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jessreads137's review
5.0
CW (experienced by secondary characters): Coach/Athlete Relationship, Discussions of Disordered Eating
Head Over Heels tells the story of a young woman who believes her dreams will never be available to her again and the impact she is able to have on the life of a young girl who is working hard to accomplish her own dreams. Together they discover that dreams change and if you work hard you can accomplish the things you aspire toward.
Head Over Heels tells the story of a young woman who believes her dreams will never be available to her again and the impact she is able to have on the life of a young girl who is working hard to accomplish her own dreams. Together they discover that dreams change and if you work hard you can accomplish the things you aspire toward.
This book was intended to release during the excitement of the 2020 Summer Olympic games, tackling the issues that had come to light regarding sexual abuse within the sport of professional gymnastics.
The book took the risk of taking on darker topics within professional sports including the pressures that are put on athletes to compete when their bodies are unable to, as well as the power imbalance that can arise in the relationship between athletes and their coach.
I loved this book, it brought me to tears on multiple occasions and I appreciated the way that the author addressed issues regarding abusive relationships and the struggle that women face when they are trying to leave their abuser.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
nanacai's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
lanidon's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Very sweet story of a woman recovering from her dreams of a gymnastic career being spoiled. This is marked as a romance, but that element takes a back seat
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
sarahv's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Overall, I enjoyed this book though I found it kind of confusing to go back and forth between cute romance and the darker abuse plotline. I found the main character likeable and I appreciated her storyline of starting her life over in her twenties. The love interest does not initially believe the main character when she says that she was abused by her coach. He puts his own career interests first. Though he apologizes later, I don't think there was enough change and discussion in the relationship to make me like the love interest after that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexism, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
This book centers around sexual abuse and harassment of gymnasts similar to real life events. There is also quite a bit of talk about needing to be thin and not eating as part of being a gymnast. Specific weight numbers are used at some point.
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