Isn't it funny how the world works? When Hannah Orenstein wrote this novel, it never in a million years would have crossed anyone's minds that the 2020 Olympics would be postponed. In the history of the games, they have only been cancelled three times due to both World Wars. Hannah addresses this in her forward for her story, stating that no-one could have foreseen the advent of a global pandemic that would push back the greatest sports competition in the world. Her novel is set in the run up to the 2020 Olympics for a promising gymnast and her coaches. It's a story of what could have been, a story of hope and promise, and I think that's a message that truly resonates with the current times, regardless of its accuracy.

Avery is a former elite gymnast who's dreams were shattered following a career ending injury that resulted in a spiral into alcohol abuse and depression. When her whole life's obsession came to an abrupt end, she felt lost and without a true purpose in life. This wasn't helped by the presence of an overly abusive coach who instilled the idea that she was worthless without the sport. Following a breakup which results in a move back to her old town, old memories resurface for Avery that she has tried so hard to forget. When a fellow former pro, Ryan, asks her to help coach a promising new star to the sport, Avery struggles with her feelings of resentment mixed with her overriding need to protect her new pupil from the harm she suffered. It also doesn't help that Ryan is a former crush who seems to have got better with age.

This wasn't your typical romance novel, and I loved the fresh approach to the genre. Avery and Ryan spend a good portion of the novel training their pupil Hallie while struggling to separate their feelings for each other from their roles as coaches. It creates a lot of angst and tension that lends itself well to the story. There's a lot of history between them that they share, a lot of stories about being an elite gymnast and the sacrifices this entails that naturally draws them towards each other. They just understand what the other has been through, and Ryan can appreciate that Avery has given up so much. By taking on this job of coaching Hallie, she's essentially reliving her youth. A childhood that not many people would understand.

Gymnastics is an integral part of the plot, often even to the extent of forcing the romance into the background. I think that if you go into this expecting the normal formulaic approach to a romance novel, you will be disappointed. There's no smut. Nothing is particularly graphic. And it doesn't need to be. The author clearly has a passion for gymnastics, and this shines through with a lot of the plot dedicated to describing specific moves and training methods, as well as the social and psychological traumas that gymnasts face. It's a refreshing take on the genre, and one I greatly appreciated. I will say that if you perhaps don't have a basic grasp on some famous gymnastic moves (ie the Pak Salto) they you may struggle to visualise some of the descriptive training sessions. I would defiantly recommend going on Youtube to look up some of the more complicated moves, and really immerse yourself in this world.

I will say that I wish more time had been dedicated to explore Avery's old coach Demitri and his behaviour. A lot of his actions are described by the characters, or seen in very small flashbacks, but I think it would have been more impactful to have seen his behaviour play out throughout the story. He's rather enigmatic, and rarely speaks 'on the page' but rather through the voice of another character, and because of this he looses a bit of his power. I also thought that the subplot with the Dr and the #metoo movement is glossed over and not dealt with to the full extent I would have liked. Hallie seems to forget what happens in her in her goal to reach Trials (which is understandable), but also felt a bit of a let down. At times I also thought that the conflict between Avery and Ryan felt a little forced, and too easily resolved (especially on Ryan's side).

I really enjoyed this sports heavy look into a fascinating world. It plays to my love of the sport without relying too heavily on romantic relationships. It's more about the relationships between coaches, pupils, colleagues and friends in an intense and unique environment that few will ever understand. Adding human elements of love and betrayal only strengthen the emotional connection to the story, and helped immerse myself in this world. A great read for all gymnastic lovers.

Avery is a former gymnast, who’s gymnastic career ended badly when she was injured at the 2012 Olympic trials. She then moves to LA and meets Tyler, a successful football player, but after a four-year relationship, they break up. Avery is then forced to move back to her hometown and work in her old gymnastic studio, Summit, where she helps to train an up-and-coming gymnast called Hallie. The job also requires working with her childhood crush and Olympic gymnast, Ryan, to help Hallie become part of the Olympic gymnastics team for Tokyo 2020.

I really loved this book. I was obsessed with gymnastics and cheerleading as a kid so I knew I would love that part of this book. The gymnastic elements were fascinating and I enjoyed learning more about the sport. However, whilst this book praises the sport, it also shows the darker side of what can happen to young gymnasts and some of the struggles they face. This aspect of the book was handled really well and brought to light the abuse and also sexual assault that some gymnasts face.

The relationship between Avery and Hallie was one of my favourite aspects of this book and I loved how they grew closer to each other throughout the book and were able to be friends as well as being gymnast and coach. Their relationship was so well developed and I was glad to see the support Avery gave Hallie and how she always made sure that Hallie was okay, both physically and mentally.

The only aspect of this book that I could not get fully on-board with, was the relationship between Avery and Ryan. Although I loved the characters separately, I didn’t really believe in their relationship as I felt like they never really spoke to each other and spent most of the book ignoring each other for one reason or another.
This book was incredibly enjoyable and I read it all in one day as I just couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves gymnastics or wants to learn more about the sport.

Very light romance novel. Definitely a go-to book for when you’re stressed and in a need for something non-intense.

Though, I have to say I liked this book because of how well the author portrayed the friendship between Avery and Jasmine, Sara and Hallie. It’s a nice change from the usual rivalry and jealousy between women that most of the books seem to be focusing on.

The relationship with Ryan was... Ok at best.

Surprisingly, all the women characters were actually really likeable and relatable, while the guys were painted as rude, intimidating and selfish. Even Ryan (he redeemed himself at the end, but his mistakes throughout the book just didn’t make him the perfect boyfriend material anymore in my opinion).

Sweet, heartwarming ending. Even if I’m not team Ryan.

This book combined my loves of romance and gymnastics and I was in book heaven, reading it in one sitting. I've read other books about gymnastics, but none from the perspective of a coach, which made this all the more interesting.

Avery got injured at Olympic Trials in 2012, after being tipped to be one of the gymnasts that would make the team. Afterwards, she heads to college but drops out, and winds up in L.A with an up and coming American Football player. After they break up, she heads home to her parents, and is offered the opportunity to coach an Olympic hopeful by Ryan, an ex-Olympian she used to know. Hallie is 16 and full of determination - but is struggling with her artistry on floor. Floor used to be Avery's best apparatus, hence Ryan reaching out.

What follows is a gripping story of getting a second chance, of taking risks, of friendship. The book mirrors USA gymnastics today with the horrors of Doctors who sexually abuse athletes and coaches emotionally abusing them. We see Hallie struggle with what was done to her, and her friends.

Avery and Ryan also have a turbulent romantic relationship, both of them struggling with what's best for Hallie and what they both want. Ryan goes on his own journey, being completely ignorant of the trauma women in gymnastics have experienced. He had a lot of growth and Avery had a lot of patience with him.

I really enjoyed this book, and I am glad I got to read about a fictional Olympic Trials given I won't be able to watch them in the real version of 2020.

Head Over Heels is an epic page turning romance, that will have you hooked from the first page. An absolute perfect summer read.