Series: Hundred Oaks #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: December 1, 2011
Source/Format: Won || Paperback
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.
But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line? (from Goodreads)
I've never been that girl who's "one of the guys", though I do have a best friend who is. I've always found it amusing and pretty admirable that my friend could so easily relate to the guys. To me, they've always been another species that I could only understand at the most basic level. This is what fascinated me most of all when it came to Catching Jordan. The story itself was easy to read, but it was especially fun to get to know Jordan and see how she relates to the males in her life.
I will admit that it wasn't easy for me to get into this book at first. I couldn't seem to relate to Jordan, because she's my complete opposite in some ways. She's extremely athletic, and is surrounded by mostly male friends (who are very true, good friends at that). But eventually, I discovered the things that drew me in - her loyalty to her friends and her team, her determination to succeed at chasing after her dream of playing college football, and even her confusing experiences with romance and friendships with other girls.
The romance does play a big part in this story, but it's not the entire focus of it. It was balanced out with other things - the familial friction between Jordan and her father, the struggles Jordan faced in her determination to play college football and even the tentative friendships that she forms with some of the other girls. Kenneally managed to take all these different elements and weave them together effectively, without being too heavy-handed in any one area.
Catching Jordan is a hit among many of my trusted blogger friends, and I can see why. Though I didn't find it as compelling as many others did, I do think the story is well-written and interesting and very easy to read. Kenneally did a superb job writing this one, using language and situations that seemed authentic to Jordan and the boys, and I think many a YA fan would enjoy it.
I really struggled with Jordan as I'm a very much a girl's girl and she seemed very anti-girls despite being one! That ultimately gave me pause although I did find the writing very easy to go through and I can see why it's so popular.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first review I've read on this one, and while I am also not one of the guys, I like the sounds of Jordan. I might pick this one up soon. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI do really like Catching Jordan, but once you read Miranda's two others you will really see her talent as a writer. I think, in retrospect, she threw too much into that CJ and the storyline was thin. Keep on going. I urge you!!! In a nice way, of course.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds pretty good overall, though I've put it off for the longest time. I'm glad to hear you liked it overall, Alexa. The sports theme might not sit too well with me, but I like the sound of it otherwise. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you reviewed this! I almost bought it at B&N the other day but I was still iffy about it so I didn't buy it yet. Jordan sounds like someone I can relate to in a lot of ways! I was never QUITE as into sports but especially after high school, I was totally one of the guys. Aside from my college roommates and some close friends, it was just easier to get along with guys (and more fun haha) - Even still, I hang out with my boyfriend and his friends and I barely see my girlfriends anymore. It's just kidn of how life worked out!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely interested in picking this one up! Thanks for a lovely review! you've convinced me that I might totally click with this!
I agree with you about Jordan. I did enjoy this book, but the next two in the series caught my attention much more. I am a big fan of Miranda Kenneally!
ReplyDeleteYay I'M so happy you enjoyed this one even if it wasn't your favorite. I loved it and the best part is definitely the dynamics between the friends and teammates. I also loved the humor in it that part with the baby had me laughing so hard I hard to put the book down. Great review, Alexa!
ReplyDeleteOh I thought this book was fun! I am not at all "one of the guys" either (I will WATCH sports with them, but have never been athletic enough to actually throw a football!), but I love reading about Jordan's close relationships with her teammates as well as her struggle to connect with other girls her age. Great review. Stealing Parker is great too; I think I liked it even more than Catching Jordan.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book (I love sports and my husband is a huge football fan). I thought it was really well written and realistic about the issued kids her age face.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Catching Jordan. It was great debut. I also don't have a lot of male friends nor do I watch sports but this book was still a fun read.
ReplyDeleteThis really was a great book! I love that after reading it I knew I would be completely addicted to Miranda's work ... I hope you continue on with the series!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this one even though it wasn't your favorite. I really loved Catching Jordan when I read it but I must admit I can't relate to her that much since I'm probably the most unathletic person you'll ever meet. But I guess it was quite nice for me to experience something through a book :) Lovely review, Alexa.
ReplyDelete-Ariella @ Secrets of Lost Words