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lenoreo's review
3.0
https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/offsetting-penalties-by-ally-mathews/
3.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
OK, you know exactly why I requested this book if you know anything about me. The premise was tailor made for me! I love dance books, and love them even more when the hero dances!! And the dance stuff was fantastic! And there was a lot of it!! You can't even imagine how happy that made me. I'm not a dancer, whatsoever, but I appreciate it and envy those with that much dedication, athleticism and grace. And honestly, the dancing was my favourite part of this book. Seeing Garret learn about stretching, positions, pirouettes, and then seeing Garret and Izzy tackle lifts just filled my heart with happiness!
As for the rest of the story, and particularly the characters, I thought this book started off really strong! I was drawn into the challenges of both characters, and I thought they both seemed like good kids struggling to work through what life had handed them. I felt Izzy's loneliness and isolation, and her struggle to do things on her own and prove her worth without her father's influence. And Garret had a lot to work through with an unsupportive (and possibly alcoholic) dad, and the struggles that come from a low-income family.
And I really enjoyed their initial interplay with each other...like they had their own impressions of the other, but they could see that there was more to the other. I liked the way they started becoming friends, but you could see them wanting more. And I liked the way they became more!
But somewhere along the way, the characters seemed to stop growing. I know they're teenagers, but I honestly expected them to start showing some empathy towards the other's situation. But the selfishness, in general, persisted. Moreso in Garret than Izzy. I actually grew annoyed when Izzy would immediately apologize for her assumptions about what Garret would struggle with and downplay her own struggles, and there would be crickets from Garret's side. Apparently money really is more valuable than close family, at least according to this book. As a reader, I thought they both struggled equally, but I don't think Garret ever really understood the negatives about Izzy's life. All he saw was the wealth and material things. And thus, I became less enamoured with our characters, particularly the hero.
And then we get to the ending...which felt kind of rushed, and left me a bit unsatisfied.
So yeah. Full marks for the dance component, and a fantastic first half!! But alas, I need a good closer to make me round up instead of down, which is a bummer. This one had so much potential. Perhaps the ending won't bug others as much as it did me.
3.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
OK, you know exactly why I requested this book if you know anything about me. The premise was tailor made for me! I love dance books, and love them even more when the hero dances!! And the dance stuff was fantastic! And there was a lot of it!! You can't even imagine how happy that made me. I'm not a dancer, whatsoever, but I appreciate it and envy those with that much dedication, athleticism and grace. And honestly, the dancing was my favourite part of this book. Seeing Garret learn about stretching, positions, pirouettes, and then seeing Garret and Izzy tackle lifts just filled my heart with happiness!
As for the rest of the story, and particularly the characters, I thought this book started off really strong! I was drawn into the challenges of both characters, and I thought they both seemed like good kids struggling to work through what life had handed them. I felt Izzy's loneliness and isolation, and her struggle to do things on her own and prove her worth without her father's influence. And Garret had a lot to work through with an unsupportive (and possibly alcoholic) dad, and the struggles that come from a low-income family.
And I really enjoyed their initial interplay with each other...like they had their own impressions of the other, but they could see that there was more to the other. I liked the way they started becoming friends, but you could see them wanting more. And I liked the way they became more!
But somewhere along the way, the characters seemed to stop growing. I know they're teenagers, but I honestly expected them to start showing some empathy towards the other's situation. But the selfishness, in general, persisted. Moreso in Garret than Izzy. I actually grew annoyed when Izzy would immediately apologize for her assumptions about what Garret would struggle with and downplay her own struggles, and there would be crickets from Garret's side. Apparently money really is more valuable than close family, at least according to this book. As a reader, I thought they both struggled equally, but I don't think Garret ever really understood the negatives about Izzy's life. All he saw was the wealth and material things. And thus, I became less enamoured with our characters, particularly the hero.
And then we get to the ending...which felt kind of rushed, and left me a bit unsatisfied.
So yeah. Full marks for the dance component, and a fantastic first half!! But alas, I need a good closer to make me round up instead of down, which is a bummer. This one had so much potential. Perhaps the ending won't bug others as much as it did me.
amburhostyn's review
5.0
I'm a sucker for sports romances whether they're young adult, new adult, or straight-up adult! It's been a while since I've read a YA one though, so I was really excited to dive into OFFSETTING PENALTIES and when I'd finished, I was seriously on cloud nine! I thought that it was absolutely perfect! This book was everything that I could have hoped for it to be. Sweet, funny, and just so, so well done!
Garret and Isabelle were amazing! I loved seeing both of their family lives, and I really enjoyed seeing them get to know one another. :D Their romance was utterly adorable, and it developed at a wonderful pace. I thought it was realistic in the best possible way, and it gave me all the feels!
I honestly can't think of anything about this book that I didn't like. I thought that Isabelle was interesting, and her passion for dance and her dream of making it in the dancing world on her merit alone rather than based on her dad's money and prestige was extremely inspiring. And Garret...Garret is my new book boyfriend! He was generous, thoughtful, kind, and just like Isabelle, he was super passionate about his dreams. He was also willing to change his opinion about things and went into everything with an open mind which I thought was fabulous to see. The one sports romance trope that I'm mighty sick of is the one with the alpha male who's hyper masculine and kinda douchey...and Garret broke ALL of those tropes! Isabelle and Garret were both fantastic characters, and I loved that it was so easy to see how they connected and what they had in common! I think it was one of the best flushed out romances that I've ever read in a YA...it was fantastic! And the story was perfect! Super relevant to characters about to head into college, and super easy to look back on to relate to! I can already see myself rereading this one and that's not something I do very often anymore. ;)
Based on my very enthusiastic reaction towards Garret, Isabelle and their romance, it should come as no shock that I absolutely adored OFFSETTING PENALTIES! If you like adorable, swoony romances, definitely add this one to your to-read list! I think it's perfect for both YA and adult romance readers, and I hope anyone who picks it up enjoys it as much as I did! I love, love, loved OFFSETTING PENALTIES and I seriously cannot wait to read more of Ally Mathews's books after this!!!
Garret and Isabelle were amazing! I loved seeing both of their family lives, and I really enjoyed seeing them get to know one another. :D Their romance was utterly adorable, and it developed at a wonderful pace. I thought it was realistic in the best possible way, and it gave me all the feels!
I honestly can't think of anything about this book that I didn't like. I thought that Isabelle was interesting, and her passion for dance and her dream of making it in the dancing world on her merit alone rather than based on her dad's money and prestige was extremely inspiring. And Garret...Garret is my new book boyfriend! He was generous, thoughtful, kind, and just like Isabelle, he was super passionate about his dreams. He was also willing to change his opinion about things and went into everything with an open mind which I thought was fabulous to see. The one sports romance trope that I'm mighty sick of is the one with the alpha male who's hyper masculine and kinda douchey...and Garret broke ALL of those tropes! Isabelle and Garret were both fantastic characters, and I loved that it was so easy to see how they connected and what they had in common! I think it was one of the best flushed out romances that I've ever read in a YA...it was fantastic! And the story was perfect! Super relevant to characters about to head into college, and super easy to look back on to relate to! I can already see myself rereading this one and that's not something I do very often anymore. ;)
Based on my very enthusiastic reaction towards Garret, Isabelle and their romance, it should come as no shock that I absolutely adored OFFSETTING PENALTIES! If you like adorable, swoony romances, definitely add this one to your to-read list! I think it's perfect for both YA and adult romance readers, and I hope anyone who picks it up enjoys it as much as I did! I love, love, loved OFFSETTING PENALTIES and I seriously cannot wait to read more of Ally Mathews's books after this!!!
xsophiehoughton's review
4.0
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
As soon as I saw this book, I immediately saw similarities with the first Step Up film, and knew I needed to read it. Isabella is a ballerina, and she's been practising for the upcoming fall production when the only male ballerina drops out, and she's left wondering what to do. This is her chance to become a true, prima ballerina, and she needs a partner to help her. While in the studio practising one day, Izzy notices the biggest jock in school, Garret, wearing tights and stretching in the next studio. Thinking he may be her hope, she records his practises, and sort of blackmails him in helping her. No one really knows that Garret has been doing ballet for a while, but when he hears that it is a great warm up for football, and his biggest dream is getting a football scholarship, he's willing to try anything, especially after being injured. When Izzy approaches him, he's reluctant, because no matter what, he isn't about to be seen on stage, performing, in tights. Can Izzy persuade him to help?
This book was swoony and so good. Both of the characters were fabulous, and well rounded, and I especially liked how Izzy, though she came from money, didn't want to use that to get forward, and wanted to use her own capabilities and merit to succeed. She's not the usual kind of preppy girl, rather a bit of a goth and a rebel, and her and Garret's interactions were so snarky, and swoony. Garret is from the complete opposite background, where the only way out of town, and away from his alcoholic father, is through a scholarship, and that's everything he has set his sights on. While at first he doesn't want to help Izzy, if he does, it helps him keep in shape, and could allow his little sister to take ballet lessons, something they really can't afford right now. Garret and Izzy's relationship together was perfect for this book, and the perfect read.
As soon as I saw this book, I immediately saw similarities with the first Step Up film, and knew I needed to read it. Isabella is a ballerina, and she's been practising for the upcoming fall production when the only male ballerina drops out, and she's left wondering what to do. This is her chance to become a true, prima ballerina, and she needs a partner to help her. While in the studio practising one day, Izzy notices the biggest jock in school, Garret, wearing tights and stretching in the next studio. Thinking he may be her hope, she records his practises, and sort of blackmails him in helping her. No one really knows that Garret has been doing ballet for a while, but when he hears that it is a great warm up for football, and his biggest dream is getting a football scholarship, he's willing to try anything, especially after being injured. When Izzy approaches him, he's reluctant, because no matter what, he isn't about to be seen on stage, performing, in tights. Can Izzy persuade him to help?
This book was swoony and so good. Both of the characters were fabulous, and well rounded, and I especially liked how Izzy, though she came from money, didn't want to use that to get forward, and wanted to use her own capabilities and merit to succeed. She's not the usual kind of preppy girl, rather a bit of a goth and a rebel, and her and Garret's interactions were so snarky, and swoony. Garret is from the complete opposite background, where the only way out of town, and away from his alcoholic father, is through a scholarship, and that's everything he has set his sights on. While at first he doesn't want to help Izzy, if he does, it helps him keep in shape, and could allow his little sister to take ballet lessons, something they really can't afford right now. Garret and Izzy's relationship together was perfect for this book, and the perfect read.
bookbriefs's review
3.0
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Offsetting Penalties is a young adult sports romance by author Ally Mathews. Offsetting Penalties was a very quick, cute read. I enjoyed it a lot, but I do wish it was a little longer. It felt a bit rushed in terms of plot development because of the short length, but the storyline was adorable and the romance was smile worthy. Overall, it was a cute read.
Offsetting Penalties is told in dual narrative between our two main characters, Izzy and Garret. Garret is the star football player that suffered an injury sometime before the book started. He had to have surgery and his coach is a little concerned with his range of movement in his foot, so he signs him up for ballet lessons to improve his flexibility. Izzy is a self imposed school outcast, which she has her own reasons for (and we learn more about them as the book goes on, which I loved) and ballet dancer. Izzy was a surprisingly big personality for me; one that I really enjoyed. She is sassy and unafraid to go after what she wants. For example, from the very moment she saw Garret in the ballet studio her mind was spinning for ways that she could use him to get what she wanted. What she wanted happened to be a male dance partner who could help her with an upcoming dance show. Insert some light blackmail and you have the start of what turned out to be a beautiful relationship with Izzy and Garret.
That was both what I loved and didn't love about this book. Everything happened fast. It was injury, ballet lessons, blackmail and then partnership...one right after the other. So, on one hand, it was great because the fast pace kept the book interesting and moving along, but on the other hand, I kind of wish that the book was a little bit longer. I was enjoying the characters and their interaction so much that I wanted more.
Bottom line: Offsetting Penalties was a quick, cute read. I really enjoyed both Izzy and Garret and their romance was adorable, The book was a bit too short for my liking and it did feel a little bit rushed in parts, but overall it was a fun read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Offsetting Penalties is a young adult sports romance by author Ally Mathews. Offsetting Penalties was a very quick, cute read. I enjoyed it a lot, but I do wish it was a little longer. It felt a bit rushed in terms of plot development because of the short length, but the storyline was adorable and the romance was smile worthy. Overall, it was a cute read.
Offsetting Penalties is told in dual narrative between our two main characters, Izzy and Garret. Garret is the star football player that suffered an injury sometime before the book started. He had to have surgery and his coach is a little concerned with his range of movement in his foot, so he signs him up for ballet lessons to improve his flexibility. Izzy is a self imposed school outcast, which she has her own reasons for (and we learn more about them as the book goes on, which I loved) and ballet dancer. Izzy was a surprisingly big personality for me; one that I really enjoyed. She is sassy and unafraid to go after what she wants. For example, from the very moment she saw Garret in the ballet studio her mind was spinning for ways that she could use him to get what she wanted. What she wanted happened to be a male dance partner who could help her with an upcoming dance show. Insert some light blackmail and you have the start of what turned out to be a beautiful relationship with Izzy and Garret.
That was both what I loved and didn't love about this book. Everything happened fast. It was injury, ballet lessons, blackmail and then partnership...one right after the other. So, on one hand, it was great because the fast pace kept the book interesting and moving along, but on the other hand, I kind of wish that the book was a little bit longer. I was enjoying the characters and their interaction so much that I wanted more.
Bottom line: Offsetting Penalties was a quick, cute read. I really enjoyed both Izzy and Garret and their romance was adorable, The book was a bit too short for my liking and it did feel a little bit rushed in parts, but overall it was a fun read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
justkeyreads's review
4.0
This gave me a small mix of West Side story with High School Musical, but was so entertaining in its own way. I loved the aspect of dance that was brought out in detail of Isabelle. Isabelle needed a guy to partner with for her dance production, because it would be her ticket to dance school. But the problem now that partner she originally was needed somewhere else and she now is stuck with Garrett who they both have prejudices about the other when they first start and how she blackmailed him at first to doing this performance with her when she had video evidence of Him dancing. But as both her and Garrett taught the other about each other, it was eye opening to both. Garrett's coach suggests that he take ballet to help with his agility and faster, but it's a no from him until The Untouchable known as Isabell blackmailed him , but as they begin to teach each other about their world's, the quips and banter from the two and the friendships they had, despite the doubts that their loved ones had with them.
samwlabb's review
4.0
Well, this book put a smile on my face.
I utterly love when a romance forms between an unlikely pair, and when I saw football and ballet thrown into the mix, I knew I wanted to read this book. I am happy to report, it did not disappoint!
•Pro: Izzy was full of spunk and sass and I really admired her determination to make this one dream happen without her father's influence or money.
•Pro: Garret was the type of hero I love. He did so many things right until he did something wrong, but he really did a lot of things right, and I loved him for all those things.
•Pro: I liked that Mathews gave Izzy's dad some dimension. I thought he was going to be a villain, but then he did some things and said some things that showed me there was more to him than met the eye.
•Pro: I am a fan of books featuring family dynamics, and we get to see inside both Izzy and Garret's families.
•Pro: There are actual peeks at football and ballet in this book, and I am a fan of sports romances having some sports in them.
•Pro: The romance was very sweet between these two. I loved the build, and their mutual thoughts made me grin.
•Pro: I can never say no to a fauxmance romance.
•Pro: Both Izzy and Garret were reaching for their stars, and it was quite touching how they wanted to help each other get there. They didn't have a ton of support from their fathers, so it was even more important that they had each other.
•Pro: Izzy loved one of my favorite bands of all time - The Cure! That made me a little nostalgic, and who doesn't love a does of nostalgia every once in a while.
•Pro: The ending made me very happy. I love endings that point my couple towards a future, and an epilogue will always land in the positive column for me.
Overall: An adorable, feel-good romance, which made me laugh, smile, and swoon.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book
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I utterly love when a romance forms between an unlikely pair, and when I saw football and ballet thrown into the mix, I knew I wanted to read this book. I am happy to report, it did not disappoint!
•Pro: Izzy was full of spunk and sass and I really admired her determination to make this one dream happen without her father's influence or money.
•Pro: Garret was the type of hero I love. He did so many things right until he did something wrong, but he really did a lot of things right, and I loved him for all those things.
•Pro: I liked that Mathews gave Izzy's dad some dimension. I thought he was going to be a villain, but then he did some things and said some things that showed me there was more to him than met the eye.
•Pro: I am a fan of books featuring family dynamics, and we get to see inside both Izzy and Garret's families.
•Pro: There are actual peeks at football and ballet in this book, and I am a fan of sports romances having some sports in them.
•Pro: The romance was very sweet between these two. I loved the build, and their mutual thoughts made me grin.
•Pro: I can never say no to a fauxmance romance.
•Pro: Both Izzy and Garret were reaching for their stars, and it was quite touching how they wanted to help each other get there. They didn't have a ton of support from their fathers, so it was even more important that they had each other.
•Pro: Izzy loved one of my favorite bands of all time - The Cure! That made me a little nostalgic, and who doesn't love a does of nostalgia every once in a while.
•Pro: The ending made me very happy. I love endings that point my couple towards a future, and an epilogue will always land in the positive column for me.
Overall: An adorable, feel-good romance, which made me laugh, smile, and swoon.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
michelecisneros's review
3.0
This review is based on an ARC I received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts on this book are my own.
