Goodreads Summary
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.
***This book is New Adult and contains mature subject matter. TRIGGERS for rape survivors and sexual abuse victims***
My Thoughts
**ARC provided for honest review**
This book is a complete 360 from anything we have seen from Katie Ashley thus far. But just like when reading The Proposition for the first time, I was pulled into the story from the beginning. Even though the stories are like night and day, the gift of Katie's writing ability shines through.
This story touches on a VERY sensitive subject matter. But I believe it was written in a very tactical way. It sheds light on the emotional turmoil rape can have not only on the victim, but all those who are touched by it. We get a glimpse into the reasons why a victim may choose to remain silent, even when they know coming forward is the right thing to do.
Melanie and Jordan are as different as two girls can be. One is the sweet innocent girl who is the shining star of the basketball team and has the picture perfect relationship with a boy who truly adores her. The other is known as the school slut who willing gives herself over to anyone that will have her. But they both share a secret. Only they are two completely separate secrets that manage to connect them together.
My heart broke for Mel and for Jordan. Neither girl deserved to be in the situation they were placed in. But I am glad that they were each able to find a support system to help them through the dark times. It was heart warming in the end, to see they both had decided to become survivors of their circumstances instead of victims.
I really can not say more without giving away too much. So, I am going to end my review here by saying this is one of those books that it isn't pretty, but I believe has a place especially in today's world. It is a story that remains unspoken for so many. And even though Mel and Jordan's story is fictional, it still delivers a very eye opening punch.
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