**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Breathe Annie Breathe is the 5th book in the Hundred Oaks series, but it can be read as a standalone. I am going to tell you guys a dirty dirty secret of mine...I haven't read the books in the Hundred Oaks series yet. Shh! Please don't throw tomatoes. I have the first two books sitting on my kindle, but review books just took over my life and they just haven't been read yet. BUT, the good news is, I can attest that Breathe Annie Breathe can completely be read as a standalone. And I loved it! I am completely kicking myself in the butt for putting off the rest of the series for so long. I will be reading the rest of the books as soon as possible.

Annie is a tough young lady. That is what struck me the most about her. She had this amazing sweet sweet boyfriend for most of highschool, and he died. And she is carrying around guilt for that. I just felt awful for her. Before he lost his life way too soon, he was training for a marathon. So in his honor, Annie decides that she is going to train and run the marathon in his honor. Just reading about it made me tear up. I loved that this is how she chose to honor him. And I loved how the whole town got behind her. That takes strength and dedication. She signed up for a training coach.

I loved how the book progressed through her weekly runs with her running group and coach. It was nice to be able to meet some of the other runners in her group and get to know them a little as well. Liza was a nice surprise. I'm glad that the love interest was not her training coach, but rather his younger brother- little adrenaline junkie that he is. Their friendship was interesting to say the least. I loved watching the two of them interact. Jere is so fantastic with Annie. Kind and patient, I was so impressed with him.

I completely see what all the hype is with Miranda's books. She is just a talented author. She writes characters that you just want to grab lunch with, be friends with and hug. I want to hug all of the characters. Annie comes such a long way from page one to the end of the book. Watching her life progress is such a treat. I also really appreciated the fact that we got to see her go from high school to college.

I can so see why this series is a must read for young adult. It is everything that I want my young adult books to be. Fun, moving, detailed and developed. The main characters shine just as must as the secondary characters. You will love Annie and Jere. If you are like me, and you are one of the few people left on this earth that have not discovered the magic of Hundred Oaks, don't wait any longer! Grab Breathe Annie Breathe and fall in love. She even made me want to run... and that is no easy feat. I am going back to read the rest of the books now!

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs