Breathe, Annie, Breathe

Graduated senior Annie Winters is training for the Country Music Marathon in Nashville for one reason: to honor the boyfriend she recently lost. She’s certain that Kyle, who was training for his first marathon when he died, would still be alive if she hadn’t gotten cold feet when he proposed to her. Her training plan, however, leads her to Jeremiah, an extreme-sports junkie, who makes life complicated with his easy smile and gorgeous body. Kenneally (Things I Can’t Forget) realistically unfolds the rigors of marathon training while building the friendship, lust, and tension between Annie and Jeremiah. Annie’s grief and longing for Kyle are portrayed with poignant sincerity, and with just the right amount of guilt and uncertainty to make her relationship with Jeremiah justifiably complicated: “People usually say, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ and I get so sick of hearing that.... Living with a hole in my life blows.” The final pages won’t surprise anyone, but they are heartfelt, uplifting, and quite possibly enough motivation to make readers reach for their running shoes. Ages 13–up. Agent: Sara Megibow, Nelson Literary Agency. (July)