Coming Up for Air comes into play SO MANY times in this novel, I'd almost lost track. First, the obvious one we mentioned because at some point, they do have to do that actual action. Second, it applies to Braden yet again in a life sense. Ever been told you take things too seriously? Yeah, well that was him and the swimming. I mean I get it...it was him working towards his goal of a scholarship based on his athletic talent; a totally worthy goal to say the least. The problem lies in that his focus was so laser, so single oriented that when things start messing with that direct path, he's not prepared to swerve. He takes on SO much and keeps holding his head high, so that while yes it looks like he's breathing easy, he's actually been holding his breath the whole time.

Then we have it in a life sense for our girl, Hadley. She's definitely been treading water, what with her family dealing with her mother's diagnosis and treatment. Add to that college entries, the current school year, and her new boyfriend, Braden. Yeah, okay spoiler alert there, but it's not really because it's pretty much the first thing that happens after we're introduced to the PRESENT and then the PAST. Anyway, why would she need to be coming up for air...especially in the last scenario. Ever get lost in someone? I mean to the point where we don't know where you end and they begin? Yeah, it hits our girl hard, the love bug that is, but there's something else. His problems become her problems and she feels guilty, as if she added to his problems, and that just snowballs from there until it all falls apart, rather spectacularly, and heartbreakingly all at the same time.

So you see, the titles applies several times over and in many ways, but in the end, they all add up to taking a moment in your life to actually BREATHE. It's never too late to change course, and the bumps in the road or rough water we encounter are meant for us to grow from and overcome, but if ever they feel like TOO much, there's no harm in reaching out for a helping hand.


**copy received for review; opinions are my own ( )