Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Seven years after injuring herself and missing the Olympic team, former gymnast Avery returns to her hometown. She has broken up with her football star boyfriend, has no job and no direction. She is offered a job by former gymnast turned coach Ryan to help coach young Olympic hopeful Hallie.

I'm sure Head Over Heels is going to be marketed as a sports romance but it is so much more than a romance. This story is about Avery finding a path in the world when the path she expected to take disappeared. She trained her whole life for something that never happened, and it left her without a purpose. As a sports fan, I found this quite thought provoking.

There was so much I loved about this story, but Avery's personal growth was definitely center stage for me. Avery is so strong and I loved seeing her pull herself up by her bootstraps so to speak. But I also loved the romance with Ryan, who is a good guy but not perfect, seeing her work with and mentor Hallie, and getting to see life behind the scenes for a gymnastic coach.

I was completely sucked into Head Over Heels and I devoured the book in less than 48 hours. I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to see how her romance was going to turn out, if she was going to rekindle her friendship with former bestie Jasmine, and if Hallie was going to make the Olympic trials. This story was exciting to read and totally fabulous!

I was excited to read about this gymnastics' romance. I've always liked watching gymnastics during the Olympics.

I remember when I was a kid, listening to the name Nadia Comăneci so many times. She was a true treasure. I remember watching her routines and to me, they felt flawless. I did gymnastics as a kid but don't remember much now about it. If I tried it now, I probably break something.

The Olympics has always been something I enjoy and look forward to. I also enjoy movies about it, Hockey anyone? And I love The Cutting Edge (toe pick, haha). Anyway, I was ready to start Head Over Heels.

Avery Abrams is ready for a new beginning. Her career as an aspiring gymnast in the Olympic team came crashing after she suffered an accident during the Trials. For Avery, this event is devastating. As a kid, teenager, and adult, she never had a desire to do anything else but this sport. So when this avenue closes, she feels uncertain, demoralized, and depressed. To makes matters worse, she never finished college and never trained to do anything else in life.

When her current boyfriend's career as a football player catapults him to stardom, she is left behind. With her heartbroken and nowhere else to turn to, she travels back home, to live with her parents and dwell on her sorrow.

Then, Ryan, an ex-Olympic athlete approaches her. He's currently training Hallie, a teenager with an amazing future in the field if only with the right guidance. Ryan knows he needs help coaching Hallie on the floor routine and he knows Avery is the person to do it.

I enjoyed most of the story. It was nice to learn more about the terms in gymnastics and how incredibly demanding this sport is. What didn't click for me was the actual romance. I never felt like Ryan was invested. The exchanges were cold and short. To me, Avery's relationship with Hallie, Jasmine and Sara was better developed than hers with Ryan.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This was a great book but not what I was expecting! I thought this was going to be a rom com but it was really more of a story about the competitive world of gymnastics. Luckily I love learning more about gymnastics but you should definitely know going in that it's pretty light on the actual romance. Overall I enjoyed it and it filled a hole in my heart since the 2020 Summer Olympics won't be happening this year.

Head Over Heels follows Avery Abrams, an ex-gymnast who moves back home after a break-up and agrees to coach at her old gym along side her childhood crush. I’d be hesitant to call this a rom-com; the book is definitely contemporary romance but it lacks the humor and witticism of a typical rom-com. I don’t have anything bad to say about it really. In all honestly, I just didn’t enjoy it.

The book delves into important issues regarding the mental, emotional, and sexual abuse that is present within the sport of gymnastics. That part of the story was well-written and I really appreciated the decision to include those topics in the book to bring them to light.

For a contemporary romance, the romance is where Head Over Heels was lacking for me. I started out invested in the prospect of the relationship between Avery and Ryan, but eventually I found myself not caring. Neither of their characters felt very fleshed out and the constant back and forth between them became annoying very quickly. There was also a lack of build up or tension between them. I didn’t realize it until later in the book, but we never actually get to se their relationship build or develop.

Head Over Heels had the potential to be a fun contemporary romance, but there was a lack of development in the actual romance part. I really wanted to like this but ended up not caring enough about it.

A contemporary fiction and romance book can be an escape and a fun read. This book also sounded knowledgeable about the main character’s life as an athlete, and made a good statement on some aspects of gymnastics.

While the cover made this book look like more fluff than anything else, it went deeper than expected. Avery remembers her childhood career as an elite gymnast. While it gave her a great sense of determination and strength for both her mind and body, in retrospect she recognizes the abuse and impossible standards imposed by her coach during the last five years of her career.

When Avery becomes a coach for Hallie, a young potential Olympian, she sees some of herself and doesn’t want the girl to feel the insecurities and isolation that plagued Avery’s hyper-focused childhood in the sport. In the middle of that, a sexual abuse scandal about a doctor who treats many gymnasts also impacts Hallie, who knew the doctor and recognized that something wasn’t right.

A good happily-ever-after is always appreciated, and the ending of Head Over Heels definitely fits the bill. Overall I’d give this book 3.5/5 stars. It would be recommended for any reader who enjoys a good contemporary rom-com, but its subtle message would be especially appreciated by anyone familiar with competitive youth sports.

This is going to sound cheesy, but I am head over heels for this gymnastics romcom! I’ve loved all of Hannah Orenstein’s books, but I think this is her best one yet! The only way I could have read this book faster is if I didn’t keep stopping to watch Simone Biles videos. While it doesn’t replace the Olympics, reading this book momentarily gave me the same thrill as I cheered the characters on!

Avery is a former elite gymnast, who was Olympic bound until she suffered an injury during Trials. Years later, fresh off a break-up, she returns home and accepts a job as an assistant coach to Hallie, a young, Olympic hopeful. Even better, she gets to coach alongside Ryan, her childhood crush. I thought this book painted a pretty realistic picture of the gymnastics world. It touched on heavier aspects, like the recent sexual assault scandal, while also telling a sweet love story. I can already tell this will be one of my favorite summer reads!

Avery Abrams was once on top of the gymnastic world and was headed for the Olympics until a tragic accident abruptly ended her dreams. Years later, she has broken up with her boyfriend and moved back into her childhood bedroom. Things couldn't get any worse. But then she's greeted with an opportunity she never expected - coaching an up-and-coming gymnast. She also gets to work along side another coach, Ryan.
I really enjoyed Avery and Ryan's relationship as it evolved. I also greatly enjoyed learning so much about the world of gymnastics. I knew it was competitive but it was interesting seeing this side of things.

Hannah Orenstein's latest Rom-Com is a delightful look at the world of gymnasts preparing for the Olympics. It's a timely read in that the very Olympics the story is focused on is the one that has sadly been postponed. But at the core, it's Avery Abrams story about recovery and forging a new chapter in her life. Mostly though she learns about forgiveness and taking back her love of the sport. She also gets the chance to spend some time with a man, once boy, that she crushed on.

After a career-ending injury, she begins teaching/coaching future Olympic hopefuls. But when Avery's relationship with her live-in boyfriend ends, she is forced to flee home, to live with her parents while she regroups. When she interviews for a team position to coach one young girl, she finds herself partnering up with Ryan, said teenage crush. As good coaches are want to do, they begin dating and falling for each other. Will the sport get in their way? You betcha. But when her past and his future collide, there are some angsty "love will tear us apart" moments. Love equaling the sport itself.

Beyond Avery's reconnection with Ryan and the romance side of the story, I found it to be a very informative read. My only experience in gymnastics are from a high school PE class and a failed attempt to springboard over a pommel horse, one that ended in a serious sprained wrist. It's definitely a sport I love to watch though and I admire the dedication that the athletes have. So, it was fun to learn more about the different types of gymnastics and the scoring methods.

We've all heard the phrase "write what you know", and it seems that Hannah Orenstein has experiences that are reflected in the story. Her love of the sport is evident and inspiring, as is the story of Avery and Ryan. I enjoyed seeing Avery grow-up and gain back some of the confidence that she lost. 4.5 stars and my recommendation!

SYNOPSIS: 🤸‍♀️ Avery Abrams is seven years out from her thwarted Olympic dream and recently dumped when she moves back in with her parents to start putting her life back together. When an opportunity comes up to coach an Olympic hopeful and work beside her former crush (ha), Avery decides it’s time for her to get back to the mat!
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This book was surprisingly great! I say surprising because I read a lot of romances. Like so many that I sometimes don’t add them all to my Goodreads because I’m afraid people will be like ‘wow, what is wrong with that girl?’ Anyway, so I was expecting just your basic guy and girl fall in love story, but this was so much more than that! First of all, it’s an atypical sports romance in that both the guy and the girl are former athletes – very cool and a fun twist on the genre. Also, it was less of a romance and more of a story of how a former elite gymnast comes to terms with her past and begins making a life for herself as an adult. There’s definitely romantic elements involved, but I found myself way more interested in Avery’s transformation from athlete to coach and whether or not her protégé would make it to the 2020 Olympics! 🥇
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That said, this was a great book that I would definitely recommend, particularly for those with an Olympic-sized hole in their hearts right now!
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A big thank you to #NetGalley for letting me read this! Pick up #HeadOverHeels when it comes out tomorrow (6/23)!!

Full disclosure, I am a sucker for cheesy gymnastics movies, made for TV or the big screen, I don't care, sign me up! I don't know if that's because I had a mother who coached the sport or some other reason. But whatever the reason, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Head Over Heels!⁣⁣
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This book was not what I was expecting. I mean I knew it dealt with some tough issues prevalent inside the world of gymnastics, sure, it basically tells you that in the synopsis. But what I wasn't expecting was the deeper story. The one where a top tier gymnast finally comes to terms with... basically her entire life.⁣⁣
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Avery was a pretty solid main character. She bugged me a bit here and there but only because I was disappointed in her choice for this or that. And yet that seemed to be the point. Without that disappointment I would have missed the growth, the change and the acceptance!⁣⁣
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The romance was there but it definitely wasn't the main story and Ryan was definitely not the perfect guy. In fact I messaged a friend at one point and said "I am hating Ryan right now!" in the end I'm not even sure I came around completely because I'm still mad haha. I'm a grudge holder, sue me! ⁣⁣
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If this book was a floor routine I'd give it a solid 17.1!
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⚠️Trigger warnings - sexual abuse, emotional abuse, body image triggers. ⁣⁣
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review!⁣⁣
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There's a lot to like about Head Over Heels! I enjoyed getting to know Avery and was rooting for her. It's a fascinating glimpse into the world of competitive gymnastics and the sacrifices and commitments of elite gymnasts. It's way more than a romance; there are also themes of friendship, sacrifice, commitment, coaching, connection, and finding one's path. The relationships and characters seemed real and like people I would like to meet. Also, the story kept moving along which I enjoy.

Also, a reminder that the publication timing would have been perfectly aligned with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo if they were occurring as planned- I tried to keep this in mind while I was reading- it would be really fun to read during or near the Olympics!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Orenstein crafted a great story about the competitive world of gymnastics and elite athletes. Although this is a work of fiction, I learned a lot about gymnastics!

Synopsis: The book starts as Avery Abrams, a former competitive gymnast who had plans to compete at the Olympics, is moving back home and trying to rebuild her life after a public breakup. Avery is struggling to find out what her next steps should be when she is offered the opportunity to coach an up-and-coming star at Avery's old gym with her old high school crush, Ryan. The coaching job forces Avery to revisit her difficult gymnastics past and face her emotionally abusive coach who married Avery's former teammate. And when the sparks start flying with Ryan, Avery needs to decide her place in the world of gymnastics.

Review: This was a great and quick read! I finished it in an afternoon. Avery grew throughout the novel, but her self-deprecating nature, relationship with Ryan, and backwards looking mentally stopped this from being a total 5 star read. I imagine the book was intended to originally be released close to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but due to the global pandemic, that did not happen. It was interesting to read about an event that should have taken place, but hasn't! Overall, another good summer read to add to the list!

Head Over Heels is a story about Avery, a former elite gymnast and Olympic hopeful. After a freak injury at the Olympic trials, years of partying and failing out of college, and a breakup with her NFL star boyfriend, she moves home to Massachusetts to get her life back on track. Shortly after moving home, she lands a job as an assistant coach for an elite gymnast named Hallie. Avery works with Ryan, Hallie’s head coach and Avery’s first ever crush. Ryan and Avery work together to train Hallie and eventually, they start falling for each other, too. While Hallie is training, a scandal erupts in the gymnastics world when multiple gymnasts accuse a doctor of sexual assault (very similar to the real life story).
I really enjoyed Head Over Heels and read almost all of it in one day! I even charged my Kindle so that I could finish reading it! The book reads more like women’s fiction than romance, which I didn’t mind at all. There is a romance between Avery and Ryan, and I was rooting for them from the very beginning. But overall, it’s the story of Avery finding herself and learning to love herself after years feeling like a failure and struggling with depression. As a sports fan, I also really enjoyed reading about elite gymnastics. Since the 2020 Olympics have been canceled, reading a book about Olympic gymnastics is the next best thing for sports fans!
Thank you to Atria Books and Net Galley for the advanced copy!

