Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Posted In: Book Review

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Release Date: March 8, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 312
Source: ARC from Publisher
Interest: Author
Challenge: None
Buy the Book: Amazon

Star basketball player Chelsea “Nitro” Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone’s admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea’s dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and “boot camp” trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint’s haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

I first fell in love with Holly Schindler’s writing in her debut novel A Blue So Dark. Holly isn’t just a story teller, she makes you experience the story along with the characters, evoking such strong emotions, you can’t help but be utterly captivated.

I have to admit I was little wary of the whole sports aspect. I’m sure it’s from some underlying issue I have unresolved from high school. Although I don’t really have anything against jocks, I mean I married one! But for some reason, that put me off.

I should have not doubted the master, a.k.a. Holly.

This story isn’t about sports, the two main characters happen to be athletes, but this is a story about love. Different types of love and ultimately the discovery of what real love is.

This novel is told in alternating perspectives through Chelsea and Clint. I love the insight that you get as a reader with alternating perspectives, I feel as though I ‘know’ the characters so much better. Combine that with Holly’s knack to create these real and complex characters…. and you just know that you are in for something special.

I feel like I’m not doing this book any justice with this review…. which is frustrating. Words are not coming to me to describe the awesomeness that is Playing Hurt!

So I’ll just leave you with this: Playing Hurt is a perfectly written novel, with realistic characters and the ultimate summer romance. You’ll be captivated by these two broken characters searching for something that will make them whole again.

Related posts:

1. A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
2. Author Interview: Holly Schindler (A Blue So Dark) & Giveaway
3. Guest Post: Holly Cupala
4. Cover Remix: Holly Black