I thought this was a really good read. It is a different subject matter- I've never read a book about gymnastics. I have heard antecdotes about the intensity of training and the at the "cost of everything else" mentality that exists for those who reach the elite level of the sport.
It was a short, sweet read. It didn't particularly set my pulse racing, but it had its moments of excitement and I really liked Nik, the main male character.
This is the publisher's summary: "Callie
Blood, sweat, hard work, and a disconcerting lack of tears—my entire life—was meant to culminate in a flourish of glory and significance. I’d thought I’d always known exactly what that meant. But I’d had the timing wrong by about three minutes. I knew now. This moment wasn’t everything. The one person I found myself wanting more than anything during it was.
Nik
One preconceived notion can haunt you for the entirety of your life. I thought I owed it to myself and to everyone who’d ever backed me to do what was expected. What was right. What I was supposed to do. But nothing is forbidden in love. Not circumstances or propriety or the denial of the object of said affection. I knew now. This was it. If I wanted it, I had to take it.
This gymnastics love story is more than grips, rips, and battered hands. For Calia Nickleson and Nikolai Bagrov, it was everything.
The story is told from dual POV and each chapter begins with what would have been the word of the previous chapter. It's a clever device and demonstrates how much the characters have in common despite the rocky start to their relationship.
Nik has been hired to coach to Callie as she attempts to make a third appearance on the US Olympic team. Callie is 26 and in the world of gymnastics is seen as older. She has a chip on her shoulder and initially resents Nik's interference. Nik is determined and patient and eventually he manages to break past Callie's walls. He is a world class tumbler who has recently suffered a heartbreaking loss and has chosen not compete anymore.
He and Callie are immediately attracted to each other. As they get to know each other, the tension between them caused by their differing desires(Nik to show Callie that life has more to offer her than gymnastics and Callie to show Nik that gymnastics is all that she wants)becomes a weight around the proverbial neck of their professional relationship.
However, once they succumb to their desire for each other, they both find a happiness that they never dared to dream of. Callie discovers that having a well rounded life makes her a better athlete, too. Nik helps coach her to the best performances of her life.
Of course, there are forces at work to drive them apart (what would a romance novel be without that plot device?). They have a momentary separation, but when a crisis arises, Nik rushes to Callie's side and together they overcome the obstacles that have been pushed in their way.
I liked that there was no big drawn out misunderstanding and that when they had the chance to, Nik and Callie communicated very honestly with each other.
It's a sweet love story and an emotional connection rather than a simply physical one. This is my first novel by this author, but I liked this enough that I purchased another one and plan to read it very soon.
