in this one are just adorable. I loved how dedicated Maggie was to swimming and how focused and how she never whined about how it took her away from other high school experiences. She was talented and worked hard and wanted to be the best and it really felt like she deserved it. I loved her friendship with Levi and their romance and watching them go from friends to lovers. He’s one of my favorites and I really love seeing good guys in YA romances. I loved the small group of friends she had and their weekly dinner and how much they supported and loved each other. And how they didn’t feel weird saying those things to each other. And I loved the sex positive messages in this book and the idea that teen girls have “urges” too and that that’s okay. It’s rare to get a book that doesn’t have slut shaming when one of the characters is having sex and that sends the message that being with someone you trust and respect and love and are being safe with can be a good thing. We get messages all the time that guys just have sex in high school and that it’s to be expected and actually celebrated but any girl who wants to have sex or actually does is a slut and that can be very damaging to girls in high school who are developing hormones and feelings just like guys are but are punished instead of celebrated for those feelings. So to have a book that shows high schoolers having safe, protected, consensual sex where a guys is respectful and the girls are supportive and honest is a really good thing. But even without that stuff, this book is just adorable and swoony and sweet!

I really did enjoy this book and while I’m sad to see the Hundred Oaks series ending, I’m glad it’s lastest this long and that we’ve been able to follow so many characters over the years. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it. It deals with issues like sex and death and drugs and religion and class and family and friendships and romances and pretty much all of them have favorite characters of mine in them. I hope you’ll give them a try. And if you have read the whole series, make sure you read this one. There’s an epilogue at the end and it’s actually good and sweet and so perfect for fans who’ve been with these characters from the beginning. So check these ones out!!

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!!!

(Review will be posted on 8/8/2017)
Maggie is one of those swimmers whose whole life revolves around her time at the pool. If she wants to make it to the Olympic trials then she needs to be completely dedicated. This is all well and good, except she is a senior now. And what has she done outside of swimming? Not much. Other than hanging out with her friends as well as her best friend and fellow swimmer, Levi, she hasn't experienced high school in the very least. She visits Berkeley, the college she is attending in the fall, and while out at a college party, she realizes she really hasn't experienced life at all; in fact, she hasn't even made out with a boy. Maggie is determined to remedy this and she immediately thinks of her best friend, Levi, who is charming, good looking, and seriously experienced in the making out department. Maybe he could give her some tips? But what during all of this if she starts to feel something for him? Miranda Kenneally's next installment in the Hundred Oaks series has a shaky start, but once it gets going, it's a compelling tale of elite athletics, the high school experience, and includes an adorable friends-to something more story.

Maggie and I did not hit it off initially in Coming Up for Air. In fact, I am pretty sure I continuously rolled my eyes for the first fifty pages. I mean how naive can a character be? And going to your best friend and asking for make-out tips and practice time is seriously weird. But then something strange happened. I started caring about Maggie, quirks and all, and I started to get sucked into her friends-to-something more story line with Levi. Maggie also is navigating life on the cusp of college. I think Kenneally did a good job portraying what that is like, especially for someone as sheltered as Maggie.

That brings me to Levi. He's a charmer, he's good looking, he's an amazing swimmer and a good friend to Maggie in Coming Up For Air. What is not to like? I think most high school girls fantasize about having a best friend just like him. Plus, I was a total sucker for their budding romantic relationship in Coming Up for Air.

Not only did the friends-to-something more plot line suck me in, but so did the whole aspect of competitive swimming in Coming Up for Air. I absolutely loved hearing about the practices, the meets, the trials, the other swimmers, and the ups and downs that come along with being such a dedicated athlete. Kenneally truly captured it perfectly.

You don't need to read the Hundred Oaks series in order, you can start anywhere, but I always appreciate revisiting different characters that pop into the story. It's a lot of fun and it made me want to go back and check out some of the other books in the series that I skipped over.

If you love swimming and you enjoy a story where best friends become something more, definitely give Coming Up for Air a try this summer. Despite its shaky start, it ended up being one of the better YA novels that I read this summer.

Maggie and Levi have been best friends since they were little kids swimming together. Now they are seniors preparing to try and make the Olympic trials, trying to figure out life. Maggie ask Levi to teacher her how to hook up as she has no experience with the opposite sex and he does. What starts out as BFF hooking up, quickly turns into more. Loved how Kenneally shows how much time and dedication is needed for an Olympic level athlete to train.

a perfect summer read!!! Such a sweet book.. very well written!!! will for sure be passing on! Thanks!

Coming Up for Air is the final book in the Hundred Oaks series, so it’s a bit bittersweet. I’ve read and enjoyed all eight books, but Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker are my absolute favorites. With Catching Jordan, it was the humor and wonderful characters – Sam is the man! With Stealing Parker, it was a very emotional read for me. This may not be my favorite book, but it’s still a delightful read.

The series ends with Maggie and Levi, both highly competitive swimmers who have aspirations for the Olympics. They’ve been best friends for years, bonding over their love of swimming and crazy-strict schedule. Maggie realizes there are a few things she wants to do before going to college, including gaining experience in the boy department. How convenient that she has a guy for a best friend whom she feels completely comfortable with. What are friends for, right?

Gotta love a friends-to-lovers romance. I really like that Maggie and Levi’s friendship felt solid and genuine, making it believable and natural when their feelings grew into more. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, but they both had to sort through their feelings and learn to bring balance into their lives.

There are a couple things I wish would’ve been hit on a little better, but overall, it carries a really nice sex-positive message. It’s done tastefully, and I hope to see more like it in this genre.

And big awwwwwww for that epilogue! How perfect to have the series end on that note.

Overall, Coming Up for Air is a quick and cute story.

YES!! I agree this is not to be missed!!
The story is cute and interesting and you I fell in love with the author because she let me have a sneak peak on how are the characters after few years! Love it!!

When I saw this book up to request I knew I needed to read it, I have only previously read one other book by Miranda Kenneally but I had really liked that one and I just knew I would like this one as well.

I have always been into swimming, even though I only swam for 2 years myself. Growing up my best friend was a swimmer and I’ve always been obsessed with watching swimming in the Olympics. It’s nice that the author really delves into how much work goes into being an athlete that performs at an Olympic level and also researches to make the sport focused on in her book as realistic as she possibly can. I love how the author also balances the real life aspects of being a teen with the real life aspect of being an elite athlete. I love the romance in this book, I’m always a sucker for friends turned more romances in books and I believe this one handed it quite well. There was the right amount of awkwardness, emotions and confused feelings for it to be realistic.

I also really like Maggie’s group of friends, apart from Levi there is Georgia and Hunter. I love that they all have a routine with each other and that they stand by each other’s sides even though they are all busy with their own separate sports.

Now, I haven’t read the most of the books in this series, in fact I’ve only read “Defending Taylor” in this series but I can see how a lot of longtime fans of this series would appreciate the Sam and Jordan aspects of this story, especially from the epilogue.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

DNF at 48%. This book is about high school students but it's just so juvenile that I can't get behind it. I do read a lot of YA but at times this comes across as almost middle grade and silly. The whole concept just doesn't work for me and while it sounds good in theory, I feel like it's so unbelievable.