Britta Lundin

"After three other girls follow Mara's lead and join the football team, she's forced to confront her misconceptions about gender and her arch-nemesis"--

Like Other Girls

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Like Other Girls

Author: Britta Lundin

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Lesbian Asian side character, Lesbian MC, F/f romance

Rating: 5/4

Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, sports, football

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publication Date: August 3, 2021

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 373

Recommended Age: 14+ (Sexism, Assualt, Religion discussed, Alcohol consumption by minors, Language, Sexual assualt, Violence)

Explanation of CWs: Sexism is a theme of this book. There is fighting violence, assaults, and sexual assault in the form of inappropriate touching. Alcohol consumption by minors is frequent in the novel, as is language.

Synopsis: After getting kicked off the basketball team for a fight that was absolutely totally not her fault (okay maybe a little her fault), Mara is dying to find a new sport to play to prove to her coach that she can be a team player. A lifelong football fan, Mara decides to hit the gridiron with her brother, Noah, and best friend, Quinn-and she turns out to be a natural. But joining the team sets off a chain of events in her small Oregon town-and within her family-that she never could have predicted.

Inspired by what they see as Mara's political statement, four other girls join the team. Now Mara's lumped in as one of the girls-one of the girls who can't throw, can't kick, and doesn't know a fullback from a linebacker. Complicating matters is the fact that Valentina, Mara's crush, is one of the new players, as is Carly, Mara's nemesis-the girl Mara fought with when she was kicked off the basketball team. What results is a coming-of-age story that is at once tear-jerking and funny, thought-provoking and real, as Mara's preconceived notions about gender, sports, sexuality, and friendship are turned upside down.

Review: I really liked this one! I thought the book did well to highlight the need for change in sports for girls and the struggles every girl faces, even if they're more tomboyish or only hang around boys. I thought the character development was amazingly well done and the world building was great. I also loved the plot of the book.

However, I did feel like some of the books characters weren't redeemed by the end and that there was a lack of justice for the girls, especially when those irredeemable characters were fellow women. But that's sadly a realistic issue in today's society.

Verdict: It's great!

Like Other Girls

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