3 Stars

This had things I love. Gymnastics, a woman who needs to reinvent herself and a surprise romance. It also touched on what can actually happen in those elite training environments.

With all of the recent investigations and issues with the gymnastic community, it was smart to include the mental game of the sport and relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Truthfully, I hadn't really put this book at the top of my TBR when I looked at my looming amount of ARCs to read this month. I had even temporarily forgotten about it. A friend asked if I wanted to buddy read it and I need to thank her endlessly for putting it up next on my to read list.

Avery had the Olympics in her sights, she was trained and ready for her turn to win. After a dream ending injury, depression set in, she found herself in a dying relationship and had no where to go but back to her parents and the hometown where her dreams started. But a phone call can change everything, from a long ago crush, asking her if she wants another chance at chasing her dreams, just differently than she expected.

I was looking for a steamy romance book to read. I wanted a little spice after reading some thrillers, and while this book had a nice little sprinkle of steam, it wasn't what I was craving. That didn't matter by the time. I was blubbering away reading this book. Maybe my emotions are high today, but this book was simply incredible. It touched on so many important topics, including how females are treated differently in the sports world, the #MeToo movement and a doctor abuse scandal, among many other things. I loved each of the characters in this book, they all felt real and raw, with their own story lines and the things they brought to this novel. It felt so realistic. I loved Ryan's character, who I felt taught us a little bit about right from wrong and how to prove that actions speak louder than words when we need to apologize and make up for mistakes we've made. I loved how strong Avery was, regardless of the things she'd gone through. This book is a must read, for really any book lover. I'm eager to check out more of Orenstein's work!

Gymnastics? Yes PLEASE! I am a fan of Hannah's writing. She writes fun women's fiction that is not sad lady fiction. I got my physical copy and can't wait to promote it. I will be sharing this book in a book recommendation podcast.

Gymnastics? Yes PLEASE! I am a fan of Hannah's writing. She writes fun women's fiction that is not sad lady fiction. I got my physical copy and can't wait to promote it. I will be sharing this book in a book recommendation podcast.

"I'm curious if she lives fully like this now, hiding her sensitive soul, her nervous side and her darkly funny jokes from [him], smoothing out her quirks until she's a flat reflection of whatever he wants her to be. She always did know how to perform"

In this friends-to-lovers romance, Avery Adams has moved home to Massachusetts after breaking up with her NFL player boyfriend in LA. Avery has spent the last seven years trying to numb and forget the pain from the tragic end of her gymnastics career caused by an injury at the Olympic trials. Now Avery has a chance to rejoin the gymnastics world when she is offered a job working for Ryan, an old friend from the sport, working together to coach a new olympic hopeful. But Avery's return to gymnastics isn't all joy and glory. Just as sparks begin to fly with Ryan, a scandal rocks the world of gymnastics and Avey must decide whether she is ready to speak up about the problems in the sport and the emotional abuse she experienced in her youth.

I loved this story. Avery and Ryan were sweet but imperfect characters and I enjoyed following along on their paths to and from each other. I also really loved the gymnastics aspect of the novel. I was never a gymnast, but I was a competitive dancer and I understand very well the pressures and mental toll that these activities can take on young women as they internalize the messages about perfectionism and their bodies. I also enjoyed the friendship plot line, because the way Avery disconnected and reconnected with her peers over time was extremely relatable.

Orenstein dedicated this novel to the athletes that spoke up about the abuse in gymnastics, complimenting their strength, bravery and perseverance. I thought that was a very admirable touch and it affected the way I perceived the rest of the novel and its characters.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a history as an elite athlete, especially if you feel as though you carry complicated emotions and memories with you when you look back on your time in the sport.

The best romantic comedy I’ve read in awhile! The plot, the characters, the setting all felt original & the same old rom com tropes avoided. So refreshing!

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was going to be a romantic comedy based on the cover but it was so much more and the romance really took a backseat. It was beautifully written and tackled some really relevant subjects.