Michigan vs. the Boys

by Carrie Allen

[Sam@WLABB]

Michigan was so excited for this season. She was finally going to be leading her hockey team along side her best friend, Brie, but her dreams were crushed, when the girls' team was disbanded due to budget cuts. As each of her teammates explored new opportunities, Michigan was not ready to give up her hockey dreams. After a successful try-out, she was awarded a spot on the boys' team, but it seemed this group of young men weren't willing to share the ice with a strong female player. They planned to torment Michigan until she quit the team, but that was one plan she would not be going along with.

I think my love of sports books is well-known. These books never fail to get my adrenaline pumping and my spirit soaring, but this story made all that happen for very different reasons. There was the euphoria I felt as this young woman boldly attempted to go where she was at a disadvantage, the pride I felt as I watched her succeed, and then there was the fury I experienced seeing her "teammates" harass, abuse, debase, and assault her. Let's just say, I experienced a lot of emotions as I read Michigan's story, but I was so engrossed and involved and regret not one second of it.

I was a Michigan fan from the very beginning. Here was this young woman, who just wanted to play the sport she loved. She was willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears, and seeing all her accomplishments on the ice just filled my heart with joy. I didn't only experience her highs, though. Allen did a magnificent job depicting her isolation, inner struggle, and self-doubt as well.

The hardest parts were when her own team waged a war against her. My heart ached as I watched her tormented by the so-called leaders of her team. They started small, but it escalated quickly. And, yes, I was yelling things like, "Your dad is a cop!", and "Tell SOMEONE!", but Michigan was determined to stick it out. The way she reasoned with herself as to why she shouldn't tell followed that oh, so familiar teen logic. I may not have agreed with her, but I sort of understood her reasoning, to some extent, and I felt it was realistic.

Michigan was sort of lucky though, because even when things looked really bad, she had some fantastic people on her side. The girls' team may have drifted a bit, but when push came to shove, they were there for her. The support her former teammates gave her was wonderful, and women supporting women will always score big points in my book.

I also was really grateful, that Allen included some positive male characters. First and Foremost, there was Jack, the star of the swim team, who encouraged Michigan to take that chance and try out for the boys' team. He was that wonderful unicorn kind of boy I cannot resist, and I simply adored him. I also had much love for Michigan's younger brother, Trenton. He was simply an amazing source of inspiration and strength for his sister. There were all these little things he did throughout the story, which summed up to a heck of a lot of support for her, especially when her belief in herself seemed to be waning. Michigan's also shared a lovely relationship with her dad, and it was fantastic to see a grown man displaying the sorts of emotions he did with his daughter.

Not to worry, though, because this story ended on a high note for me, which made up for all my pain and anguish throughout this story.

Though I am sad, that in 2019, stories like this are still relevant, I was appreciative of the way Allen told this tale and handled the issues.

Overall:

A wonderfully told story of one girl's battle with the toxic norms and double standards plaguing society, as she fought to attain her dream.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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