SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.
HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.
SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile... (From Goodreads)
Here's the thing: I really liked this book, but I can't point out why. It's odd, because I could point out all the things this book did wrong, or that would get to me in any other scenario, but for some reason they really didn't bother me in this book. This book was thoroughly enjoyable - it was cute, sweet, and it actually dealt with some tough issues.
I've read quite a few books that have Native American characters, only a few where they were the acutal protagonist, but I think this was the first I've read where the main character is both Native American and female. That was refreshing. I think books like this are important becuase they aren't heavy in subject matter, but they still provide an access point for the general reader to gain an understanding of another culture. Fred deals with a lot, and she's sequestered the other people at school because of her heritage and where she lives. But I really like that it isn't overwhelming or even the main focus of the book.
The fact that she lives on the Rez is a big part of it, but it's accompanied with a lot of other issues. Like socioeconomic classes, girls playing boy sports, and even just being a girl in high school who's falling in love for the first time. This book reminds me a lot of Perfect Chemistry, where you have this window into gang life, but it's not the main thing going on, making it so much more accessible.
There are some issues with the story line. I kind of missed how the connection between Fred and Ryan started. The emotion behind their relationship was very real, but I missed how they changed from hating each other to being attracted to each other. There are a few things in their relationship that seem rushed as well. The parents are a little too bipoloar in their treatment of their children. And an incident at the end that seems far too convienient to make everything okay again. Still, all the emotions where there and while I was immersed in the story I didn't question these things too hard, so I kind of give them a pass.
Actually, what makes this book are the rare appearances by seconary characters. Fred's dad is amazing. Sam is uber sweet. And Ryan's best friend is such an evil dude. He actually rouse the most emotion out of me because he was pure evil, yet there was some conflict behnd his actions as well. All these characters are ones I'd love to read more about and find out more of their story.
I did really enjoy this book and I really thing that fans of the Perfect Chemistry series or of Miranda Kenneally will really enjoy this book. It has meaning, but it's a light, quick read. Also, Liz Fechera is giving away a pre-order of the book and some other Harlequin Teen titles, so make sure you check that out!
