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It's All in How You Fall
A contemporary young adult romance about moving on, finding your place, and recovering after life falls apart.
Gymnast Caroline Kepler has three state balance beam titles, a new trick even most elites can’t do, and undeniable chronic back pain. While she might never be an Olympian, she has dreams of leveling up to elite, making Nationals, and competing in college. But when one epic face-plant changes all that and Caroline’s back pain goes from chronic to career-ending, her dreams are shattered and her life is flipped upside down.
Enter Alex Zavala, a three-sport athlete who’s both incredibly cute and incredibly off-limits. He offers to give Caroline a crash course in all the sports she’s missed, and she has an offer for him in For every sport Alex teaches her, she’ll play matchmaker for him. Deal done, Caroline “dates” new sports with Alex for the rest of the summer, which is loads more fun than wallowing in despair. Just as Caroline starts to see herself as more than her past athletic successes, she picks up something she didn’t bargain a big fat crush on Alex.
Turns out life was way easier when it was just layout-fulls and beam burns....
Gymnast Caroline Kepler has three state balance beam titles, a new trick even most elites can’t do, and undeniable chronic back pain. While she might never be an Olympian, she has dreams of leveling up to elite, making Nationals, and competing in college. But when one epic face-plant changes all that and Caroline’s back pain goes from chronic to career-ending, her dreams are shattered and her life is flipped upside down.
Enter Alex Zavala, a three-sport athlete who’s both incredibly cute and incredibly off-limits. He offers to give Caroline a crash course in all the sports she’s missed, and she has an offer for him in For every sport Alex teaches her, she’ll play matchmaker for him. Deal done, Caroline “dates” new sports with Alex for the rest of the summer, which is loads more fun than wallowing in despair. Just as Caroline starts to see herself as more than her past athletic successes, she picks up something she didn’t bargain a big fat crush on Alex.
Turns out life was way easier when it was just layout-fulls and beam burns....
Audible Audio
First published May 31, 2022
89 people are currently reading
8103 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Henning
23 books1,633 followersSarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
July 4, 2022
this was fine. i mean, i honestly should have known based on the synopsis that this would be very sports-heavy. and im not a sports person… so not sure what i was thinking. lol.
but it was cute enough. i think young readers who love athletics will have fun with this one. it also weaves in some good messages about identity and self-worth, as well as making plans for the future.
so not quite the plot for me, personally, but still an enjoyable read.
↠ 3 stars
but it was cute enough. i think young readers who love athletics will have fun with this one. it also weaves in some good messages about identity and self-worth, as well as making plans for the future.
so not quite the plot for me, personally, but still an enjoyable read.
↠ 3 stars
September 25, 2024
2 ★
wasn't bad just wasn't for me. rtc.
--
so excited for this cutesy little romance 🤭
wasn't bad just wasn't for me. rtc.
--
so excited for this cutesy little romance 🤭
March 12, 2023
4/5⭐️
When I read “Throw Like a Girl” I immediately feel in love with Sarah Henning’s writing style. “It’s All in How You Fall” is no exception. I think this book solidifies her as one of favorite authors. I haven’t read many books with the “ brothers best friend “ trope, but I thought this one was extremely really well done.
I loved that Alex, Caroline’s brothers best friend, helped Caroline try and find a new sport after her back injury and she couldn’t do gymnastics anymore. Through Alex, Caroline is able to get her life back by finding that she likes tennis. Alex who is a very talented tennis player helps her every way he can to make her a better tennis player.
When I read “Throw Like a Girl” I immediately feel in love with Sarah Henning’s writing style. “It’s All in How You Fall” is no exception. I think this book solidifies her as one of favorite authors. I haven’t read many books with the “ brothers best friend “ trope, but I thought this one was extremely really well done.
I loved that Alex, Caroline’s brothers best friend, helped Caroline try and find a new sport after her back injury and she couldn’t do gymnastics anymore. Through Alex, Caroline is able to get her life back by finding that she likes tennis. Alex who is a very talented tennis player helps her every way he can to make her a better tennis player.
probably-never-read-tbr
September 8, 2021A teen romance in my favorite niche genre: YA books about gymnastics. Sign me the eff up.
August 22, 2022
This isn't technically a series, but characters and events from Throw Like a Girl are referenced so this is definitely a follow-on and in the same school. I definitely recommend reading that one first, but mainly because it's a good book.
I made it a full third, but I can't take any more. It started out rocky because Caroline is not so much driven as she is being ridden by a damaging monomania. She's completely unable to see past her obsession with how things should be and adjust to how things are. So at least Henning is being consistent when we get to the very lovely Alex and Caroline can't see past her attempt to set him up with one of her friends and adjust to the fact that he's not interested in the friend.
Worse, the blurb is an outright lie that Caroline makes up to herself because there is no "deal" between them. He offers to help her "date" different sports and reiterates, repeatedly, that this is because he considers himself her friend and figures this is a way to help her past the upset she has experienced. It's entirely Caroline who fixates on a supposed old crush of his on her friend and now she's coming up with these stupid "plans" to throw them together. And she's even being challenged on it because this whole thing is essentially a rejection of Alex's unselfish offer of help by making it a transaction. She just can't get past "paying him back" and I'm just so done with it.
At the point I'm out, she has been confronted by both Alex and the friend and asked to stop doing things behind their backs. And then she goes on to plan a thing behind their backs. This is not friend behavior. Yeah, it's just like her doing gymnastics past the back pain, refusing to take any and all information to the contrary into account. I hated that dynamic in those early chapters. And I'm hating it with this whole "friendship" thing, too.
So I'm out and with one star. I kept going way past being tired with Caroline, hoping for any hint of a turn around. No sign of it yet and I'm not looking forward to her finding something big enough to finally gain her attention with the Alex situation. Given the scope of what it took to finally pay attention to the back pain, it can't be anything small and she'll remain in denial even when the truth becomes too obvious to deny any longer. Ugh.
I made it a full third, but I can't take any more. It started out rocky because Caroline is not so much driven as she is being ridden by a damaging monomania. She's completely unable to see past her obsession with how things should be and adjust to how things are. So at least Henning is being consistent when we get to the very lovely Alex and Caroline can't see past her attempt to set him up with one of her friends and adjust to the fact that he's not interested in the friend.
Worse, the blurb is an outright lie that Caroline makes up to herself because there is no "deal" between them. He offers to help her "date" different sports and reiterates, repeatedly, that this is because he considers himself her friend and figures this is a way to help her past the upset she has experienced. It's entirely Caroline who fixates on a supposed old crush of his on her friend and now she's coming up with these stupid "plans" to throw them together. And she's even being challenged on it because this whole thing is essentially a rejection of Alex's unselfish offer of help by making it a transaction. She just can't get past "paying him back" and I'm just so done with it.
At the point I'm out, she has been confronted by both Alex and the friend and asked to stop doing things behind their backs. And then she goes on to plan a thing behind their backs. This is not friend behavior. Yeah, it's just like her doing gymnastics past the back pain, refusing to take any and all information to the contrary into account. I hated that dynamic in those early chapters. And I'm hating it with this whole "friendship" thing, too.
So I'm out and with one star. I kept going way past being tired with Caroline, hoping for any hint of a turn around. No sign of it yet and I'm not looking forward to her finding something big enough to finally gain her attention with the Alex situation. Given the scope of what it took to finally pay attention to the back pain, it can't be anything small and she'll remain in denial even when the truth becomes too obvious to deny any longer. Ugh.
June 5, 2022
Let's clarify the fact that I'm total and absolute trash for sport romances-
And then let's leave that marinating for a while as I slowly pick up the pieces of the love I feel for this book.
Without sounding like I'm on dru-
And then let's leave that marinating for a while as I slowly pick up the pieces of the love I feel for this book.
Without sounding like I'm on dru-
June 20, 2022
Well that was cute
*runs to jump off a cliff*
*runs to jump off a cliff*
June 7, 2023
okay this was insanely cute. i was not expecting that good of a book for it to be bottom shelf on barnes and noble and it was shocking. it was one of the best rom coms i’ve read this year and it wasn’t even remotely bad. i WANTED to read this book and i lowkey might reread. like alex is my dream man, he plays tennis, played bon iver, has a million sports, smart, nice, CUTE. like come on why is he fictional
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June 7, 2022I just love Sarah Henning's sports romances. I will read them always and forever. This was, once again, super cute and super passionate and knowledgable about sports, and that is all I want in this world.
July 29, 2022
Full Review on The Candid Cover
It’s All in How You Fall by Sarah Henning combines sports with matchmaking as it follows a gymnast who must move forward after a career-ending injury. As a sucker for sports books, I loved the assortment of new sports that the main character explores, and the characters within the story have a sweet dynamic. This one left me with a smile on my face, and I would consider it a perfect feel-good summer read.
❀ UNEXPECTED LOVE
For Caroline, gymnastics is everything: her career, her identity, and her future. However, when a landing goes wrong, escalating her chronic back pain to a career-ending injury, she is forced to find an entirely new lifestyle. When her brother’s friend offers to introduce her to all the sports she missed out on in hopes of finding a new passion, Caroline takes him up on his offer and decides to set him up with her teammate in return. However, as the two spend more time together, Caroline starts to fall for Alex, making their relationship and her carefully crafted matchmaking plot even more complicated.
❀ INTERESTING MAIN CHARACTERS
This book has some interesting main characters, and I enjoyed watching them transform throughout the book. I really felt for Caroline as she has spent her entire life working toward something that is taken from her so quickly. I loved the way she keeps an open mind as she tries to move on from her loss, trying anything Alex suggests, and her heart is in the right place as she tries to thank him by setting him up with her teammate. Alex is also a supportive character who dedicates his spare time to helping Caroline, and I enjoyed reading about their sweet moments together.
❀ SPORTS AND SUMMER FUN
Throughout the book, there are many different sports that Caroline tests out, and I enjoyed the way that these are incorporated. There is a wide range of sports, from golf to tennis, and the author goes through the basics of any unfamiliar elements, which made me feel like I was learning right alongside Caroline. While there are a lot of sports in the book, I didn’t feel like they overwhelm the story, as there are still all of the fun summer activities that one would expect in a contemporary, making this one feel balanced.
❀ AN UPLIFTING STORY
It’s All in How You Fall by Sarah Henning is an uplifting story about finding a new path when life doesn’t go according to plan. I enjoyed the main characters and their dynamic, and I found that the book has the perfect mix of sports and regular plot. This is a great read for sports fans and those looking for a cute, hopeful summer read.
It’s All in How You Fall by Sarah Henning combines sports with matchmaking as it follows a gymnast who must move forward after a career-ending injury. As a sucker for sports books, I loved the assortment of new sports that the main character explores, and the characters within the story have a sweet dynamic. This one left me with a smile on my face, and I would consider it a perfect feel-good summer read.
❀ UNEXPECTED LOVE
For Caroline, gymnastics is everything: her career, her identity, and her future. However, when a landing goes wrong, escalating her chronic back pain to a career-ending injury, she is forced to find an entirely new lifestyle. When her brother’s friend offers to introduce her to all the sports she missed out on in hopes of finding a new passion, Caroline takes him up on his offer and decides to set him up with her teammate in return. However, as the two spend more time together, Caroline starts to fall for Alex, making their relationship and her carefully crafted matchmaking plot even more complicated.
❀ INTERESTING MAIN CHARACTERS
This book has some interesting main characters, and I enjoyed watching them transform throughout the book. I really felt for Caroline as she has spent her entire life working toward something that is taken from her so quickly. I loved the way she keeps an open mind as she tries to move on from her loss, trying anything Alex suggests, and her heart is in the right place as she tries to thank him by setting him up with her teammate. Alex is also a supportive character who dedicates his spare time to helping Caroline, and I enjoyed reading about their sweet moments together.
❀ SPORTS AND SUMMER FUN
Throughout the book, there are many different sports that Caroline tests out, and I enjoyed the way that these are incorporated. There is a wide range of sports, from golf to tennis, and the author goes through the basics of any unfamiliar elements, which made me feel like I was learning right alongside Caroline. While there are a lot of sports in the book, I didn’t feel like they overwhelm the story, as there are still all of the fun summer activities that one would expect in a contemporary, making this one feel balanced.
❀ AN UPLIFTING STORY
It’s All in How You Fall by Sarah Henning is an uplifting story about finding a new path when life doesn’t go according to plan. I enjoyed the main characters and their dynamic, and I found that the book has the perfect mix of sports and regular plot. This is a great read for sports fans and those looking for a cute, hopeful summer read.
August 4, 2022
4.5 stars. A nice read.
February 26, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I was sort of in a funk when I picked up this book, and you know what? This wonderful story swept away the grey clouds and brought lots of sunshine into my day.
The story begins at a low point for Caroline. After dedicating herself to gymnastics for a decade, she is forced into retirement by an injury. Needless to say, my heart ached for her. This was Caroline’s dream. She was a gymnast. Without her sport, she lost sight of her future and who she was. Henning explored this aspect thoughtfully and deftly wove it into the overall story.
Caroline was lucky. Though her back was unable to withstand the rigors of elite level gymnastics, she could still pursue other athletic endeavors. Enter Alex, her brother’s best friend. A standout athlete himself, Alex offered to coach Caroline as she tried new sports. These outings were so much fun, and Alex’s dedication impressed me. With all this love for Alex, it’s obvious I had no problem with the sparks that arose between him and Caroline. These two were adorable together, and I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow.
But Alex wasn’t the only member of Caroline’s support team. Her brother, father, former coach, and two former teammates stepped up when she really needed them as well. Caroline was so fortunate to have them all by her side as she figured out who she was without gymnastics.
Overall, this was the feel-good story I hoped it would be, and it was a special treat seeing Caroline pick up the pieces and begin anew.
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I was sort of in a funk when I picked up this book, and you know what? This wonderful story swept away the grey clouds and brought lots of sunshine into my day.
The story begins at a low point for Caroline. After dedicating herself to gymnastics for a decade, she is forced into retirement by an injury. Needless to say, my heart ached for her. This was Caroline’s dream. She was a gymnast. Without her sport, she lost sight of her future and who she was. Henning explored this aspect thoughtfully and deftly wove it into the overall story.
Caroline was lucky. Though her back was unable to withstand the rigors of elite level gymnastics, she could still pursue other athletic endeavors. Enter Alex, her brother’s best friend. A standout athlete himself, Alex offered to coach Caroline as she tried new sports. These outings were so much fun, and Alex’s dedication impressed me. With all this love for Alex, it’s obvious I had no problem with the sparks that arose between him and Caroline. These two were adorable together, and I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow.
But Alex wasn’t the only member of Caroline’s support team. Her brother, father, former coach, and two former teammates stepped up when she really needed them as well. Caroline was so fortunate to have them all by her side as she figured out who she was without gymnastics.
