Amazon Book Description
Always awkward in her 5’10 frame, Melanie Reeves finds her saving grace through basketball. Not only is she the varsity team captain, she’s the pride of Coach Thompson, who holds the keys to a college scholarship. Melanie has also found 'courtly' love with Will, Coach T's handsome, ball-playing son. When Melanie is on the court, everything is perfect....until she is forced to face an opponent who doesn't play by the rules.
Jordan Solano's power lies in her beauty and sex appeal. Never afraid of breaking the rules, she engages in a scandalous flirtation with the school's married basketball coach. But the flirtation quickly turns into accusation, and Coach T's job and reputation are placed in jeopardy after Jordan charges him with rape. Jordan's own reputation has the school administration unwilling to believe her. That is, until she makes a startling claim - she's not the only victim.
Suddenly, all eyes are on Melanie, and it isn't for her amazing free-throws. A man's job, a girl's reputation, and her boyfriend's entire world now rest in Melanie's hands. She has to decide: keep her secrets and protect her future, or put an end to the lies...and lose everything.
Jordan Solano's power lies in her beauty and sex appeal. Never afraid of breaking the rules, she engages in a scandalous flirtation with the school's married basketball coach. But the flirtation quickly turns into accusation, and Coach T's job and reputation are placed in jeopardy after Jordan charges him with rape. Jordan's own reputation has the school administration unwilling to believe her. That is, until she makes a startling claim - she's not the only victim.
Suddenly, all eyes are on Melanie, and it isn't for her amazing free-throws. A man's job, a girl's reputation, and her boyfriend's entire world now rest in Melanie's hands. She has to decide: keep her secrets and protect her future, or put an end to the lies...and lose everything.
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Book Review
I received a ARC copy of this book from Mrs. Ashley for a honest review. Just the description on good reads alone drew me in.... Inappropriate Teacher/student relationships is an issue happening everyday but not touched on very often in books (the media on the other hand..... That's a different story). So let me take the time now to say kudos to you Mrs. Ashley for bringing this important issue to the forefront through your writing.
This book is told from Melanie and Jordan's point of view. Melanie is the star athlete on her basketball team, the girl next door/loved by everyone, and of course dating Mr. Popular/star athlete himself Will (oh ya he's the coach’s son). Jordan on the other hand is known as the school slut and her reputation is less than stellar with both students/teachers (words like flirt, sexual advances etc come to mind). The one thing Jordan and Melanie have in common is Coach T (Will’s dad). Melanie is the coach’s pet and gets unwanted attention. Jordan on the other hand is craving attention and is the mistress to a married man (Coach T).
As I read Melanie and Jordan’s stories (despite the paths that got them there) it was heart breaking. There were moments in this book where I wanted to scream, cry, and just hug them both to say it will be OK. I tried to put myself in their shoes and just think about what I would have done in certain situations? The big questions that stood out to me as I read this were: Is it ok to lie for LOVE to protect someone? Is it ok to lie out of spite to make someone pay, even though the act that was performed was wrong? My mom has always told me you never know a person’s situation until you walk a day in their shoes….. I can honestly say I have NO clue what I would have done..... BUT I can only hope I would have enough FIGHT in me as these two did.
This story touched on so many issues RAPE, inappropriate student/teacher relationships, self discovery, depression, Peer Pressure (something that is happening daily in the school systems), inner strength, forgiveness, and so many more…... As far as supporting characters in this book the men in these girls’ lives were AWESOME. Will (Melanie’s boyfriend & coach T’s son) at moments he had me hating him, but when he came to his senses my heart broke for him as well (needless to say his daddy had issues before these recent encounters). Their relationship in this book was one of LOVE and SELF HEALING. Nick is Jordan’s co worker and the first guy she has ever really been friends with. The obstacles this young man overcame in his life, HEART BREAKING. Nick/Jordan’s relationship to me was one of SELF DISCOVERY and trust me there journey in this unchartered water was soooooooo cute to read!
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I was an emotional mess! I cried, I got angry and I even had a few WTH moments (yes Jordan’s mom is a serious piece of work!!). The book was so well written and the ending was AMAZING! MRS. ASHLEY YOU’RE GETTING THE STATUS OF FINE WINE!!! The best part of this book was the ending to me because after all the anger, lies and tears, the most unexpected friendship happens! Also my favorite blurb from this book was the ending. Despite everything Melanie and Will’s love was Stronger than ever (yes I'm a hopeless romantic).
As the streaks came across the sky, it wasn’t as brilliant as it could’ve been. But it at least it was there—consistent and true. It made me think of mine and will’s love. There would always be dark clouds that hung over us—threatening to block out our love. But no matter what happened our love would still be there—trying to shine through whatever dark times came. --Melanie
Geez…The fight and inner Strength these kids had in them despite their circumstances, WOW! . The quote “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” seriously comes to mind. READ THIS BOOK! You won’t regret it!
GREAT JOB MRS. ASHLEY!
Book Rating : A+/5 stars
Cheers,
Dr. Books
