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Playing Hurt
Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college―and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family. As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain―or finally heal their heartbreak?
"PLAYING HURT is a delicious, tantalizing love story that will captivate you until the final, satisfying sigh."―Kristin Walker, author of A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL
"PLAYING HURT is a delicious, tantalizing love story that will captivate you until the final, satisfying sigh."―Kristin Walker, author of A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL
303 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
226 people are currently reading
7226 people want to read
About the author
Holly Schindler
51 books311 followersHolly Schindler’s work has received starred reviews in Booklist and Publishers Weekly, has won silver and gold medals in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year and the IPPY Awards, respectively, has been featured on Booklist’s Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal’s What’s Hot in YA, and has been a PW Pick of the Week. She can usually be found consuming large quantities of coffee and working on her next book. She can also be found at hollyschindler.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
January 21, 2012
Blargh. Not my thing at all.
Books that deal with cheating and deception are not an instant turn off for me. I’ve read books where the subject is handled realistically and effectively. Unfortunately, I almost missed whatever the point of this story was intended to be because I was too distracted by being annoyed with the characters. I really disliked both of them, and found them incredibly disengaging to read about.
At a guess, I’d say the general theme of this novel was along the lines of “be brave and be true to yourself”, judging by the sports injuries as a metaphor thing running through it. And sure, I can roll with a story that deals with the fact that sometimes we hurt people we care about, and make poor choices. Unfortunately, this was not that story. This appears to be about two exceptionally selfish, immature people wanting to have their cake and eat it too.
Also, “chemistry” does not cut the mustard with me as an excuse for acting like a jerk. Period.
Mini-rant over.
Readers who enjoy briskly-paced, upper YA heavy on the romance aspect may get more out of this than I did. For me, it was a swing and a miss. (Obligatory sports pun).
Books that deal with cheating and deception are not an instant turn off for me. I’ve read books where the subject is handled realistically and effectively. Unfortunately, I almost missed whatever the point of this story was intended to be because I was too distracted by being annoyed with the characters. I really disliked both of them, and found them incredibly disengaging to read about.
At a guess, I’d say the general theme of this novel was along the lines of “be brave and be true to yourself”, judging by the sports injuries as a metaphor thing running through it. And sure, I can roll with a story that deals with the fact that sometimes we hurt people we care about, and make poor choices. Unfortunately, this was not that story. This appears to be about two exceptionally selfish, immature people wanting to have their cake and eat it too.
Also, “chemistry” does not cut the mustard with me as an excuse for acting like a jerk. Period.
Mini-rant over.
Readers who enjoy briskly-paced, upper YA heavy on the romance aspect may get more out of this than I did. For me, it was a swing and a miss. (Obligatory sports pun).
April 11, 2011
Alright, let’s see if I can bring some order into my jumbled thoughts and feelings about this one.
What bothered me:
1. The cheating. It’s not like it bothered me to the point that I wanted to stop reading or anything drastic like that but it did make me feel slightly uncomfortable and I have to agree with Gabe Even though Gabe made me want to throw up because he was so disgustingly romantic and sappy and clingy I still felt bad for him. Chelsea acted without any regard to Gabe’s feelings and obviously didn’t give a shit about him otherwise she wouldn’t have hooked up with Clint.
2. Barbie and Ken, err, Chelsea and Clint. I wasn’t bothered by their characters, at least not in Clint’s case, but I was bothered by their looks. Why does the love interest always have to be some kind of uber-hot adonis? A little flaw here and there is perfectly fine with me. After I had read the description of both their outward appearances I immediately had to think of Barbie and Ken. I know, this is probably a stupid thing to be bothered about but somehow it irked me a litte.
3. IMO, there was something wrong with the message of this book. Not to live timidly and all that was an ok message, but it is wrong to do so on somebody else’s expenses and that’s exactly what Chelsea did.
What I liked:
1. Holy shit, this was hawt!!! Sure, I knew from my friends’ reviews that there would be some steamy scenes but little perv that I am I was stillpleasantly surprised by all that hawtness. *fans herself*
2. The romance between Clint and Chelsea. I genuinely enjoyed their story, they had a great chemistry and I really liked Clint. While I wasn’t extremely fond of Chelsea, I thought Clint was great. He’s a good guy who’s been hurt badly and I felt for him. I enjoyed his POV immensely.
3. Even if I was bothered by Chelsea’s behavior and - except for the occasional stab of guilt - her lack of remorse, I still thought the scenario was pretty realistic. Even though I wished several times while reading that she would man up and do the right thing, I could still understand her issues with choosing (or not) between the two guys.
***********
For Olivia :)
Just touching her makes me want to immerse myself, put my head completely under the surface of her. I want to drift, to let her carry me away, down her current.
My tears are like a whole pack of dogs on leashes; no matter how I try to tug them back, they just keep barreling forward. (my personal favorite)
I feel as exposed as a sweatshirt worn wrong-side-out, or like pocket linings dangling outside of a pair of jeans. My heart, my hope, hang in the afternoon sun.
His skin radiates so much of the day's heat that touching him feels like wading into the lake, opening my hand, and catching one of the white shimmers of blistering afternoon sunlight bouncing across the water.
What bothered me:
1. The cheating. It’s not like it bothered me to the point that I wanted to stop reading or anything drastic like that but it did make me feel slightly uncomfortable and I have to agree with Gabe Even though Gabe made me want to throw up because he was so disgustingly romantic and sappy and clingy I still felt bad for him. Chelsea acted without any regard to Gabe’s feelings and obviously didn’t give a shit about him otherwise she wouldn’t have hooked up with Clint.
2. Barbie and Ken, err, Chelsea and Clint. I wasn’t bothered by their characters, at least not in Clint’s case, but I was bothered by their looks. Why does the love interest always have to be some kind of uber-hot adonis? A little flaw here and there is perfectly fine with me. After I had read the description of both their outward appearances I immediately had to think of Barbie and Ken. I know, this is probably a stupid thing to be bothered about but somehow it irked me a litte.
3. IMO, there was something wrong with the message of this book. Not to live timidly and all that was an ok message, but it is wrong to do so on somebody else’s expenses and that’s exactly what Chelsea did.
What I liked:
1. Holy shit, this was hawt!!! Sure, I knew from my friends’ reviews that there would be some steamy scenes but little perv that I am I was still
2. The romance between Clint and Chelsea. I genuinely enjoyed their story, they had a great chemistry and I really liked Clint. While I wasn’t extremely fond of Chelsea, I thought Clint was great. He’s a good guy who’s been hurt badly and I felt for him. I enjoyed his POV immensely.
3. Even if I was bothered by Chelsea’s behavior and - except for the occasional stab of guilt - her lack of remorse, I still thought the scenario was pretty realistic. Even though I wished several times while reading that she would man up and do the right thing, I could still understand her issues with choosing (or not) between the two guys.
***********
For Olivia :)
Just touching her makes me want to immerse myself, put my head completely under the surface of her. I want to drift, to let her carry me away, down her current.
My tears are like a whole pack of dogs on leashes; no matter how I try to tug them back, they just keep barreling forward. (my personal favorite)
I feel as exposed as a sweatshirt worn wrong-side-out, or like pocket linings dangling outside of a pair of jeans. My heart, my hope, hang in the afternoon sun.
His skin radiates so much of the day's heat that touching him feels like wading into the lake, opening my hand, and catching one of the white shimmers of blistering afternoon sunlight bouncing across the water.
March 30, 2011
My feelings are mixed. While I think that Playing Hurt was definitely well done and explored a topic that is too often avoided in YA literature, it failed to really draw me in and make me care for its characters. I very much appreciated that Holly Schindler didn’t shy away from making Chelsea’s and Clint’s relationship a very physical one, fuelled by mutual attraction and lust at first, but developing into a tender friendship and helping both of them to come to terms with their past. Sex is not something that happens off screen, making this novel quite steamy for YA.
At the same time, I could sympathise with Chelsea although I definitely did not support the decisions she made concerning her boyfriend at home. Even though I despised him and his ‘romantic’ and ‘sweet’ gestures, I think that cheating is one of the most awful things you can do to your partner, no matter how hurt and confused you are (and how annoying he is), and it shouldn’t be handled lightly. But as Schindler succeeded in showing Chelsea’s confusion and guilt and leaves to reader to deliver her/his own judgement of her behaviour, it never felt to me as if cheating was glorified in any sense here. Chelsea made wrong decisions, but who doesn’t?
But all in all, this novel didn’t quite turn out to be what I expected. I went into this looking for two athletes helping each other back on the track, moving on after hurt and pain – no matter if physical or emotional – maybe something reminiscent of D.J. and Win from the Dairy Queen series. And while I think the portrayal of both their hurt and pain and how they learned to overcome their fears together was very well done, I was disappointed that it played a bit of a minor role compared to all the relationship drama.
At the same time, I could sympathise with Chelsea although I definitely did not support the decisions she made concerning her boyfriend at home. Even though I despised him and his ‘romantic’ and ‘sweet’ gestures, I think that cheating is one of the most awful things you can do to your partner, no matter how hurt and confused you are (and how annoying he is), and it shouldn’t be handled lightly. But as Schindler succeeded in showing Chelsea’s confusion and guilt and leaves to reader to deliver her/his own judgement of her behaviour, it never felt to me as if cheating was glorified in any sense here. Chelsea made wrong decisions, but who doesn’t?
