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The Ultimate Blindside
326 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
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4 people want to read
About the author
Leslea Wahl
25 books148 followersLeslea lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. Their own life of adventure includes traveling, skiing, and scuba diving. Leslea strives to write fiction that will inspire readers to use their own talents and gifts to glorify God.
The Perfect Blindside has received a 2016 First Place Catholic Press Association Book Award and a 2016 Illumination Book Awards silver medal.
An Unexpected Role has was awarded a 2017 Moonbeam Children's book Gold Medal.
The Perfect Blindside has received a 2016 First Place Catholic Press Association Book Award and a 2016 Illumination Book Awards silver medal.
An Unexpected Role has was awarded a 2017 Moonbeam Children's book Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 9, 2026
This book marks the fourteenth time I have read a book by Leslea Wahl, and that does not count her contributions to anthologies or the collaborative stories she has written with other Catholic Teen Books Authors. It took a long time for this third story in this series to be available. But it was well worth the wait! The description of this volume is:
“Jake’s silver-medal life is movie-worthy.
Sophie’s role is about to be sabotaged.
Their sleepy Colorado town is overrun by a Hollywood film crew as the two teens, now high school seniors, find their private lives laid open for the world to see.
Meanwhile, a mysterious woman and her daughter seek the couple’s help running from a powerful, dangerous man. In this tale of twists, whom can Sophie and Jake truly trust?”
The Perfect Blindside, was the first book I read by Wahl and after reading it I picked up all the others that were then available. And I eagerly awaited this novel that continues the story. This book, series, and everything from Wahl is a good clean Christian young adult novel. But the story is so well written that even older readers should really enjoy it. It is part mystery and part romance. But the romance much less in this volume, and the two have grown in their relationship. This story reminds me a lot of Madeleine L’Engle’s Chronos books.
As such the story revolves around mysterious events happening in Colorado during the fiming of events from the previous volume to turn those into a movie Both the main characters have a lot on their plate, with growing fame, finishing highschool, preparing for university. And The mysteries they just seem to find themselves wrapped up in.
Both Jake and Sophie are facing things from their past. But also dealing with a lot in the present. During the first day of shooting a car goes into water and Jake jumps in to save a mother and young child. Because the cameras were rolling and media was onsite it made a big splash in the news. But the mother ants to hid and is fearful of even the police. They also discover someone is tampering with Sophie’s electronic communications, and Jake feels like he is being followed. Sometimes the best intentions so sideways, sometimes even in epic fashion. To find out read this excellent story.
Both Jake and Sophie have grown a lot over the course of this trilogy and the other stories they appear in. But in this one they face their biggest challenges yet. And they truly do face an Ultimate Blindside.
The story moves at a great pace. One of the greatest strengths is the characters. Wahl writes amazing characters. She also does excellent part of the book is the representation of internal struggles, of Jake and Sophie as they try and live out their faith, and as they are growing into adultsJake and Sophie are excellent role models and examples. And I hope that we get another story with them.
This is the type of stories I encourage my own teens and young adult children to read. It is clean, but shows real struggles and trial. This book was a great read. I could hardly put it down. The discussion guide at the end is great for families or youth groups to work through together. It is an excellent read. I can easily recommend it.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
“Jake’s silver-medal life is movie-worthy.
Sophie’s role is about to be sabotaged.
Their sleepy Colorado town is overrun by a Hollywood film crew as the two teens, now high school seniors, find their private lives laid open for the world to see.
Meanwhile, a mysterious woman and her daughter seek the couple’s help running from a powerful, dangerous man. In this tale of twists, whom can Sophie and Jake truly trust?”
The Perfect Blindside, was the first book I read by Wahl and after reading it I picked up all the others that were then available. And I eagerly awaited this novel that continues the story. This book, series, and everything from Wahl is a good clean Christian young adult novel. But the story is so well written that even older readers should really enjoy it. It is part mystery and part romance. But the romance much less in this volume, and the two have grown in their relationship. This story reminds me a lot of Madeleine L’Engle’s Chronos books.
As such the story revolves around mysterious events happening in Colorado during the fiming of events from the previous volume to turn those into a movie Both the main characters have a lot on their plate, with growing fame, finishing highschool, preparing for university. And The mysteries they just seem to find themselves wrapped up in.
Both Jake and Sophie are facing things from their past. But also dealing with a lot in the present. During the first day of shooting a car goes into water and Jake jumps in to save a mother and young child. Because the cameras were rolling and media was onsite it made a big splash in the news. But the mother ants to hid and is fearful of even the police. They also discover someone is tampering with Sophie’s electronic communications, and Jake feels like he is being followed. Sometimes the best intentions so sideways, sometimes even in epic fashion. To find out read this excellent story.
Both Jake and Sophie have grown a lot over the course of this trilogy and the other stories they appear in. But in this one they face their biggest challenges yet. And they truly do face an Ultimate Blindside.
The story moves at a great pace. One of the greatest strengths is the characters. Wahl writes amazing characters. She also does excellent part of the book is the representation of internal struggles, of Jake and Sophie as they try and live out their faith, and as they are growing into adultsJake and Sophie are excellent role models and examples. And I hope that we get another story with them.
This is the type of stories I encourage my own teens and young adult children to read. It is clean, but shows real struggles and trial. This book was a great read. I could hardly put it down. The discussion guide at the end is great for families or youth groups to work through together. It is an excellent read. I can easily recommend it.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
February 19, 2026
ULTIMATE BLINDSIDE by Leslea Wahl
Whatever you do, do not miss this novel. I absolutely loved it.
Just as the Hollywood studio begins filming the movie about Jake Taylor's life, a terrible accident shifts both his and Sophie Metcalf's attention from the movie. Then strange things start happening to Sophie, while Jake is certain that he's being followed. Finally, a traumatic event from their past comes back to haunt them, pushing all other concerns out of their heads. When your life is being threatened, does anything else matter?
This story was never predictable. I could never guess what would happen next. And I thought Jake and Sophie made choices that were consistent with their age group. Their decisions seemed logical to them, and I understood why they chose to head in that direction. Both of these main characters were likable. I was definitely rooting for them, and I cared about what happened to them.
The very first scene hooked me and made me eager to keep reading. The middle never dragged. I was engaged from start to finish. The climax scene was suspenseful and not what I expected.
To sum it up, I highly recommend this novel. It's one of the best books I've read in a while (excluding Leslea's other novels!).
Whatever you do, do not miss this novel. I absolutely loved it.
Just as the Hollywood studio begins filming the movie about Jake Taylor's life, a terrible accident shifts both his and Sophie Metcalf's attention from the movie. Then strange things start happening to Sophie, while Jake is certain that he's being followed. Finally, a traumatic event from their past comes back to haunt them, pushing all other concerns out of their heads. When your life is being threatened, does anything else matter?
This story was never predictable. I could never guess what would happen next. And I thought Jake and Sophie made choices that were consistent with their age group. Their decisions seemed logical to them, and I understood why they chose to head in that direction. Both of these main characters were likable. I was definitely rooting for them, and I cared about what happened to them.
The very first scene hooked me and made me eager to keep reading. The middle never dragged. I was engaged from start to finish. The climax scene was suspenseful and not what I expected.
To sum it up, I highly recommend this novel. It's one of the best books I've read in a while (excluding Leslea's other novels!).
February 6, 2026
The Ultimate Blindside is another must-read from Leslea Wahl! Readers are immediately thrust into the action when Olympic snowboarder Jake and aspiring journalist Sophie save a stranger and her young daughter. The woman claims to be on the run from her abusive husband, so Sophie and Jake try to help, putting themselves in more danger than they can ever imagine. As an author myself, I’m in awe of how the plot leaves me guessing, then blindsides me with a twist. But it’s not just one plot, Wahl is a master at entangling several intriguing plotlines such as a movie production, computer hacking, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. I love trying to predict how everything will unravel, but a telltale sign of a good book is when my jaw drops and I gasp… common reactions when I read Wahl’s books!
Wahl is a master at writing about teens. She creates characters we love and puts them in emotionally compelling situations with dialogue that’s very natural. Jake and Sophie are characters we admire, so when they subtly talk about chastity and forgiveness, it’s inspiring. Highly recommend for ages 12-112.
Wahl is a master at writing about teens. She creates characters we love and puts them in emotionally compelling situations with dialogue that’s very natural. Jake and Sophie are characters we admire, so when they subtly talk about chastity and forgiveness, it’s inspiring. Highly recommend for ages 12-112.
February 10, 2026
This new episode in Jake and Sophie's story grabs you right from the start. It leads off with Jake rescuing a mom and daughter while attending the filming of his rise to fame.
Nothing goes smoothly, from jealous ex-friends showing up, to clingy fans, and someone out to ruin his girlfriend Sophie's reputation.
Good mystery and sweet romance for teens. Another winner from Wahl.
I received an ARC copy. All opinions are solely my own.
Nothing goes smoothly, from jealous ex-friends showing up, to clingy fans, and someone out to ruin his girlfriend Sophie's reputation.
Good mystery and sweet romance for teens. Another winner from Wahl.
I received an ARC copy. All opinions are solely my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews