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alexporterwalsh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
misha_ali's review
2.0
I didn't care for this one. Primarily, it was too long and things moved far too slowly for something that should have been a bit of a faster-paced thriller in terms of the primary mystery. I think I was also put off by the inaction of the two main MCs which resulted in dire consequences and they both should have known better.
Personally, it was incredibly annoying to have both MCs (one a reporter on the track of a conspiracy and one a seasoned almost professional athlete and role model) drag their feet on a serious issue for long enough to have exactly the sort of consequences as you would expect for a lot of younger athletes. I couldn't warm up to either of them because, in their push and pull, they ignore professional obligations which causes a lot of harm to other young people on the team. Probably just me but it was too long and unsatisfying to me for these reasons.
Personally, it was incredibly annoying to have both MCs (one a reporter on the track of a conspiracy and one a seasoned almost professional athlete and role model) drag their feet on a serious issue for long enough to have exactly the sort of consequences as you would expect for a lot of younger athletes. I couldn't warm up to either of them because, in their push and pull, they ignore professional obligations which causes a lot of harm to other young people on the team.
Spoiler
Really unsatisfying at the end for me for this reason because what's the loss of life or possibly long-term injury to young athletes when you get a fancy new reporter job and a relationship out of it in the end?jenski_reads's review
4.0
As a 36-year old woman who plays women’s football (locally - unfortunately I don’t have Sophia’s skill to make it in the AFLW) I really enjoyed reading this novel. It had a captivating storyline and the sporting aspect of it was written so well. I also love Cam’s spunk and the way she made Sophia a better person. I was rooting for their relationship all the way. Ben and Lin were fabulous side characters!
annastrom's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
judeinthestars's review
5.0
Okay, this is another book I’m happily overrating a little. It’s definitely not perfect but what it made me feel completely warrants those 5 stars. I want to be friends with KJ’s books, they’re sweet, endearing, vulnerable and all-around charming.
After losing her mother at fourteen and her father at thirty, Sophia Lindstrom is convinced everyone leaves at some point (despite her twin brother and his girlfriend always being there for her) and is scared of getting too close to anyone. When she’s not working with her brother in their boutique food store or volunteering at the homeless shelter, she’s playing in the Australian Football League’s first women competition. At the beginning of the second season, the AFL brings in a reporter to write fluff pieces on the players, in an effort, officially, to advertise the sport, but not the way Sophia would like it to be advertised. Cam Weathers, the reporter, agrees with Sophia but has no other choice than to do the job she’s being paid for. Yet as they get to know each other, she realises there’s another story worth writing – although not for her employer –, a story of misogyny, manipulation and big bucks, a story that might put an end to everything Sophia loves while making Cam’s career. Cam, who has been hurt by her first girlfriend and is having a hard time not seeing all athletes in a bad light, despite the huge chemistry pulling her towards Sophia.
I could relate with both MCs on a personal level for two different reasons: Sophia’s anxiety and Cam’s job as a journalist, even though, luckily for me, I never had to work in the kind of newspaper she works at. They’re both wonderful characters, and the secondary characters are substantial too.
Regardless of how fantastic the characters are, how sweet the story, what I like most about KJ’s books, however – and this one is no exception –, is the writing style and the tone. It’s a little too flowery sometimes, a little over the top, but I don’t care, I love it anyhow. There’s a spirit to KJ’s writing that I find utterly enjoyable and energising.
It’s not so much that this book is good (which it is), it’s how full of life it is. I almost wrote that it was a breath of fresh air, but it’s more than that, it’s like it’s giving you oxygen. Despite addressing delicate themes such as anxiety, grief, sexism, it shines bright and joyful.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
After losing her mother at fourteen and her father at thirty, Sophia Lindstrom is convinced everyone leaves at some point (despite her twin brother and his girlfriend always being there for her) and is scared of getting too close to anyone. When she’s not working with her brother in their boutique food store or volunteering at the homeless shelter, she’s playing in the Australian Football League’s first women competition. At the beginning of the second season, the AFL brings in a reporter to write fluff pieces on the players, in an effort, officially, to advertise the sport, but not the way Sophia would like it to be advertised. Cam Weathers, the reporter, agrees with Sophia but has no other choice than to do the job she’s being paid for. Yet as they get to know each other, she realises there’s another story worth writing – although not for her employer –, a story of misogyny, manipulation and big bucks, a story that might put an end to everything Sophia loves while making Cam’s career. Cam, who has been hurt by her first girlfriend and is having a hard time not seeing all athletes in a bad light, despite the huge chemistry pulling her towards Sophia.
I could relate with both MCs on a personal level for two different reasons: Sophia’s anxiety and Cam’s job as a journalist, even though, luckily for me, I never had to work in the kind of newspaper she works at. They’re both wonderful characters, and the secondary characters are substantial too.
Regardless of how fantastic the characters are, how sweet the story, what I like most about KJ’s books, however – and this one is no exception –, is the writing style and the tone. It’s a little too flowery sometimes, a little over the top, but I don’t care, I love it anyhow. There’s a spirit to KJ’s writing that I find utterly enjoyable and energising.
It’s not so much that this book is good (which it is), it’s how full of life it is. I almost wrote that it was a breath of fresh air, but it’s more than that, it’s like it’s giving you oxygen. Despite addressing delicate themes such as anxiety, grief, sexism, it shines bright and joyful.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
rougeang13's review
4.0
Wonderful read! Sports, social justice issues, and funny banter. All the things I love in a romance!
zefrien's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
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