Coming Up For Air by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks #8
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Pub Date: July 4, 2017
Pages: 320
Format: e-arc | Source: NetGalley
Genres: young adult, contemporary, romance
Rating: 
Swim. Eat. Shower. School. Snack. Swim. Swim. Swim. Dinner. Homework. Bed. Repeat.
All of Maggie’s focus and free time is spent swimming. She’s not only striving to earn scholarships—she’s training to qualify for the Olympics. It helps that her best friend, Levi, is also on the team and cheers her on. But Levi’s already earned an Olympic try out, so she feels even more pressure to succeed. And it’s not until Maggie’s away on a college visit that she realizes how much of the “typical” high school experience she’s missed by being in the pool.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Maggie decides to squeeze the most out of her senior year. First up? Making out with a guy. And Levi could be the perfect candidate. After all, they already spend a lot of time together. But as Maggie slowly starts to uncover new feelings for Levi, how much is she willing to lose to win?
Coming Up For Air was cute! It started slow for me and a few parts dragged but then I finished the last 70% in a night. I loved the characters- the strong friendships, the parents, Maggie and Levi together! I also liked how positive this book was at displaying different sorts of high school relationships and feelings. And there is a surprising amount of sexy time 😀 Def not like NA or anything but I liked how it was handled. I also enjoyed the swimming aspect because I’m a big fan of watching Olympic swimming and have been to a few of my cousin’s meets in the past. It was a little corny at times but if you’re a fan of the other Hundred Oaks books, you’ll enjoy this. Oh I almost forgot LEVI READS THE RAVEN BOYS AT ONE POINT. So cool.
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Series: Lady Helen #1
Published by: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: January 26, 2016
Pages: 482
Format: hardcover | Source: Purchased
Genres: young adult, historical, paranormal
Rating: 
New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman’s eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!
London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?
This sat on my bookshelf for the longest time and I’m glad I finally read it for #RockMyTBR because it was worth the wait! Regency is an overdone historical genre sometimes but this was so well researched and well written. I enjoyed the setting a lot, it was very immersive. It also had the perfect touch of paranormal, not enough to overwhelm but enough to be interesting and add something new to the story. I loved Lady Helen! She was a great mix of era-appropriate and headstrong, intelligent woman. She didn’t seem like an anachronism. I also enjoyed the romance even though it is quite possibly the slowest burn I’ve EVER read. It’s. So. Slow!! But I liked that and I’m sure it will pay off. I’m curious to read the sequel and learn even more about the history of the demons and the reclaimers!
Have you read either of these? Favorite book you’ve read in July so far?
The Bookish Beagle 
Ooh I’m glad you liked The Dark Days Club! I enjoyed it as well, and I love all the research the author has put in it! But agreed with how slow it is- the second one is even more so :’) the climax is definitely worth it though.
I’ve never read Miranda Kenneally’s books but they seem very cute and light and all the fluff!
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Same here, it’s always easy to tell when an author has really done their homework but still manages to make it feel interesting and not info dumpy! Ohhh really! I assumed the 2nd book would pick up a bit. Glad it’s worth it at least!
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I really want to read The Dark Days Club! I have heard of the slow burn, which intimidates me in my current reading mood. I definitely want to try it, though!
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You definitely have to be in the right mood, I know how that goes! But I think it’s worth it overall.
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I have Coming Up for Air I need to get to. I will have to remember it starts a little slow. Sounds good otherwise!! Great reviews!
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Thank you! Coming Up For Air is perfect for summer, I think you’ll like it overall 🙂
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I really loved how well researched Dark Days Club felt. Even though the writing was slow, I still really appreciated it. The romance is definitely a slow burn and it doesn’t help that the book is so big, it feels like it’s taking forever. Wouldn’t have minded more kissing scenes in that one.
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Oh me too, plus it’s always impressive when it doesn’t feel info dumpy- just immersive. I love that! I’m always down for more kissing scenes, I agree! Haha.
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Darn at the three stars for Coming Up for Air. I mean, I’m glad that you liked it and I probably will too, but it’s a shame that the last three of these just haven’t been up to the standard of the first five. They’re still good and shippy, but the voice just hasn’t been quite as good and they haven’t felt quite as fresh. Or something. Hopefully starting a new series or standalone will reinvigorate.
YAY YOU ENJOYED DARK DAYS CLUB. SLOWEST, MOST TORTUROUS BURN EVERRRRRRR. Gah, it’s brilliant. I always worry a bit when people read this one, because the writing’s pretty dense and the pace is slow (intentionally but still). So yay! Book two is even better and more intense and that ship MY GOD GOODMAN.
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I think I’ve read half of the Hundred Oaks books? And I never did like them as much as most people so it could be a me thing. I’m sure you’ll still enjoy it 🙂 But yeah, books can start to feel same-y when it’s been that long with the same series.
DUDE THE BURN IS SO SLOW. CHRIST ALMIGHTY. Slow pacing never puts me off as long as I’m intrigued by the world and the characters but I’ll admit sometimes it felt like I read so much and it was only a few pages haha! Ahhhh I can’t wait!!!
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