Latest Read: Catching Jordan

Here are the basics ...
Book: Catching Jordan (#1)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Site: http://mirandakenneally.com/
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary

Summary: Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys - she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line? (Adapted goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good:  A girl who's the star quarterback at her high school! Has this ever happened before in real life? (I googled, it has!) As I read, I kept thinking - what a fun and different premise.  It puts the protagonist, Jordan Woods, in a interesting position.  She's hyper-aware of what being on the football team means as a female. She has to work extra hard for everyone's respect - her teammates, her coach, the colleges she's applying to. She genuinely clicks with the guys and she can't help that they're her best friends (or the way they talk to her about the girls they hook up with). They may be a little on the blunt side but I love their loyalty.  But there's more to her than just being another player, even though she tries to deny it.  That she can be one of the guys and a girl too.  She realizes that when new kid (and football player), Ty Green, moves to her school and she struggles to find a balance between it all.  The book isn't just a cute or steamy romance (although this aspect of the plot took an awesome, unexpected turn).  It's also about her family, trying to get her father's support, chasing your dreams and realizing you might have to make some changes, finding friends in people she didn't think she'd mesh with.  But at the same time, it didn't go overboard with the drama and conflict.  It was this good balance of funny and real, with characters I genuinely liked reading about.

(Potential) reservations:  The unexpected turn in her love life took me by surprise.  Her change in attitude felt a little sudden but then again, maybe it can be that simple.  She just made decisions so easily when it came to guys.  Like I want him and I'm going for it, done.  It was both refreshing and again, maybe too simple.  Despite that, I did like the direction it went in.  And maybe I just feel this way because I tend to overthink things in my own life.

Do I recommend?: Yes! Once I started, I knew I wasn't going to put it down until I finished (which is exactly what happened).

Happy reading!