I was initially drawn to this book because I thought that it had a pretty cool cover and a fun synopsis. Upon reading it, I think the story had so much potential in terms of plot and setting and nostalgia, etc. However, I wish the writing was more emotion driven than action driven because not much happens in the story in terms of action. I almost wish the author would have switched Trevor’s pov to first person instead to give us more insight on who he is as a character beyond his infatuation with Sarah, which seems to be the only defining characteristic about him. Anyway, to focus on more positive aspects of the book, I think the friend group’s dynamic was really fun and I liked the way they each had to work through something in order to move on. Again, I wish there was a bit more focus on the friends’ struggles and emotions, but overall I thought it was fun and I liked the message, even if I’m not entirely sure I understood it!

Night Swimming, I completed this book late last night but had to sleep on that ending.
This book completely threw me for a loop, in a good way.
It starts with being introduced to a group of seniors that are weeks away from graduating.
A small rural town where everyone knows each other’s business.
There’s a weird dynamic or vibe that I got with this group, almost like a few of them are friends out of convenience.
Since most of them will be leaving for college a couple of them make a pact to sneak into people’s yards at night and swim in their pools. Harmless enough but the story behind it makes it more meaningful.
Word gets out and at the last pool on their map they end up getting caught, instead of calling the police the resident tells them about this secret swimming hole that they just can’t pass up.
The story really begins when this group of friends arrives at this hidden swimming hole.
To compare it to a Twilight Zone episode doesn’t give it Justice.
There is so much meaning behind Night Swimming, I was reading into the night because I had to find out how it all came together and ended.
This isn’t a light read, the story seems like it will be but the ending had me closing the book and sitting there dissecting it.
I’m actually going to reread it now that I know how it ends so I can pay better attention to the subtext.

Aaron Starmer’s Night Swimming is a captivating and eerie journey that weaves elements of mystery, friendship, and self-discovery. Starmer crafts a story that’s as darkly atmospheric as it is introspective, making it a compelling read that invites you to question what’s real and what’s imagined.

At its heart, Night Swimming is a story about a young protagonist grappling with the emotional tides of adolescence, set against a backdrop that feels almost otherworldly. Starmer’s vivid descriptions immerse you in a world where night itself becomes a character, and where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. Each chapter unravels like a secret, keeping the reader guessing about what lurks beneath the surface.

What makes this book particularly powerful is its ability to capture the uncertainty and thrill of those in-between moments in life—when friendships are tested, identities shift, and nothing feels quite as it seems. Starmer’s prose is both haunting and poetic, offering an almost cinematic experience that is both intimate and expansive.

If you’re drawn to stories with a touch of the surreal and enjoy character-driven narratives, Night Swimming is a fantastic pick. It’s a memorable, unsettling tale that lingers, reminding you of the beauty and mystery hidden in the unknown.

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer is a beautifully written and haunting story that lingers with you long after the final page. Starmer captures a surreal blend of darkness and wonder, diving into themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery through an atmosphere that feels almost dreamlike.

The story follows its protagonist as they navigate both internal struggles and the mysteries of the night, making each scene feel like an exploration of hidden fears and desires. Starmer’s writing is lyrical yet concise, painting vivid images that bring the setting and characters to life in an almost cinematic way. The plot balances the strange and the heartfelt, blending suspense with moments of quiet introspection that add depth to the narrative.

One of the things I loved about Night Swimming is its ability to capture the confusion and intensity of adolescence, when every experience can feel like both an adventure and a potential danger. Starmer has an incredible talent for creating tension without relying on outright horror, letting the weight of the unknown and the power of suggestion fuel the suspense.

Overall, Night Swimming is a captivating, moody tale that resonates with the complexities of growing up. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for a story that is both eerie and emotionally rich, full of memorable characters and insights that stay with you long after the journey ends.

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer is set in 1994 and follows Trevor and Sarah as they graduate from high school. Their friendship is a bit strained as Trevor has a huge crush on Sarah, who has a boyfriend. They have been accepted to different colleges and plan to make the most of their summer by swimming in every pool in their hometown, sneaking into yards and in-ground pools each night. As they get close to the end, things get a little weird.

I loved the nostalgia this story evoked in me. The summers between semesters, when the only thing I had to worry about was finishing a paper or making sure I wasn’t late meeting up with friends. The story was a quick and interesting read.

I love everything this author writes!! This book was no different. Perfect pacing and the storyline was soooo good! Thanks for the ARC!

This one took me back to my senior year in high school. It’s set in 1994 and I graduated in 1993. It was a trip down memory lane. It’s well written and I’m not the biggest fan of time travel but I couldn’t stop reading this.

It begins with a senior Trevor who is just graduating high school and is trying to spend time with his crush named Sara. Sara comes up with an idea to swim all of the pools in the city they live in. Trevor just wants to be with Sara so he goes along with it. Everything is going fine until they learn about a pool in the forest.

There is also a separate story going along with the main story. You don’t know who the narrator of that story.

I enjoyed this book. It’s well written and really just a takes me back. I’m reminded of the music and the clothes, dr martens. I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me this digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fascinating book that blends fantasy and reality, and while I'm not a fan of fantasy, this book made me feel like I was right there with these young people who yearn for adventure. Trevor and Sarah have a plan to swim in all the pools in their small town and they go late at night when no one will hear or see them. But when a seemingly crazy purple-haired woman tells them about a "natural pool" in the woods, they are intrigued enough to invite several of their friends to go as well. And then things get dicey....The pool has a different effect on each of them....As a swimmer myself, I was intrigued until I read this book and now know I will never swim in a forest, but stick only to pools I know!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I absolutely adored this book. I sat down, picked it up and didn't move until I had finished. I have not been so excited to read a book and been so drawn into a book so quickly. It was the perfect reminder of those fun teenage adventures I've experienced and made me feel so nostalgic. I truly did not expect the twist at all but couldn't get enough. I can not wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to experience such a fun new read.

I got my first book from NetGalley to read early and review, so I started Night Swimming with an open mind. I was expecting a typical YA/NA storyline of growing up and finding love, which it starts out as. But as you get further in, between some chapters a secondary storyline is going, that you’re trying to piece who is narrating the whole time. As more unfolds otherworldly things start happening and I felt like I was pushed onto the island from Lost or another show/movie about time moving differently in different locations. When movies, books or tv shows get too into time travel/ other timelines etc. I check out. My brain doesn’t compute. But I kept on because I enjoyed the characters and their progress in their conundrums. The writing was good. The pacing wasn’t so slow I’m skipping paragraphs.

I’ve always wished I could have experienced the 90s as a teenager and this gave me that vibe I needed!

Trevor and his friend, Sarah, make a summer pact to swim in every pool in their neighborhood. When their friends join them, they end up getting busted by a woman who tells them of a secret pool in the woods. Curious, they go to investigate and get more than they bargained for.

This was not at all what I expected and I absolutely recommend going in as blind as possible. It’s hard to write a review that doesn’t give everything away, but I’ll try. This was intriguing, unique and one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. I loved the premise of the whole thing. I do have unanswered questions though that will eat at me.

Overall, this book was magical and had me hooked almost immediately!

This was an ARC from NetGalley. Reading the description, I thought I was heading into a YA novel learning heavily into the millennial nostalgia for all things 90s. Boy was I wrong. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you are looking for a book that involves a strong WTF did I just read, this is for you. Neither good or bad, just completely unique. The saving grace was this was a very short read, and longer, and the plot would have gotten very repetitive. #netgalley #nightswimming #90snostalgia #leavingouryouthbehind #whatdidijustread

When I saw the MC names were the same and me and my husbands, Trevor and Sarah, I knew I had to read this book. Even though I'm in the middle of reading another book, I couldn't put this one down. I was definitely invested in the story. And while they may not have had the same ending as my own, it was worth the reminder of how things may not always turn out the way that's expected. Night Swimming took me back to being in high school and the decisions and uncertainty that comes with being on the edge of adulthood. Although it was set in the nineties (the best decade if you ask me), it's a timeless story as relatable then as it is now!
Thank you NetGalley for an advance read!

This book took me on a special trip down memory lane – mixed tapes, watching "Speed" on the big screen, indulging my crush on the future John Wick, fears about the future ahead, love, disappointment, dreams, high expectations, tears, cheers, fun, sadness, friendship, and the unbearable pain of being a teenager afraid of becoming an adult unsure of their path.

Aaron Starmer created an amazing atmosphere, transporting us to the summer of 1994, capturing the vulnerability and burden of being young, reckless, and aimless – lost all over again.

It's a melancholic, thought-provoking, fresh, honest, unique, and inspiring story with magical elements and beautiful, heart-wrenching, poetic chapter endings that lead to a bittersweet, embracing conclusion.

The story takes place in the summer of 1994 and revolves around Trevor and the enigmatic, free-spirited Sarah. Inspired by a book, Sarah drags Trevor to swim in all the pools in town, celebrating their upcoming graduation and the beginning of their adult lives. Of course, Trevor doesn't hesitate to follow Sarah anywhere, as he's had a long-time crush on her, even though she has a boyfriend. She even gives him a glimmer of hope for a future kiss. Each night, they find themselves breaking rules, jumping fences, and splashing into strangers' pools, keeping their secret tradition until Trevor shares their escapades with their inner circle, and their friends join the adventure, much to Sarah's reluctance.

Then, one night, they choose to explore a pool in the woods, and everything changes for the entire group, blurring the line between reality and dreams.

Overall, if you want to read something well-written, poetic, creative, sentimental, and take a trip down your own youthful memory lane, this unique, heartfelt ride is the perfect fit for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Penguin Workshop for sharing this sentimental read's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer is a perfect fever dream! The cover is gorgeous and instantly intriguing. I devoured the book in a few hours. The book is set in 1994 and the main male character Trevor and his friends have just graduated high school. Trevor is conflicted about his future and has a crush on Sarah, the main female character. Sarah convinces Trevor to participate in a secret summer mission with her. They pledge to swim in all the pools in their city before the summer ends and they leave for college. They have fun and grow closer, but not as close as Trevor would like. Eventually, their other friends learn of their mission and join them, much to Sarah's dismay. They learn of a natural pool deep in the woods and decide this will be their last hurrah. Once they arrive and begin swimming, the pool seems to have an otherworldly hold on them and something strange is happening.

The author does a fantastic job developing the setting in the 90's. There were so many cool references and it was full of nostalgia. It had me thinking of my teenage years. The characters were well-developed and I was rooting for them all. There was a good sense of teenage freedom, anxiety over being caught swimming in the pools late at night, and chills over what might be happening at the natural pool. The author did a wonderful job of describing the angst and fears of youth tangled up with the edges of reality and human consciousness.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I love the premise and I found it to be very original. This is a book I will think about for a long time and will read again. I will be recommending it to others!

Thank you to Penguin Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.