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.