Sweet Summertime Reads with Miranda Kenneally + GIVEAWAY

As you are reading this, I am currently living my best summer life possible -- at the beach!! Nothing is more sweeter than the sunshine on your bare shoulders and sand between your toes. Okay, well, maybe a good book to go along with it.

So, I am beyond thrilled to feature a very SWEET book by one of my favorite authors, Miranda Kenneally. Her eighth book in the Hundred Oaks series publishes tomorrow, but today I've got Miranda here to answer my questions on all things COMING UP FOR AIR.

Those who know me understand that I have a special place in my heart for swimming (it might have something to do with those good looking swimmer dudes, haha). I love watching swimmers race, and am always blown away by their physical endurance. Miranda has written a story all about swimming from a teenager's point of view. But in true Kenneally fashion, she's excelled at presenting the real struggles so many teens encounter and can relate to. Yes, I love that this book is all about swimmers, but I love it even more for featuring a strong female lead that questions what she should do and what she wants to do, yet still being true to herself in the end. This is a definite must read for the summer!

About the book: 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? [goodreads]

Author Interview with Miranda Kenneally

1. Tell us a little bit about your new book, Coming Up for Air.

COMING UP FOR AIR is about Maggie, a champion swimmer who spends all her time in the pool. As she's about to graduate high school, she starts to worry that she might have missed out on important teenage experiences, like having a boyfriend and worries that she's going to be the only person at college who's never fooled around. So she asks her best guy friend Levi to teach her the basics of hooking up.

I admit the plot may sound like a fluffy trope but it was important for me to show readers that everybody moves at their own pace when it comes to physical relationships, and that it's okay if you are a different point in your life than your friends. Maggie comes to understand that she wants an emotional connection as much as the physical, but that other people may want the physical without the emotion. And that's ok. What's important is figuring out YOUR comfort level when it comes to sexuality. It's your body, your feelings, and your life.

2. Since this is the last book in the Hundred Oaks series, what made you decide to end with this one?

I am really proud of this book and wanted this series to go out on a high note! I probably could've written another book, but two more? I wasn't sure if I had it in me to write two more books that I would be proud of. I would hate disappointing readers by giving them a bad product. And wouldn't it be weird if it were a nine-book series?

3. When you're not writing, or researching for writing, what occupies your time?

Reading and eating Mexican food! Also, working at the State Department, hanging out with my husband and cat, running, and working out at the gym, and riding my bike... to the Mexican place.

4. Out of all your characters, which one sticks out as a favorite (or most memorable) for you?

The characters I've known the longest are Sam Henry and Jordan. They both appeared on the first page of the first draft I ever wrote for this series. But the character that truly sticks out is Jesse Scott from Jesse's Girl. I started working on him back in 2010! He is so complicated - crotchety and guarded, but also caring (and sexy!). I love his sense of humor. And to think, Jesse and Maya nearly didn't get together, or even have a book!

Several beta readers and publishing professionals told me it would be cliche if the famous guy Jesse actually got together with not-famous Maya (the main character) of Jesse's Girl, so I tried giving her another love interest, which didn't work at all. It made the story so contrived and lame. Maya and the other guy had no chemistry. It wasn't until I just ignored all the critics and let my characters be together that I was happy with the story.

5. Is there a sport-related story you thought about writing as part of the Hundred Oaks series, but didn't follow through with?

I always wanted to write a book about hot lifeguards, but couldn't come up with a plot! At least with COMING UP FOR AIR I got to write about hot guys in swimsuits.

6. If your characters were all hanging out, which ones would it be and what might they be doing?

Jack Goodwin's family loves throwing lavish parties at their horse farm. I'm sure most of my characters are all at his massive 4th of July celebration! After having perhaps one too many cocktails, they abandon the swanky party in the tent when Jordan challenges everyone to a badminton tournament. Is it too late to write a Hundred Oaks book about badminton? *wink wink*

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Thank you so much, Miranda, for answering my questions! If you're anxious to read this book after finding out more about it, here's your chance to win a signed copy from the author. Giveaway is open to US residents only -- good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You're Invited: Twitter Chat with Trish Doller & Miranda Kenneally

Don't have plans this evening? Then you're invited to come chat with us on twitter!  As part of my Sweet Summertime Reads feature, I am hosting a twitter chat with YA authors Trish Doller and Miranda Kenneally. Both of these lovely ladies have books being published this summer & we want to chat about them!

I've had the pleasure of reading both of their latest works early on and have been gushing about their stories ever since. I hope you'll stop by, grab a tasty beverage, and chat us up tonight!

We'll begin at 8pm CST, using hashtag #SSRChat. Please follow us on twitter:

@GReadsBooks
@TrishDoller
@MirandaKennealy


More about their books:

Caroline Kelly is excited to be spending her summer vacation working at the local amusement park with her best friend, exploring weird Ohio with her boyfriend, and attending soccer camp with the hope she’ll be her team’s captain in the fall.

But when Caroline’s mother is hired to open an eye clinic in Cairo, Egypt, Caroline’s plans are upended. Caroline is now expected to spend her summer and her senior year in a foreign country, away from her friends, her home, and everything she’s ever known.

With this move, Caroline predicts she’ll spend her time navigating crowded streets, eating unfamiliar food, and having terrible bouts of homesickness. But when she finds instead is a culture that surprises her, a city that astounds her, and a charming, unpredictable boy who challenges everything she thought she knew about life, love, and privilege.

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 Soon: Sweet Summertime Reads 2017!

Next week I'll be kicking off another season of Sweet Summertime Reads here at GReads! I'm really excited about the upcoming authors who will be participating this year. Here's a sneak peek of those who will be involved:

I'll be chatting them up on their newest releases, plus future projects in the works. There will be opportunities to win these books, plus other cool prizes.  I'm also excited to be featuring two of my favorite bloggers: Andi & Estelle, with their own summertime goodies.  Be sure to come back & visit all summer long, so that you don't miss out on these awesome posts I have planned.

Summer is almost here!!! Are you ready??!!

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
Published: July 15, 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Borrowed ARC from friend

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. [goodreads]

Picking up a Miranda Kenneally book is like visiting old friends, literally.  What I love about her Hundred Oaks series is that even though each story is completely its own, we still get a glimpse at past characters from her previous books.  It's always nice to see what they're up to and how they've been.  The latest installment of this series is another win for me.  I really enjoyed the easy pace of this YA book and how it gives just enough depth to propel the story forward, but still keeps it light and fresh.

Annie is training to run a marathon in honor of her boyfriend who recently passed away.  She knows this is going to be the hardest goal she has ever set for herself, but through the pain, she's also hoping it will give a sense of closure to a devastatingly broken heart.  While she's on the course, training one day, she meets Jeremiah; a reckless, adrenaline-junkie who speeds past taking all the air from her lungs with him.  What begins as a crazy impromptu hook-up quickly slams to a screeching halt.  Annie is in no way ready to be back in a relationship with someone, she needs to focus on the marathon and starting college in the months ahead.

The slow build between Annie and Jeremiah was definitely my favorite aspect of the story.  Their chemistry was immediate right from the start.  But even though Annie put the breaks on their love affair, she couldn't deny herself the friendship that was blossoming between them.  As the story progresses, so does the growth of Annie's character as we see her evolve and conquer mile after mile.  This a story about facing hardships in your life, and learning how to overcome fears because of them.  Annie is a strong, determined character who deserves finding hope again.  You can't help but want to cheer her on at the finish line!

Waiting On: Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
To be published: July 15, 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire

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 [goodreads]

I've really enjoyed Kenneally's previous books, each one getting better and better, so of course I am looking forward to her latest release.  I have a feeling this story will be an emotional read, but a rewarding experience too.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Cover Reveal: BREATHE, ANNIE, BREATHE by Miranda Kenneally

Since I'm a fan of her previous novels, I am very honored to be a part of the cover reveal for Miranda Kenneally's 2014 YA contemporary: BREATHE, ANNIE, BREATHE.  This book sounds amazing, and this beautiful cover only adds more excitement to my want to read it!  Thank you so much Miranda for asking me to be a part of the cover reveal. 

About the Book [from goodreads]: Eighteen-year-old Annie Winters can barely run a mile without wheezing. Still, she’s training to run the Music City Marathon in seven short months. Running is so not her thing, but she has to finish what her boyfriend started… before he died.

Annie feels guilt that she’s still alive and blames herself for his death; she has to do this to honor him – running a marathon was his dream. Plus training gives her something to do, it’s a distraction. So is Jeremiah Brown.

He’s an adrenaline junkie who runs marathons backwards. He flirts with Annie on the trails and it makes her feel alive and happy and guilty all at the same time. She wants to both race into his arms and sprint in the opposite direction – because loving is a risk she’s not sure she’s ready to take again…

add to goodreads | Amazon [pre-order] | B&N [pre-order]

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

To be published: July 1, 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire

Follow Miranda on twitter: @MirandaKennealy

Visit Miranda's website: mirandakenneally.com

What do you think of the cover?? Have you added this book to your TBR list for 2014? If you're not familiar with Miranda's previous novels, check out my reviews: CATCHING JORDAN, STEALING PARKING, THINGS I CAN'T FORGET, and RACING SAVANNAH.

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally
Published: December 3, 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire
Source: From from the publisher via netgalley - thank you!

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack… [goodreads]

It becomes apparent that you're reading a well written book when the subject matter, such as horse racing, suddenly becomes very familiar and comfortable, when in reality you know nothing about it what so ever!  My hat goes off to Miranda Kenneally for producing a novel set in a world that I have no background knowledge on, yet she made me feel like I've been in this world for quite some time.  With that being said, I really enjoyed the setting of Racing Savannah, among the rolling green hills of Kentucky, littered with the still beauty of such a strong, intense sport such as horse racing.

Savannah lives with her father, and soon to be step mother, among the staff at Cedar Hills -- a very prestigious estate that houses some of the finest horses in the south.  She knows her place in society and understands that she must work hard for anything she wants, even if that means just barely getting by with what little savings they have.  She meets Jack, the heir to Cedar Hills, and also her boss (he's the same age, but he's taken on the farm for a year as a practice run for what's to come in his future).  There's a connection between these two and immediately it's obvious how difficult it will be for these young adults to resist what their hearts desire.  Savannah knows the boss is off limits and Jack knows he shouldn't have personal relationships with his staff, yet aren't rules made so they can be broken?

Savannah's growth as a character really stood out the most, out shining the obstacles in her path and surpassing what everyone expected.  The personal connection she makes with a horse in the story touched my heart.  Savannah's unconditional love bled through the pages and it was easy to understand how meaningful her relationship with the horse had become.  Though I was not always Jack's biggest fan, in the end I was pleased with his actions -- he just had a bumpy way of getting there.

Fans of Miranda Kennelly's previous novels (Catching Jordan, Stealing Parking, and Things I Can't Forget) will enjoy seeing some familiar faces in this fourth installment in the Hidden Oaks series.  It was fun to see what every one was up to and where their lives had taken them.  My favorite of the bunch belongs to Stealing Parker, so I was particularly pleased with an added bonus we get to see in this new novel.

After reading Racing Savannah I have now added Kentucky and its beautiful horse farms to places I must visit in this lifetime.  Miranda Kenneally described it in such a way that's left me feeling a bit of an absence in my life until its filled with a thrilling experience of seeing a horse race while having a hot dog, or two.

Waiting On: Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally
To be published: December 3, 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack… [goodreads]

You guys! I am so excited to read another Miranda Kenneally book.  At the beginning of this year, I went on a bender & read all 3 of her novels back to back.  I felt like her writing progressed more and more with each one, so I have high hopes this one will be even better!  This story just oozes goodness -- a boy & a girl from two different worlds, colliding in a horse stable?! Love that. I also love that it centers around a strong female lead, something Kenneally is very good at writing. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks, #3) by Miranda Kenneally
Published: March 1, 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire
Received: ARC on loan from Estelle - thank you!

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy… [goodreads]

This particular story is the perfect example of how one author's writing can only get better and better as they continue to publish more novels.  I was impressed by the journey Kenneally took as a writer between her first novel, Catching Jordan, and her sophomore novel, Stealing Parker.  But this one?  It's sealed the deal for me.  I am a fan of her story-telling!  Things I Can't Forget is a much deeper story, touching on tough subject matters that can be very personal for a reader.  I had reservations, wondering if the themes were a bit too much for this audience, but Kenneally proved me wrong.  She took on a challenge and succeeded in my eyes.

Kate has just graduated high school and is planning to spend her summer working at the Cumberland Creek summer camp.  Her original plan was to be working along side her best friend, Emily, but after a break up in their friendship she's left to conquer the camp fires and cabins by herself.  There is a heavy religious theme through out this novel, and I must admit, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this.  I don't typically read stories that express their words in this manner, so this was something new for me.  Kate grew up in her church, surrounded by her love from God.  She's been a devoted Christian all her life and has never tested His faith.  This brings me back to Kate's break up with Emily, which ultimately put Kate's faith to the test and left her friendless with a broken heart.

As she keeps her commitment to the summer camp program, she soon realizes that not every one who believes in God practices their Christianity in the same way she does.  Often times she's questioning what it all means.  How can young people be considered good, Christian teens; yet still want to share a cabin together - both girls and boys.  I admit that I had a hard time connecting to this aspect of the story because I was not brought up with a heavy religious background.  What may seem not that big of a deal to me, definitely stood out as a sin for Kate.

While working at the summer camp, Kate is reunited with a boy from her previous days as a camper at Cumberland Creek.  Matt was such a breath of fresh air to read about.  I adored his spirit and his sweet nature.  Immediately I knew he would bring great things to Kate's world.  He's the type of boy, who sure has made some mistakes, but he's still growing and learning, so you can't help but love him to pieces.  Their reconnection was definitely a favorite part of the story for me to read about.

I also admired the way Matt tested Kate.  He brought her out of her comfort zone, but never left her side.  He was the rock she needed during a time when everything else felt so complicated.  But like all things that can be confusing during a teen's life, soon Matt joined her list of confusions.  My heart went out to Kate as I watched the struggles she faced.  Wondering if what she's been taught her whole life, according to God, is the right thing; or is straying from her beliefs and venturing into new territory such a sin after all.  Kenneally portrayed Kate's struggles so vividly that I found myself wanting to shake Kate and show her that it's OK to have your own beliefs.  That there's no wrong answer when choosing your own path.

The relationships in this story and the setting of summer camp stole scene after scene for me.  For someone who never experienced summer camp like this, it was so much fun to relive my youth through the words Kenneally painted page after page.  In a sea of young adult novels, Things I Can't Forget is a nice reminder that we all have separate truths, and we're all searching for that "sign"; so don't give up when you think you've hit your wall -- someone may come along and surprise you, perhaps the same way this author has done for me.

This novel has concluded my casual read-along with Estelle and friends of Miranda Kenneally's books.  For someone who was hesitant on whether I'd connect to these books, I highly recommend picking them up and introducing a new young adult author to your literary world.  A huge thanks to Estelle for asking me to be a part of this!

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks, #2) by Miranda Kenneally
Published: October 1, 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire
Received: On loan from Jess - thank you!

Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High.

Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely? [goodreads]

My casual read along with friends continues with Stealing Parker, Miranda Kenneally's second book in the Hundred Oaks series. This sophomore novel surprised me by how much growth Kenneally portrayed in her writing. I saw such a significant difference between Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker. Some of the reluctance I felt with her first novel was overturned in this one and my ease into the story felt much more natural.

Parker used to be the star of her high school's softball team, where she shared the field with friends whom she thought accepted her for who she really was. But after a life altering moment in Parker's family occurs, it leaves her judged upon; which ultimately sends Parker to the extreme. Now Parker feels the shame of her mother's actions as she's looked down on by her church. The only friend she has left is Drew, who forces Parker to be a part of the boy's baseball team as the team manager. She's been cast the school slut, friendly with all the guys, receiving death glares from all the girls. It's a role she didn't particularly want, but confusing times call for confusing decisions.

As the reader I felt more invested in Parker's story. I saw the mistakes she was making and ultimately knew they'd end up hurting her, but I also understood those pains were needed in order for her to see the wrong in what she feels is the right. There were moments that left me disgusted, not just with Parker, but of the situation and how other character's actions took advantage of her. I felt that particular situation wasn't given the best finality either. But I also understand that wasn't the main focus of the story, just a piece of the puzzle.

Once again Kenneally wrote a predictable storyline with characters that I could easily figure out, but this time I enjoyed the sequence of events and how their actions played out much smoother than they did in her first novel. Yes, there was character conflict, but this time around it didn't leave me conflicted as the reader. I had a better grasp on why certain characters acted the way they did. Over all this story just made more sense for me.

If you're a fan of young adult contemporary that touches upon heavier topics, portrayed through the eyes of a teen; then I recommend this sophomore novel by Kenneally. Her writing has progressed so much that I am even more intrigued to read her upcoming novel. Also, if you're a fan of good, wholesome characters that are nicknamed after cafeteria menu items, then you'll adore this story, too.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks, #1) by Miranda Kenneally
Published: December 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire
Received: Purchased ebook from B&N

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line? [goodreads]

When this book first came out I remember attempting to read it, and at the time it just wasn't the right fit so I put it down.  Sometimes our moods affect what we read, and how we feel about it.  So many of my friends loved this one by Miranda Kenneally, so I knew I wanted to go back and give it another shot when the time was right.  My second chance came when Estelle asked me to be a part of a casual read-along with a small group of bookish friends.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to give it another go and also have people to discuss the book with. 

Jordan Woods is not your typical high school girl.  She isn't into shopping, gossip, or fawning over the latest crush.  What she is into revolves around football, arm wrestling, hangin' with the guys, and snagging that coveted spot on Alabama's college football team.  I will admit, I had a hard time connecting with Jordan; mainly because she is so different from me.  I was very much the girly girl in high school.  Trying to read the story through her eyes posed an obstacle for me quite a few times.

Then there's the boy. Wait. Not just one boy, but two: Sam (or is it Henry? the reference to characters by their last names started to confuse me - must be a football thing!) and Ty.  Immediately I knew how this would play out.  One guy is the best friend who's always been by Jordan's side -- even sleeping by her side; while the other is the hot new boy who shows up threatening her position as QB1 (yes, I watched Friday Night Lights!).  Even though I knew how it would all pan out, I was still invested enough to follow along.

There were moments of the story that I felt were a bit rushed, so much that it left me confused on why a character would act the way they did.  After some discussion with Estelle as I was reading along, she shed some light on the situation for me.  Jordan is a very sheltered character.  What may seem so obvious to me, did not always present itself to her that way.  I find myself doing this sometimes when I read young adult literature.  I have to shift gears a bit and remind myself that teenage Ginger would have done things differently, too.

Overall I enjoyed the book.  I can definitely see potential in Miranda's writing and am interested in reading more from her.  So I guess it's a good thing our casual read-along is continuing with Stealing Parker (the second book in this series).