America’s most sought-after voice in the fight to save female sports from woke destruction shares her unbelievable story and inspires readers to embrace common sense and truth in discussions about women's rights. Riley Gaines has been called many Collegiate athlete. All-American. Olympic hopeful. But in 2022, everything changed. The narrative shifted. Now, critics smeared her Transphobic. Narrow-minded. Evil. What changed? Riley gave the truth a voice. She stood up, spoke out, and dared to ask questions -- not just for herself, but for all female athletes who refuse to accept an ideology where "inclusivity" for transgender athletes now means treating women unfairly. Riley Gaines is changing minds in the process, and this highly anticipated, fearless, pro-woman book takes on controversial, uncomfortable, but critical questions we must confront about women (and sports) in America. Can't we embrace policies that give everyone the chance to compete but still protect women and ensure they have a fair shot at success? In this book, Riley scrutinizes the perspectives of athletes on the opposing side of this debate, deconstructing their arguments with science, facts, and logic. She also asks what has happened to free speech and dissent in this country, where it now seems nearly impossible to have a well-reasoned debate. And in telling her story, Riley reveals what’s at stake if the truth-seekers remain silent about the injustices women face from radical agendas.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC. This was a great read. Evidence presented is well researched. It is refreshing to see a remarkable woman take a stand and speak truth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Swimming Against the Current by Riley Gaines

First let me start by saying that the only reason this book is 4 stars rather than 5 is because Riley is not an author. It wasn’t a poorly written book, but it lacks some of the transitions and flow expected in a book. On the flip side, Riley provides concrete evidence and claims to support her stance. She provides examples and scientific proof, along with first-hand experience.

Riley Gaines gained notoriety when she tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the finals of the NCAA Swimming Championships in 2022 and decided to take a stand against biologically born males competing with females.

To put it in simpler terms, those who competed against Thomas were basically “competing against a male whose only physical change was that he had just grown out his hair.”

It seems like we woke up one day and the world had lost its common sense. After reading this book, I learned this has been going on for decades! The facts and the cases presented by Gaines are astounding and tragic. People’s reactions to this farce of thinking and the treatment of Gaines in fighting the battle are sickening. I cannot wrap my mind around the thinking that some believe males competing against women in the “women’s” category of a sport is fair and even much less safe.

“The worst part is that we, as women, are being silenced. Our universities and institutions are gaslighting and emotionally blackmailing us into feeling like we are in the wrong.”

On the topic of being called numerous inappropriate names because of her stance to fight for women’s rights, Riley states, “It’s what the opposition resorts to when they have no other means to dissuade from the argument.” Fighting for women’s rights does not make one a transphobe or a hater of any kind. Not once does Riley have anything negative to say about transgender people - in fact she encourages them to participate in things!

“There are only two sexes. Therefore, there should only be two categories that accommodate them. Everyone can play. And everyone should play regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, etc…”

“Two distinct categories based on sex still gives every single person despite their gender identity athletic opportunity and chances for success. This means some may not get to compete in the category that aligns with how they perceive themselves, but that’s a consequence of the decision to transition…Do what makes you happy but understand that that doesn’t mean you get what you want at all times.”

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really appreciated the chance to read from Riley's perspective and to learn more about her background and story.

Of course this book includes her emotions and opinions about the topic. But she also includes numerous facts, relevant studies, expert quotes, and historical anecdotes to demonstrate why trans-women have an unfair physiological advantage over women in sports.

Much of the second half of the book relates to legislation and her advocacy campaign. I found a lot of this information fascinating (if not alarming) as this is not an area I knew much about previously.

Even if you are not a woman or in sports, this book is relevant and worth the read as the overall consequences of this topic reach far beyond women in sports.


Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an early copy of the book! I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Having heard of Riley Gaines and the current climate of women's rights in this country, I was eager to read her personal perspective, not sure I would learn anything too new. However I had no idea of all that was really going on. She expertly details story after story of girls and women being subject to violations of privacy, steamrolling, gaslighting, and unthinkable consequences as a result of simply wanting to participate in sports with a fair advantage over their competitors. Ironically the very same women (and men) who were fiercely fighting for the #MeToo movement just a few years back, are now among the same who say biological women should have to share their private and previously safe spaces with biological males. There is no rational thought or respect for their emotional wellbeing, but only the small minority of transgender individuals wishing to compete. The victims are told to change their own ideology rather than sharing their own emotions and standing up for their own rights.
Gaines has received incredible backlash over her stance even though she was directly impacted by this issue. Hate speech against her seems ironically acceptable to some. EVERYone has the right to freedom of speech and debate and ALL of these rights should be defended. This does not make one extremist, as the author has been labeled.
Upon reading negative reviews here, it is clear in most cases these people have not read the book at all, which is a slap in the face to all reviewers and future readers of this extremely well-documented and thorough account. Simply stating your view or calling the author names is disingenuous at best. I implore people on all sides of this issue (and why, oh why is this a partisan issue at all?) to do yourselves a favor and read what she and many others have gone through. She never says transgender people should not compete in sports...not once. It is clearly documented...and common sense tells us that men outcompete women time and time again in history. This is, of course, why women's and men's sports are divided in the first place.
Opportunities, scholarships, jobs, relationships and more have been lost forever. "Letting our voices be heard," and "stand up and fight" seem cliche terms, but the minority is screaming louder and many sports officials and legislators are hearing no other side in the name of tolerance. Riley reiterates that it is not controversial for everyone to compete where it is safe and fair. Consider all the consequences of allowing the already tormenting effects of gender dysphoria to completely dismantle women's sports.
Thank you to Gaines for enduring all you have as you advocate for women of all ages.
Thanks also to #NetGalley and Center Street publishers for this ARC.

Really interesting and brave author. While trans women deserve respect, biological women do as well. This author covers this topic sensitively and intelligently.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

She cooks a little bit, very little, then of course yapps a bunch of nonsense, racism, and of course all other sorts of bigotry! Talk about she's a feminist, but the only women that matter in her eyes, quite clearly from her book, are Christian white American women, everyone else, can be killed, bombed, starved, frankly it does not matter to this girlie!

And the writing was like a long rant in style, which I suppose is what this book is, that sometimes made my head heart, and sometimes was entertaining.

Do not quote Dr. King pookie, he would not stand for what you do, xoxo

I’ve followed Riley’s story from the beginning and fully stand by what she is fighting for: fairness and safety in women’s sports. It’s a touchy subject and I feel like no one wants to stand up (as she details in her book). Men have an advantage when it comes to power, strength and speed and when it comes to sports just a tiny difference can make such a huge difference on the podium.
This book was well researched and informative but also logical. I find her incredibly brave for standing up and fighting for women’s right in sports (even though she was attacked, harassed and bullied for speaking the truth). The only thing I skimmed through were the little bits of bible talk.
Growing up as a competitive athlete might make me a bit bias on this situation but I picture myself in Riley’s shoes and I would have the same feelings as her for the situation.
I believe everybody should be free to be themselves and the world would be a better place if there was no judgement or hate and everyone was accepted as they are. BUT scientifically, I think there has to be a better way to include everyone than having a born biological man competing against a born biological woman.

Riley Gaines is such an inspirational woman. Riley has been named so many names, verbally assaulted, physically assaulted, but there's one thing she will NEVER do, back down from speaking the truth. There's only TWO genders, male and female, males shouldn't be competing in women's sports, clear as that. I stand and support Riley 100%. Stand your ground, Riley and never back down from.the haters.

THANK YOU TO NETAGLLEY AND CENTER STREET FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was a wonderful book and I throughly enjoyed it.

Riley is one brave woman. Standing up for what is right even when the world has a completely different view.

Our world has completely shifted and it’s honestly scary how much it has changed.

A lot of our rights are being taken away to make others feel more comfortable. We have to be super careful about what we’re saying so we don’t offend.

It’s terrifying and I give Riley credit for doing what is right even when it’s hard, even when it’s uncomfortable.

I can’t wait for more people to read this book and feel advocated for especially as a woman.

Keep standing up for what is right, Riley. You’re doing wonderful 🤍

I enjoy sports biography books, and when I saw a new swimming book by Riley Gaines, I was curious to read it

Gaines had a successful career in DI swimming at the University of Kentucky. As an avid swimmer who always competed in other team sports while swimming my entire life, I’ve always had great appreciation for competitive swimmers who had the dedication and drive for those early morning killer workouts.

Gaines’ story took on a modern twist when, following a spectacular junior year, she was eager to clinch NCAA victory in her sprint specialties in her senior year – only to find an entirely new entry to the competition. Lia Thomas was a mediocre longer distance swimmer on the men’s team at Penn, one who never qualified for NCAA championships in three years of competition. But when he switched to the women’s team, he quickly shot to the tippety-top of the NCAA charts, nationwide, in both distance and sprinting. Weird, right?

Here’s where the story gets interesting, as we get Gaines’ inside view on how the NCAA bullied and silenced women athletes who called out the humongous elephant in the room if these elite women athletes refused to go along with The Narrative.

This is a book where the badge of honor is how many one-star reviews it garners from people who proudly proclaim “I’d never read such a TerribleHorribleNoGoodVeryBad Book.” A very interesting book, with a fascinating insider’s perspective – and a timely chronicle of one woman’s fight to protect women’s sports.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

I was so excited to receive this ARC. I have been following the story of Riley Gaines and everything she had to endure as a collegiate swimmer. This book shared more in depth stories and emotions than I had heard previously. She is a strong, brave woman and I am glad she is advocating for the rest of us that have worked so hard to compete athletically

I have followed Riley Gaines for several years on social media. I was excited that Net Galley and Center Street Publishing gave me the opportunity to read this ARC. Riley Gaines did a great job telling about the struggles women face in today's sports. It's nice to see that she’s bringing awareness to women that are having to compete against others in an unfair advantage.

I’ve always been pro “love” and “self acceptance”. This book opened my eyes to the downsides of trans gender athletes specifically when it comes to women’s sports. I understand her point and could feel her passion the entire book. It was well researched, and full of evidence to not only support her point but to hammer home how important this issue is to the future of women’s sports. I also love that she explicitly states she wants trans gender individuals to feel accepted in the sport, and doesn’t want to create a third category of segregation. Takes a strong woman to fight for what’s best for both parties.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Riley Gaines did a nice job with Swimming Against the Current. I have followed her story for quite some time. Riley is a brave and strong woman who does a great job of just telling it like it is and like she says, the truth hurts. Riley is an inspiration for young girls and women alike.

This was so good. For someone who I’m pretty sure has never written a book before it was done so well. I love Riley and have been following her story for a while know. I love and appreciate how brave she is to speak out and against this topic and stand up for real women everywhere. She is not hateful at all and does such a good job of getting her message across in a way that is logical and not attacking anybody. The truth is there is male and female. The truth is that women can’t compete with men in sports. That’s why there’s two different divisions and it is not fair to the women who have worked incredibly hard their whole lives for mediocre men to be allowed to come in and steal their thunder. There’s nothing wrong or hateful about that. Riley is 100% correct when she says that sometimes the truth hurts but it is needed and telling the truth is loving. You don’t truly care for someone if you lie to them and let them lie to themselves. We need more young women like Riley to speak out and fight back to show the left that people like her are not the minority. I am so inspired by Riley and truly grateful for all that she has done for women and the world. The book was tremendous and I hope people read it and can see how her side is really the only side. What was done to her and other female athletes is not okay and needs to be stopped. She stood up for herself and others and now the world and definitely other women need to stand up for her and all the future female athletes who will have to deal with the terrible consequences if we don’t.

I particular enjoyed the opening paragraphs about feminism, and how she wouldn’t have thought of herself as a feminist a few years ago. I would find myself in a similar boat. Riley writes very bravely, and I’m happy to have gotten the chance to read this book.

This was a great book. It was very informative and it shown a light on the problems in women’s sports today. I would highly recommend this book.

Special thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. In her book, 'Swimming Against the Current,' Riley Gaines proves to me that she is a brave and strong young woman who is speaking out and helping advocate for the rights of women. As a High School softball coach and mother of two teenage athletes, I found her book extremely frightening and concerning as it relates to women's rights and safety. The book was well thought out and while I found much of the factual information boring, felt it was necessary to be included. Bravo to you, Riley for standing up for what you believe in and being an empowering voice for women.

I read this book cover to cover, and I must admit that I cheered for Ms. Gaines all the way through. Finally, there's someone with their head screwed on right. You just keep telling them like it is, Riley. I fully support you. Riley Gaines for President (but she's too smart for that).