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A review by elvang
Shadowboxer by Jessica L. Webb
5.0
Webb takes a hard look at the life of social workers and the youth they try to protect in Shadowboxer. Jordan’s past forms the person she is today. Her gym is a haven for street kids she hopes to help by providing a safe space where they can learn some life skills and catch a break from the dangers they face in their homes and on the street. Ali represents the corporate do-gooders who help fund programs for youth but rarely understand the challenges faced by these kids who know that once they age out of the system these same corporations will turn a blind eye to their struggles.
This is a dark and gritty read. Sure there is a rekindled romance between first loves Jordan and Ali but romance takes a back seat to the realities of the kids they are trying to protect. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two thanks to the dark place Jordan dwells in for most of the novel.
She is the Shadowboxer. Not merely because of her boxing past, but because of her insecurities and lack of confidence that she is good enough to be tasked with protecting these at-risk kids. She fears she is punching the air at a foe she can never defeat. Her biggest opponent is herself. Is she doing the right thing? Can she make a difference in their lives? Will anything she tries to do make a difference? The author throws a political situation outside Jordan’s control into the mix and hints at these uncertainties for all social workers in society today. It makes for a dramatic ending and a thought provoking read.
Kudos to the author for stretching her writing skills and proving she is capable of reaching a mainstream audience every time she puts pen to paper.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
This is a dark and gritty read. Sure there is a rekindled romance between first loves Jordan and Ali but romance takes a back seat to the realities of the kids they are trying to protect. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two thanks to the dark place Jordan dwells in for most of the novel.
She is the Shadowboxer. Not merely because of her boxing past, but because of her insecurities and lack of confidence that she is good enough to be tasked with protecting these at-risk kids. She fears she is punching the air at a foe she can never defeat. Her biggest opponent is herself. Is she doing the right thing? Can she make a difference in their lives? Will anything she tries to do make a difference? The author throws a political situation outside Jordan’s control into the mix and hints at these uncertainties for all social workers in society today. It makes for a dramatic ending and a thought provoking read.
Kudos to the author for stretching her writing skills and proving she is capable of reaching a mainstream audience every time she puts pen to paper.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.