Liz Fichera

Invited to become her varsity golf team's only female member, Native American Fredericka Oday pursues a dream of earning a scholarship only to be challenged by spoiled golden boy Ryan Berenger, who resents Fred for replacing his best friend on the team. Original.

Hooked

Lisa W.

** spoiler alert **
           First I'd like to say thank you Liz Fichera and Harlequin Teen for providing me with the book as a first read. It was my pleasure to receive, read and review this book. 

This story is actually being rated a 2.75 but for rating purposes I will provide a 3. 

I'm very conflicted as to what I should rate this book due to the fact i feel that 75% of the book is perfect but the ending is what hurt its chances at being a rated higher. 

Pro's: 

* Character wise: this novel provided great depth to its characters. 
- Fred was an Native American female with a masculine name. She was a expert sportsman in an male dominated sport. Her mother was a drunk and her father a blue collard worker. 
-Ryan was a prized athlete who exuded popularity but struggled with happiness. He had a complicated family life with and a unwanted social life. 
-Seth was a crazed high school student with no claim to fame. He lost everything that matter to him in a matter of days. With a violent step father he turned to bullying to express his emotions. 

* Drama wise: The twist and turns of the story provided for an suspenseful read. The extremes that Seth went to antagonize Fred were impressive. It began to build progressively to show his obsession with her. The epitome of his obsession show during car chase. I though this was brilliant and realistic action to place into this story. This story was more than a high school drama it attacked racism and sexism. Seth did not just attack Fred because of her affiliation with the team or because of her relationship with Ryan but because she was a Native America. He never forgave the individual who killed his father and decided to carry that burden throughout his life. I believe Fichera provided the ultimate scene without adding rape into the mix. (which probably would have came, had Ryan not intervened). I also believe Mr. Oday's heart attack was a nice bridging scene. This is where the tide began to change for Fred and Ryan. He saved the person's life she loved the most in the world, selflessly. How could she not love him after that gesture. This is also the scene where he makes the decision to bring her into his life fully and introduces him to his mother. Another grand gesture. When a guy introduces you to his mother you know you've made it. 

Cons:

*Resolution: Personally I never read epilogues unless they are really intriguing. I believe the final pages of a story lies within the pages of its final chapter. It was very upsetting to see the final page leave with a cliff hanger as to what the relationship would be. Readers need satisfying conclusions unless there is a sequel in the works. Even with the epilogue I don't believe the story was successfully concluded. The final scene at the golf course did not explain their transition. I would have like to see the transition into a couple. Reactions from intricate characters such as Seth, Gwyneth, Trevor, and Mr. Berenger would have been appreciated. 

* Relationship resolvement: I believe certain relationships such as Mr. and Mrs. Berenger's relationship would have been a nice touch. Although the story is not about Ryan's parents it states that they get back together but there was no mention as to what their issue was or how they came to better terms. I also needed more clarification on Mrs. Oday's life. How her relationship with Mr. Berenger reached its tearing point.

Overall I would state that I enjoyed reading the book and would suggest the book but be forewarned the book may not satisfy all of your needs.

Hooked

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