Kirkus Reviews

An Olympic-caliber swimmer seeks gold in romance in the latest of Kenneally's interconnected Hundred Oaks series.As a teenage swimmer who's trying desperately to make the cut for the Olympic trials, Maggie's life is swim, eat, sleep, repeat. The white high school senior's only break is Friday nights at Jiffy Burger with her friends, including her childhood friend and teammate Levi, also white. Due to swimming, she's missed a lot of high school experiences—something she feels very keenly when she visits Berkeley, where she will be going in the fall. Her primary swim rival, a white girl with a nose stud named Roxy, is also going to Berkeley, and it seems that Roxy has had plenty of time for romance, unlike Maggie. So she resolves to learn how to make out with a guy before starting college…and who better to teach her than her best friend? After a little coaxing, Levi agrees to show her what to do. As Maggie struggles to both beat Roxy and make the cut for the trials, what was only physical with Levi starts to become something more. Maggie's present-tense narration is rich with the details of elite student athletics, and she is cleareyed in her exploration of her sexuality, including a look at college hookup culture that manages to be very funny. The frank depiction of female teenage sexuality elevates this series entry. (Romance. 16-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Senior Maggie King has spent her life focused on one thing: swimming. Now that she-s been accepted to UC Berkeley and has a real shot at the Olympic trials, Maggie wishes she-d spent a little more time focusing on guys-specifically, how to hook up with them. Her best friend Levi seems to have no problem finding time for girls, even though he-s also a competitive swimmer. Maggie hits on the idea of Levi teaching her the basics of hooking up, but as the lessons start and get steamy, the pressure to perform in the pool mounts for both of them, and her feelings for him deepen. This lighthearted romance has all the trademarks of a Kenneally novel: a strong female lead, a sexy male love interest, and a complicated relationship fraught with sexual tension. Fans of the author-s Hundred Oaks series won-t be disappointed as they watch Maggie-s and Levi-s friendship move in a new direction, and the competitive and uncertain element of Maggie-s future in swimming makes the page turning all the more enjoyable. Ages 14-up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (July)

School Library Journal (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 9 Up-his stand-alone series entry focuses on Maggie, a high school senior and an elite swimmer training to qualify for the Olympics. Her daily schedule includes hours of swim practice, and her weekends are usually spent at competitions, which has contributed to Maggie's lack of dating experience. After realizing that she's increasingly interested in sex yet hesitant to engage in risky behavior, she approaches her best friend and fellow swimmer, Levi, for guidance in navigating a physical relationship with a guy. The proposition threatens to derail their friendship as well as distract them both from their training, but along the way they discover they have feelings for each other. The writing and plotting will appeal to the intended audience and perfectly balance intense sports play-by-play with romance. In her quest to explore her sexuality, Maggie prioritizes her desires and needs. She is always in the driver's seat, which is not often the case for female characters in YA fiction. Kenneally provides readers with a realistic model of sexual behavior that emphasizes safe sex practices. Hand this title to those who enjoy Kasie West, Morgan Matson, and Emery Lord. VERDICT A contemporary sports fiction romance that offers practical, sex-positive advice; recommended for most teen collections.Samantha Lumetta, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Ever since Maggie was eight years old, she has dreamed of swimming in the Olympics. Now that she is a senior in high school, her years of hard work have finally paid off, earning her a place in the Olympic trials and on the Cal-Berkeley swim team for the coming year. Parting with best friends and fellow athletes Hunter, Georgia, and Levi will be hard when they all go off to different colleges. Their demanding training schedules have not allowed for a typical high school social life. Maggie has never made out with a boyfriend, and in her anxiety about her inexperience, she turns to Levi. Reluctantly, he agrees to show her what sex is like, and they find that their friendship is forever changed. This novel addresses teen questions about sexuality frankly and openly. Maggie is bothered by her urges and wants to know what is expected of her. Levi has experience but does not want a deeper relationship that might affect his swimming. Hunter wants commitment with his girl, but she resists. The author’s likable characters highlight issues of libido and trust in an even-handed way. Maggie’s coming-of-age journey resolves her quest with the realization that everybody must decide for themselves their personal priorities at this crucial life stage. It is about learning that not everyone fits the same mold, and that is okay. Young readers who are anxious about the road ahead will appreciate this author’s honest approach.—Marla Unruh.