Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks, #1)

by Miranda Kenneally

[Angie]

I wasn't sure if Catching Jordan was going to be for me, since I couldn't care less about sports. The very beginning reinforced this with all of the football talk. Everything went right over my head. However, I was hoping that the story would grab me. Jordan is passionate about football despite her father's lack of support, and she's determined to get a scholarship and go on to play collegiate football. Of course there's also a boy in the picture, who may pose as a distraction to Jordan and her goals. She's also never had a boyfriend before so she's completely out of her element. Unfortunately, I didn't like Jordan so it was hard for me to cheer for her.

I appreciated the author creating a female character that's so far from the feminine norm. While it is mentioned that Jordan isn't as big or strong as her male teammates, she's just as capable as them, and I don't doubt that. I can also understand her not wanting to behave in certain "girly" ways so that her team continues to take her seriously. What I'm not okay with is Jordan putting down feminine interests as somehow inferior to her out-of-the-box ones. I would be fine if she didn't want to put in the effort to paint her nails because she didn't like to (not all girls do!) or because it would just get ruined at practice, or not wearing tight/short/pretty clothes because it's not comfortable, but she refers to it all as "whatever shit [girls] are into" (pg 49). Excuse me?

It's almost as if she thinks putting on a fitted t-shirt and a real bra will suck out her football talent! It also seemed like she didn't even realize that her teammates know that she's girl, so it's okay for her to accept being a girl. At no point do her teammates make any negative comments about her being a girl! Being a girl or girly is not bad. It doesn't make you less smart, or respectable, or less whatever. If you don't like girly stuff, that's fine! But referring to it as "shit" and snubbing other girls is not acceptable! I might also add that pretty early on she does start to obsess over--and change--her look for a guy. She even puts on uncomfortable, sexy underwear! She actually spends a couple of pages worrying about what kind of undies she has on. She also says that she wants Ty to see her as a girl and hopes that she doesn't think she's fat (32%). Hypocrite much?

Another thing that ticked me off about Jordan was when she discovers that she likes writing poetry in the journal her mother bought her. She enjoys it and it's helpful to her to get her feelings out, but it's "a weak thing to be doing" (pg 132). Just because she's not getting all sweaty doing it doesn't mean it's a weak activity. It's good outlet for her, and yet she puts it down as something bad. I actually liked her poems that were included. They're not earth moving or anything, but they were honest, and the only part where I actually liked her.

Now for the portrayal of sex and sexual relationships of Catching Jordan. Casual sex is fine. People have sex, including teenagers. There's a ton of lockerroom chit chat about who's doing who, and basically everyone is sleeping with everyone. You don't need to be in love to have sex, but I do not understand Jordan thinking that she'll be called a slut for dating Ty after never having even kissed a boy before. Dating makes you slut? But not even five minutes after pondering this question with her BFF, she jumps into bed with Ty--whom she's known for only 2 weeks--with absolutely no conversation with him in between. Then after the deed is done, he becomes her boyfriend. Literally right after. I guess that's kind of cute in a way, but what about that whole slut thing Jordan was worried about? She even calls another girl a skank for wanting to date someone new after dumping Jordan's BFF. What is this nonsense?

But let's talk about Ty for a moment aka the boy with zero personality. He's the quiet type of love interest with a tragic past, but he's not very interesting. He doesn't say a whole lot, so I never felt like we got to know him very well. Yes, he spills his entire sob story early on but that's it. Later on I had to roll my eyes because he mentioned that his family is struggling to cover some very important medical bills, and yet he turns down help when it's offered because he doesn't need money, just his girlfriend? Um, what? That makes absolutely no sense. Of course his blandness is a coverup for something, and there's a nice trail of red flags, which lead nowhere! I was waiting for some kind of confrontation and nothing happens! Boring relationship is boring.

The only part of Catching Jordan I actually liked was her relationship with Henry. They've been best friends since they were kids and he's super supportive of her. He's even allowed to spend the night at her house...in her bed! He's like a brother to her, and their relationship was really sweet and funny. Henry is responsible for a quite a few laughs and that helped keep me from completely hating this book in the beginning. Unfortunately, it all goes down hill once his feelings for Jordan become known...to her. It was super obvious that he felt more than friendly toward her, but Jordan is so caught up in the gorgeousness that is Ty that she doesn't have time to think about his feelings at all. Then Henry starts being stupid and I didn't like him anymore either.

Clearly I was right in thinking that Catching Jordan wouldn't be for me, but I wasn't expecting the reason to be Jordan herself rather than the football theme. She is truly one of the most awful characters I've had the displeasure of reading about. She's a walking, talking hypocrite. She's more judgmental than the girls she think are shallow and judgmental. She says horribly stupid things and her reactions don't make sense half of the time. I'm really having a hard time seeing what everyone thought was so great about this book other than it being about a girl who plays football.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.