Throw Like a Girl

Liv Rodinsky had everything going for her as a star softball player with a scholarship to her dream college. After a split-second decision ruins her reputation and athletic future, she moves to a new town for a fresh start. At her new school, Liv gets an unexpected chance to return to sports by joining the football team as their quarterback. She must navigate doubts from teammates, judgment from her old community, and her own uncertainties about taking such an unconventional path. Between training sessions and crucial games, Liv builds new friendships and a potential romance. She faces opposition from those who think girls don't belong in football, while working to prove her abilities on and off the field. The novel explores themes of redemption, identity, and breaking gender barriers in sports. Through Liv's journey, the story examines how people rebuild themselves after mistakes and find courage to forge their own path.

Readers found this YA sports romance delivered authentic softball scenes and relatable family dynamics. Many reviewers connected with the main character Liv's determination and struggle to rebuild her life after an injury. The romance develops naturally according to multiple reviews. Readers appreciated: - Technical softball details and game sequences - Sister relationship portrayed realistically - Mental health themes handled with care Common criticisms: - Predictable plot points - Side characters need more development - Pacing drags in middle sections "The softball scenes put you right in the game" - Goodreads reviewer "Romance felt forced at times" - Amazon reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (230+ ratings) BookBub: 4.2/5 (400+ ratings) The book resonates most with readers who play or follow softball, though some non-sports fans say the themes of recovery and family make it accessible.

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🌟 Author Sarah Henning was a sports journalist before becoming a novelist, giving her firsthand experience in the athletic world she writes about 🎯 The book tackles the complex issue of Tommy John surgery, a procedure that has saved thousands of baseball and softball players' careers since its development in 1974 ⚾ The main character's journey reflects a growing trend in real life - more than 100,000 girls now play high school softball in the United States 🏆 The novel draws inspiration from the increasing number of female athletes breaking barriers in baseball, including Mo'ne Davis, who pitched a shutout in the Little League World Series 💫 Sarah Henning wrote this contemporary YA novel as a stark departure from her fantasy works, including "Sea Witch" and "Sea Witch Rising," showing her versatility as an author