Reviews

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

kellyjanis's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

melanie_books's review against another edition

3.0

At age 19, Avery was a dedicated, talented gymnast and an Olympic hopeful. But when her career ended suddenly, she's understandably devastated. Now, seven years later, she returns home to Massachusetts following a bad breakup. Shortly after arriving, Ryan, another former gymnast working at Avery's home gym offers her a job coaching Hallie, a promising young gymnast. As she slowly works to get back on her feet, she realizes the potential that Hallie has and enjoys a burgeoning relationship with Ryan. But when a scandal breaks and disrupts the world of elite gymnastics, Avery must face her own hurts and the effects she deals with still.

I've always been fascinated by gymnastics - the beauty, the power, the grace. But lurking beneath the sparkly leotards and cool flips is a dark side that has come to light more in the real world over last couple of years. I liked that this story addressed some of the skeletons in the closet without being super depressing, even highlighting ways that gymnasts were reaching out and supporting one another. And while the book doesn't shy away from the sad parts of the sport, it does an amazing job with describing the complexity and artistry of gymnastics and how tough these athletes must be to compete. Overall, it gave me a new appreciation for the sport and will make me enjoy watching in a whole new way.

abbbyyya's review against another edition

4.0

With Hannah Orenstein's latest novel we have yet another story of how important it is to maintain your relationship with yourself while creating relationships with others. Avery grew so much from the start of the novel to the end and it was so uplifting, motivating, and encouraging to follow along her journey. I truly felt at the end that she was her truest form of self, alongside being in a happy relationship and having a successful career. Talk about goals! Books like this are so helpful in my quest to find the same thing and I am so happy that more authors seem to be writing books like this. Avery is the kind of female lead I looveeee. This was my first Hannah Orenstein book and I do think her writing is solid. Some sections felt a little drawn out and I found myself skimming through large chunks of descriptions. Apart from that, the story flowed well and came together beautifully

pixiepages's review against another edition

3.0

This was an easy light read. I didn’t really vibe with any of the characters. I will say it reminded me of an extra cheesy hallmark movie. Avery, who is a gymnast but not any type of gymnast, she's an olympic level one. She gets injured and loses everything she knew in her life. How do you find your way back …. You obviously move back to your hometown because isn't that where everything always begins.

clareobrien92's review against another edition

4.0

Read this during the Olympics and it was a good one to get me in the mood. For what it is, it’s pretty successful, but it’s by no means a jaw-droppingly great romcom. The chemistry is decent but not sizzling or great. What stands out is the authors ability to capture what it feels like to be lost in your 20s, with a really believable Olympic twist.

niclow_'s review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

libraryladys's review against another edition

4.0

I assumed this would be a cute romance, and was pleasantly surprised to find more substance. It gives details about the intense world of gymnastics and issues surrounding body image.

gwalt118's review against another edition

2.0

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein is one of those books that I can appreciate for the attempt, while also acknowledging that the execution didn't work for me. In this novel, Orenstein tries to humanize the elite sport of gymnastics in light of the Larry Nassar scandal and the postponed 2020 Olympics.

The problem is that, at its core, this is a romance novel...and I didn't buy into the romance. Avery & Ryan's relationship always felt forced to me. Ryan is a jerk to her more than once, but she always circles back to him. Things never felt plausible to me, and there were a few moments that were supposed to be romantic but just felt cheesy to me. Avery & Ryan are supposed to be in their late 20s and they act like teenagers.

The writing is not vivid, and a lot of the descriptions fell flat. I don't want a character to tell me that a gymnastics arena is huge and flashy. I want the author to describe a huge and flashy gymnastics arena to me.

The characters, the writing, the romance plotline -- it all just frustrated me. Oh well. To the little free library she goes.

jesstandrews's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

angelica_elle_reads's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0