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A review by lezreviewbooks
Shadowboxer by Jessica L. Webb
5.0
This book is in my recommended books of the month
https://lezreviewbooks.com/recommended-books-of-september-2018/
Former boxer Jordan McAddie had a hard childhood and now she's dedicated to help street kids by teaching them the discipline of boxing. With her mentoring duties, a full time job and her social worker studies, she's got enough on her plate and the least thing she needs is her first love walking back into her life. As she struggles to open up to a possible relationship, the street kids are being targeted by an extremist group. Can she keep the kids safe and give love a chance?
Throughout her short but productive career, Ms. Webb has written action, mystery and psychological thrillers with romance at the side. While 'Shadowboxer' has a mix of these genres, it's her most introspective work. There is a criticism of the social services system and, more specifically, how adults fail to protect their children and youth. Through boxing, Jordan and the teenagers under her care learn more than the physical activity of fighting: they build their self-esteem, learn to trust each other and to boost their confidence. It's not a fight against each other but rather a struggle against their own ghosts, a bit like shadowboxing. No wonder that, compared to the rest of Webb's novels, this one feels oppressive and darker. The author works with the lights and shadows in the characters' states of mind as reality throws punches at them. It's not an easy read but the heaviness is balanced by the sweet redemption of romance and friendship.
Regarding the mystery and action scenes, they are short but effective in keeping the reader hooked in the story. The characters are well written and even though there are a good number of secondary characters, they all have depth and feel real.
The romance is slow burn and sweet, both mains complement each other and send a light of hope to the darker sides of the plot. My only criticism is that the last couple of chapters seem a bit rushed. However, this book is definitely worth a read.
Overall, a darker novel by Ms. Webb with a mix of action, mystery, phychological thriller and romance. Not an easy read but highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
https://lezreviewbooks.com/recommended-books-of-september-2018/
Former boxer Jordan McAddie had a hard childhood and now she's dedicated to help street kids by teaching them the discipline of boxing. With her mentoring duties, a full time job and her social worker studies, she's got enough on her plate and the least thing she needs is her first love walking back into her life. As she struggles to open up to a possible relationship, the street kids are being targeted by an extremist group. Can she keep the kids safe and give love a chance?
Throughout her short but productive career, Ms. Webb has written action, mystery and psychological thrillers with romance at the side. While 'Shadowboxer' has a mix of these genres, it's her most introspective work. There is a criticism of the social services system and, more specifically, how adults fail to protect their children and youth. Through boxing, Jordan and the teenagers under her care learn more than the physical activity of fighting: they build their self-esteem, learn to trust each other and to boost their confidence. It's not a fight against each other but rather a struggle against their own ghosts, a bit like shadowboxing. No wonder that, compared to the rest of Webb's novels, this one feels oppressive and darker. The author works with the lights and shadows in the characters' states of mind as reality throws punches at them. It's not an easy read but the heaviness is balanced by the sweet redemption of romance and friendship.
Regarding the mystery and action scenes, they are short but effective in keeping the reader hooked in the story. The characters are well written and even though there are a good number of secondary characters, they all have depth and feel real.
The romance is slow burn and sweet, both mains complement each other and send a light of hope to the darker sides of the plot. My only criticism is that the last couple of chapters seem a bit rushed. However, this book is definitely worth a read.
Overall, a darker novel by Ms. Webb with a mix of action, mystery, phychological thriller and romance. Not an easy read but highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com