Head Over Heels
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Had 2020 played out like it was supposed to, all eyes would currently be on Tokyo, where athletes from around the world would be gathering to compete in this year’s Olympic Games. But while we’ll have to wait another year to binge-watch the Games, author Hannah Orenstein brings the tension and suspense of Olympic competition in Head Over Heels.

The story starts over with a former Olympic hopeful. In 2012, Avery Abrams was a favorite to take home gymnastics gold—until a career-ending injury shattered her Olympic dreams. Seven years later, after failing out of college and ending her relationship with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns home to Massachusetts. When new coach Ryan—a fellow former gymnast and Avery’s former crush—asks her to help coach a young Olympic hopeful, Avery is reluctant. But when she returns to her old gym, she feels right at home—until a new scandal rocks the sport.

Set in the midst of the quest for Olympic gold, Head Over Heels mixes easy-going rom-com with the pressure of competition and some timely drama to create a summer beach read that’s entertaining and thoughtful, too. There’s definitely a lot going on here. Avery is forced to face her abusive former coach and her former best friend—who’s now his wife—as she works to find a new direction for her life. And as she works with Olympic hopeful Hallie, she strives to help her make the Olympic team without putting her through the same stress and anxiety that she was once forced to endure. And, of course, at the same time, there are also some of the usual chick lit ups and downs involving her relationship with Ryan.

Nothing here is especially detailed or in-depth, but the author doesn’t ignore the tougher topics. Instead, she tackles some of the more serious subjects in the sport with honesty and sensitivity. It isn’t just sunshine and celebrations, but it’s also not so heavy that it makes the story a downer. It’s exciting and suspenseful. It’s cute and romantic. And it’s the inspiring story of a woman who fights to come back from disappointments and setbacks and find what she’s meant to do with the next stage of her life.

If you’re missing the drama, the excitement, and the athletic art forms of the Summer Olympics, Head Over Heels might help to get you through this strange summer without the Games with its beach-read-worthy drama and romance.


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