Overall, this was the feel-good story I hoped it would be, and it was a special treat seeing Caroline pick up the pieces and begin anew.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Want to read
September 3, 2021I love Sarah Henning books so much, and this cover is SO CUTE. So yeah, counting down the days until May 2022.
June 12, 2022
gymnastics ahh
i love this so much
it was super fun to read on vacation :)
i love this so much
it was super fun to read on vacation :)
June 29, 2022
After reading Sarah's YA fantasies, I wanted to try the genre switch. I devoured this audiobook. It's incredibly sweet and adorable and I just couldn't get enough.
Caroline has an injury that may or may not take her away from the gymnast floor. When it becomes obvious that's no longer in question, she spends her summer under Alex's athletic tutelage trying new sports in exchange for setting him up with one of her friends. Their banter and relationship is sweet!
Emily Ellet is beyond perfect for narrating this genre. The only thing I didn't care for was the mature voice she gave to one of Caroline's friends, as it had me questioning if I was listening to an adult or a teen. Her pacing and emotion were great for this book.
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Caroline has an injury that may or may not take her away from the gymnast floor. When it becomes obvious that's no longer in question, she spends her summer under Alex's athletic tutelage trying new sports in exchange for setting him up with one of her friends. Their banter and relationship is sweet!
Emily Ellet is beyond perfect for narrating this genre. The only thing I didn't care for was the mature voice she gave to one of Caroline's friends, as it had me questioning if I was listening to an adult or a teen. Her pacing and emotion were great for this book.
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
July 20, 2022
This was an adorable YA contemporary romance. When Caroline's gymnastic career ends due too early she feels a bit lost. It isn't until her brothers friend Alex gets her out of the house and experiencing the other sports out there that she realizes her love of sports and competition is still in reach.
I liked Caroline. I don't blame her for her fall into despair after what's kept her going for ten years is just all of a sudden gone. I thought her friends were great and enjoyed watching her all in love with not just sports but with Alex too. They just get each other and I thought their romance was great. I liked that the romance wasn't the focus and felt more realistic for their age. It was refreshing.
Alex is adorable! I really loved his support and understanding of Caroline. He let her heal both physically and mentally at her own pace while also showing her that there is more than just gymnastics out there.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and fast-paced YA Contemporary Romance who also has a love of sports because this one nails both of them flawlessly!
I liked Caroline. I don't blame her for her fall into despair after what's kept her going for ten years is just all of a sudden gone. I thought her friends were great and enjoyed watching her all in love with not just sports but with Alex too. They just get each other and I thought their romance was great. I liked that the romance wasn't the focus and felt more realistic for their age. It was refreshing.
Alex is adorable! I really loved his support and understanding of Caroline. He let her heal both physically and mentally at her own pace while also showing her that there is more than just gymnastics out there.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and fast-paced YA Contemporary Romance who also has a love of sports because this one nails both of them flawlessly!
May 14, 2025
it was pretty good and rlly cute i liked the characters and it’s a good summer read for sure!
January 14, 2025
I just read this to finish it. I honestly am not quite sure how I even started it. It wasn't too painfully cheesy, but it wasn't all that great either. And I'm still not a tennis fan so...
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February 11, 2025Tennis-sprinting, stopping, starting, twisting, not to mention bending and the harsh impact of the court is a terrible sport for someone with lumbar spinal stenosis. What an irresponsible book. Stenosis and tennis, particularly lumbar stenosis from bending the trunk for the ball is well studied, well known by surgeons, chiropractors and players, it’s even a Reddit thread! 0/5 for health misinformation.
Caroline, you would be a wonderful swimmer, ace the flip turns. Maybe not a butterflyer, but give freestyle a shot.
Caroline, you would be a wonderful swimmer, ace the flip turns. Maybe not a butterflyer, but give freestyle a shot.
July 24, 2022
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Little, Brown Books for Kids for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!
It’s All In How You Fall was a really cute summery sports heavy YA contemporary with a super sweet romance and all the feel-good vibes! Caroline’s story was nerve-wracking, heartbreaking, empowering, hopeful and sweetly romantic. When her chronic back pain turns into a severe spinal injury, she’s pushed into giving up gymnastics, the sport she has spent every waking moment of her life dedicated to. She’s understandably devastated, and angry and feels like her life is over until her brother’s best friend, Alex, offers to help her find a new sport to love over the course of their summer break.
I loved the journey Caroline goes through and she goes through a lot of growth as she comes to terms with this new phase in her life. She’s initially reluctant to try something new but as she spends more time exploring sports with Alex, she slowly realises that life isn’t over just because gymnastics is; perhaps beyond sports, there’s something more brewing too. Caro is headstrong but she also has great strength which I found inspiring and I really liked the hopeful and positive message of her story. It was great to see her find happiness and purpose again after experiencing something so devastating and it was wonderful to see her surrounded by supportive friends and family. She had such a great friendship with Peregrine and Sunny, and I also really loved her relationship with her father, brother Nat, and even Olga. I do wish some of the relationships and characters had been a little more fleshed out but it was fun to read about them whenever they appeared on the page.
Alex and Caro have a really fun friendship that eventually blooms into this tentatively shy yet sweet romance that I absolutely adored. They were really good together, not just in terms of chemistry but in how they pushed each other to do better and how understanding they were of each other's situations. Their romance isn’t the typical straightforward older brother/friends-to-lovers romance and developed in a slightly angsty roundabout teenage way that, not gonna lie, would normally irritate me but I didn’t mind it here and enjoyed how they addressed their feelings. It was super cute and had my heart happy sighing. 🥰
Overall, this was a really fun and fast-paced story that I think many YA readers will enjoy and it makes for the perfect light and feel-good summer read. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you love reading about sports, second chances, new love and finding new passions to drive you!
It’s All In How You Fall was a really cute summery sports heavy YA contemporary with a super sweet romance and all the feel-good vibes! Caroline’s story was nerve-wracking, heartbreaking, empowering, hopeful and sweetly romantic. When her chronic back pain turns into a severe spinal injury, she’s pushed into giving up gymnastics, the sport she has spent every waking moment of her life dedicated to. She’s understandably devastated, and angry and feels like her life is over until her brother’s best friend, Alex, offers to help her find a new sport to love over the course of their summer break.
I loved the journey Caroline goes through and she goes through a lot of growth as she comes to terms with this new phase in her life. She’s initially reluctant to try something new but as she spends more time exploring sports with Alex, she slowly realises that life isn’t over just because gymnastics is; perhaps beyond sports, there’s something more brewing too. Caro is headstrong but she also has great strength which I found inspiring and I really liked the hopeful and positive message of her story. It was great to see her find happiness and purpose again after experiencing something so devastating and it was wonderful to see her surrounded by supportive friends and family. She had such a great friendship with Peregrine and Sunny, and I also really loved her relationship with her father, brother Nat, and even Olga. I do wish some of the relationships and characters had been a little more fleshed out but it was fun to read about them whenever they appeared on the page.
Alex and Caro have a really fun friendship that eventually blooms into this tentatively shy yet sweet romance that I absolutely adored. They were really good together, not just in terms of chemistry but in how they pushed each other to do better and how understanding they were of each other's situations. Their romance isn’t the typical straightforward older brother/friends-to-lovers romance and developed in a slightly angsty roundabout teenage way that, not gonna lie, would normally irritate me but I didn’t mind it here and enjoyed how they addressed their feelings. It was super cute and had my heart happy sighing. 🥰
Overall, this was a really fun and fast-paced story that I think many YA readers will enjoy and it makes for the perfect light and feel-good summer read. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you love reading about sports, second chances, new love and finding new passions to drive you!
May 22, 2022
Thank you HBG Canada for gifting me a finished copy for an honest review.
I loved this book. I loved the characters, the growth, the relationships, and the writing style. It was a super quick and easy read, and Caroline was such a relatable character. Her struggle to find herself after having to give up her competitive gymnastics career was emotional and raw, and I was rooting for her the whole story. I really liked that the author showed us how difficult it was for Caroline to move on from gymnastics, and how even after she started to find other passions she still struggled to know who she would be with that part of her life over.
I adored the relationship and romance in this book. Alex was so sweet and cute. His teaching Caroline about other sports was fun, and I really liked that their friendship was developed before the romantic feelings came in. About halfway through I found myself shaking the book at times wishing I could shake some sense into Caroline when she was ignoring her obvious crush on Alex.
The romance completely delivered everything I wanted from a YA contemporary, and I got really into the story and the characters. This was a really fun, sweet, emotional story about a girl who was relearning who she could be, and happening to find romance along the way. A perfect quick summer read.
I loved this book. I loved the characters, the growth, the relationships, and the writing style. It was a super quick and easy read, and Caroline was such a relatable character. Her struggle to find herself after having to give up her competitive gymnastics career was emotional and raw, and I was rooting for her the whole story. I really liked that the author showed us how difficult it was for Caroline to move on from gymnastics, and how even after she started to find other passions she still struggled to know who she would be with that part of her life over.
I adored the relationship and romance in this book. Alex was so sweet and cute. His teaching Caroline about other sports was fun, and I really liked that their friendship was developed before the romantic feelings came in. About halfway through I found myself shaking the book at times wishing I could shake some sense into Caroline when she was ignoring her obvious crush on Alex.
The romance completely delivered everything I wanted from a YA contemporary, and I got really into the story and the characters. This was a really fun, sweet, emotional story about a girl who was relearning who she could be, and happening to find romance along the way. A perfect quick summer read.
July 18, 2022
I went into this one because I loved The cover. While this seems relatively harmless, it ended up being a bit of a mistake...
It's obvious this cover is advertising a YA Contemporary, a genre I normally love. What I don't love is younger YA Contemporary. Our main character was 15, and while I mightve found her relatable when i was 13, I no longer do. She was childish, and quite irritating.
I also wasn't a fan of the conflicts. I'd expected this to be a romance, but that bit was severely lacking. The Sunny/Alex drama took up more page time than the actual romance between Alex and Caroline. Even worse, Alex and Caroline read as close friends, not romantic partners. I'd have been fine if they stayed platonic, but their romance did nothing for me.
