Hi everyone! Today I’m excited to participate in the bookstagram & creative blog tour for BREAK THE FALL by Jennifer Iacopelli hosted by MTMC Tours! Break the Fall is a fiercely told survivorship YA Contemporary novel about one girl’s determination to push her body to win gold at the Olympics, and the power of uniting as women to speak out. Publishing on February 18th, 2020 from Razorbill and February 20th, 2020 from Hodder Children’s (UK).
Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli Published by Razorbill ISBN: 0593114175
on February 18, 2020
Genres: YA Contemporary
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon|Book Depository|B&N
Source: Penguin Teen, MTMC Tours
I received this book for free from Penguin Teen, MTMC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
"This book makes you understand exactly what it is like to compete as a woman at the highest level in sport, and it is exhilarating and satisfying indeed." --Holly Sorensen, Television Creator/Showrunner, Make it or Break It, Step Up
Audrey Lee is going to the Olympics.
A year ago, she could barely do a push up as she recovered from a spine surgery, one that could have paralyzed her. And now? She's made the United States' gymnastics team with her best friend, Emma, just like they both dreamed about since they were kids. She's on top of the world.
The pressure for perfection is higher than ever when horrifying news rips the team apart. Audrey is desperate to advocate for her teammate who has been hurt by the one person they trusted most--but not all the gymnasts are as supportive.
With the team on the verge of collapse, the one bright spot in training is Leo, her new coach's ridiculously cute son. And while Audrey probably (okay, definitely) shouldn't date him until after the games, would it really be the end of the world?
Balancing the tenuous relationship between her teammates with unparalleled expectations, Audrey doesn't need any more distractions. No matter what it takes, she's not going to let anyone bring them down. But with painful revelations, incredible odds, and the very real possibility of falling at every turn, will Audrey's determination be enough?
…The Reader’s Review…
TW: Sexual abuse/assault (not graphic)
Break the Fall is a YA Contemporary about gymnastics, sexual assault survivorship and friendship. It stars a young Korean American who, after suffering a spine injury, is competing to represent the USA in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. But when she makes it into the team, she learns about a horrifying truth: that their USA Olympics Coach has been sexually abusing a fellow team member.
This book touched my heart and it made me feel so sad about Dani, the character who steps up and voices the sexual abuse she has been undergoing for a year. But it also made me SO MAD, because it’s a reality–the abusers with power always try to oppress their victims to make them feel as if it’s the only option. And I’m so glad Dani sends this rapist to jail.
We watch Dani’s story unfold from Audrey’s perspective and it’s not an easy road. Their olympics team gets divided as they are thrown into an uncertain future where they lose their coaches and their gym just 3 weeks away from the Olympics, and some of these members even dare to cast blame on Dani. But the book powers on to show how important it is to believe and support victims of sexual abuse. Support and believing does not erase the horrifying events, but it does help and encourage victims to keep on going and to make the abusers PAY. Support and justice is always needed, and I loved how the main character and most of the team members do just that.
Break the Fall is also a book about pursuing your dreams and hard work. Our main character, Audrey Lee, now deals with Chronic Pain and is ready to say goodbye to her gymnastics career after the Olympics end. Her power and strength to keep practicing gymnastics is so admirable because she does it despite her intense pain that can barely be controlled by Cortisone shots.
Oh, and I must also mention that the gymnastics events felt so vivid and detailed, it truly felt as if I had a front row seat watching Audrey, Dani, Chelsea and Emma practicing and doing what they love best–ruling the gymnastics world. Now I wish I could actually cheer them on in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics! (And isn’t this book’s timing just PERFECT?!)
To wrap things up, I must mention that Break the Fall is a book that should be high up on your TBR! I smiled, teared up, and was constantly in awe while reading. We need more books just like it. ♥
…Break the Fall Bookmark…
As part of my creative stop, I decided to design a bookmark for Break the Fall! Tried to make it official-looking haha, but of course, this is obviously my take and you are welcome to print it and use it for when you get your copy of Break the Fall. 😀 You can also download by clicking here: Break the Fall bookmark
(Please Note: The cover art is NOT mine. I just designed the composition of the bookmark!) 🙂
INTL Tour-Wide Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account where ONE winner will win:
A hardcover copy of BREAK THE FALL wherever Book Depository ships!
(And don’t miss out the rest of the tour stops to get more chances to win!!!)
Tour Schedule:
February 3
@paperfury – Bookstagram + Blog
February 4
@moonlight_rendezvous – Bookstagram
February 5
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Blog
February 6
@old.enough.for.fairytales – Bookstagram
February 7
@bibliophile_daydream – Bookstagram
February 8
@ernest.bookingway – Bookstagram + Blog
February 9
@kylielovesbooks – Bookstagram
February 10
@book_rambler – Bookstagram + Blog
February 11
@storybookend – Bookstagram
February 12
@mayushiibooks – Bookstagram
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