I read this book a while ago and just never got the review posted ... but there's no time like the present, as Throw Like a Girl made Modern Mrs. Darcy's Summer Reading Guide!
Friday Night Lights meets Morgan Matson's The Unexpected Everything in this contemporary debut where swoon-worthy romance meets underdog sports story.
When softball star Liv Rodinsky throws one ill-advised punch during the most important game of the year, she loses her scholarship to her fancy private school, her boyfriend, and her teammates all in one fell swoop. With no other options, Liv is forced to transfer to the nearest public school, Northland, where she'll have to convince their coach she deserves a spot on the softball team, all while facing both her ex and the teammates of the girl she punched... Every. Single. Day.
Enter Grey, the injured star quarterback with amazing hair and a foolproof plan: if Liv joins the football team as his temporary replacement, he'll make sure she gets a spot on the softball team in the Spring. But it will take more than the perfect spiral for Liv to find acceptance in Northland's halls, and behind that charming smile, Grey may not be so perfect after all.
With well-drawn characters and a charming quarterback love interest who's got brains as well as brawn, Throw Like a Girl will have readers swooning from the very first page.
This is a really cute YA sports romance! Liv's journey—as she joins the football team, makes friends in a new school, and navigates a new relationship—is so enjoyable! While the romance between Liv and Gray is nice, the real strength of the novel are Liv's other relationships—with her best friend Addie (a great example of female friendship), her younger brother Ryan (one of the best sibling relationships I've read about in recent memory), and the rest of the team.
I did roll my eyes at teenage stupidity at one point (would it be a YA novel without that?), but overall, the story felt very mature. I wouldn't say this is a story that will stick with me, but I definitely enjoyed myself while I read it! 3 stars.
Note: The romance is sweet/clean. There is quite a bit of language, including at least one use of the "f-word."
Buy the book (affiliate link).
Sarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
I've been eyeing this one. It sounds fun even though its not a genre (sports romance) I read much of. Still... something about it seems like it'd be a cute read. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun! As far as YA goes, though, I wouldn't put it in my favorites. So yes, if you have some spare time, give it a whirl, but I wouldn't put it ahead of, say, a new Kasie West novel :-)
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