Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Title: Playing Hurt
Author: Holly Schindler
Publisher:  Flux
Publication Date: March 8, 2011
Pages: 303

Summary: Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college-and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain-or finally heal their heartbreak?

Review: Chelsea is the all-star player of her high school basketball game and now in her senior year with the plan of going to college on a full scholarship. But after a terrible accident that leaves her not only unable but terrified to play basketball, she’s stuck in a life where she has no idea where she belongs. Clint is a nature loving, formal hockey star that does anything he can to stay way from the sports he once loved.

There should really be more sports related books in the YA area! I mean teens love sports (myself included) and it can really open up your audience! I feel like anyone one’s whose ever been severely injured while playing sports will feel a real connection to this book. It’s tough being taken away from the thing you love to do most and that happens to both Chelsea and Clint.

The stories of why they don’t continue on with the lives they had while playing sports are completely different but both heartbreaking and legit reasons that happen to people all around the world. The relationship that develops between Chelsea and Clint is believe and a very supporting one. Both need each other at this time and they are just so funny together!

Overall, Playing Hurt is an excellent book that I hope will show the true value of adding things such as sports into the plot and how wonderful it can be to find someone that truly understands you.

You can preorder Playing Hurt HERE.