Scan barcode
kareymckay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
readfrenzy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I’ve been obsessed with the Olympic games – gymnastics, in particular – since I was a young girl. Every four years, I find myself glued to my television, cheering on Team U.S.A. When I found out Head Over Heels was a romance centered around a gymnast training for the Olympics, reading it was a no-brainer.
With some sports romances, the sport is barely tangential to the plot. This book, however, immerses the reader in the world of competitive gymnastics – the training regime, techniques, rules, equipment, and competitions. It’s a well-researched subject that’s a dream for super fans.
Despite the cute cover, this isn’t a fluffy contemporary romance. Avery is burdened with depression and the lingering effects of emotional abuse. It’s tangible. However, deep down is a fighting spirit that I admired. I liked the way Avery bonds with Ryan over their shared experiences as former elite gymnasts. I also enjoyed how they work together as a team to train Hallie. Theirs is a sweet, although not necessarily electric, attraction. This is mainly due to the indecisive nature of their romance. It feels forced.
In Hallie, we see a teenager with great ambition and grit. She is able to take on the grueling physical and mental demands required of athletes competing at her high level, while still maintaining a sweetness that’s endearing. I celebrated every accomplishment and mourned each setback.
I would have rated the book higher, but some developments in the latter half are too rushed. Ryan’s decision-making is questionable and hasty. Avery’s reunion with her former best friend, Jasmine, needs finessing; although, I did enjoy their relationship. The drama lover in me wanted to see additional interactions with Avery’s former coach and a more satisfying resolution.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more as a work of contemporary women’s fiction than as a romance. Head Over Heels definitely renewed my love for gymnastics and my appreciation for athletes who train most of their lives for one shot at grabbing the ultimate gold.
Recommended for fans of:
Gymnastics
The Olympics
Second chances
Cooking
I’ve been obsessed with the Olympic games – gymnastics, in particular – since I was a young girl. Every four years, I find myself glued to my television, cheering on Team U.S.A. When I found out Head Over Heels was a romance centered around a gymnast training for the Olympics, reading it was a no-brainer.
With some sports romances, the sport is barely tangential to the plot. This book, however, immerses the reader in the world of competitive gymnastics – the training regime, techniques, rules, equipment, and competitions. It’s a well-researched subject that’s a dream for super fans.
Despite the cute cover, this isn’t a fluffy contemporary romance. Avery is burdened with depression and the lingering effects of emotional abuse. It’s tangible. However, deep down is a fighting spirit that I admired. I liked the way Avery bonds with Ryan over their shared experiences as former elite gymnasts. I also enjoyed how they work together as a team to train Hallie. Theirs is a sweet, although not necessarily electric, attraction. This is mainly due to the indecisive nature of their romance. It feels forced.
In Hallie, we see a teenager with great ambition and grit. She is able to take on the grueling physical and mental demands required of athletes competing at her high level, while still maintaining a sweetness that’s endearing. I celebrated every accomplishment and mourned each setback.
I would have rated the book higher, but some developments in the latter half are too rushed. Ryan’s decision-making is questionable and hasty. Avery’s reunion with her former best friend, Jasmine, needs finessing; although, I did enjoy their relationship. The drama lover in me wanted to see additional interactions with Avery’s former coach and a more satisfying resolution.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more as a work of contemporary women’s fiction than as a romance. Head Over Heels definitely renewed my love for gymnastics and my appreciation for athletes who train most of their lives for one shot at grabbing the ultimate gold.
Recommended for fans of:
Gymnastics
The Olympics
Second chances
Cooking
*I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read.*
jessiehulk98's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend this book for lovers of gymnastics! Absolutely adored this story with all of its ups and downs. Also nearly made me cry, if that's saying anything!!
kateharsh's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really loved this! Quick and easy but very cute. Listened to it in one day while packing for vacation.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
4.0
Hannah Orenstein’s Head Over Heels is a charming rom-com (with a few heavy moments) set in the world of competitive gymnastics.
When Avery Abrams’s Olympic dreams came to a heartbreaking halt, she felt unmoored and depressed. Eight years, and one breakup later, she finds herself back in her Massachusetts hometown to pick up the pieces. When former Olympian, Ryan Nicholson, reaches out about a coaching opportunity, Avery accepts. Will this be the chance she needs to finally move forward? Or will the ghosts of her past potential come back to haunt her?
This novel does a good job of peeling back the curtain of the competitive gymnastics world in a way that makes it accessible to the lay reader, but still acknowledges the hard work and dedication that these elite athletes make to achieve their dreams. It was, however, a little surreal to read about an alternative timeline in which the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are actually happening, and where the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t exist. That feeling is especially present in a story like this because it’s so directly tied to a specific moment in time.
That aside, I appreciate the nuanced and sensitive way that Orenstein acknowledges the misconduct that has been prevalent in the sport without using it as a cheap narrative device. The relationships that are explored in the novel (namely Avery and Ryan, Hallie and Avery/Ryan, and Avery and Jasmine) are also well-plotted and read as wholly genuine. There are also strong female characters who are inspiring in various ways.
In all, it’s funny, it’s poignant, and it’s empowering. And a great read overall.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When Avery Abrams’s Olympic dreams came to a heartbreaking halt, she felt unmoored and depressed. Eight years, and one breakup later, she finds herself back in her Massachusetts hometown to pick up the pieces. When former Olympian, Ryan Nicholson, reaches out about a coaching opportunity, Avery accepts. Will this be the chance she needs to finally move forward? Or will the ghosts of her past potential come back to haunt her?
This novel does a good job of peeling back the curtain of the competitive gymnastics world in a way that makes it accessible to the lay reader, but still acknowledges the hard work and dedication that these elite athletes make to achieve their dreams. It was, however, a little surreal to read about an alternative timeline in which the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are actually happening, and where the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t exist. That feeling is especially present in a story like this because it’s so directly tied to a specific moment in time.
That aside, I appreciate the nuanced and sensitive way that Orenstein acknowledges the misconduct that has been prevalent in the sport without using it as a cheap narrative device. The relationships that are explored in the novel (namely Avery and Ryan, Hallie and Avery/Ryan, and Avery and Jasmine) are also well-plotted and read as wholly genuine. There are also strong female characters who are inspiring in various ways.
In all, it’s funny, it’s poignant, and it’s empowering. And a great read overall.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
amyk2024's review against another edition
5.0
I did not think I would enjoy this as much as I did. There is. Lot of technical gymnastics and olympics talk that just went right over my head but it didn’t take away from the story. I loved the three main characters and felt a vested interest in their lives. The book took place over the course of a year and the character development over that year was beautifully done. The relationship between Avery and Ryan felt so natural and the coaching dynamic with Haley was perfect. This book really tackled the sexual assault issues that gymnasts unfortunately face. I felt so many emotions throughout and absolutely fell head over heels for this book! (Sorry, I couldn’t help the pun!)
morganboyd's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars I was a competitive gymnast up until the age of 13, so I really related to a lot of this book. I liked how it pointed out the nasty sides of the gymnastics world and Orenstein wasn't afraid to go all in. My main problem with this book was the struggle for me to mix the two plots. I became really invested in the scandal aspect of the book, so much so that the romance took a back seat. I wished this book had been longer, so the author could have developed both plot lines further. Overall, while I did have some issues, this book was a feel-good romance that respectfully discusses topics the gymnastics world has tended to ignore.
mtasket's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 46% - would not consider a romance, that aspect was just badly written
morethanthepages's review against another edition
4.0
This one had me smiling and was adorable.
It was a solid fluffy read to bring a little bit of cuteness and romance to my reading selections. I am glad it sort of revolved around gymnastics and the 2020 Olympics because I needed that since they're not happening this summer lol. It definitely wasn't a surface level book either. There was some strong emotions that came in to play by several of the characters. And I could truly see Avery as a real person. The way she thought and acted felt accurate and not just fictionalized to be fictionalized. She was a strong main character.
Even though the characters and the Olympic hopefuls in the books were fictional the author did touch on topics that gymnasts face in real-life. She incorporated some heavy topics.
It's one of those cute/fun summer romance reads that you could finish in one day floating in a pool. Thank you for @atriabooks for my copy and happy pub day! ♡Rachel
It was a solid fluffy read to bring a little bit of cuteness and romance to my reading selections. I am glad it sort of revolved around gymnastics and the 2020 Olympics because I needed that since they're not happening this summer lol. It definitely wasn't a surface level book either. There was some strong emotions that came in to play by several of the characters. And I could truly see Avery as a real person. The way she thought and acted felt accurate and not just fictionalized to be fictionalized. She was a strong main character.
Even though the characters and the Olympic hopefuls in the books were fictional the author did touch on topics that gymnasts face in real-life. She incorporated some heavy topics.
It's one of those cute/fun summer romance reads that you could finish in one day floating in a pool. Thank you for @atriabooks for my copy and happy pub day! ♡Rachel