Review: Catching Jordan

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date ~ December 1, 2011
Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN13: 9781402262272
Received from: finished copy from Raincoast Books for review

Goodreads Synopsis:
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

Every so often there's a book that just seems to catch on and spread like wildfire. Catching Jordan isn't a book that caught my eye at first, until I started reading all the raving reviews from other readers and bloggers. And after all of that, I just HAD to know what the deal was with this book.

Catching Jordan is an exemplary YA contemporary book; it offers up the best of what most readers are looking for, mingling humour with heartgripping moments and the complications that come with growing up.

1. Fantastic narrative:
   One of the first things that really grabbed me with Catching Jordan is how well Miranda is able to write from the point of view and voice of a teenaged girl. But not just any typical girl, but Jordan Woods. Her expressions and perspective are so easily conveyed through the words, that you have no problem buying into the story or Jordan as a character. And I'm especially impressed because Jordan isn't stereotypical in any way. She's both able to blend in with guys, yet stand out on her own as a girl at the same time. That's a thin line to walk, but it's handled expertly here.
2. Realistic dialogue:
   Similar to what I talked about above, but it goes even further with the dialogue. The dialogue and conversations flowed so naturally, that it was like listening in on a conversation or watching a movie because it felt so alive and real. I loved the bantering between Henry and Jordan, and how she conversed with her other teammates.
3. Sports book for people who don't necessarily like sports:Thankfully, you don't have to be much of an athlete to enjoy Catching Jordan, a book which revolves around a female football player. There's a lot going on outside of this, and even though I'm nothing like Jordan when it comes to specific details I could easily relate to her and her struggles. Football is Jordan's passion, but there's so much more to her than that. Don't be turned off by the sports theme, if you're someone who isn't a fan of sports! Give it a chance, and you'll see what I mean.

That being said, I still feel as if I was looking for something more from it overall. I really wanted to be blown away by it, and while I was impressed it seems that it didn't resonate with me as much as it has with other readers. I think some of the storylines could've been fleshed out a bit more, and while Jordan's back-and-forth within herself was understandable I also found it dragged on a bit too long for my taste. I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, but I think I can partially blame that on a lot of the hype surrounding it.

The story itself felt completely candid to me, and I could see why there was this instant love for readers with this one. And I really love a good romance in a book, and this was one of my favourites because Jordan's confusion and problems with it made perfect sense. It wasn't forced in any way, and it was easy to see how she ended up in that position.

Pssst... The Book Depository will have copies available in March 2012 of it, and pre-ordering is under $7!