I devoured 'The Tryout' in one sitting because it felt like someone had peeked into my own middle school diary. Anna’s voice is so genuine—full of humor and vulnerability. The way the book tackles microaggressions, like classmates mocking her name or assuming she’s 'exotic,' is handled with this perfect mix of lightness and depth. Even the secondary characters, like her best friend, who’s dealing with her own insecurities, feel fully realized. The tryouts themselves are almost a metaphor for the bigger social gauntlet of adolescence. It’s a story that’ll make you cringe, laugh, and maybe even tear up a little—especially if you’ve ever felt like an outsider.
If you’re looking for a book that captures the messy, hilarious, and sometimes painful reality of middle school, 'The Tryout' is it. Anna’s story is a rollercoaster of cringe-worthy moments and small victories—like when she accidentally wears her shirt inside out on tryout day or when she finally confronts the mean girls. The novel doesn’t sugarcoat how tough it can be to balance family expectations with fitting in, especially when you’re caught between cultures. The cheerleading backdrop adds this layer of tension, but the real heart of the story is Anna’s growth. She starts off desperate to blend in but slowly realizes that being herself is worth more than any squad jacket.
What I loved about 'The Tryout' is how it turns a seemingly simple plot—cheerleading tryouts—into this rich exploration of identity. Anna’s journey isn’t just about sports; it’s about figuring out where she belongs. The novel’s strength lies in its authenticity, from the dialogue to the way it portrays family dynamics. There’s a scene where Anna’s dad tells her, 'You don’t have to be like everyone else to be liked,' and it’s such a quiet, powerful moment. The book doesn’t tie everything up with a neat bow, but that’s what makes it feel real. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page.
The Tryout' by Christina Soontornvat is this heartwarming middle-grade novel that follows Anna, a Thai-American girl navigating the tricky waters of middle school while trying to fit in. The story kicks off when she and her best friend decide to try out for the cheerleading squad—something way outside Anna's comfort zone. It's not just about the tryouts, though; it's about identity, friendship, and the pressure to conform. Anna grapples with cultural expectations, bullying, and self-doubt, but she also discovers her own strength along the way.
What really stuck with me was how relatable Anna's struggles felt, even if you've never been near a cheerleading squad. The author nails the awkwardness of adolescence—the way small moments feel huge, and how friendships shift under pressure. There's a scene where Anna's mom packs her a Thai lunch, and the embarrassment she feels hits hard. It’s those tiny, authentic details that make the book resonate. By the end, it’s less about whether she makes the team and more about how she learns to stand up for herself.
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Faking it with the Hockey Bad Boy
Stella Friday
10
13.4K
Hazel Pierce has always lived in the shadows, nerdy, invisible, and secretly crushing on the one guy she should never have fallen for– her stepbrother, Trey Rivers.
When her secret is nearly exposed on campus, her enemy and the hockey team’s resident bad boy, Jaxon Carter comes to her rescue but not without a prize.
He makes her an offer to fake date him to kill the gossip in exchange to improve his grades. He’s cocky, reckless, and dangerously charming. And worst of all he knows how to make her heart race
What starts as a simple deal quickly spirals out of control. They promised no feelings, but what happens when their truth is bigger than the rules?
When Hazel’s true identity is revealed. She must decide if loving him is worth the risk as she reclaims her true voice and identity.
She is focused, disciplined, and determined to survive her first year at university. He is reckless, irresistible, and the most notorious athlete on campus. When fate throws them together, sparks fly and rules are broken. Falling for the bad boy athlete was never part of her plan, but resisting him could cost her everything. Secrets, rivalries, and a dangerous attraction push them to the edge. Can love survive when their worlds are at war?
Falling for the school's star goalie was never the plan... especially when my father is the principal who just banned him from the ice. But getting caught in a scandal with the boy I'm supposed to 'fix'?
That's more than a catastrophe; it's a death sentence.
Aria Bennett is a top student with perfect grades but no social life. She is assigned to tutor the school's newest transfer student, Jason Monroe.
