Catching Jordan - Book Review

Title ~ Catching Jordan
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Miranda Kenneally
Release Date ~ December 1, 2011
Publisher ~ Sourcebooks Fire
Source ~ Sourcebooks Fire

GOODREADS SUMMARY

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 on 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 now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

REVIEW

Wanna’ know a secret? Catching Jordan is not really a football book. Well, Jordan is the quarterback captain of her high school football team, but that’s secondary. Catching Jordan is a book about relationships. I betcha’ you weren’t expecting that.

Jordan is anything but a typical girl. She is not into dressing girly, being concerned about her hair and makeup, or dating any of the guys from school. Instead, Jordan’s obsession is being named quarterback of the football team at the college of her choice.

But wait. There are things that may be standing in the way of Jordan’s college football dreams. One of these things is named Ty. He is the new guy at school who is trying to smoosh his way into taking Jordan’s quarterback position. When things heat up romantically between Jordan and Ty, another layer of tension builds. I liked the way Jordan dealt with all the pressure and how she stayed true to herself.

The other thing standing in Jordan’s way is her father. He is an ex-football player himself, and he just doesn’t share Jordan’s dream. He’s doing what you would expect a father to do. He is looking out for his little girl. Miranda Kenneally cuts through the stereotype of young adult books with absent parents and includes Jordan’s father as an important character.

There are other relationships that actually help Jordan in reaching her dream. First, there is the relationship between Jordan and the other football players. These guys treat her with the respect a team captain deserves, but they also act like she is their little sister. Aww! The strongest bond on the team is between Jordan and Henry, her childhood friend. They are so cute and funny when they are together, and I have to think it has to do with the long-standing friendship they have formed.

Yes, it’s about football, but there is way more to the story than that. Catching Jordan tackles making big decisions, chasing your dream, and how relationships play a role in all of it. This feel-good contemporary is a winner.