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climbing_bookstacks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jasonmark's review against another edition
2.0
I love this authors, writing style and really enjoy some of her other books, but I skipped so many chapters of this one because she just kept going on and on about people keeping stupid useless secrets that are gonna blow up at the end like a crappy sitcom from the 90s
bridance's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
roygbiv_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finally, a book with queer main characters in which the story line has absolutely nothing to do with them being queer. I feel I have been waiting for a book where I can identify with the main characters but also just enjoy a fun heartwarming story without having to trudge through a painful coming out story or general discourse around the fact the characters are gay. Not that those stories aren’t important, but this was a breath of fresh air. I was able to just sit back and enjoy the story!
This is a super cute sports romance between Ivy, who is determined to become one of very few women in professional sports reffing, and June, who is determined to stand out as a woman in baseball (NOT softball). I thoroughly enjoyed the different dynamic of the referee and player. It introduced a different moral storyline that I haven’t read before. While sports are heavily discussed throughout the book, I never felt like I didn’t understand even though I am not baseball or soccer savvy. The author does a great job of incorporating minimal sports lingo and explaining anything that may be confusing.
The main issue throughout the story is the fact that Ivy and June are not great at communicating. They both are dealing with grief, years after their respective losses, and are managing a lot of feelings and pressure at a young age. I was impressed with how well the author addressed how important honesty and communication is as the book wrapped up. I think this is a great lesson, especially for young readers.
This is a super cute sports romance between Ivy, who is determined to become one of very few women in professional sports reffing, and June, who is determined to stand out as a woman in baseball (NOT softball). I thoroughly enjoyed the different dynamic of the referee and player. It introduced a different moral storyline that I haven’t read before. While sports are heavily discussed throughout the book, I never felt like I didn’t understand even though I am not baseball or soccer savvy. The author does a great job of incorporating minimal sports lingo and explaining anything that may be confusing.
The main issue throughout the story is the fact that Ivy and June are not great at communicating. They both are dealing with grief, years after their respective losses, and are managing a lot of feelings and pressure at a young age. I was impressed with how well the author addressed how important honesty and communication is as the book wrapped up. I think this is a great lesson, especially for young readers.
janienefe's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
bbop14's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that Ivy and June were together for a lot of the book so there were a lot of scenes of them spending time together.
The jump from not liking each other to dating was so fast. It also felt like they didn't like each other? Like they did not want the best for and sort of resented one another.
I don't think June's father's behavior was forgivable, but it was a very brief apology and then everyone moved on??
Not for me, but I do think there were some good parts.
I liked that Ivy and June were together for a lot of the book so there were a lot of scenes of them spending time together.
The jump from not liking each other to dating was so fast. It also felt like they didn't like each other? Like they did not want the best for and sort of resented one another.
I don't think June's father's behavior was forgivable, but it was a very brief apology and then everyone moved on??
Not for me, but I do think there were some good parts.
icanfixhim's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this was good. i loooove a sports romance when it’s sapphic like i will read every one it is my life’s mission. i liked the first half of this book better than the second but what can you do. i feel like the end was a little rushed and smushed but okay. bye.
maddie408's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review!
i really wanted to like this one. the introduction started off well, two girls trying to break the barriers of women’s sports. i loved that!
but as the story progressed, the characters and plot were very frustrating. i have not read a YA book recently, so i feel as though i’m very picky about them. the two main characters had moments that made them very unlikeable, blaming the other or one of them blaming their mother who passed away for their hardships. that left quite a bad taste in my mouth.
along with that, the characters honestly were a little too similar in their povs that i had a hard time keeping track of which pov i was reading. they were almost too alike. the miscommunication was quite insufferable as it was the focal point of the climax of the story. i think a lot of the issues could be easily solved.
the issues june was having with her shoulder and all of the adults continuing to push her honestly felt like child abuse. i was not a fan of that especially her father being the front runner forcing her to play despite knowing she was hurting.
i think a lot of this story needs to be fleshed out with character development and a stronger climax rather than solely miscommunication and angst.
i really wanted to like this one. the introduction started off well, two girls trying to break the barriers of women’s sports. i loved that!
but as the story progressed, the characters and plot were very frustrating. i have not read a YA book recently, so i feel as though i’m very picky about them. the two main characters had moments that made them very unlikeable, blaming the other or one of them blaming their mother who passed away for their hardships. that left quite a bad taste in my mouth.
along with that, the characters honestly were a little too similar in their povs that i had a hard time keeping track of which pov i was reading. they were almost too alike. the miscommunication was quite insufferable as it was the focal point of the climax of the story. i think a lot of the issues could be easily solved.
the issues june was having with her shoulder and all of the adults continuing to push her honestly felt like child abuse. i was not a fan of that especially her father being the front runner forcing her to play despite knowing she was hurting.
i think a lot of this story needs to be fleshed out with character development and a stronger climax rather than solely miscommunication and angst.
readintowonderland's review against another edition
3.5
I loved reading an LGBTQ+ sports romance without adult themes. We need more sports romances where the sports component is actually relevant to the story. That said, the sports elements took away from the story in my opinion. The romance felt more like a subplot these girls were going through instead of the cornerstone of the story. I kept waiting for a sparkle with this story that never came. The part of the story I struggled with most was the harping on the triggering parts of the story. There were a few times I debated DNFing it for my own well-being. I loved the representation and how it gave something different to the genre, that is the best part. Overall it wasn't my favorite story but I would totally recommend it to middle-grade or early young adult readers.
I received this book as an arc from net galley my review is honest and voluntary
I received this book as an arc from net galley my review is honest and voluntary
beranceknows's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5