Character (5/5)
Plot & Pacing (4/5)
Setting & Surroundings (4/5)
Dialogue & Diction (4/5)
Craft & Voice (5/5)
Reading Experience (5/5)

Final Rating:
4.5/5

Comments:
I'm rounding this 4.5 up to a 5 because THIS was an excellent book that really knew how to juggle a love story in the A plot and a very important examination of mental health and the pressures of being an athlete in the spotlight in the B plot. I started to wonder if my recent frustration with YA romances was because I've simply outgrown this category of books, but I'm glad that, every now and then, one comes along that reminds me how they can be done well and still universally consumed by people of all ages. This book not only had something to say, it also featured characters who made decisions that actually made sense...because they followed logical paths of cause and effect. The author here obviously has a great handle on craft and on tracking his characters' progression. I don't even care anything about sports, but I found the tension about Mickey's decision, as well as his developing crush on his rival and teammate, to be thrilling and compelling to read. This is the kind of book that HAS tropes but doesn't rely on them to rope readers in. I appreciate that so much in the era of book marketing we now find ourselves in. I found myself rooting for Mickey, even though I found him a bit stubborn and contrary at times. That made him a real, breathing, human character with conflict and emotions and stakes. I definitely want to read more from this author!