Gap Year

by Bella Bryce

Samantha Holloway is one of the few teenagers who knows of the infamous Walden School and wants nothing to do with it, but Walden has ties with Cheswick Ladies Football Club and Sam wants everything to do with CLFC. Sam lives and breathes the game, and sometimes football is the only breath she has left in her. Coach Wiley knows that, which is why she pushes Sam to attend the Walden girls’ football trials. When originally Sam thought boarding at Walden would be a serious inconvenience on her personal freedom, Walden may just end up being the place that saves her from hopelessness.

446 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2016

Reviews

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for the typical spanking romance story this book doesn't fit that bill. This story focus on the life of students in an exclusive boarding school.

There are two story threads running through this book. The first is Charles who is a returning senior. His world has been upset by the change in relationship to his cousin and then his being passed over for an honor he was looking forward too. He seems to have a chip on his shoulder and seems a bit unlikable.

The second story is Samantha who has had a rough life and her chance to be a part of this school is her only chance to have a future. She has closed her self off and feels she has secrets that need to be kept.

As you reach the end of the book these two lives are just starting to intersect as they are both settling into the school year.

I felt more connected and concerned with Samantha's story and life. I have already begun to care for this character. I want her to be successful and have the better life. I wasn't sure as I read through the book at times that I like the story but as it continued to unfold and I moved through Samantha's story I was looking forward to seeing what was next. I get the hint that Samantha and Charles will have more interaction moving into the next book. I think how there relationship develops will have a large effect on how I view the series overall. But as I came to the end of this book I can honestly say I am really looking forward to seeing what next at Walden School.

[Joanie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book set the stage for life and expectations at Walden school. The prefects we met in the prequel play a prominent role, but the plot is primarily about Sam, a deep, complex character who is struggling to fit in, despite her exceptional talent on the soccer field or "football pitch" as they say at Walden. Charles, who was also introduced in the prequel, continues to be bitter about not being a prefect and I sense an ominous undertone where he is concerned. Unfortunately, this book doesn't go far enough into the school year for any real conclusions to be drawn. Personally, I would prefer a bit less detail and a plot that moves along quicker so that the end of the book feels like an end, rather than a beginning. The depth and complexity of the characters and the setting, however, are intriguing enough to hold my interest and now I can't wait for the next book.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the prequel to Walden I had to wait for this book to be released. Oh my, it was worth the wait. The storyline was brilliant, Sam, a gifted football player (soccer) Hedley, head boy, Charles, a young man who feels cheated because he wasn't picked to be a perfect and all the wonderful characters including an abusive drinking father, a mother with her own agenda, Sams new friends, some corporal punishment, a caring coach and more. It ended with a cliffhanger and so I will again wait for the next book. I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review, the thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walden: the boarding school that has it all: a well written story that is packed full of passion, plot, characterization, and spankings. A satisfying read.