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A review by mlazar17
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
4.0
I loved this book. I was a gymnast for twenty years and spent several years coaching so reading this felt like coming home. While I was never an elite gymnast, reading it his and about gym life and training was so familiar.
I really enjoyed all the layers of this story. Hallie’s gymnastics career, Avery and Ryan’s relationship, the difference a good coach and a bad coach can make on entire lifetimes, and the dark side of the sport- the mental pressure, eating disorders, verbally abusive coaches, and sexual assault. Following the sport closely, you can see where most of these influences came from.
Head Over Heels also captures the complexity of the sport- especially in the last few years. How you can dedicate your whole life to it and love it more than anything, yet recognize that things need to change, that there is a better way. I loved Avery and Ryan’s supportive approach to coaching Hallie and it really emphasized that he role coaches should fill, especially in a sport like gymnastics.
There were parts of the book I wish were expounded upon so we knew more before the conclusion, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed all the layers of this story. Hallie’s gymnastics career, Avery and Ryan’s relationship, the difference a good coach and a bad coach can make on entire lifetimes, and the dark side of the sport- the mental pressure, eating disorders, verbally abusive coaches, and sexual assault. Following the sport closely, you can see where most of these influences came from.
Head Over Heels also captures the complexity of the sport- especially in the last few years. How you can dedicate your whole life to it and love it more than anything, yet recognize that things need to change, that there is a better way. I loved Avery and Ryan’s supportive approach to coaching Hallie and it really emphasized that he role coaches should fill, especially in a sport like gymnastics.
There were parts of the book I wish were expounded upon so we knew more before the conclusion, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review.