This book was a cute fast read, like all of Entangled Teens books tend to be. Izzy really wants to perform in the fall production but has no one to dance with. Garret needs to take ballet lessons to help him recover after a football injury. Izzy decides to blackmail Garret to help her and she would in turn help him, eventually she does feel guilty and stops blackmailing him and they work out an arraignment. I appreciate that part of the book as I feel if it had continued as a blackmail plot I don’t know if I would’ve been able to like Izzy all that much. I do feel like the books conclusion was a little too quick and kind of abrupt. But it wasn’t a bad book and I would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick read that will leave with a happy feeling.
This book was a cute fast read, like all of Entangled Teens books tend to be. Izzy really wants to perform in the fall production but has no one to dance with. Garret needs to take ballet lessons to help him recover after a football injury. Izzy decides to blackmail Garret to help her and she would in turn help him, eventually she does feel guilty and stops blackmailing him and they work out an arraignment. I appreciate that part of the book as I feel if it had continued as a blackmail plot I don’t know if I would’ve been able to like Izzy all that much. I do feel like the books conclusion was a little too quick and kind of abrupt. But it wasn’t a bad book and I would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick read that will leave with a happy feeling.
melissayabookshelf's review
Offsetting Penalties will make a sports romance / enemies to lovers fan out of any one who picks it up. I particularly loved the funny quips from Izzy and the double entendres out of Garret's mouth...and of course the sweet, swoony moments between them at every turn.
I can't say blackmail is a great beginning to a relationship IRL, but I may finally have understood how that trope can be used to show both a character as flawed, but also redeemable. Warning: It may cause you to want to try blackmailing the next cute, strong football player you run into.
Beyond the standard things that I love about cute, YA romances, I loved the way that this one really went all in with both the football aspect, especially proving the premise that ballet training can give football players increased speed, flexibility, and improve their overall game play positioning and jump height. It was so believable and the dance and football playing aspects were well drawn.
Can't say enough good things about this novel. It made me laugh and swoon in public and it also had plenty of heart. Get it on November 6th!
I can't say blackmail is a great beginning to a relationship IRL, but I may finally have understood how that trope can be used to show both a character as flawed, but also redeemable. Warning: It may cause you to want to try blackmailing the next cute, strong football player you run into.
Beyond the standard things that I love about cute, YA romances, I loved the way that this one really went all in with both the football aspect, especially proving the premise that ballet training can give football players increased speed, flexibility, and improve their overall game play positioning and jump height. It was so believable and the dance and football playing aspects were well drawn.
Can't say enough good things about this novel. It made me laugh and swoon in public and it also had plenty of heart. Get it on November 6th!
ravensandlace's review
4.0
A special thank you goes out to Entangled Teen for allowing me to read this early. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. Iused to have a dream to be a ballet dancer. I have always loved the way dancers could move across the stage in such a breathtakingly beautiful way. When I studied classical music in college, we watched a video of Swan Lake and I was in love. Ballet dancing and ballet dancing books will always hold a very special place in my heart.
That's why I was quite glad to get accepted to read this book. It's about a ballet dancer and a football player coming together. Opposites attract, right? Right you are, friend.
Despite loving ballet, I don't know that much about it. This book was almost like an informational guide on different types of dances and how to do them along with the benefits of ballet for those in football. I had no idea that some players use ballet to gain strength and flexibility. Makes sense in my eyes.
The connection between Izzy and Garret was adorable. I love the acquaintances to friends to maybe something more trope. I liked how both Izzy and Garret were willing to work things out and not give up, even when the school and their parents seemed to really be against them. I admire couples like that. Even though they were in high school, they knew what they wanted and that made my heart all warm and fuzzy.
Overall, this was a great and quick read. It had reminded me how much I love dance and how I now need to find more dancing books. I suggest this book to anyone who is looking for a fun read about opposites and how sometimes they really do attract.
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. I
That's why I was quite glad to get accepted to read this book. It's about a ballet dancer and a football player coming together. Opposites attract, right? Right you are, friend.
Despite loving ballet, I don't know that much about it. This book was almost like an informational guide on different types of dances and how to do them along with the benefits of ballet for those in football. I had no idea that some players use ballet to gain strength and flexibility. Makes sense in my eyes.
The connection between Izzy and Garret was adorable. I love the acquaintances to friends to maybe something more trope. I liked how both Izzy and Garret were willing to work things out and not give up, even when the school and their parents seemed to really be against them. I admire couples like that. Even though they were in high school, they knew what they wanted and that made my heart all warm and fuzzy.
Overall, this was a great and quick read. It had reminded me how much I love dance and how I now need to find more dancing books. I suggest this book to anyone who is looking for a fun read about opposites and how sometimes they really do attract.