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The Game Changer
Sometimes making history means breaking some rules…This is a gripping historical fiction novel about bravery, hard work, the quest for success and two women's stand against prejudice in all its forms, perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Sadeqa Johnson and Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
New York, 1950. Ambitious journalist Hettie Carlin is reeling from a scandal and desperate for a scoop to salvage her career. When her boss tasks her with covering the meteoric rise of Althea Gibson, the tennis world’s newest star, there’s just two Hettie knows nothing about tennis. Plus, her and Althea have a history – and it’s not pretty.
Hettie must convince a media-sceptic Althea Gibson to allow Hettie back into her life, and it won’t be an easy feat. But, as Althea’s star rises and she challenges the status quo, she faces media bias, tennis establishment prejudice, and discrimination head-on – and Althea soon realises she may just need Hettie, too, in order to tell her own story on her own terms.
When Althea becomes an unexpected civil rights icon, the pair realise their partnership transcends tennis, holding the potential to change history. If they can work together, they may just help revolutionize more than just the sport once and for all…
Don't miss the powerful new historical fiction novel Inspired by the incredible true story of Althea Gibson, the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam title in 1956.
New York, 1950. Ambitious journalist Hettie Carlin is reeling from a scandal and desperate for a scoop to salvage her career. When her boss tasks her with covering the meteoric rise of Althea Gibson, the tennis world’s newest star, there’s just two Hettie knows nothing about tennis. Plus, her and Althea have a history – and it’s not pretty.
Hettie must convince a media-sceptic Althea Gibson to allow Hettie back into her life, and it won’t be an easy feat. But, as Althea’s star rises and she challenges the status quo, she faces media bias, tennis establishment prejudice, and discrimination head-on – and Althea soon realises she may just need Hettie, too, in order to tell her own story on her own terms.
When Althea becomes an unexpected civil rights icon, the pair realise their partnership transcends tennis, holding the potential to change history. If they can work together, they may just help revolutionize more than just the sport once and for all…
Don't miss the powerful new historical fiction novel Inspired by the incredible true story of Althea Gibson, the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam title in 1956.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2024
30 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Embassie Susberry
23 books90 followersI still remember the exact day I fell in love with reading. It was nighttime and raining. Mom and Dad had already sent me and my sister to bed. But I couldn't sleep. We didn't have cable (and I'm pretty sure the parents wouldn't allow it) and cartoons were over for the day. I remember turning on the light, looking across the room at my snoring sister and then at my bookcase filled with books. I wasn't a reader at the time, but my mother was. She was constantly buying me something. I walked over to the bookshelf and pulled my newest book off the shelf and just began to read. For the first time, I learned what it was to leave my room and go someplace else; to care about imaginary people so much, I had to turn the next page; to get so caught up in a story, hours flew by. And it is that exact feeling that I want so much to create in my readers. Enjoyment, entertainment, and feeling blessed.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 3, 2024
There’s more than ‘just a game’ at stake here.
It’s the 1950’s and Hettie Carlin is a journalist working for Harlem Heights though she’s very lucky she’s still got a job after repercussions following her Montgomery Bus Boycott article. Instead of firing her though, her editor assigns her the story of the rise of African American tennis star, Althea Gibson. There are two problems attached to this, Hettie knows zero (or should that be love?!) about tennis and as she’s born and raised in Harlem and so is Althea, the pair have history. This might just prove to be tricky to get around. Can Hettie get her scoop when Althea plays Forest Hills or Wimbledon? Can she convince Althea to even talk to her, never mind let her into her life especially as Althea dislikes journalists? Can Hettie convince the public to like Althea a bit more?
I’m ashamed to admit that, even as a tennis fan, beyond knowing the barest bones of tennis facts about Althea I knew very little else about her. This very well researched novel redresses this issue. It gives absolutely fascinating insight into Althea herself, into tennis at this time for a person of colour and is set amidst the historical context of the civil rights movement. These are turbulent times and there’s very good reference made of civil rights protests and the rising prominence of Martin Luther King. Althea faces many challenges not least from the crowds and her ways of dealing with what she encounters is interesting and totally different from the more direct challenges from Hettie.
The characterisation of these wildly different personalities is well done. Both are infuriating in various ways but far from dull and I can admire them both. The vibes and dialogue between them is so entertaining as they racquet back and forth across the verbal net, some comments score aces whilst others hit the net. Hettie believes there’s more at stake here and that it’s part of a bigger picture whereas Althea doesn’t. Both have to fight tooth and nail to get seats at the table and there are numerous obstacles in their path.
The historical context is excellent and it’s interesting to reflect on the role of Althea in women’s tennis as time has elapsed as she is now regarded as one of the all time greats.
My only negatives are that the pace slows at times especially when the focus is on Hettie and her life and little space is given to Althea winning Wimbledon or at Forest Hills and I would have enjoyed that.
Overall, an interesting and illuminating read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
It’s the 1950’s and Hettie Carlin is a journalist working for Harlem Heights though she’s very lucky she’s still got a job after repercussions following her Montgomery Bus Boycott article. Instead of firing her though, her editor assigns her the story of the rise of African American tennis star, Althea Gibson. There are two problems attached to this, Hettie knows zero (or should that be love?!) about tennis and as she’s born and raised in Harlem and so is Althea, the pair have history. This might just prove to be tricky to get around. Can Hettie get her scoop when Althea plays Forest Hills or Wimbledon? Can she convince Althea to even talk to her, never mind let her into her life especially as Althea dislikes journalists? Can Hettie convince the public to like Althea a bit more?
I’m ashamed to admit that, even as a tennis fan, beyond knowing the barest bones of tennis facts about Althea I knew very little else about her. This very well researched novel redresses this issue. It gives absolutely fascinating insight into Althea herself, into tennis at this time for a person of colour and is set amidst the historical context of the civil rights movement. These are turbulent times and there’s very good reference made of civil rights protests and the rising prominence of Martin Luther King. Althea faces many challenges not least from the crowds and her ways of dealing with what she encounters is interesting and totally different from the more direct challenges from Hettie.
The characterisation of these wildly different personalities is well done. Both are infuriating in various ways but far from dull and I can admire them both. The vibes and dialogue between them is so entertaining as they racquet back and forth across the verbal net, some comments score aces whilst others hit the net. Hettie believes there’s more at stake here and that it’s part of a bigger picture whereas Althea doesn’t. Both have to fight tooth and nail to get seats at the table and there are numerous obstacles in their path.
The historical context is excellent and it’s interesting to reflect on the role of Althea in women’s tennis as time has elapsed as she is now regarded as one of the all time greats.
My only negatives are that the pace slows at times especially when the focus is on Hettie and her life and little space is given to Althea winning Wimbledon or at Forest Hills and I would have enjoyed that.
Overall, an interesting and illuminating read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
4.5 rounded up
The Game Changer is a great historical fiction (1950s) meets drama and I ate this up quickly!
Our main character is Hettie, a journalist whose job is on the line after making a big mistake in Montgomery, AL that even got the attention of MLK. Now you will eventually find out what happened closer to the end, but it’s not the point of the book. Hettie convinces her boss that she can get close to Althea Gibson, one of the few famous Black tennis players and she has yet to take a public stance on Civil Rights Movement - something that has been a great contention to the rest of the world. Hettie and Big Al were friends once upon a time but something changed all of that too and now Hettie and Althea need each other in different ways.
I really enjoyed getting to know Hettie as the FMC and her love story intertwined into the journey of her career was so intriguing. Tennis 🎾 is the supporting character here and I liked that each chapter is named after tennis terms that correlate with the situations at hand. Although we never got the POV of Althea, I enjoyed getting to know her through Hettie and wanted to learn more upon finishing the book.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author!
The Game Changer is a great historical fiction (1950s) meets drama and I ate this up quickly!
Our main character is Hettie, a journalist whose job is on the line after making a big mistake in Montgomery, AL that even got the attention of MLK. Now you will eventually find out what happened closer to the end, but it’s not the point of the book. Hettie convinces her boss that she can get close to Althea Gibson, one of the few famous Black tennis players and she has yet to take a public stance on Civil Rights Movement - something that has been a great contention to the rest of the world. Hettie and Big Al were friends once upon a time but something changed all of that too and now Hettie and Althea need each other in different ways.
I really enjoyed getting to know Hettie as the FMC and her love story intertwined into the journey of her career was so intriguing. Tennis 🎾 is the supporting character here and I liked that each chapter is named after tennis terms that correlate with the situations at hand. Although we never got the POV of Althea, I enjoyed getting to know her through Hettie and wanted to learn more upon finishing the book.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author!
