Head of heels by Hannah Orenstein

Avery is a aspiring Olympic gymnast who had to retire during Olympic trials. After seven years she is still unable to move. She returns home and ends up training an Olympic hopeful gymnast.

A well written book about gymnastics, descriptively written.

It’s a quick read that briefly touches on the darker side of gymnastics.

It could only barely be described as a romantic fiction.

A reasonably good book if you like sports fiction but very disappointing romance wise.

'Head over Heels' is a story that follows a formerly renowned gymnast named Avery Abrams, set in a world prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 2020 olympics coming up, Avery decides to help train a rising olympic gymnast and it's from there she bumps into people from her former athletic life..
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Sports fiction aren't usually my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed reading this and seeing how the 2020 olympics might have played out! Gymnastics is one of my favourite olympic sports so I was thrilled to see that Hannah Orenstein had written a book entirely focused on it!

Avery was such an inspiring character to read about, and the emotional abuse that she suffered from her former coach, Dimitri, was really painful to see. I was interested to see if someone would openly speak out against him in the end, (because he was honestly a real piece of work), but no such luck. Even so, the topic of mental health & support for it in the athletic industry is not something that you see being talked about very often so I really commemorate the author for bringing it up in this story.

The only thing that I felt was a little unnecessary was the romance aspect in this book. I'm usually all for having romance in the plot, and I did like Ryan (the love interest) in the beginning, but I think it might have been better if Avery had focused on.. herself a little more? It's not a real downer, but I always think it's great to see growth in a character.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Eternal for providing the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A unique storyline, with wonderful characters. This book really is a feel good story, with the perfect level of humour and heartwarming moments thrown into the mix, its everything you could want from a romcom.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off the bat, the setting for this book is very unfortunate. The lead up to the 2020 Olympics, the year we should've had. But obviously no fault of the author or anything, just a coincidence.

The setting aside, I absolutely adored this romance, I've never read a romance that's set around an Olympic games and a gymnastics career, but I really enjoyed this one. I like how Hannah Orenstein incorporates more serious topics into her books alongside the fluffy romance. Hannah Orenstein is on their way to becoming an instabuy author for me, as I just adore their romance having read this and Love At First Like (*which I also got from netgalley)

Hannah Orenstein does a fantastic job with creating well rounded, well fleshed out characters in her romances, and her characters feel like real people with real ambition rather than everything being a perfect fantasy.

I only have one single gripe with this book, which might be me reading into it too deeply, but on one occassion, Avery goes to a yoda class for the first time and she's struggling, looks up to another class member and the author refers to her as *a curvy girl* which seemed totally unnecessary to me in the context. It felt as though she was comparing this ex-gymnast and making her seem better by making sure that we knew she couldn't keep up with the yoga routines as well as "a curvy girl" could. I don't know whether this is intentional or really is just something that I took the wrong way but it just didn't sit right with me personally.

Unfortunately, I was slow in downloading this story and it was archived before I had the chance. I'm sure it is a wonderful read.

I loved "Love at First Like" and was excited to read "Head over Heels". Little did I know that the book centres around gymnastics and the Olympic Games 2020 (what might have been, eh?).

The author talks about important issues happening in the world of elite gymnastics (mental health/#metoo) at the same time telling a story of an ambitious young gymnast and a romance between two people involved in her life. In the end, it was not a love story or a chick lit - the romance part of it was not very strong or very exciting.

And, last but not least, if you do not care about gymnastics, perhaps you should give it a miss.

Head over Heels Hannah Orenstein

This is one of the book of the month picks for July however we don’t get that here in the UK, so I requested it on @NetGalley to read. Gymnastics is one of my favourite events to watch during the Olympics so with it being postponed this year this book was a little bit of a stopgap for me. I’ve also just finished watched ‘Athlete A’ on Netflix so I was in a Gymnastics frame of mind.

This story follows previous Gymnastics star Avery. After moving back to her hometown she has the opportunity to coach a young gymnast with Olympic dreams that Avery had when she was younger.

I am, let’s just say challenged by physical balance, I’m clumsy, I’m always rolling my ankle and there is no way I would be able to perform the way the gymnasts do in this book or in life. That aspect of the book was what I enjoyed most about it overall. It was total escapism and enjoyable all the while.

The author touches on some real life issues the gymnastics world has faced in recent years and without dwelling on them, sheds some positivity on them while also giving the respect they deserve.

For me the romance wasn’t the main aspect of the story and wasn’t what I was looking for from this book. It was a bit too much too and fro for me and I didn’t feel that connection between the characters.

This is the first book I’ve read by Hannah and I can’t see it being the last.

Head Over Heels made me realise just how much I adore reading about sport. The determination, fierceness and challenges that face characters with sporting ambitions give stories excellent frameworks for high stakes and major highs and lows. Head Over Heels uses gymnastics to discuss failure vs success, broken dreams, hard work and so much more.

Avery is a gymnast that retired after an accident at the 2012 Olympic trials that ended her Olympic dream. Seven years later, she’s still not moved on with her life and a break-up leads her back to her hometown where she reunites with the sport as a coach. Working alongside her teenage crush, Ryan, she coaches 2020 Olympic hopeful Hallie and learns a lot about herself and the sport.

Head Over Heels discusses not only the joys and beauty of gymnastics, but also more of the toxic sides such as emotional and sexual assault. As difficult as it is to speak out against the sport that made you and the people you know, Avery shows a huge character arc in a really satisfying way. Everything about the writing and pacing kept me wanting more and I read this book in 24 hours because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Beyond the reading experience, the book rejuvenated my love of gymnastics and inspired me to go online and watch videos of gymnasts competing in the 2016 Olympics. It’s made me even more heartbroken that the 2020 Olympics have been cancelled, but even more excited for when they do return. I’d highly recommend watching Athlete A, a documentary available on Netflix, alongside reading the book. Athlete A exposes the horrific sexual assaults that affected over 200 US gymnasts in the last few decades and the emotional abuse many have suffered. Like any good book, Head Over Heels is topical and inspiring. I’ll be reflecting on it for many months to come.

A great read, the story of Avery, who is back in her home town after splitting up with her boyfriend.
She is offered a job back at the gym she used to train in, working with the man she used to have a crush on years ago.
As she re-connects with old friends and makes new friends, Avery is finally starting to enjoy life and move past the event that changed her life years ago. Do her and Ryan have a chance of being together?

It was odd reading a book set in the run up to the 2020 Olympics when they never took place!

Head Over Heels, follows the story of Avery an ex gymnast, around 7 years after she suffered a freak injury that stopped her dreams of reaching the olympics. We witness as she begins to rebuild her life in multiple senses as she joins childhood crush and ex Olympian, Ryan, on the coaching team of a young Olympic hopeful.

This novel was a quick and sweet read, whilst still covering some pretty heavy topics and going deep into the technicalities of the language of gymnastics. Orenstein does a pretty good job of describing this specific gymnastic language to the lay audience and certainly can't be faulted on bridging what could be a very niche book to a wider audience. The explanations weave easily into the flow of the novel and allows us to really visual the story playing out.
I was initially brought into this book expecting an all encompassing love story, which in the end it wasn't. Whilst the love story was cute, we didn't see a lot of it out-with a few moments. Instead we witnessed some other very interesting relationships: such as the rekindling of a childhood friendship and the various forms of coach and athlete relationship. As much as this wasn't what I picked up the book for, I did really enjoy seeing these relationships play out and it was nice for the idea of the romantic relationship to take the back burner.
Overall, this was a lovely read and it was nice to be immersed even for a little while into a world where the Tokyo Olympics were still taking place this summer.

What a delightful read!
I really liked Avery, I loved being in her head and seeing how she navigated through life and got over some hurdles. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about her. She is resilient - she thinks that just because it took her years to overcome her depression and strip herself free from her abusive coach’s remarks that she isn’t strong but she’s wrong and if you read this book, you’ll see it for yourself!

I loved the dynamic between Avery, Ryan and Hallie. I could feel the love and gratitude that they felt towards one another in the book. It was beautiful to see their relationship develop into something so wholesome. Talk about GROWTH. I could definitely relate to Hallie as I have so many people in my life that have helped me become who I am today.

If you enjoy gymnastics, you’ll appreciate how much in-depth detail the author has included in the book, which isn’t necessarily a flaw. If anything, it makes it more authentic.

Just a heads up, I would classify this book more as Women’s Fiction rather than Romance because the romance aspect isn’t very strong. However, with that being said, the little romance that we got a chance to get a sneak peek into was so heartwarming. Ryan is thoughtful and although, I felt mad at him for not believing Avery at one point, he redeemed himself pretty quickly and his actions spoke louder than his words, and to me, that’s all that matters.

I couldn’t end this review without mentioning that this book does contain some heavy content but it’s important to know about it because unfortunately, this part isn’t fiction. It happens in real life and it’s important for us to talk about it. There is an element of the #metoo movement. But although, it deals with some heavy topics, Orenstein still managed to make this book uplifting and hopeful.

I think the ending was perfect; from what Avery and Jasmine came up with, to leaving the reader to make up their own ending in their head. I would recommend this book!

TW: sexual assault, eating disorders, and verbal and emotional abuse.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Headline Eternal for my eARC!

Head Over Heels is the new novel by senior dating editor Hannah Orenstein and it’s an entertaining and refreshing novel set in the world of gymnastics.

Avery Abrams, a rising star gymnast, had a dream: going to the 2012 London Olympic Games as part of the American team, but an accident put a stop to years of hard work and sacrifices. Seven years later, she leaves LA with no job and no boyfriend to return home to Massachusetts. She has no prospects or any idea what to do with her future, but then she is offered the chance to coach promising gymnast Hallie in the same gym where she spent most of her childhood and her teenage years training. In Hallie, Avery sees the same energy and ambition that drove her years ago, so she throws herself in helping Hallie getting to the 2020 Olympic Games.

This is a beautiful, thought-provoking, powerful, and at times emotional story about abuse, #metoo movement, and self-discovery. Avery fell into depression following the accident that prevented her from going to the Olympic Games and it took her years to get over it. She feels realistic and relatable and I liked how she develops and grows throughout the novel. Returning home and finding a new job not only gives her a new purpose in life, but also a new romance. I liked Ryan and Avery’s chemistry, even though there were a few times that I wanted to punch Ryan for his behaviour. I also liked Avery and Hallie’s relationship and I found myself invested in Hallie’s outcome almost as much as Avery.

Head Over Heels is my first novel by Hannah Orenstein, but I already have her previous novels ready on my kindle and I am really looking forward to reading them. If you are looking for a feel-good and engaging story full of romance, humour and with fantastic characters, then I highly recommend this novel!

This is a story based on Avery, a failed Olympic gymnast who goes ‘off the rails’ and returns to her hometown. Whilst there, she ends up training a 16 year old superstar, Hallie, for Tokyo 2020. She does this alongside Ryan who is an Olympic gymnast she had a crush on then and now.

The book praises gymnastics as a discipline and uses quite technical terminology. Whilst it is a positive book, the author also shows the darker side of the sport- covering sexual abuse, mental abuse and other struggles young gymnasts often face.

I enjoyed this book very much; it was a light and quick read. My one complaint is that the romance wasn’t much of a romance. Avery and Ryan didn’t seem to have much of a relationship even at the points they were together and the romance seemed to play second fiddle to the other storylines. It isn’t a criticism, just a bit disappointing as the female relationships were great.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I have always found the world of gymnastics fascinating, and I was even lucky enough to see it live at London 2012, so I was intrigued to pick up this book which tells the story of Avery, who failed to make the team in 2012 as a result of injury. Having written this book to coincide with Tokyo 2020, it must be frustrating for Orenstein that the unthinkable has happened and the Olympics has been postponed, but it does mean we have the opportunity for a fictional fix of gymnastics even if we can't experience the real thing.

