ARC Review: Sidelined by Kendra C. Highley

Title: Sidelined
Author: Kendra C. Highley
Publication:October 1st 2013 by Entangled: Teen
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Provided by the kind publisher..
Goodreads

After being pushed to excel her entire life, high school basketball star Genna Pierce is finally where she wants to be. University scouts are taking notice, her team is on its way to the state tourney, and Jake Butler, the hot boy she's daydreamed about since ninth grade, is showing somedefinite interest. When he asks her out and their relationship takes off, Genna believes things can't get better.

Then, it's over.

A freak accident ends her career before it's even begun. Her parents are fighting more than ever, her friends don't understand what she's going through, and she's not sure who she is without basketball. And while he tries to be there for her, Genna doesn't understand how Jake could ever want the broken version of the girl he fell for.

Her life in a tailspin, Genna turns to the only solace that eases her pain: Vicodin. 

-- My Rating --

4/5 Oscars: Really liked it

-- My thoughts --

     This was the first time I heard of the author but the concept looked really good. It was definitely the first time I read about such a flawed main character and liked it that much!
     Basketball was Imogen's whole life. She was happy, even though her mum wasn't always around. She had a great father, a great best friend, and the cute guy she has liked forever, Jake was interested in her.Up until a fatal injury later, her life is changed forever. No more basketball, her family is falling apart, and she doesn't wanna see anymore. She turns to the only rescue from the pain, Vicodin.
     Drug addiction is a sensitive and very important topic nowadays. So, I was really glad that the author approached this subject. Our main character, Genna is a girl who has centered her whole life around basketball. So when that's gone, her life feels empty. She was the most realistic character I have ever read. She had flaws, and she wasn't just the perfect girl like in every YA novel. No, she knew that her addiction was somehow wrong but she wanted a way away from the pain, and she got that from the Vicodin.
     The romance in this book is absolutely amazing! I LOVED Jake. Every girl wants a guy who will change for her. He is a total player, but for Genna, he changes into this absolutely wonderful gem of a guy! Even when she pushes him away and turns to the Vicodin, he still loves her and won't let her go. That was beautiful.
     The plot is a little slow-moving at times, which is why this book got a four star and not a five star from me. This book is realistic. It doesn't cover anything up for the sake of the reader, or hide truths in plain sight. No. It's straight-forward and it's amazingly crafted to represent the teenage years. It felt real in every aspect, and i LOVE that about contemporary books. This book is a book about redemption, and the power of love. It's one book that'll stay with you for a long, long time.