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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
4.5 stars for my favorite 2022 YA release
**HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Amber McCloud is gunning for cheer captain at Atherton High. Jack Walsh is Atherton’s newest quarterback, replacing a student who died in a car accident. The problem? Jack is actually a girl, and no one in small-town Florida wants a girl on the football team…except for Amber. The two quickly develop feelings for each other despite knowing they’ll have to stay in the closet. But it soon becomes clear that Amber will have to choose between a shot at leading the cheer team next year – and thus landing a much-needed scholarship – and her burgeoning romance.
Content warnings: homophobia, misogyny, fatal car crash due, drunk driving, miscarriage, religious abuse, family rifts
Representation: queer/polysexual main character, lesbian main character, gay Puerto Rican secondary character, non-binary asexual secondary character, bisexual main character
I cannot WAIT for this book to publish so I can buy a copy for myself! Sapphic romances are my favorite, especially when they flip well-worn tropes on their heads. The main characters are so charming and refreshingly realistic. It was nice to see a popular cheerleader who isn’t a caricature; Amber is multi-dimensional, quick-witted, intelligent, and genuinely caring. Jack, rather than being a stereotypical jock, is similarly funny, talented, and hardworking. Both of them handle arguments and hardships with grace, but still in very teenage ways. Straddling the line between being true to life and being annoying isn’t an easy task, but Adler finds an excellent balance. I also adored the supporting cast – we’d all be lucky to have a mom as understanding as Amber’s and friends as supportive as Jack’s.
Adler perfectly captures the vibes of Friday night football in a small southern town. Since I grew up in Texas and went to college in Arkansas, I found myself unexpectedly nostalgic. Despite the homophobia and misogyny many students express, others prove to be great allies. It left me grateful for my queer/allied friends in the south and hopeful for a future in which all teens can openly celebrate who they love. A quick, great read that I highly recommend!
**HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Amber McCloud is gunning for cheer captain at Atherton High. Jack Walsh is Atherton’s newest quarterback, replacing a student who died in a car accident. The problem? Jack is actually a girl, and no one in small-town Florida wants a girl on the football team…except for Amber. The two quickly develop feelings for each other despite knowing they’ll have to stay in the closet. But it soon becomes clear that Amber will have to choose between a shot at leading the cheer team next year – and thus landing a much-needed scholarship – and her burgeoning romance.
Content warnings: homophobia, misogyny, fatal car crash due, drunk driving, miscarriage, religious abuse, family rifts
Representation: queer/polysexual main character, lesbian main character, gay Puerto Rican secondary character, non-binary asexual secondary character, bisexual main character
I cannot WAIT for this book to publish so I can buy a copy for myself! Sapphic romances are my favorite, especially when they flip well-worn tropes on their heads. The main characters are so charming and refreshingly realistic. It was nice to see a popular cheerleader who isn’t a caricature; Amber is multi-dimensional, quick-witted, intelligent, and genuinely caring. Jack, rather than being a stereotypical jock, is similarly funny, talented, and hardworking. Both of them handle arguments and hardships with grace, but still in very teenage ways. Straddling the line between being true to life and being annoying isn’t an easy task, but Adler finds an excellent balance. I also adored the supporting cast – we’d all be lucky to have a mom as understanding as Amber’s and friends as supportive as Jack’s.
Adler perfectly captures the vibes of Friday night football in a small southern town. Since I grew up in Texas and went to college in Arkansas, I found myself unexpectedly nostalgic. Despite the homophobia and misogyny many students express, others prove to be great allies. It left me grateful for my queer/allied friends in the south and hopeful for a future in which all teens can openly celebrate who they love. A quick, great read that I highly recommend!
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was honestly a good read! It reads easily and quickly, and you're always rooting for Amber and Jack to be together.
I mostly enjoyed all those problems with them being in a relationship. The struggle from Amber to want to fight for herself and her future and stop thinking of a high school flirt, or fighting another way. Jack's difficulties being a woman QB in a team full of men, all the bullying from everyone making if even harder. The necessity to stay in the closet due to having a religious friend (and honestly I hated that girl) on top of being in a town not really known to support queer people, etc.
It was all those problems that made me appreciate the book even more, on top of the romance itself. I really enjoyed following the ups and downs on the romance, Amber's character growth, the 3rd act and great gesture was really nice. I might have wanted to read more of the games and Jack's plays after the homecoming one tho!
I mostly enjoyed all those problems with them being in a relationship. The struggle from Amber to want to fight for herself and her future and stop thinking of a high school flirt, or fighting another way. Jack's difficulties being a woman QB in a team full of men, all the bullying from everyone making if even harder. The necessity to stay in the closet due to having a religious friend (and honestly I hated that girl) on top of being in a town not really known to support queer people, etc.
It was all those problems that made me appreciate the book even more, on top of the romance itself. I really enjoyed following the ups and downs on the romance, Amber's character growth, the 3rd act and great gesture was really nice. I might have wanted to read more of the games and Jack's plays after the homecoming one tho!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute, but I really don't think central Florida would stop at just some jeers and dirty looks at the queer kids.
I really enjoyed this one! Jack is a lot like me so having a main character who I can relate to really adds a deeper meaning to the story.
Growing up I loved playing backyard football with my family, and I always told my dad I wanted to play throughout school. Unfortunately, I never did but I got to live that dream through this book.
Growing up I loved playing backyard football with my family, and I always told my dad I wanted to play throughout school. Unfortunately, I never did but I got to live that dream through this book.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes