Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally - Review

Breathe, Annie, Breathe

(Hundred Oaks #5)

by Miranda Kenneally

Publication Date: July 15, 2014

Published by Sourcebooks Fire

Pages:306

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

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Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

“Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautiful story about finding yourself after loss and learning to love. It gave me so many feels. Her best book yet.” — Jennifer Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You.

My Thoughts

Breathe, Annie, Breathe is the fifth book in the Hundred Oaks series and the fourth book by Miranda Kenneally that I have read. One of my favorite things about the Hundred Oaks series is that the books do not have to be read consecutively and the characters from previous books make appearances throughout. 

What is evident in all of her books as that Kenneally has a grasp on teenaged life. I won't say that it is the typical teenage life, because everyone's experience is different, but she hits all the marks and it feels completely authentic.

There were many things that I loved about Breathe, Annie, Breathe.

• Annie - her voice - she's a funny girl; she's hardworking which is evident as she trains for the marathon and her dedication to her job
• The dialogue and social interactions
• The transition from high school to college - the roommate situation, the suite mates list, and dealing with "overnight visitors"
• Jeremiah's relationship with his brother Matt (from Things I Can't Forget) - there is a level of respect between them, but at the same time Matt is an authority figure
• Annie's relationship with her mom
• The things that go through Annie's mind as she runs and trains for a marathon and the fact that is inspires me to get my butt in gear to put on some running (or walking) shoes
• And the many moments between Annie and Jeremiah - including the moment Annie first encounters Jeremiah and he earns the moniker "Running Backwards Boy"

Some of my favorite quotes in Breathe, Annie, Breathe are Annie's thoughts about Jeremiah. Here are just a couple.

"This boy might as well where a nametag that says Trouble."

"And even though getting a ride from Jeremiah is sort of like running into a burning building, I like the way I feel when he makes me laugh. I need to laugh."

I'd love to share one of my absolute favorites, but it would be a spoiler and I just can't do that.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe had me all over the emotional spectrum.  Some moments made me laugh, others made me cry. Some moments caught my breath and like Annie, I had to remember to breathe. Miranda Kenneally's books just keep getting better and better, and I have to say, I think Breathe, Annie Breathe may be my favorite of all.

Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC from the publisher via Netgalley as part of the XPresso Book Tour in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Quotes used are from the e-ARC and may very from the finished copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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