To be honest, the book was a little different from what I expected, but certainly none the worse for it. The romance element is there, but actually it is in many ways secondary to the main issues, of which there are several - second chances, rekindled friendships and the tough world of competitive sport, as well as references to recent scandals surrounding the sport. That is probably my only criticism - it does try to cover a lot and as a result sometimes it felt a little rushed and the characters felt a bit underdeveloped. That said, I appreciated the fact that it was "not just another romance" and if you are looking for a fun, enjoyable read about a sport I know intrigues many of us I would thoroughly recommend it.

5 stars!

I just want to preface my review by saying that this book had me feeling all kinds of things. I was laughing, I was crying, I was on the edge of my seat, I was relating to it, everything!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Avery Abrams had trained her entire life to make the Olympics gymnastics team but after an unfortunate injury at Trials, her dream gymnastics career came to an abrupt stop. Seven years later, Avery is moving out of LA due to her recent breakup with long term football star boyfriend Tyler and moving back to her hometown in Massachusetts. Ryan, an ex Olympic gymnast now turned coach asks Avery for help training a young gymnastics star who he believes can make the 2020 Olympic team.

I made the decision of going into this book not knowing an awful lot of details about it and I believe that's exactly the best way to go into it. Head Over Heels portrays the fantastical world of gymnastics in a seemingly very real light and highlights all the strengths and weaknesses of the sport.

Avery is one of the most amazing characters I have read: she is strong, determined, capable, empathetic and kind. I expected a character like her, an ex gymnastics super star who almost made it to have been a little bit bitter and jealous of all the new up and coming gymnasts. Instead, Avery gives her all to Hallie and goes above and beyond to help her achieve her dreams. And Ryan, Hallie's primary coach and Avery's love interest, is wonderful and interesting from the start. He is a great example of a character who messes up and owns up to his mistakes not by only making a simple apology but by working and taking action toward changing.

Head Over Heels is a wonderful read for anyone in need of a pick me up story, for anyone who is needing some reassurance that even when life throws hard things at you it will also throw you wonderful things.

I must admit I struggled a little bit to get into this book but after a while something seemed to kick in and I zoomed through the rest.
I came into this book knowing nothing at all about gymnastics so I got an education on the sport at the same time as reading a romance set in the run up to the trials for the 2020 Olympics.
It focuses on Avery a failed Olympic hopeful who returns to her hometown after an acrimonious breakup with her ex football playing boyfriend and Ryan an ex Olympian who now runs the gym where he’s training Hallie a young gymnast hoping to qualify for the USA gymnastic Olympic team. They meet because Ryan remembers Avery and offers her a job coaching Hallie. Avery accepts but is nervous because she had a massive crush on Ryan when they were younger.
The supporting players are Jasmine, Avery’s ex Olympian team mate and Dimitri, Avery’s abusive ex coach Who is now married to Jasmine.
Jasmine and Avery’s friendship has fallen by the wayside after Jasmine went on to win Gold. There is a back story running through the book which is a scandal involving a Dr most of the Olympic hopefuls have been seeing and this brings Jasmine and Avery back together. Sara is another supporting character and I really liked her. Avery moves in with her and she introduces Avery to Yoga to unwind and is a good sounding board and a really good friend to her.
All in all I liked the book and the storyline was good and the characters gelled well together.

Gymnastics has been something I’ve watched when the Olympics are on, and admittedly my cousins both did gymnastics but that’s about my knowledge of the sport. This book is based on the ‘failed’ careers of Avery Abrams becoming an Olympic champion, and the gut punches she faces on the way. It’s a new beginning for a woman who planned her entire life ahead, and a truer statement has never been more spoken: when you plan, life laughs.

Whether you’re a sportsman/woman, it doesn’t matter, all of us can relate to the heartache of not making something. We can also related to our relationship crumbling around you, and Hannah Orenstein writes it so humanly in Head Over Heels and so raw you can feel every ounce of Avery’s pain. Even later, when her confidence is growing and she finds herself once again betrayed, you feel her pain, but marvel at her strength to keep going.

“I HAD IMAGINED THAT I’D RETURN HOME FROM LONDON AS AMERICA’S SWEETHEART…THERE WAS NO PLAN B.”
HEAD OVER HEELS, HANNAH ORENSTEIN

It’s all the more painful to realise that Avery’s career ended so young, something you don’t think of when you watch the Olympics. That whilst it was a knee injury she’d recover from, she had run out of time and her dreams lay in tatters just as much as her mental health did. Head Over Heels is a sweet and emotional story that becomes so much more with recent events, the metoo movement and Avery stepping into her own. Her football-player-boyfriend breaking up with her actually leads her on a far better path than she could think at the time.

Which was really nice to see in a book. It was nice to see Avery pick herself up and brush herself down to help the new rising star.
The characterisations written are fleshed out and so human you will feel like you know them. Each are brilliantly executed from beginning to end, from Ryan to Hallie, to Jasmine and Dimitri. The undercurrents and themes are ones we know well, but Hannah takes them so much further than what I was expecting, and the payoff is worth it.

Hallie is excellently portrayed, even with her dream and strict mentality, there are brilliant moments where she shows her age. When her cup becomes too full and she explodes, like anyone her age would. Even when the scandal is announced—one mirroring the real-life one that shook the gymnastic world—it is handled with such sensitivity. Hannah’s focus on how it makes Avery feel and more importantly Hallie. We see it open Avery’s eyes to the unkind treatment she faced when she was a young age, and how she wishes for history not to repeat itself.

“I FELT AIMLESS IN LA AND COMPLETELY LOST BACK IN GREENWOOD; ONCE I HAD MY HEART SET ON THIS JOB, NOTHING ELSE REMOTELY MEASURED UP.”
HEAD OVER HEELS, HANNAH ORENSTEIN

Avery’s growth from broken woman with very little to confidence rolling off of her is perfectly executed. It never feels rush, but natural. The way she finds her voice exactly when she needs to; the way she boldly makes the painful decision about halfway through is remarkable. Avery is so fleshed out, I want to befriend her, often needing to remind myself that she’s fictional.

The romance is a slow burn, but it allows everything else to breathe and for Avery to become the heroine she was always meant to be. With the added touch of “old school men” and passive comments, it’s a book that is bound to make you feel many things—and feel a sense of fury for Avery too.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down, curling up on my sofa growling at my dog to back off because I needed to give it my full attention.

But that’s the beauty of well written stories, they feel real, every inch of them. They transport you to places you’d never think of, which is how I ended up at the trials alongside the team: Ryan, Hallie and Avery.

I cannot wait for this to be published on the 23rd of June, so ready to jump in line to get my own copy. I think you’d be foolish not to jump on board of this heartwarming rom-com with so much warmth and genuine human kindness. I couldn’t recommend this enough and it’s the reason I’ve rated it five stars out of five, adding it to my favourites to read again.

Head over heels
Hannah orenstein
June 2020
Friend two lovers

Avery just broke up with her boyfriend Tyler after four years together she fought she be with him allot more than four years. They just drew apart Avery never saw him Tyler was either at practice or Avery was out the only time Avery saw him was at dancers and parties for work otherwise they were never together. Avery a qualified gymnastics almost went two the Olympic Avery didn’t quiet make out she regretted it ever since. Avery decided two move back home two her parents house where she stays a couple of months in her childhood bedroom which looks exactly the same as Avery leave it with trophies every wear and posters every wear. Avery didn’t let her upset her. A new chapter in her life. That night the phone goes in her mothers it’s an old school friend Ryan her boy crush she like him years go Avery was surprised he phoned what possible reason could he be phoning her for Avery only just arrived at her parents house. Ryan asked how she doing and asked if everything was alright then asked her if she fancied coaching hallie and being his assistant coaching her for the Olympics in eight months Avery wade the Sure at her she didn’t think she was good enough for that she said no at first after a couple of days Avery changed her mind and goes two sea Ryan at the gym two give her a second chance so she meets Hallie for the first time and tells her a few homes truth about her posture her floor movement not good she needs a different routine and Avery can teach her the movements she good on the floor. And they start two get on great.
New year eve Avery meets Ryan at his friend house on New Year’s Eve she meets him at ten and they party and drink party games together really enjoying time together she tell him stories and Ryan tell her stories then at midnight they kiss passionately together they both love it. Ryan and Avery then agree two keep thing preprofessional for Halle sake. Then hallie confides in Avery about her doctor she doesn’t think it write how he keep looking at her and staring at her when she takes her clothes if for him.
Avery listen and says she keep it a secret.
Avery decides two rent apartments with a yoga instructor and they get on Avery does a few yoga classes and cooks a meal for them and even Ryan comes home for a few meals a week with wine and they cook each other meal. They just friend now keeping thing quiet for a while.
Avery wants more than friends she need him so one day Avery decided two go two the gym and confronts Ryan about his behaviour and tells him how’s she feel then he tells her how she feel they have sex at the gym summit they both can’t dive it happing tell Avery two keep things quiet.
Ryan asked Avery if she would go on a night out with him it a secret he tell her. So that night they arrive at her best friend Jasmin house who she haven’t Sean I years and think it’s a bad idea at first but she goes with it. Jasmin thrilled two sea her they start talking like they best friend Jasmin married two her coach dimtri they been married for years Avery can believe how they married that the way dimtri id and hard man two please. Ryan talking two dimtri and Jasmin says he offered Ryan a job in a better gym that he can take hallie with him and train for the 2024 Olympics. Avery shocked she doesn’t want him two take the job in fall what would happen two her in the meantime and they argue over. And breakup for a while. ryan overwhelm with the idea he think it great. Avery Ryan hallie are at the Olympics trials and things don't go two plan and hallie comes seven place and not happy with it and Ryan storm out two her Avery don’t sea him that night.
Later on Jasmin tells Avery she getting a divorced from diimtri and wants Avery two help her pack up things so she moves into a new apartment and Jasmin and Avery setup a foundation charity sight two fundraisers.
The Olympics is her Sara her room make her with her two give hallie yoga lesson Ryan her and Jasmin her and Hallie parents they all so nervous it turnout two beca great day hallie come second place they all so chuffed they start crying and now they finally going two Tokyo Japan olmpics. A wry can’t believe how much her life change she so happy now.
I love this book so much it’s a page turn over book.

I was on the edge of my seat by the end of this, I was so invested in Hallie's journey to see if she would qualify for the Olympics, that I was practically cheering her on verbally in my garden!

I'm a huge fan of sport, the Olympics and Gymnastics is always one of those sports I'll always happily make a point of watching when its on TV, and I was more than aware of the real life version of the scandal that is fictionalised in this book surrounding female gymnasts.

My normal expectation of going into a book published by Headline Eternal is of a big romance, possibly great sex scenes and a story that will capture my interest hopefully. In this instance, yes there is romance, there is chemistry between Avery and Ryan but it was the story involving gymnastics that had me thinking about this book whenever I had to put it down.

At 4am I was sorely tempted to just keep reading and forget about going to sleep, but then I realised I did have work the next day... but I was that glued to the book and it is rare that I think about forgoing sleep in favour of reading further.

I loved seeing how Avery is finally able to overcome her own personal nightmare of an Olympic trials in order to coach young Hallie on the floor. I loved the descriptions of the training and the various moves in the routines and could picture it in my mind.

The amount of growth and development for Avery in this book is great to see, she really grows as a woman, and by the end without a doubt is a role model. And Hallie is supremely talented and I loved seeing how her confidence grows and her routines develop.

It is an eye opening read as to the realities of elite gymnastics, which rang true to my knowledge of the sport and had me hooked from the first to the last page.

This may be the first book I've read by Hannah Orenstiein but it certainly won't be the last, and i already have her previous release on my kindle waiting for me.

Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.