Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (December 1st, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 of 5 stars

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.

Review: I love, love, love this book! I wasn't sure what to expect at first and I normally shy away from sports related books; however, I'm so glad I read this one. Jordan Woods is a girl who kicks butt on the football field. Her team respects her and makes sure others do as well. They have a nice little family that works great for everyone. 

Then Ty Green comes to town and he happens to be a star at Jordan's position, quarterback. Jordan is instantly nervous around Ty even though he doesn't come off as much of a threat. He says he just wants to play ball and doesn't want to take anything from Jordan. Even Jordan's team members are cautious about the new team member though and let Jordan know they are there to support her and make sure Ty doesn't take over. 

First, I'll start with Jordan. Jordan rocked! She is someone I think most girls would love to be. Not just because she gets to be around a bunch of hot football players (although that would be a perk!) but she had the courage to do exactly what she wanted and she has excelled at football. She has the highest respect from all of her teammates and people know not to mess with her because they would easily kick their butts. She doesn't have the perfect home life. Her dad is very well-known in the football world and he isn't exactly supportive of Jordan being on the high school team. But even with that, she never loses sight of what she wants and that's to play football. 

Ty is sweet and he's been though a lot. He seems to care for Jordan and that's something her friends begin to support. He's cool and great at football and he's sweet, blah blah, BUT, we also have Sam Henry. It's impossible to NOT like Sam Henry (or just Henry, as Jordan refers to him). Jordan and Henry have been friends forever and they have a special bond. He stays at her house, is her #1 fan, and would do just about anything to keep her safe. They had such a deep connection and that really came through in the writing. 

It wasn't just these main characters that shined in this book. Miranda Kenneally created, literally, an entire team in this novel and it was one outstanding bunch! Some of my favorites were JJ, a team member, and Mike, Jordan's brother. JJ was just adorable. There was just something about him that made him seem like a big teddy bear-- or maybe a big perverted teddy bear would be more accurate :) Mike was amazing because he truly loved and supported Jordan 100%. I think a lot of people would like to have a big brother like Mike around. 

Miranda couldn't have written this story better, in my opinion. The characters were realistic and relatable. The situations seemed very true-to-life for a high school group of friends, and the story line was perfectly captured in order to show the passion and determination of a young girl fighting the norms of society. Catching Jordan was an outstanding contemporary novel unlike any I've had the pleasure to read. I can't wait to read more from Miranda Kenneally. 

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