Other than that, I don't have much to say. The characters were one dimensional, the conflicts were irritating, and not much happened. It wasn't a bad book, but not one I'd recommend.
Thanks to TBR Beyond Tours for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
It's obvious this cover is advertising a YA Contemporary, a genre I normally love. What I don't love is younger YA Contemporary. Our main character was 15, and while I mightve found her relatable when i was 13, I no longer do. She was childish, and quite irritating.
I also wasn't a fan of the conflicts. I'd expected this to be a romance, but that bit was severely lacking. The Sunny/Alex drama took up more page time than the actual romance between Alex and Caroline. Even worse, Alex and Caroline read as close friends, not romantic partners. I'd have been fine if they stayed platonic, but their romance did nothing for me.
Other than that, I don't have much to say. The characters were one dimensional, the conflicts were irritating, and not much happened. It wasn't a bad book, but not one I'd recommend.
Thanks to TBR Beyond Tours for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
November 4, 2022
Super sweet story of a former athlete's self-discovery with a cinnamon role love interest. Recommend for that competitive teen in your life.
July 30, 2022
This was a really cute read! I have been really into sports fiction lately, and this hit the spot. Caroline is a gymnast who is forced to retire after a career ending back injury. After moping for a few weeks, Alex offers to help her find a new sport to occupy her time.
I really enjoyed getting to see the progression of Caroline and Alex's relationship, and the growth that we saw, especially in Caroline. This is truly a book about how you are more than just what you do. Caroline believed all her worth was tied up in being a gymnast and didn't know who she was without it. By working with Alex, she's able to find herself again, and her growth, thought a bit subtle at times, was really nicely done.
A few minor complaints: occasionally, there were some awkwardly written sentences. I also felt that Caroline's sudden new enjoyment of tennis seemed to come out of left field - one minute she's groaning about the sports, the next, it's suddenly her favorite, and we didn't even get to see the rest of the sports Alex promised to teach her. Finally, it really bothered me that Caroline basically had an ibuprofen addiction. She was constantly taking them, preemptively, and too much ibuprofen can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs. This was never addressed as being a problem, which I think is a disservice.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed reading this and I recommend it to any and all who enjoy reading sports fiction.
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review.
I really enjoyed getting to see the progression of Caroline and Alex's relationship, and the growth that we saw, especially in Caroline. This is truly a book about how you are more than just what you do. Caroline believed all her worth was tied up in being a gymnast and didn't know who she was without it. By working with Alex, she's able to find herself again, and her growth, thought a bit subtle at times, was really nicely done.
A few minor complaints: occasionally, there were some awkwardly written sentences. I also felt that Caroline's sudden new enjoyment of tennis seemed to come out of left field - one minute she's groaning about the sports, the next, it's suddenly her favorite, and we didn't even get to see the rest of the sports Alex promised to teach her. Finally, it really bothered me that Caroline basically had an ibuprofen addiction. She was constantly taking them, preemptively, and too much ibuprofen can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs. This was never addressed as being a problem, which I think is a disservice.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed reading this and I recommend it to any and all who enjoy reading sports fiction.
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review.
June 17, 2023
I keep picking up books about characters who are unable to continue the thing in life they're most passionate about and it is weirdly cathartic.
Love Caro's character so much - she's so driven and smart and I felt for her journey so much. Alex is an absolute sweetheart, A+ boyfriend material. This wasn't my favorite iteration of the "matchmaker" trope, but I still really liked their relationship. And I loved the gymnastics parts! I had to stop and YouTube a few things because the descriptions were so interesting.
Also, love Nat's development! And really, all the supporting characters and relationships were fantastic. I also love that Olga is a coach who truly cares about her gymnasts rather than pushing them at the expense of their health and happiness.
I did have somewhat mixed feelings on the writing, which I seem to remember from Sarah Henning's other contemporary I've read too. Some lines, moments, and descriptions I loved and were so full of Caro's personality - but there were also parts where the sentences felt clunky, confusing, or overly long.
Overall though, a really solid contemporary with a theme I really connected to.
(I do want to note that although there is a very brief reference to Larry Nassar's abuse of the gymnasts under his care, the novel doesn't go in-depth on that at all.)
CW: Brief reference to sexual abuse, lots of talk about food/diet
Love Caro's character so much - she's so driven and smart and I felt for her journey so much. Alex is an absolute sweetheart, A+ boyfriend material. This wasn't my favorite iteration of the "matchmaker" trope, but I still really liked their relationship. And I loved the gymnastics parts! I had to stop and YouTube a few things because the descriptions were so interesting.
Also, love Nat's development! And really, all the supporting characters and relationships were fantastic. I also love that Olga is a coach who truly cares about her gymnasts rather than pushing them at the expense of their health and happiness.
I did have somewhat mixed feelings on the writing, which I seem to remember from Sarah Henning's other contemporary I've read too. Some lines, moments, and descriptions I loved and were so full of Caro's personality - but there were also parts where the sentences felt clunky, confusing, or overly long.
