Some Light Reads

After reading Beartown I decided I was ready for some lighter reads.. 

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

Synopsis - The world has changed around Missy Carmichael. At seventy-nine, she's estranged from her daughter, her son and only grandson live across the world in Australia, and her great love is gone. Missy spends her days with a sip of sherry, scrubbing the kitchen in her big empty house and reliving her past--though it's her mistakes, and secrets, that she allows to shine brightest. The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give.

Thoughts - I have read a few books with a similar premise.. a person, alone, closed off to life makes an unlikely friendship and then they learn how much better their life can be by letting people in. It was a sweet book but that was about it. I didn't love the character of Missy herself, I didn't believe that the relationship she had with her husband was really love. He wasn't a great husband, they both weren't great parents.. I just didn't feel this one.

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

Synopsis - The past seven years have been hard on Avery Abrams: After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career for good. Her best friend and teammate, Jasmine, went on to become an Olympic champion, then committed the ultimate betrayal by marrying their emotionally abusive coach, Dimitri.
Now, reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns to her Massachusetts hometown, where new coach Ryan asks her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Despite her misgivings and worries about the memories it will evoke, Avery agrees. Back in the gym, she’s surprised to find sparks flying with Ryan. But when a shocking scandal in the gymnastics world breaks, it has shattering effects not only for the sport but also for Avery and her old friend Jasmine.

Thoughts - Just like almost every other person, I have watched a bit of gymnastics during the Olympics and that is about it. The book offered a glimpse into a world of gymnastics before the Olympics... kids putting everything on hold to achieve their dream of being an Olympian. The toll their minds and bodies take.. and what if you don't make it? This was a light read.. so all these very serious topics were very breezily touched upon. Doctors taking advantage of these young girls was also brought up and then very quickly pushed aside. And that was my problem. If you are writing a book about the toxic culture of gymnastics then talk about it.. make us uncomfortable enough to care. But Head Over Heels chose to play it safe and focus more on the romance of the two coaches. So while it ticked the light read box it also made very little impact on me. 

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