April 25, 2025
This was a good story. I recognize that Hettie and her journey as a journalist and using her “relationship” with tennis legend Althea Gibson as a vehicle to save her career is the story. However, I couldn’t really get into Hettie’s character until she really started engaging with Althea. Then the ending was rushed. While we all know Althea wins Wimbledon, some critical exchanges and observations are made in the win and its aftermath that the author glosses over. The blow up between them in the end becomes a lot of tell, rather than show related to the post Wimbledon exchanges which irked me. Of all the times to gloss, this climactic point wasn’t it. Additionally, I wanted to see her go to her boss and quit, not just announce it. The side story of her relationship with Shadrack didn’t really move me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
This was a book about the tennis legend Althea Gibson it was interesting to read but I really struggled and almost gave up. It wasn't a gripping read and I was pleased when it ended and I could move onto another book. There were some bits in the book I think should have been made more prominent but ended up with one line, it was overall quite disappointing.
August 8, 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUk for the advanced copy of this story.
After reading The Butterfly Code I was looking forward to reading this story and it did not disappoint. Set during the civil rights movement Hettie, an aspiring journalist of colour has ambitions to see her words in print. When she makes some self promotional decisions with her stories on the bus boycotting she is given one chance to redeem herself and keep her job.
Sport is the topic she has been given to cover but this is another challenge for Hettie as she has been assigned to cover Althea Gibson a female tennis player of colour in a white persons world. Althea is only interested in tennis and winning and doesn’t care about journalists, political views or Hettie as they have a history.
Watching the barriers break down between Hettie and Althea was really interesting. I think Althea changed Hettie more than the other way round and although Althea was definitely subject to hateful treatment she kept to her stance with Hettie in that she would not take a stand and was only there to play and win tennis games.
The time period was really interesting and portrayed in a thought provoking way. I understood the view points of Hettie trying to persuade Althea that she could do more for the people that had helped her get where she was and take more of a stand in the civil rights movement. I also understood Althea’s view that she would win matches and the rest would follow and that she was a tennis player rather than a civil rights activist.
A really engaging and enjoyable read which I would recommend.
After reading The Butterfly Code I was looking forward to reading this story and it did not disappoint. Set during the civil rights movement Hettie, an aspiring journalist of colour has ambitions to see her words in print. When she makes some self promotional decisions with her stories on the bus boycotting she is given one chance to redeem herself and keep her job.
Sport is the topic she has been given to cover but this is another challenge for Hettie as she has been assigned to cover Althea Gibson a female tennis player of colour in a white persons world. Althea is only interested in tennis and winning and doesn’t care about journalists, political views or Hettie as they have a history.
Watching the barriers break down between Hettie and Althea was really interesting. I think Althea changed Hettie more than the other way round and although Althea was definitely subject to hateful treatment she kept to her stance with Hettie in that she would not take a stand and was only there to play and win tennis games.
The time period was really interesting and portrayed in a thought provoking way. I understood the view points of Hettie trying to persuade Althea that she could do more for the people that had helped her get where she was and take more of a stand in the civil rights movement. I also understood Althea’s view that she would win matches and the rest would follow and that she was a tennis player rather than a civil rights activist.
A really engaging and enjoyable read which I would recommend.
April 30, 2025
A good quick and easy read. The lover girl in me loved the love story intertwined with the story!!! Big Al and Hettie definitely remind me of my cousin and I, I think that’s why I was hooked as well.
Embassie just turned me into a historical fiction gal!!!! Love it
Embassie just turned me into a historical fiction gal!!!! Love it
May 14, 2025
Hmmmm the first 100 pages were super slow for me, but overall I enjoyed it. I did have a dream last night that there was some kind of interactive feature that allowed the reader to customize Hettie’s outfits at the beginning of each chapter. That probably means I missed the point 😂
August 15, 2024
Having loved Code Name Butterfly, I was pleased to be able to read the next book by the same author. This time she is writing about Althea Gibson, the first African American Tennis player to win a Grand Slam tennis event. I’m afraid I hadn’t heard of her before this, as I’m not a tennis fan but I shall certainly remember her name now. It’s always fascinating to read a fictionalised telling of a real persons life and career, the combination of the facts that are out in the world and how the author imagines these stories went. The story is told by journalist Hetty Carlin, who works for Harlem Heights newspaper, and after an incident during the Montgomery Bus boycott needs to pull a great story out of the bag to keep her job. Her editor assigns her the task of getting a scoop on rising star Althea, a task not made any easier by the history between the two of them.
It’s an interesting time in history with Dr Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement coming to prominence. Althea, whether she liked it or not, is coming to the media’s attention and Hettie is determined that Althea needs to make her stand against the bigotry she faces almost daily. Althea only wants to be treated as a tennis player, not judged on her likes, dislikes, opinions or relationships and refuses to pander to the press or the public.
A bit of a slow burner but very well researched and imagined, I couldn’t like Hettie, and wanted to know more about Altheas life than hers, as well as more from Ce-Ce, Morgan and Lewis. Althea was such a strong, determined woman, a real game changer, literally and someone who should be remembered as playing a pivotal role in both tennis and American history. Excellent read. 4 1/2⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It’s an interesting time in history with Dr Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement coming to prominence. Althea, whether she liked it or not, is coming to the media’s attention and Hettie is determined that Althea needs to make her stand against the bigotry she faces almost daily. Althea only wants to be treated as a tennis player, not judged on her likes, dislikes, opinions or relationships and refuses to pander to the press or the public.
A bit of a slow burner but very well researched and imagined, I couldn’t like Hettie, and wanted to know more about Altheas life than hers, as well as more from Ce-Ce, Morgan and Lewis. Althea was such a strong, determined woman, a real game changer, literally and someone who should be remembered as playing a pivotal role in both tennis and American history. Excellent read. 4 1/2⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 26, 2024
This book transports us to the 1950s. Hettie Carlin is a journalist for Harlem Heights. She has recently committed a significant error, and her boss has graciously not fired her. Instead, he gives her a new challenge. He wants her to write pieces about the growth of African American tennis star Althea Gibson, who dislikes journalists and needs to get more positive coverage.
It is a struggle because Hettie knows very little about tennis. She also knows Althea, and their relationship hasn't been great in the past. They have a history. Hettie will need to overcome this in order to gain Althea's trust and keep her job.
I was unfamiliar with Althea Gibson, but this novel provided an excellent opportunity to learn about her as well as this period in American society, including how it could have felt to be a person of colour in tennis at the time, what difficulties arose in daily life for simple things like getting a hotel room, what was going on with the civil rights movement, and the influence of personalities such as Martin Luther King.
It is fascinating to watch Hettie and Althea's conversation and see their very different perspectives on the subject. Hettie wants Althea to become a societal symbol and voice for African Americans. Althea simply wants to be famous and dominant in her sport because of her talent, not because of the colour of her skin. An excellent rally between the two, with informative insights on the subject and a fascinating expansion of mind for both ladies over time.
The book was sometimes a little slow for me, but it was extremely engaging and provided an excellent historical context. It was a fitting tribute to a strong woman and excellent athlete who was not only the first Black athlete to win the Grand Slam in 1956, but also became the first to compete on the Women's Professional Golf Tour.
It is a struggle because Hettie knows very little about tennis. She also knows Althea, and their relationship hasn't been great in the past. They have a history. Hettie will need to overcome this in order to gain Althea's trust and keep her job.
I was unfamiliar with Althea Gibson, but this novel provided an excellent opportunity to learn about her as well as this period in American society, including how it could have felt to be a person of colour in tennis at the time, what difficulties arose in daily life for simple things like getting a hotel room, what was going on with the civil rights movement, and the influence of personalities such as Martin Luther King.
It is fascinating to watch Hettie and Althea's conversation and see their very different perspectives on the subject. Hettie wants Althea to become a societal symbol and voice for African Americans. Althea simply wants to be famous and dominant in her sport because of her talent, not because of the colour of her skin. An excellent rally between the two, with informative insights on the subject and a fascinating expansion of mind for both ladies over time.
The book was sometimes a little slow for me, but it was extremely engaging and provided an excellent historical context. It was a fitting tribute to a strong woman and excellent athlete who was not only the first Black athlete to win the Grand Slam in 1956, but also became the first to compete on the Women's Professional Golf Tour.
August 10, 2024
New York, 1950. Ambitious journalist Hettie Carlin is reeling from a scandal and desperate for a scoop to salvage her career when her boss tasks her with the meteoric rise of Althea Gibson, the tennis world's newest star, there's just two Hettie knows nothing about tennis. Plus, her and Althea have a history - and it's not pleasant. Hettie must convince a media-septic Althea Gibson to allow Hettie back into her life, and it won't be an easy feat. But as Althea's star rises, and she challenges the status quo, she faces media bias, tennis establishment prejudice, and discrimination head-on - and Althea soon realises she may just need Hettie, too, in order to tell her own story on her in her own terms.
Set in the 1950s. I can't stand any sport, so who would have thought I would enjoy a book that includes tennis? Hettie Carlin and Althea Gibson are both black and have experienced racism from an early age. Althea is the tennis player, Hettie is a journalist. Both women come from the same town. Althea's the first black woman to win Wimbledon. The book has been well-researched. It's interesting and informative. I liked learning about these women. Althea becomes an unexpected civil rights icon, she holds the power to change history.
Published 15th August 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #EmbassieSusberry for my ARC of #TheGameChanger in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the 1950s. I can't stand any sport, so who would have thought I would enjoy a book that includes tennis? Hettie Carlin and Althea Gibson are both black and have experienced racism from an early age. Althea is the tennis player, Hettie is a journalist. Both women come from the same town. Althea's the first black woman to win Wimbledon. The book has been well-researched. It's interesting and informative. I liked learning about these women. Althea becomes an unexpected civil rights icon, she holds the power to change history.
Published 15th August 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #EmbassieSusberry for my ARC of #TheGameChanger in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2024
I have read the authors previous novel Codename Butterfly. So, I was excited to receive a copy of her new novel ‘The game changer’
It’s the 1950’s. Hettie Carlin is a journalist for the Harlem Heights newspaper. And is lucky to still have a job after the problems she had with the Montgomery Bus Boycott article. But her boss has given her another chance as has assigned her to do an article on the up-and-coming negro Tennis player called Althea Gibson. There are problem though. Both the women have had history as they come from the same town. Althea only wants to play Tennis and she eventually is the first black woman to win Wimbledon, but she seems to have become a poster woman for the Civil rights movement, especially the rights for black people. No fault of her own and Hettie knows nothing about Tennis.
Firstly, I am not a fan of Tennis, so I wasn’t aware of the history of Althea Gibson. Although a bit slow at the start I found this to have an interesting, atmospheric storyline, which is based of Althea and the Civil rights movement. This is researched well and made me want to find out more about Althea after reading this. 4 stars from me.
It’s the 1950’s. Hettie Carlin is a journalist for the Harlem Heights newspaper. And is lucky to still have a job after the problems she had with the Montgomery Bus Boycott article. But her boss has given her another chance as has assigned her to do an article on the up-and-coming negro Tennis player called Althea Gibson. There are problem though. Both the women have had history as they come from the same town. Althea only wants to play Tennis and she eventually is the first black woman to win Wimbledon, but she seems to have become a poster woman for the Civil rights movement, especially the rights for black people. No fault of her own and Hettie knows nothing about Tennis.
Firstly, I am not a fan of Tennis, so I wasn’t aware of the history of Althea Gibson. Although a bit slow at the start I found this to have an interesting, atmospheric storyline, which is based of Althea and the Civil rights movement. This is researched well and made me want to find out more about Althea after reading this. 4 stars from me.
September 2, 2024
Following her novel Codename Butterfly based on the exploits of the black singer Josephine Baker in WWII France the author again uses a figure from the mid 20 th century this time the tennis player Althea Gibson. Using the fictions relationship between Althea and a female reporter the author portrays the immense difficulties faced by a young black athlete in 1950’s America.Althea’s story is told alongside the that of Hettie Carlin the fictitious reporter and in this way way the author is able to highlight the overt racial prejudice in the USA and also in the UK . As a story it is good as a piece documented social history in a readable way it is excellent. Although winning Wimbledon twice Althea was never accepted as a member of Wimbledon due to her colour.
The author is to be admired for the way she tackles the subject of racism and the way she highlights the accomplishments of black American female athletes.
The author is to be admired for the way she tackles the subject of racism and the way she highlights the accomplishments of black American female athletes.
April 30, 2025
This was an interesting story. Took a little long to get to the grand reveal of Hettie and Althea's beef. Although it did an admirable job of describing the pressure Althea Gibson was under to represent her whole race, the author couldn't seem to make her likeable. She was gruff, short, and unfriendly in almost all her interactions. I know she doesn't have to be anything but an athlete, but it would've been nice to see some warmth beneath the steel.
The biggest problem I had was with Hettie. She was an unsympathetic protagonist and I couldn't see myself empathizing her. Her one redeeming factor was her ambition, which was also her achilles heel because she had no problem manipulating her way to get what she wanted and using people. I guess it's alright to have an almost morally gray character but between the two of them, I didn't really like either of them, so it made reading this a chore.
The biggest problem I had was with Hettie. She was an unsympathetic protagonist and I couldn't see myself empathizing her. Her one redeeming factor was her ambition, which was also her achilles heel because she had no problem manipulating her way to get what she wanted and using people. I guess it's alright to have an almost morally gray character but between the two of them, I didn't really like either of them, so it made reading this a chore.
April 29, 2025
This book may be labeled historical fiction, but it delivers all the contemporary drama - and I was absolutely here for it!
Hettie finds herself in hot water at work after stirring the pot by reporting on a story about events happening in Alabama during the bus boycotts. Her career is hanging on by a thread, but instead of being fired, she's given one last chance: cover Althea Gibson, a Black female tennis star. Hettie and Althea are like oil and water- Hettie confronts racism head-on, while Althea prefers to stay out of the spotlight, not commenting on any civil rights matters.
The romance, the tension and the knowledge I gained about important historical figures really made this book for me! A stronger ending would have made this 5 stars.
Hettie finds herself in hot water at work after stirring the pot by reporting on a story about events happening in Alabama during the bus boycotts. Her career is hanging on by a thread, but instead of being fired, she's given one last chance: cover Althea Gibson, a Black female tennis star. Hettie and Althea are like oil and water- Hettie confronts racism head-on, while Althea prefers to stay out of the spotlight, not commenting on any civil rights matters.
The romance, the tension and the knowledge I gained about important historical figures really made this book for me! A stronger ending would have made this 5 stars.
June 21, 2024
I raced through this book as I loved the story. It is so different from other books that I’ve read.
I am not a fan of tennis, but I was fascinated with Althea the black tennis player and Hettie the black journalist.
They both experienced racism and the author has written about such a volatile subject in a sensitive way.
Great book!
I am not a fan of tennis, but I was fascinated with Althea the black tennis player and Hettie the black journalist.
They both experienced racism and the author has written about such a volatile subject in a sensitive way.
Great book!
September 14, 2024
Another Great Story of History Making Women of Color!
Well told story of life's pressures of accomplishing your goals and keeping you self respect, dignity and your life intact. Another great read!
Well told story of life's pressures of accomplishing your goals and keeping you self respect, dignity and your life intact. Another great read!
October 16, 2024
A wealth of enlightening pages
I had no idea who Althea Gibson was until now. The prejudice she endured is heartbreaking, but her victory over it is worth applauding.
I will recommend this book.
I had no idea who Althea Gibson was until now. The prejudice she endured is heartbreaking, but her victory over it is worth applauding.
I will recommend this book.
March 3, 2025
A book about tennis legend Althea Gibson sounds amazing, but while this was an interesting read, I really struggled to get through it. That struggle was centered on one main character who I found to be highly annoying; in fact, I almost quit reading because I just could not stand that character.
October 26, 2024
Beautiful Story!!!!
Loved the story of an African American legend I knew little about. The hint of romance between Shadrach and Hettie was perfect.
Loved the story of an African American legend I knew little about. The hint of romance between Shadrach and Hettie was perfect.
October 27, 2024
The Game Changer
The Game Changer was a don't put ME down book until you finish, kind of read. And, it was not until It and completed.
Kudos!
The Game Changer was a don't put ME down book until you finish, kind of read. And, it was not until It and completed.
Kudos!
August 10, 2025
DNF @ 19% - Sadly, I couldn't get into this one.
January 13, 2026
Every time I read a book like this, I’m reminded how little we hear about these incredible, history-making people. The story of Althea Gibson - the first black athlete to win a Grand Slam in the 1950s - is extraordinary, and this novel captures both her determination and the obstacles she faced. I loved how it blended a strong sense of time and place with fascinating characters, showing how Althea’s fight went far beyond the tennis court. This is why I love historical fiction - it shines a light on overlooked voices while telling a powerful, inspiring story of grit and defying the odds.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews