Every Reason We Shouldn't

by Sara Fujimura

Sixteen-year-old figure skater Olivia Kennedy's Olympic dreams have ended. She's bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of trying to live up to expectations of being the daughter of Olympians Michael
Kennedy and Midori Nakashima...until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink.

Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying. and totally gorgeous. Between teasing Jonah, helping her best friend try out for roller derby, figuring out life as a normal teen and keeping the family business running, Olivia's got her hands full. But will rivalry bring her closer to Jonah, or drive them apart?

Warning: Contains family expectations, delightful banter, great romantic tension, skating (all kinds!), Korean pastries, and all the feels.

• ISBN10: 1250204070
• ISBN13: 9781250204073
• Publish Date: 3 March 2020
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 5 October 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[whisperingchapters]

Ever since I can remember, I've loved ice skating, and I always gravitate to reading books that include this sport.

Olivia is considered a washed up skater 15 after it being a while since she's skated. She's adjusting to her new normal while at the same time trying to save her parents' rink. I had a few issues with Olivia, mainly her immaturity. I understand she's 15, but a lot of her attitude and decision-making came from being immature, and a bit of a brat.

Jonah is a skater who arrives at Olivia's family's rink to train for the speed skating Olympics. Olivia's family is thrilled he's there because his family could save their rink. Jonah Choi was the saving grace of this novel. He had me swooning a few times.

I was glad to see the diverseness in this novel. It really gave a certain uniqueness to it. But one other thing that didn't work for me was how one specific mental health issue was barely address--it was mostly brushed off. This could have been a great opportunity to raise awareness; instead, it got shoved under the rug.

Overall, it was a cute story, but I did expect more from it.

[Sam@WLABB]

Olivia thought she had come to terms with the end of her Olympic dreams, but a new fire was lit, when inspiring speed skater, Jonah, began training at her parent's rink. As she attempted to reclaim her place in the skating world, her world outside began to crumble, but would this mark the end of her skating comeback?

• Pro: In this kind of story, I needed to be able to root for someone, and I found myself sort of rooting for EVERYONE! Olivia, Jonah, Mack, mom, dad, the business -- I wanted everyone and everything to succeed, and Fujimura did a nice job cycling me through an array of emotions as I awaited all the individual outcomes.

• Pro: I couldn't imagine going from being at the top of my sport to believing I was washed-up at 15. I easily sympathized with Olivia's adjustment to "normal teen life", but I never stopped hoping she would stop moping and mount her comeback.

• Pro: I adored Jonah. He was so focused on his goals. His discipline was admirable, however, I won't say I was sad, when a certain young woman became both a motivation and distraction for him. This let me see his sweet and swoony side, and it was something I was glad I had the opportunity to get acquainted with.

• Pro: Mack was everything you want and need in a best friend. At first, I saw her as the comic relief, but she was so much more than that, and I was so happy that Fujimara gave Mack her own story arc. Believe me, when I say that the Kennedys struck gold the day this young woman walked into their rink.

• Pro: Olivia was still adjusting to life outside the skating world, and she had little support from her parents, as her father was physically absent, and her mother, emotionally absent. My worry was allayed once I met Mack, Jonah, Egg, and even the lunch bunch, who were there to give Olivia much needed pushes, hugs, and encouragement.

• Pro: The romance between Jonah and Olivia was so sweet, adorable, and awkward. I shipped them hard from their first standoff, and was so happy with the way it all played out.

Overall: I loved the time I spent at the rink getting to know Olivia, Jonah, and everyone else in their world, and throughly enjoyed their journey as they reached for their dreams.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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