However, Jason is consistently late to their sessions, cocky, and resistant to being told what to do. Aria just wants to get the tutoring over with. Things take a turn when she discovers that Jason is on academic probation and risks losing his spot as the goalie on the hockey team.
This revelation softens Aria's perspective on him. As their late-night tutoring sessions become a regular occurrence, Aria starts to see the vulnerabilities behind Jason's tough exterior.
Meanwhile, Jason never intended to develop feelings for the girl who dresses in oversized hoodies and carries notebooks. Yet, somehow, Aria is getting under his skin and possibly into his heart.
"Does Daddy know you're at a party full of hot hockey players and drinking beer?"
"Leave me alone," I spat.
Jason grinned slyly and leaned in closer. "You know I heard you dressed up thinking you were going on a date, and the guy turned out to be gay."
In a drunken stumble, Jason stepped too close and fell on top of me. Jason's eyes fluttered open slightly as he cupped my face. I froze. His hands were warm against my skin, but rational thought fled me.
He gave me a look that screamed trouble. And just as I suspected, he leaned in and kissed my lips.
My brain had completely shut down. It was my first kiss.
Ivy Young is a final-year student whose only goal is to study hard, earn top grades, and secure a scholarship to college. Her life is carefully planned, and everything is going exactly the way she wants until she crosses paths with the school’s bad boy, Romeo Sparks.
Everything changes the night she attends a party and ends up in a game of Truth or Dare with him. The challenge is cruel and impossible to ignore: let Romeo take her first kiss or agree to date him for a whole month.
He is the school playboy. She is just a school nerd.
He is dangerous. He is reckless. And he's too bad for Ivy.
Athena Cole was the best player on the ice until the boy she trusted asked her to throw the championship game and she believed him.
One viral humiliation later, she jumps into a lake and is removed from her team.
Unexpectedly she gets an offer from Jeremiah Ashford, the one person whose team she never wanted to help.
The deal is simple, she rebuilds his struggling Falcons using everything she knows about Luca Ryder and he gets her to the elite women’s national development training camp but what is not simple for Athena is Jeremiah himself.
When Luca comes back wanting forgiveness, Sienna comes for her position on the board and the truth about what Luca has done before surfaces, Athena realizes the fight is bigger and the person standing beside her through all of it was the most important.
The Jock - The Ashford Brothers Series - Book Four
Peyton Iuga
10
16.8K
Freddie Ashford is a famous New York hockey player living the dream. He has money, fame and a serious long-term relationship until someone decided his life was too good. One night out with his teammates changed his life, turning it upside down. Freddie has been accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he lost his friends, his girlfriend, sponsor deals, and he is on the verge of losing his career.
Tatum Reid escaped from a controlling and abusive relationship with a hockey player. The only good thing she got from that relationship was her eight-year-old daughter. She promised herself never get involved with a hockey player again, but she finds a new in New York as a PR for a very famous Hockey Team. Her is to make sure the players behave on social media, and she is making her number one priority clearing Freddie’s name.
What happens when Tatum’s past comes knocking on her door? Her ex comes to play against the team she works for, and Freddie Ashford tries saving her the same way she is trying to save him. Will Tatum keep her feelings to herself, or will she allow Freddie to penetrate her icy heart and make her happy once more?
This is the fourth and final book of The Ashford Brothers Series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but for better comprehension, it is better to read the other three. The Big Shot, The Joker, The Strong and finally The Jock.
The main characters in 'The Tryout' are Christina and Adrianna, two best friends navigating the chaotic world of middle school cheerleading tryouts. Christina’s the more reserved one, always calculating risks, while Adrianna’s all enthusiasm and spontaneity—their dynamic is pure gold. The story really digs into their friendship, how they support each other through insecurities and the brutal social hierarchy of school.
What I love is how the book balances humor with real emotional stakes. There’s this one scene where Christina panics during tryouts, and Adrianna improvises a ridiculous dance to cover for her—it’s hilarious but also heartwarming. The side characters, like the overly intense coach and the rival squad, add layers to the pressure they face. It’s a relatable mess of ambition, loyalty, and figuring out who you are under all that glitter.