Reviews - Coming Up for Air

56 reviews for:

Coming Up for Air

Nicole B. Tyndall

3.76 AVERAGE

lyla_wicks's review against another edition

3.0

emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

this book had so much potential, but it felt like a lot of this fell short, due to the lack of connection i felt with the romance and characters. i think that it could have been a lot more effective with some additional length to provide a slowburn that makes you connect to the relationship more. i did empathise with the main character though, and i enjoyed reading about her family. as for the ending, i found myself a bit disappointed, as

i personally felt no chemistry between her and tyler, and feel like it wasn’t necessary for her to end up with someone

Content Warnings

ameliamarlatt's review

3.0

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

tbr_hoarder's review

3.5

This book has SUCH potential, but lacks in several ways. Because it's so short, you don't get to fall in love with the characters & learn a lot about them. Maybe I feel this way because of my own reads recently, but I think this could have worked a lot better as a much longer book. More of a slow burn, so we can be that much more devastated by the events of the book. I didn't feel a deep connection to anyone, so the sad events were sad, but not THAT sad. More pages could have solved that issue.

I also liked the timeline cuts, but I think they would have worked well if they were more linear. Have the first part stay "after," then move chronologically from there. The "after" hooks the reader at the beginning, but any jumps that aren't linear after that initial jump don't feel justified. Not TERRIBLE, just not fully justifiable.

Overall I liked it & would probably re-read it if I wanna a solid cry, but it wasn't AMAZING. A good coming of age story that I would have been obsessed with in high school.

zoeee_101_'s review

4.75

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was amazing start to finish. I love this authors writing style and she kept it engaging the whole time!!! But not only that, but this book had me crying and gasping. it was amazing.

When Braden came to talk to her after he woke up from his coma, apologized and was sweet. MY HEART MELTED!! but then when he went inside and went for the meds. I GENUINELY DID NOT EXPECT THAT. so out of left field. love this book so much.

Content Warnings

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A raw, emotional roller-coaster of never knowing what is coming next. The story was predictable at times, yes, but what I mean is that the responses from characters were always something new. I felt like I knew what was happening in the plot line, but I found myself getting so sucked into the story, that sometimes I was caught off guard by the way in which characters responded.

Coming Up For Air shares the emotional story of Hadley, a teen who is dealing with the past trauma of a cancer scare for her mother. She has not been the same since and has told herself that she isn't interested in a relationship. After meeting Braden Roberts, things start to change. Braden shows Hadley how to start living again and encourages her to take risks, live life, and be happy.

After life-shattering news comes, everything changes for Hadley, and she begins to see the dark secrets that those closest to her are hiding.

The story becomes messy, and at times, creates moments of anger and questioning of what the characters are doing. I was so mad at Braden for the way he was hurting Hadley, and I was also mad at Hadley for feeding into Braden's addiction. But I think all of this helps to show the true impacts of addiction on those being directly impacted as well as those who are indirectly impacted.

This book reminds me a lot of Heroine by Mindy McGinnis.

I am mostly happy with the way this story ends. It wasn't all wrapped up nicely in a bow. We are left with challenges. Left with Questions. But ultimately, that is what happens.

I will be recommending this title (with caution).

Content Warnings

piscesreader1111's review

3.75

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

laghidinchiostro's review

3.25

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

twiinklex's review

4.0

Ugh my feels.

✨ "Love is a risk. I know that, even more so lately. Anything loved can be lost. But right now, I don't care. This love makes me feel alive, and I need that."

This is a raw, emotional and beautifully-written coming-of-age story. The author did a wonderful job in handling sensitive topics such as addiction, toxic relationships and coping with cancer in the family. I usually can't relate or connect with YA romances but this one did not feel forced or rushed at all. In fact, it was very realistic as with everything that goes on in the book.

From the rush and adrenaline of first love and how it blossoms, to its uncertainties, making excuses for the one we love and not wanting to see the red flags until we can no longer ignore them, to the breakdown and death of a once-magical love — this was all portrayed brilliantly.

Described as "a piece of my heart" in the acknowledgments, this book started out as pages from the author's high school journal, which meant that what happened in the novel are actually real-life experiences. No wonder I could feel all the emotions radiating off every page.

A beautiful book that captivated me from start to end.

✨ "Real love comes from safety, from trust; not this feeling rooted in desperation. It makes me want to scream and bang on his chest, demanding back who I used to know. But he's gone, and nothing is going to bring him back. What I feel now is the shadow of love, and all it has to offer is heartache."

rozanne_visagie's review

5.0

miastegner's review

4.5

reflective tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

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