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allison_wonderland's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
erine's review
4.0
A fast-paced read featuring great friendships and engaging sports writing. The girls’ hockey team is the victim of budget cuts, and Michigan and her teammates need to figure out how they will play hockey this year. Michigan is the only one who tries out for the boys’ hockey team, and she is the one who pays the heaviest price for her success. Covering topics such as hazing, sexism in sports, and tolerance for criminal behavior in athletics, the story doesn’t shy away from hard topics.
I was more satisfied than I expected at the way events unfolded. Michigan is a hard-working, fierce role model who demonstrates the importance of being able to speak up for yourself. I especially appreciated Michigan’s relationship with her younger hockey-playing brother, and with the lone girl on the younger boys’ team. The story also addressed rather well the idea of what it means to be a trailblazer, and how much anyone should be expected to sacrifice for progress.
I was more satisfied than I expected at the way events unfolded. Michigan is a hard-working, fierce role model who demonstrates the importance of being able to speak up for yourself. I especially appreciated Michigan’s relationship with her younger hockey-playing brother, and with the lone girl on the younger boys’ team. The story also addressed rather well the idea of what it means to be a trailblazer, and how much anyone should be expected to sacrifice for progress.
meagrupert's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
natalie_is_reading's review
4.0
I thought this book was going to be sort of cliche but i actually really enjoyed it! And it was inspiring, I wanted to go for a run (and this was mere hours after I’d just finished a race so that’s saying a lot). Also guess I love reading books about hockey!
bethany6788's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My friend @rupert.reads did it again -recommended a book I quite literally could not put down. The only time I put it down was to text her (sorry love!! I know it was late!!) to say how infuriated I was. This book had me feeling fire in my belly and rage in my heart. I wanted to protect Michigan with everything I had.
*spoilers*
I had never heard of this book before, and it is an incredible YA. It follows Michigan, who is a star on her hockey team. Her team is cut from the school due to the budget. She tries out for the boys hockey team and earns a spot. The boys treat her horrifically and she works to power through it.
I was IN A RAGE. With all of the things the boys were doing to her. Purposefully injuring her, knocking her out, beating her up, drugging her. This was not hazing. This was assault. I was clenching my jaw so tight during parts of this book I had to remind myself that it was a book. But.. this happens in real life and it makes me sick.
A few amazing bright spots in this book - Jack, who encourages Michigan and helps her see what she’s capable of, while also being her boyfriend and helping her feel cherished and safe. Even though she doesn’t tell him, I felt like I could understand her struggle with why. Trent - love that sibling relationship and the dynamic. Sharing his big sister’s number had me emotional. The girls from the team being Michigan’s bodyguards and biggest supporters. So awesome.
Loved that ending and that Michigan was able to tell her story and get some semblance of justice. I cried softly when she confronted the coach and harder when she had to tell her story over and over.
Fully recommend this one but be sure to look up content warnings.
*spoilers*
I had never heard of this book before, and it is an incredible YA. It follows Michigan, who is a star on her hockey team. Her team is cut from the school due to the budget. She tries out for the boys hockey team and earns a spot. The boys treat her horrifically and she works to power through it.
I was IN A RAGE. With all of the things the boys were doing to her. Purposefully injuring her, knocking her out, beating her up, drugging her. This was not hazing. This was assault. I was clenching my jaw so tight during parts of this book I had to remind myself that it was a book. But.. this happens in real life and it makes me sick.
A few amazing bright spots in this book - Jack, who encourages Michigan and helps her see what she’s capable of, while also being her boyfriend and helping her feel cherished and safe. Even though she doesn’t tell him, I felt like I could understand her struggle with why. Trent - love that sibling relationship and the dynamic. Sharing his big sister’s number had me emotional. The girls from the team being Michigan’s bodyguards and biggest supporters. So awesome.
Loved that ending and that Michigan was able to tell her story and get some semblance of justice. I cried softly when she confronted the coach and harder when she had to tell her story over and over.
Fully recommend this one but be sure to look up content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Vomit
Minor: Vomit
cchapple's review
5.0
This book hit me just right. I literally couldn't put it down through the last 70 pages. Was rooting for Michigan all the way, with a super satisfying ending.
dino_nugget33's review
5.0
This book was amazing!! I’ve never been one for sports books but this one really intrigued me from the very beginning. and the romance was so great and heartwarming. And so refreshing when it was needed during the heavier parts of the book.
marieintheraw's review
5.0
A very difficult read, but absolutely worth it. Michigan is an extremely strong character and I admire her dedication to what she loves throughout this book.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
bluelishi's review
4.0
The emotional jerks this book pulls are centered in realism where, you as a reader, experience the trudge that this character has to go through.
That being said, it wrapped up a little too conveniently towards the end where some actions were hard to swallow without disbelief, however, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing overall, but it did unfortunately decreasingly average out my rating.
That being said, it wrapped up a little too conveniently towards the end where some actions were hard to swallow without disbelief, however, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing overall, but it did unfortunately decreasingly average out my rating.
ninebookishlives's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Bullying