Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally: A Story for Gals Who Love the Gridiron!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Copyright 2011
Sourcebooks Fire
284 pages
ISBN: 9781402262272
My Thoughts:
Okay let's face it I'm probably not in the female majority when I say I'd rather stay home on Sunday and watch the big game than go to the mall but it's true. I love football--always have, always will. I was raised on it and I live right smack in the middle of Steelers nation and in an area where everyone knows what WPIAL means. Friday night lights...yeah we live it here. That said when I got an email from Sourcebooks about a YA book centered around football and romance I jumped right on it and boy am I glad I did! Catching Jordan is, you know I have to say this, a touchdown!

In the age of dystopian fiction I've kind of gotten used to kick-butt heroines and it's all gotten a bit...blah. I'm so happy to say that Jordan, our girl in Catching Jordan is that kick-butt heroine but she's totally realistic and easy to relate to and absolutely refreshing! She doesn't fight for her life in some kind of sci-fi/futuristic world but on the football field as team captain and quarterback for Hundred Oaks High School. Since football is still a man's world Jordan has to work hard to maintain her status as team leader and potentially gain a spot on the best men's college team in the country.

Catching Jordan isn't simply about a girl playing football it's also about life as a teen. Jordan faces difficulties with friends, family and school that I'm sure just about every girl out there had face or will face in her life. While some points of the story were a little hard to wrap my head around, for instance the entire football team hooking up with various members of the cheerleading squad and nobody (including the cheerleaders) seeming to care I still really enjoyed the "reality" of the book. I absolutely love the chemistry between Jordan and Sam Henry (they are so cute together) as well as the sparks between Jordan and the new guy, Ty. Even if you can't decide if you're "Team Ty" or "Team Henry" I can guarantee that you will be "Team Jordan!" I didn't like some of the decisions that she made but in the end I loved that she decided to follow her heart and didn't give up her dream of playing college ball. There's just enough angst and drama to keep everything interesting and the perfect amount of humor and romance to keep it from being weighted down.


Catching Jordan is a great read for older teens and fans of young adult fiction who are looking for something different in a world full of paranormal and dystopian reads!

Note: Some strong language and alcohol use

~4 out of 5 stars~

About the book:
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though- 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.

To learn more about the author visit her WEBSITE

* I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review.*

Comments

  1. SukoDecember 5, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    This sounds really good, Renee. Excellent review, as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot)December 5, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Thank you Suko! :-)

    XOXO~ Renee

    ReplyDelete
  3. RissiDecember 5, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    The cover looks cute but the whole girl-playing-football thing isn't my scene. Will likely skip this one. Glad for this review, Rene - thanks! =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rebecca (RivkaBelle)December 6, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    I'm sooooo looking forward to getting my hands on this one! I'm also a football fangirl (even more in love with the gridiron than most guys I know, hehe), so the more things I hear about this one, the more excited I get! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot)December 7, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Rissi- Sorry this wasn't up your alley but hopefully the next book I review is. :-)

    Rebecca- This book was cute, I hope you like it too!

    XOXO~ Renee

    ReplyDelete
  6. BelgieFebruary 1, 2012 at 4:07 AM

    Miranda Kenneally does an awesome job in portraying the characters and their personalities. One of the many things that I loved was how all of Jordan's teammates treated Jordan as a little sister. Their devotion to keeping her safe was something I'd never imagine.

    ReplyDelete

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