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tennisgirl27's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about an Olympic gymnast and her struggles to make the team. Much of the book focuses on the abuse that a number of gymnasts suffered at the hands of their medical Dr. The book was just average to me. It’s like they took the real life story of Larry Nassar and US Gymnastics but just changed the names to make it fictional. It just rubbed me the wrong way that it was real but fake at the same time. Even there are “characters” in the book who are the Famous Karolyi coaches and again just changed the name. It was just weird. 3/5
annamh2000's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed it. Also trigger warning for eating disorders/ disordered eating, it’s never really explicitly said but her actions say it all. Gymnasts amaze me and how they do all that to their bodies. Also it’s fictional but also definitely based off of the real things that happened to gymnasts with the doctor being a fucking predator. It also made me wonder like what it must be like to be so in love and passionate and in a way desperate for something that you neglect all other aspects of your life and sometimes fo truly awful things. But also when the book started she was young and when you’re younger you don’t know better but then you get older and have to decide what’s more important your morals or your goals.
samanthakayla's review against another edition
5.0
As a gymnastics fan, this was necessary. Sadly. How organizations denied it, silenced people and the parents who have a "do whatever it takes mentality". It's the gymnasts that are left alone to deal with it. Sera believed she was sticking up for a friend and she got shut out, which is so wrong. The culture of elite sports needs to change from that.
megzmarie5's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a fictionalized depiction of the trauma that elite gymnasts face just by mastering their sport physically, not to mention the emotional trauma that has ensued due to abusive coaches and the predatory doctor whose name was changed in this book but was sadly very real. If you want to read a non fiction account of what too many of these young girls experienced and how the culture of the sport allowed the abuse to happen, I recommend The Girls by Abigail Pesta. I thought this book was well done and I liked how it incorporated real current events – it even included the delay of the 2020 Olympics. Again, it is fiction, but it provided much insight into the mind of an elite gymnast, as well as to her mother and others in her life.
meredithserpa's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This story was INCREDIBLE. I don't think I've ever read a book like this before. The author blended real events with fictional ones so seamlessly. You can compare it to the movie Titanic. The movie was based on a real historical event with accurate dates, times and people... but Rose and Jack are just fictional characters. Blending fact and fiction to create a whole new story. This story reminded me so much of I'm Glad My Mom Died. The mother pushing so hard, the daughter just wanting to do what's best even though it might break her. It truly shows you how hard Olympians work to get their medals. I hope they all can continue to avoid the Eddie's/Larry's of the world.
The writing alone is fantastic. None of these sentences are run of the mill. Flipping to a random page, "At sixteen, she was already more accomplished than most adults, but it took only one good eye roll to strip away all that expertise and make her look like just another teenage girl."
The writing alone is fantastic. None of these sentences are run of the mill. Flipping to a random page, "At sixteen, she was already more accomplished than most adults, but it took only one good eye roll to strip away all that expertise and make her look like just another teenage girl."
kittietta's review against another edition
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised to find how good this book was. Well flowing writing that kept me interested through the whole story and compelling characters along with a great storyline made for a wonderful read. One never gives thought to what an athlete puts themselves through to be the best at their sport. I found myself feeling angry at what was expected of the kids during gymnastics, yet admiring their commitment to their goals and what they were doing. This is absolutely a must read!
5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for a copy of this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for a copy of this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
brooke_review's review against another edition
5.0
Don't you just love it when you find a book that completely captures your attention 100%? Alena Dillon, author of Mercy House, has a new novel out and it is a showstopper - The Happiest Girl in the World. Just who is the happiest girl in the world? In the case of Dillon's pulse-pounding book, it is a young elite gymnast vying for a spot on the Olympic team. But is being a world-class gymnast as glamorous and fun as it seems? Dillon's novel dives deep into the dark side of USA Gymnastics, and is, quite frankly, the best fictional account of what happens on the inside that I have ever read. Any fan of the sport MUST read this novel - I promise you, you won't regret it!
The Happiest Girl in the World follows a young Sera Wheeler through her training from a pre-teen at her local gym to the world stage. Dillon shows us the side of gymnastics that we never see, and it's not just the rigors that gymnasts put their bodies through and the mental and emotional abuses they suffer from their coaches. Dillon also explores life at the Balogh Ranch (the Baloghs are a fictional stand-in for the famed Karolyis, prominent figures in USA Gymnastics for decades), the relationship between gymnasts and their families, the corruption that took place within USA Gymnastics for years, and perhaps, most famously, the predation of Eddie Levett, Dillon's version of the convicted sex offender and former Team USA doctor, Larry Nassar. There's so much to unpack within these pages, and every single sentence is utterly gripping.
The Happiest Girl in the World is a stunning page-turner that is sure not to leave the minds of readers anytime soon. If your image of USA Gymnastics wasn't already tarnished due to the recent scandals, this novel will further open your eyes to the price gymnasts pay to win gold. So much research went into this book to make it feel authentic and true to the elite gymnast experience, and Dillon's writing is utterly captivating. The Happiest Girl in the World is an absolutely harrowing tale of sacrifice and strife, but also one of perseverance and glory. I loved every minute of this novel, and I am excited that it is being published just in time for the re-scheduled 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo (yes, Dillon even touches on recent events in the form of the coronavirus & the postponement of the Olympics in this book!) A must-read for anyone who is fascinated with the sport.
The Happiest Girl in the World follows a young Sera Wheeler through her training from a pre-teen at her local gym to the world stage. Dillon shows us the side of gymnastics that we never see, and it's not just the rigors that gymnasts put their bodies through and the mental and emotional abuses they suffer from their coaches. Dillon also explores life at the Balogh Ranch (the Baloghs are a fictional stand-in for the famed Karolyis, prominent figures in USA Gymnastics for decades), the relationship between gymnasts and their families, the corruption that took place within USA Gymnastics for years, and perhaps, most famously, the predation of Eddie Levett, Dillon's version of the convicted sex offender and former Team USA doctor, Larry Nassar. There's so much to unpack within these pages, and every single sentence is utterly gripping.
The Happiest Girl in the World is a stunning page-turner that is sure not to leave the minds of readers anytime soon. If your image of USA Gymnastics wasn't already tarnished due to the recent scandals, this novel will further open your eyes to the price gymnasts pay to win gold. So much research went into this book to make it feel authentic and true to the elite gymnast experience, and Dillon's writing is utterly captivating. The Happiest Girl in the World is an absolutely harrowing tale of sacrifice and strife, but also one of perseverance and glory. I loved every minute of this novel, and I am excited that it is being published just in time for the re-scheduled 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo (yes, Dillon even touches on recent events in the form of the coronavirus & the postponement of the Olympics in this book!) A must-read for anyone who is fascinated with the sport.
dariamorgendorffer's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up!
I'm very conflicted about the rating of this book. On one hand, it's pulled straight from real life and the story is quite literally the same story as what happened with USA gymnastics, Larry Nassar and the Kayroli ranch. It was a weird blend of reality, using the names of actual olympic team members and what was happening in the world (including COVID conversations and quarantine lockdown), but at the same time, this book was so readable and I sailed through this book. I was invested in the characters and while some of the choices the author made may not have been the choices I would have made, I get it and it's a careful balance the author had to walk between bringing these issues to light, while not stepping on toes and telling a story that isn't there, and I think the author did a good job of that. If you are interested in what has happened in USA Gymnastics, I recommend this book.
I'm very conflicted about the rating of this book. On one hand, it's pulled straight from real life and the story is quite literally the same story as what happened with USA gymnastics, Larry Nassar and the Kayroli ranch. It was a weird blend of reality, using the names of actual olympic team members and what was happening in the world (including COVID conversations and quarantine lockdown), but at the same time, this book was so readable and I sailed through this book. I was invested in the characters and while some of the choices the author made may not have been the choices I would have made, I get it and it's a careful balance the author had to walk between bringing these issues to light, while not stepping on toes and telling a story that isn't there, and I think the author did a good job of that. If you are interested in what has happened in USA Gymnastics, I recommend this book.