Overall though, a really solid contemporary with a theme I really connected to.
(I do want to note that although there is a very brief reference to Larry Nassar's abuse of the gymnasts under his care, the novel doesn't go in-depth on that at all.)
CW: Brief reference to sexual abuse, lots of talk about food/diet
dnf
March 2, 2025DNF at page 100.
“Aren’t you sort of cheapening his generosity by forcibly repaying him?” Yes, she is. :)
God this was super boring. 🥱 I felt like the dialogue was very … disjointed and it didn’t really flow like a YA book should. Also I didn’t really care for the fact that the FMC decided on her own to try to force Alex and Sunny to meet multiple times… it felt like she was being a busybody, not a nice friend.
Ultimately though, I have to DNF because I’m bored. This will likely be a 2-3 star read and I don’t have time for that.
“Aren’t you sort of cheapening his generosity by forcibly repaying him?” Yes, she is. :)
God this was super boring. 🥱 I felt like the dialogue was very … disjointed and it didn’t really flow like a YA book should. Also I didn’t really care for the fact that the FMC decided on her own to try to force Alex and Sunny to meet multiple times… it felt like she was being a busybody, not a nice friend.
Ultimately though, I have to DNF because I’m bored. This will likely be a 2-3 star read and I don’t have time for that.
March 25, 2024
Omg omg very good. 10 out of 10 def recommended! I loved this book!!! ❤️ Alex is freaking adorable 😍 Nat (I just realized the whole book I was reading that like "Nate" 😳) is an awesome older brother. He has his flaws, but he's definitely cool! (I always wanted an older brother). Caroline was an awesome main character and best friend, I mean, she had her flaws too, but still awesome 👌
May 1, 2022
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
I have been waiting for Sarah Henning to grace us with another YA sports romance since I read and loved Throw Like a Girl. Henning finally delivered with It’s All in How You Fall and it lived up to every one of my expectations.
What did I love about it? It’s All in How You Fall took me on a journey I hadn’t been on in YA before. It was about a fifteen-year-old having to make peace with walking away from her sport at the top of her game. My heart broke for Caroline, but I loved how she picked up the pieces and figured out how live life a different way than she had planned. It was fun to learn about the new sports she tried out and how they reshaped her frame of mind.
Helping Caroline along the way was her older brother’s best friend, Alex. Alex was also an athlete at the top of his game. We don’t get Alex’s POV in this book, which is the only thing that could have made this book any better, but I loved being a little in the dark on what he was thinking. He was such a good friend to Caroline, taking time out of his busy schedule to help her find a new athletic passion. I loved how his reactions were described and all of the fun Caroline and Alex had together. Their friendship led to a sweet ending.
This book wouldn’t be what it was without the supporting characters. So many people supported Caroline through her injury and life in general. I loved how her dad responded to her injury and after. Same for her gymnastic coach Olga and teammates/BFFs Peregrine and Sunny. Her brother Nat was probably my favorite side character. He was a big presence. I would love for any of those last three characters I listed to get a book of their own.
As you can tell, I loved everything about It’s All in How You Fall. The biggest thing I took away was the message. It’s a great one for teens and adults alike. Sarah Henning did a fantastic job with this book. I hope we get another YA sports romance from her again very soon.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
I have been waiting for Sarah Henning to grace us with another YA sports romance since I read and loved Throw Like a Girl. Henning finally delivered with It’s All in How You Fall and it lived up to every one of my expectations.
What did I love about it? It’s All in How You Fall took me on a journey I hadn’t been on in YA before. It was about a fifteen-year-old having to make peace with walking away from her sport at the top of her game. My heart broke for Caroline, but I loved how she picked up the pieces and figured out how live life a different way than she had planned. It was fun to learn about the new sports she tried out and how they reshaped her frame of mind.
Helping Caroline along the way was her older brother’s best friend, Alex. Alex was also an athlete at the top of his game. We don’t get Alex’s POV in this book, which is the only thing that could have made this book any better, but I loved being a little in the dark on what he was thinking. He was such a good friend to Caroline, taking time out of his busy schedule to help her find a new athletic passion. I loved how his reactions were described and all of the fun Caroline and Alex had together. Their friendship led to a sweet ending.
This book wouldn’t be what it was without the supporting characters. So many people supported Caroline through her injury and life in general. I loved how her dad responded to her injury and after. Same for her gymnastic coach Olga and teammates/BFFs Peregrine and Sunny. Her brother Nat was probably my favorite side character. He was a big presence. I would love for any of those last three characters I listed to get a book of their own.
As you can tell, I loved everything about It’s All in How You Fall. The biggest thing I took away was the message. It’s a great one for teens and adults alike. Sarah Henning did a fantastic job with this book. I hope we get another YA sports romance from her again very soon.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
August 13, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Caroline Kepler has always dreamed of being a gymnast, and is close to achieving her dreams. But after one final injury turns her pain from annoying, to chronic, and kills her career, she doesn't know what to do now. But, if there's anything that Caroline won't do, it's not give up. She soon works with Alex Zavala, her brother's best friend, and an incredibly cute athlete, who will give her a crash course in all the sports she could possibly take in the new school year. And in return, Caroline will help Alex get closer to her own friend, Sunny. What could possibly go wrong?
When I read Sarah's previous book, Throw Like a Girl, I knew I would read anything she published, so being offered a spot on the blog tour for It's All In How You Fall was perfect for me. Caroline is determined, and strong, but her injury really knocks her for six, both physically and mentally, and all of her regimented plans and dreams go up in flames in seconds. I really felt for her, and her journey into acceptance of how her life has changed. Alex's re-entry into her life, and the plan he has for Caroline was just what she needed, and though it was obvious they would eventually get together, I loved the journey they took to get there. The crushes they had on one another were both sweet and cringy at times - exactly how they should be for two teenagers coming to terms with their feelings. By the end of the book, both of the main characters discover more of themselves, and are stronger together to face what the future has in store. A perfect summer read for YA lovers!
Caroline Kepler has always dreamed of being a gymnast, and is close to achieving her dreams. But after one final injury turns her pain from annoying, to chronic, and kills her career, she doesn't know what to do now. But, if there's anything that Caroline won't do, it's not give up. She soon works with Alex Zavala, her brother's best friend, and an incredibly cute athlete, who will give her a crash course in all the sports she could possibly take in the new school year. And in return, Caroline will help Alex get closer to her own friend, Sunny. What could possibly go wrong?
When I read Sarah's previous book, Throw Like a Girl, I knew I would read anything she published, so being offered a spot on the blog tour for It's All In How You Fall was perfect for me. Caroline is determined, and strong, but her injury really knocks her for six, both physically and mentally, and all of her regimented plans and dreams go up in flames in seconds. I really felt for her, and her journey into acceptance of how her life has changed. Alex's re-entry into her life, and the plan he has for Caroline was just what she needed, and though it was obvious they would eventually get together, I loved the journey they took to get there. The crushes they had on one another were both sweet and cringy at times - exactly how they should be for two teenagers coming to terms with their feelings. By the end of the book, both of the main characters discover more of themselves, and are stronger together to face what the future has in store. A perfect summer read for YA lovers!
July 26, 2022
Considering this is the only book by Henning that I haven't DNFed, you could say I liked this the most out of her books. It was a sweet sports romance that featured the brother's best friend trope and a healthy dose moving forward-ness.
I liked that this book took place in the same world as Throw Like a Girl without focusing on that book. We saw some familiar characters from that book from afar and were able to meet many more new ones.
Also, I'm not a big fan of the brother's best friend trope, but I oddly liked this one. It felt milder and not so intense and dramatic as most books usually represent them. Nat was cool and caring as a big brother, and the trope wasn't the focus of the book so I didn't mind. And thank goodness Nat wasn't a meatball jock, but was aware of his surroundings and the feelings of people around him. I loathe when the brothers are clueless and just carry on with their lives like nothing happened. 10 points for Nat! On a side note, did we ever get his full name? Is Nat his full name?
Moving on...Alex, our leading man, was so stinking nice and cute. We need more nice boys in books! He was willing to do anything for Caroline but still kept a level head on himself. I loved that for him. And Caroline was pretty cool herself. She was going through a tough summer having to give up her future and dreams all at once, but she had a great support team. Watching her progress towards a new future was inspiring. She still had some things to figure out by the end of the book, but things ended hopeful and happy. I found myself rooting for her on multiple occasions.
I did find this book was lacking a bit in the romance department. I had hoped for more tension or angsty conflict or something. It was just missing that bit of fire I've come to love so much. It wasn't bad, just not great and completely satisfying either.
Overall, this was a sweet book. It wouldn't be the first book I'd think to recommend, but it was nice.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I liked that this book took place in the same world as Throw Like a Girl without focusing on that book. We saw some familiar characters from that book from afar and were able to meet many more new ones.
Also, I'm not a big fan of the brother's best friend trope, but I oddly liked this one. It felt milder and not so intense and dramatic as most books usually represent them. Nat was cool and caring as a big brother, and the trope wasn't the focus of the book so I didn't mind. And thank goodness Nat wasn't a meatball jock, but was aware of his surroundings and the feelings of people around him. I loathe when the brothers are clueless and just carry on with their lives like nothing happened. 10 points for Nat! On a side note, did we ever get his full name? Is Nat his full name?
Moving on...Alex, our leading man, was so stinking nice and cute. We need more nice boys in books! He was willing to do anything for Caroline but still kept a level head on himself. I loved that for him. And Caroline was pretty cool herself. She was going through a tough summer having to give up her future and dreams all at once, but she had a great support team. Watching her progress towards a new future was inspiring. She still had some things to figure out by the end of the book, but things ended hopeful and happy. I found myself rooting for her on multiple occasions.
I did find this book was lacking a bit in the romance department. I had hoped for more tension or angsty conflict or something. It was just missing that bit of fire I've come to love so much. It wasn't bad, just not great and completely satisfying either.
Overall, this was a sweet book. It wouldn't be the first book I'd think to recommend, but it was nice.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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