But all in all, this novel didn’t quite turn out to be what I expected. I went into this looking for two athletes helping each other back on the track, moving on after hurt and pain – no matter if physical or emotional – maybe something reminiscent of D.J. and Win from the Dairy Queen series. And while I think the portrayal of both their hurt and pain and how they learned to overcome their fears together was very well done, I was disappointed that it played a bit of a minor role compared to all the relationship drama.
April 14, 2011
Rating: 3.5 stars
Favourite Quote: "Funny thing about fear, I guess, is that if you just look away from it, toward something else - like dark eyes in a beautiful face, a lock of black hair hanging over a sweaty forehead - you realize you've turned a full hundred-and eighty degrees away from fear.
You're staring straight into your own strength."
I have been dying to read Playing Hurt even since I heard about it back in June last year. I love a good YA contemp romance (which it is) especially one with a gorgeous cover like this and while overall I enjoyed it I am left feeling a little teeny bit disappointed.
First up, I love the premise. Two broken ex athletes meet over the summer, fall for each and learn to face their fears. It was romantic, touching and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy. It is written in dual narration switching from Chelsea to Clint in each chapter giving us a good insight into each character head and heart.
Chelsea and Clint were both well rounded characters that are easy to empathize with. I think you could feel both their guilt, pain and angst. The secondary characters were pretty standard and nobody stood out. It was pretty much all about Chelsea and Clint which I didn't mind at all.
They had a great connection and loads and loads of chemistry. The pages were sizzling! I felt it was realistic portrayal of how older teens act especially how sometimes your hormones take over. There are some make out and sex scenes in this book that are quite steamy for young adult book but I thought they were well done.
What stop this book from being a 5 star read for me was the writing. Now it wasn't bad at all, it was pretty and thoughtful kind of prose but it was way too wordy for my liking. I felt like I could skim parts and still know what is going on. It just seem to drag the plot out too much. It took me 4 days to read this when normal it would be 2 days.
Overall, despite the couple of things that bothered me Playing Hurt was a good solid read that I am glad I read. It is a story about not being afraid to live your life and to take chances for something you love no matter how much it scares you.
Oh and if you want a visual of Clint go here http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
Favourite Quote: "Funny thing about fear, I guess, is that if you just look away from it, toward something else - like dark eyes in a beautiful face, a lock of black hair hanging over a sweaty forehead - you realize you've turned a full hundred-and eighty degrees away from fear.
You're staring straight into your own strength."
I have been dying to read Playing Hurt even since I heard about it back in June last year. I love a good YA contemp romance (which it is) especially one with a gorgeous cover like this and while overall I enjoyed it I am left feeling a little teeny bit disappointed.
First up, I love the premise. Two broken ex athletes meet over the summer, fall for each and learn to face their fears. It was romantic, touching and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy. It is written in dual narration switching from Chelsea to Clint in each chapter giving us a good insight into each character head and heart.
Chelsea and Clint were both well rounded characters that are easy to empathize with. I think you could feel both their guilt, pain and angst. The secondary characters were pretty standard and nobody stood out. It was pretty much all about Chelsea and Clint which I didn't mind at all.
They had a great connection and loads and loads of chemistry. The pages were sizzling! I felt it was realistic portrayal of how older teens act especially how sometimes your hormones take over. There are some make out and sex scenes in this book that are quite steamy for young adult book but I thought they were well done.
What stop this book from being a 5 star read for me was the writing. Now it wasn't bad at all, it was pretty and thoughtful kind of prose but it was way too wordy for my liking. I felt like I could skim parts and still know what is going on. It just seem to drag the plot out too much. It took me 4 days to read this when normal it would be 2 days.
Overall, despite the couple of things that bothered me Playing Hurt was a good solid read that I am glad I read. It is a story about not being afraid to live your life and to take chances for something you love no matter how much it scares you.
Oh and if you want a visual of Clint go here http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
March 28, 2011
3.5 stars
:SPOILER ALERT:
Playing Hurt is about eighteen year old star basketball player, Chelsea Keyes, who's has devoted her life and passion for the love of the game, scholarship in hand, Keyes was a rising star till her final game when a horrible accent happened and Chelsea got hurt, never to play again. As a graduation present, her dad sends the family for vacation on a lake resort and hires Clint, a 'bootcamp' trainer and ex-hockey player. As the two get to know each other more, Chelsea finds out that she's not the only one haunted by the past.
Clint Morgan has only loved one girl since he was just a kid, losing her in a car accent devastated him, but his way to deal with grief? Work. Work as hard and as fast as you can and change who you were, who you are, so you could be a different person, someone who doesn't have to hurt anymore.
Two hurts. One physical. One emotional. Come together for one summer that will either end up hurting them even more or maybe the answer to finally healing their broken hearts...
This book wasn't anything like I expected. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. On one hand, I liked it just fine, but on the other hand, well, it kinda pissed me off.
While I can surely sympathize with Chelsea's characters, I have to say that she made some really bad decisions. She has this really really great guy back home. He's loyal and kind and stood by before and after the accident. He's a total sweetheart and sure, he may be irritatingly perfect, but Gabe's a good man and he didn't deserve that kind of betrayal. He may not have been what she needed, but I think she should have figured it out before. For someone who claims that she loves her boyfriend, sure as hell didn't waste anytime going after someone else and fast.
Then there's Clint, who I really actually like. What happened to his girlfriend was devastating and in a way I actually think Chelsea was good for him. I liked the way they tested and challenged one another, plus, they had some really great chemistry and had some really sweet and cute scenes. I was pretty surprised by the sexual content in this book, I'm not complaining, just saying. So I would recommend this read for the more mature reader. It tended to get...quite steamy.
All in all, this was a decent read. The writing really pulls you into the story and the characters and plot is complicated enough to keep me intrigued. While I might not have always agreed with what was done and wish it could have been handled differently, I still found this one enjoyable and entertaining.
:SPOILER ALERT:
Playing Hurt is about eighteen year old star basketball player, Chelsea Keyes, who's has devoted her life and passion for the love of the game, scholarship in hand, Keyes was a rising star till her final game when a horrible accent happened and Chelsea got hurt, never to play again. As a graduation present, her dad sends the family for vacation on a lake resort and hires Clint, a 'bootcamp' trainer and ex-hockey player. As the two get to know each other more, Chelsea finds out that she's not the only one haunted by the past.
Clint Morgan has only loved one girl since he was just a kid, losing her in a car accent devastated him, but his way to deal with grief? Work. Work as hard and as fast as you can and change who you were, who you are, so you could be a different person, someone who doesn't have to hurt anymore.
Two hurts. One physical. One emotional. Come together for one summer that will either end up hurting them even more or maybe the answer to finally healing their broken hearts...
This book wasn't anything like I expected. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. On one hand, I liked it just fine, but on the other hand, well, it kinda pissed me off.
While I can surely sympathize with Chelsea's characters, I have to say that she made some really bad decisions. She has this really really great guy back home. He's loyal and kind and stood by before and after the accident. He's a total sweetheart and sure, he may be irritatingly perfect, but Gabe's a good man and he didn't deserve that kind of betrayal. He may not have been what she needed, but I think she should have figured it out before. For someone who claims that she loves her boyfriend, sure as hell didn't waste anytime going after someone else and fast.
Then there's Clint, who I really actually like. What happened to his girlfriend was devastating and in a way I actually think Chelsea was good for him. I liked the way they tested and challenged one another, plus, they had some really great chemistry and had some really sweet and cute scenes. I was pretty surprised by the sexual content in this book, I'm not complaining, just saying. So I would recommend this read for the more mature reader. It tended to get...quite steamy.
All in all, this was a decent read. The writing really pulls you into the story and the characters and plot is complicated enough to keep me intrigued. While I might not have always agreed with what was done and wish it could have been handled differently, I still found this one enjoyable and entertaining.
March 31, 2011
Just warning u. This is going to be all over the place.
I can feel rambling coming on.........
*slight spoiler’s ahead*
I’d never read anything by this author, but after that I believe I want to read her “A blue so dark” book that came out last year. That being said, I obviously liked this book. The beginning was a little slow for me, but once Clint came on the scene, I was hooked. The entire time reading this though, I couldn’t help but think if this had been written from Gabe’s perspective, I would have hated Chelsea. Somehow, even with her faults and bad decisions, I still loved her. I wish she could have been strong enough to just tell Gabe from the get-go what was going on. I wish that the “Carlyle” never happened, but it did make my sympathy for Gabe dwindle tremendously.
After finishing this, I feel like I need more. I adored Clint. I want the happily ever after Disney ending… I know, I’m absolutely ridiculous, but I was pulling for her to move near him or switch colleges or something!!!! I feel like they had a future. Their love was not over, only beginning.
I also have to touch on the sex scenes…. No not that way….
I was surprised at just how sexual some of their moments were. They felt real, like what a teenager would really be saying and doing. I’m just shocked at how the author decided to let Chelsea’s virginity go.
I also have to say when I read the back and noticed it was a basketball themed book, I was not thrilled. I LOVE sports, but not reading about them. SOOOO, I was pleasantly surprised at how little of the book was actually on the court. This was really a book about love, healing, pain, lying to one’s self, etc. which I do like to read about. So, depending on what you’re looking for, this could either be a flop or a hit.
For me it was a Slam dunk…. Yes, I really just did that… I am sooo cheesy!
4 stars
I can feel rambling coming on.........
*slight spoiler’s ahead*
I’d never read anything by this author, but after that I believe I want to read her “A blue so dark” book that came out last year. That being said, I obviously liked this book. The beginning was a little slow for me, but once Clint came on the scene, I was hooked. The entire time reading this though, I couldn’t help but think if this had been written from Gabe’s perspective, I would have hated Chelsea. Somehow, even with her faults and bad decisions, I still loved her. I wish she could have been strong enough to just tell Gabe from the get-go what was going on. I wish that the “Carlyle” never happened, but it did make my sympathy for Gabe dwindle tremendously.
After finishing this, I feel like I need more. I adored Clint. I want the happily ever after Disney ending… I know, I’m absolutely ridiculous, but I was pulling for her to move near him or switch colleges or something!!!! I feel like they had a future. Their love was not over, only beginning.
I also have to touch on the sex scenes…. No not that way….
I was surprised at just how sexual some of their moments were. They felt real, like what a teenager would really be saying and doing. I’m just shocked at how the author decided to let Chelsea’s virginity go.
I also have to say when I read the back and noticed it was a basketball themed book, I was not thrilled. I LOVE sports, but not reading about them. SOOOO, I was pleasantly surprised at how little of the book was actually on the court. This was really a book about love, healing, pain, lying to one’s self, etc. which I do like to read about. So, depending on what you’re looking for, this could either be a flop or a hit.
For me it was a Slam dunk…. Yes, I really just did that… I am sooo cheesy!
4 stars
March 31, 2011
I’m still going back and forth on how I feel about Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and there were aspects of the story that I really liked while at the same time feeling that there was just something missing which ultimately left me slightly underwhelmed.
Overall, I have to say that I liked the two main characters Chelsea Keyes and Clint Morgan. I definitely felt the chemistry between those two, probably a little bit too much for a YA contemporary type novel. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the steam, but this book definitely had more spice than what I feel is appropriate for this genre. I don’t feel strongly one way or the other about it, but I think Schindler should practice the art of fade to black when it comes to addressing her particular audience.
Now, I think the plot was engaging enough, where we see Chelsea Keyes and Clint Morgan cross paths during a time in their life where they are both going through a rough patch. It was definitely nice to see these two characters realize that being sidelined in one way doesn’t mean you remove yourself from the game completely.
I have to say the secondary set of characters were a bit weak. I couldn’t stand Brandon or Kenzie. I cringed every time they entered the scene. Gabe was placed in the background too soon for me to care that Chelse was being unfaithful to him; and Todd and Greg kept slipping my mind as they played a minor role in my opinion.
The writing felt a bit choppy at times, or maybe it was Schindler’s overuse of analogies and metaphors that kept me feeling like I walked into the middle of a conversation. It was frustrating having to re-read certain passages to fully get what the author was trying to convey. Who knows, I might be a bit dim after a long work week. But overall, I think the writing could have been polished a bit. The alternating POVs where okay, but I've seen other authors put this style to better use.
Will I try another novel by this author? Maybe so, if it’s accompanied by high ratings. But overall, Playing Hurt was just an okay read for me.
Overall, I have to say that I liked the two main characters Chelsea Keyes and Clint Morgan. I definitely felt the chemistry between those two, probably a little bit too much for a YA contemporary type novel. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the steam, but this book definitely had more spice than what I feel is appropriate for this genre. I don’t feel strongly one way or the other about it, but I think Schindler should practice the art of fade to black when it comes to addressing her particular audience.
Now, I think the plot was engaging enough, where we see Chelsea Keyes and Clint Morgan cross paths during a time in their life where they are both going through a rough patch. It was definitely nice to see these two characters realize that being sidelined in one way doesn’t mean you remove yourself from the game completely.
I have to say the secondary set of characters were a bit weak. I couldn’t stand Brandon or Kenzie. I cringed every time they entered the scene. Gabe was placed in the background too soon for me to care that Chelse was being unfaithful to him; and Todd and Greg kept slipping my mind as they played a minor role in my opinion.
The writing felt a bit choppy at times, or maybe it was Schindler’s overuse of analogies and metaphors that kept me feeling like I walked into the middle of a conversation. It was frustrating having to re-read certain passages to fully get what the author was trying to convey. Who knows, I might be a bit dim after a long work week. But overall, I think the writing could have been polished a bit. The alternating POVs where okay, but I've seen other authors put this style to better use.
Will I try another novel by this author? Maybe so, if it’s accompanied by high ratings. But overall, Playing Hurt was just an okay read for me.
April 9, 2011
I promised to offer my own three cents concerning my impression of Playing Hurt one or two weeks ago at the Corner. Well, now our discussion time has officially passed and I've decided to voice my opinion here instead, because what else does a basic review consist of?
Like several of my GR friends I was very eager to try out Holly Schindler's latest novel, because the contemporary YA mixture of sports, problems and romance made me immediately associate Dairy Queen and Amazing Grace and caused me to wring my hands in gleeful expectation.
Playing Hurt turned out to be focussed on completely different aspects than the mentioned two titles: It is a summer story about a recently graduated High School student and former local basketball star, who falls in love with her personal fitness instructor - a graduation present from her concerned parents - during the summer break family holidays, finds out she has a lot in common with the attractive, but emotionally damaged boy and tumbles into a passionate, secret and pretty physical affair with him, although her younger brother and the chip on her shoulder are reminding her conscience permanently not to overlook that her devoted and at first glace perfect boyfriend is still waiting for her back home.
So in its core Playing Hurt could be shelved as a story about cheating. The questions that follow the categorization are ...
a) Did the cheating content bother me? (Answer: No, not really. I was a little disappointed, but I thought Chelsea's emotions and reactions were pretty realistic for someone her age. At one point she compares her feelings for Gabe to those for Clint and she muses that to her former self Gabe was like a pretty necklace she was offered and deliberately chose to wear. It is obvious that she had never before experienced the electricity and the sense of powerful connection she is overwelmed by in the vincinity of Clint. So how can she be blamed for having thought herself to be in love with Gabe before this unknown thing happened to her? And do tell me: Who would not feel suffocated by Gabe's clinginess and endless declarations, which do not make him a fraction more receptive to his girlfriend's moods or states of mind? He plans everything - including their first sex - in minute detail, but is unable to recognize, that things and people change and a precious chance once swarted may be lost forever.)
b) Did I mind the teenage sex? (Answer: Hell, no, not at all. Everybody who has consumed some of my reviews should know that. What I sometimes minded was the romantic comedy atmosphere. I constantly kept my breath and stayed in a lookout position - which destroyed every notion of romance or passion.)
c) Do I object to the message 'Live your life to the fullest and don't shy back from its possibilities? (Answer: No. I liked it, but it could have used more room of the plot.)
I have to point out that I especially liked the wonderful language. The novel is brimful with brilliant similes and metaphors. Unfortunately I missed the chance to extract some for my collection of quotes before sending the paperback to Jessi. Jessi, will you pick one or two out for me to keep?
I am aware of the fact, that my review sounds prominently positive - 3 stars do mean I liked the book. What has caused the reduction? Well, I cannot really pinpoint it but
- I did not feel a true connection with any of the characters although they were likable.
- I expected something different (see beginning). Readers who have not read Dairy Queen and its sequels might not.
- The family issues/situations could have been explored more deeply in both cases. The bakery as well as the restaurant setting offered potential and the parents and siblings were not one-dimensional, but still played very inferior roles.
- I thought that financing a private fitness trainer seems to be a little far-fetched for a parent who is weighted down with medical bills and cannot really afford his daughter's college tuition.
- and finally: I was kind of bored several times.
Like several of my GR friends I was very eager to try out Holly Schindler's latest novel, because the contemporary YA mixture of sports, problems and romance made me immediately associate Dairy Queen and Amazing Grace and caused me to wring my hands in gleeful expectation.
Playing Hurt turned out to be focussed on completely different aspects than the mentioned two titles: It is a summer story about a recently graduated High School student and former local basketball star, who falls in love with her personal fitness instructor - a graduation present from her concerned parents - during the summer break family holidays, finds out she has a lot in common with the attractive, but emotionally damaged boy and tumbles into a passionate, secret and pretty physical affair with him, although her younger brother and the chip on her shoulder are reminding her conscience permanently not to overlook that her devoted and at first glace perfect boyfriend is still waiting for her back home.
So in its core Playing Hurt could be shelved as a story about cheating. The questions that follow the categorization are ...
a) Did the cheating content bother me? (Answer: No, not really. I was a little disappointed, but I thought Chelsea's emotions and reactions were pretty realistic for someone her age. At one point she compares her feelings for Gabe to those for Clint and she muses that to her former self Gabe was like a pretty necklace she was offered and deliberately chose to wear. It is obvious that she had never before experienced the electricity and the sense of powerful connection she is overwelmed by in the vincinity of Clint. So how can she be blamed for having thought herself to be in love with Gabe before this unknown thing happened to her? And do tell me: Who would not feel suffocated by Gabe's clinginess and endless declarations, which do not make him a fraction more receptive to his girlfriend's moods or states of mind? He plans everything - including their first sex - in minute detail, but is unable to recognize, that things and people change and a precious chance once swarted may be lost forever.)
b) Did I mind the teenage sex? (Answer: Hell, no, not at all. Everybody who has consumed some of my reviews should know that. What I sometimes minded was the romantic comedy atmosphere. I constantly kept my breath and stayed in a lookout position - which destroyed every notion of romance or passion.)
c) Do I object to the message 'Live your life to the fullest and don't shy back from its possibilities? (Answer: No. I liked it, but it could have used more room of the plot.)
I have to point out that I especially liked the wonderful language. The novel is brimful with brilliant similes and metaphors. Unfortunately I missed the chance to extract some for my collection of quotes before sending the paperback to Jessi. Jessi, will you pick one or two out for me to keep?
I am aware of the fact, that my review sounds prominently positive - 3 stars do mean I liked the book. What has caused the reduction? Well, I cannot really pinpoint it but
- I did not feel a true connection with any of the characters although they were likable.
- I expected something different (see beginning). Readers who have not read Dairy Queen and its sequels might not.
- The family issues/situations could have been explored more deeply in both cases. The bakery as well as the restaurant setting offered potential and the parents and siblings were not one-dimensional, but still played very inferior roles.
- I thought that financing a private fitness trainer seems to be a little far-fetched for a parent who is weighted down with medical bills and cannot really afford his daughter's college tuition.
- and finally: I was kind of bored several times.
June 3, 2011
I first fell in love with Holly Schindler's writing in her debut novel A Blue So Dark. Holly isn't just a story teller, she makes you experience the story along with the characters, evoking such strong emotions, you can't help but be utterly captivated.
I have to admit I was little wary of the whole sports aspect. I'm sure it's from some underlying issue I have unresolved from high school. Although I don't really have anything against jocks, I mean I married one! But for some reason, that put me off.
I should have not doubted the master, a.k.a. Holly.
This story isn't about sports, the two main characters happen to be athletes, but this is a story about love. Different types of love and ultimately the discovery of what real love is.
This novel is told in alternating perspectives through Chelsea and Clint. I love the insight that you get as a reader with alternating perspectives, I feel as though I 'know' the characters so much better. Combine that with Holly's knack to create these real and complex characters.... and you just know that you are in for something special.
I feel like I'm not doing this book any justice with this review.... which is frustrating. Words are not coming to me to describe the awesomeness that is Playing Hurt!
So I'll just leave you with this: Playing Hurt is a perfectly written novel, with realistic characters and the ultimate summer romance. You'll be captivated by these two broken characters searching for something that will make them whole again.
I have to admit I was little wary of the whole sports aspect. I'm sure it's from some underlying issue I have unresolved from high school. Although I don't really have anything against jocks, I mean I married one! But for some reason, that put me off.
I should have not doubted the master, a.k.a. Holly.
This story isn't about sports, the two main characters happen to be athletes, but this is a story about love. Different types of love and ultimately the discovery of what real love is.
This novel is told in alternating perspectives through Chelsea and Clint. I love the insight that you get as a reader with alternating perspectives, I feel as though I 'know' the characters so much better. Combine that with Holly's knack to create these real and complex characters.... and you just know that you are in for something special.
I feel like I'm not doing this book any justice with this review.... which is frustrating. Words are not coming to me to describe the awesomeness that is Playing Hurt!
So I'll just leave you with this: Playing Hurt is a perfectly written novel, with realistic characters and the ultimate summer romance. You'll be captivated by these two broken characters searching for something that will make them whole again.
May 6, 2011
This book is a tough one for me to review. I stayed up late reading last night and the first thing I did this morning was pick the book up and finish off the last 100 pages before doing anything else. Holly Schindler is a great writer. I was pulled into this story and didn't want to put the book down.
The only issue I have with this book is the sexual content. The books starts off with Chelsea being embarrassed that she is still a virgin. Being the conservative parent and reader that I am - to me that is not something to be embarrassed by but rather proud of - I know I'm in the minority in today's world but those are my values. With such an emphasis placed on her virginity I assumed she would lose it before the end of the book and she did. There were 3 or 4 very passion filled scenes in this book that I would not let a teenager read. As an adult I was blushing, I know it still doesn't take much to make me blush but it seemed like Chelsea had a lot of trouble keeping herself fully clothed. For a Young Adult book this had a lot more detail and passion then most of what I've read. There wasn't much "fade to black" in this one which would be more appropriate for a young adult audience.
Rating: 4 Stars
Content: Heavy sexual content and some language
Source: From author for review
The only issue I have with this book is the sexual content. The books starts off with Chelsea being embarrassed that she is still a virgin. Being the conservative parent and reader that I am - to me that is not something to be embarrassed by but rather proud of - I know I'm in the minority in today's world but those are my values. With such an emphasis placed on her virginity I assumed she would lose it before the end of the book and she did. There were 3 or 4 very passion filled scenes in this book that I would not let a teenager read. As an adult I was blushing, I know it still doesn't take much to make me blush but it seemed like Chelsea had a lot of trouble keeping herself fully clothed. For a Young Adult book this had a lot more detail and passion then most of what I've read. There wasn't much "fade to black" in this one which would be more appropriate for a young adult audience.
Rating: 4 Stars
Content: Heavy sexual content and some language
Source: From author for review
June 12, 2011
Meh. Hate to say it but the heroine is kind of an a-hole. The message of the book is "don't live timidly" but the actual story implies "even if you totally screw over, hurt and humiliate people you love". So yeah...no thanks.
February 22, 2015
Ok, so I loved this book. It wasn't at ALL what I expected! I thought it was going to be overly sports-related, which is ok, and I thought I was going to be mad at the cover, for making people think it was a romance....but I was SO wrong. The cover is perfect, and the romance......wow, it was steamy! Actually, the cover may be too tame! And even though basketball was the backdrop of Chelsea's story, it did not dominate the storyline. In fact, I thought that Clint's story was more compelling.
I could really relate a lot to Chelsea and the way she felt about basketball. Even though I didn't play that sport (I played volleyball) and I wasn't forced out by injury, I could completely understand the way she felt about it. For those that don't play a sport, there's no way to describe the way you can love something like basketball or volleyball so much. Almost like it's an actual part of you. And when that is taken away so suddenly, and so "unfairly", it's nearly impossible to come to grips with it, and let that hurt go. This is what Chelsea is dealing with. It isn't really the physical pain of her hip that she has to heal from, it's more the emotional pain of losing her chance to do the thing she thought would be part of who she was forever.
This is also what Clint is dealing with, although in a very different way and because of a completely different source of trauma. Clint is dealing with the death of his long-time and very serious girlfriend after an automobile accident. He doesn't want to get close to anyone, and avoids anything and everything that reminds him of his deceased love, fearing that he may feel that overwhelming pain again.
So, when the two meet while Chelsea is on summer vacation, although there is an immediate physical attraction, they are both very resistent to an emotional connection (throw in the fact that Chelsea has a very serious boyfriend waiting for her at home). But denying their growing need and desire for each other is easier said than done. Seeing the hurt played out in each other's lives, helps them to see the need for healing in their own, and soon they find themselves letting go, and learning to live and love again.
I flew through this book. I couldn't stop turning the pages, reading the very sweet love affair that developed between Chelsea and Clint. It kept reminding me of "Dirty Dancing" where the girl goes to a resort and ends up having an affair with the troubled staff, but instead of a dance instructor, Clint was a boot-camp trainer. :)
I loved the setting of Minnesota. I really enjoyed reading about them swimming in the Lake, kayaking in the Rainy River, hiking through the woods, and exploring the beauty of the forest.....especially the waterfall! I could picture it all in my head, and it made me want to go there!
I did feel really sorry for Chelsea's boyfriend. He is so completely in love with her, and I feel like if you're going to be in a relationship, you should be faithful to that relationship. If you start to have feelings for someone else, you should break it off. But I can't blame Chelsea for falling for Clint. He's rough and rugged and gorgeous and athletic, he pushes her to move on and to not be afraid. Who wouldn't fall for him? And I liked the family aspect of the book. I appreciated that Holly actually wrote multi-dimensional characters as Chelsea's mother, father, and especially her brother.
The only thing that I didn't like, was a moral issue, and not a problem with the writing style. It really bothered me how pre-occupied Chelsea was with losing her virginity. She is constantly mentioning that she's the only virgin left, since she's graduated high school. It is such a MAJOR theme that runs throughout the whole book, and I felt that it belittled the relationship that she had with Clint. It was like she just wanted to get it over with, and couldn't wait for it to happen. I just hope girls don't read this (and other books that say things like this) and think that they are the only ones waiting for the right person. Girls have enough pressure already. I felt like their relationship was so much more meaningful than it sometimes came across because of her thoughts about needing to hurry up and have sex. Just my thoughts :)
If you're craving a beautiful story about loving, losing love, and loving again, you will adore this book!
~Andye http://ReadingTeen.net/
I could really relate a lot to Chelsea and the way she felt about basketball. Even though I didn't play that sport (I played volleyball) and I wasn't forced out by injury, I could completely understand the way she felt about it. For those that don't play a sport, there's no way to describe the way you can love something like basketball or volleyball so much. Almost like it's an actual part of you. And when that is taken away so suddenly, and so "unfairly", it's nearly impossible to come to grips with it, and let that hurt go. This is what Chelsea is dealing with. It isn't really the physical pain of her hip that she has to heal from, it's more the emotional pain of losing her chance to do the thing she thought would be part of who she was forever.
This is also what Clint is dealing with, although in a very different way and because of a completely different source of trauma. Clint is dealing with the death of his long-time and very serious girlfriend after an automobile accident. He doesn't want to get close to anyone, and avoids anything and everything that reminds him of his deceased love, fearing that he may feel that overwhelming pain again.
So, when the two meet while Chelsea is on summer vacation, although there is an immediate physical attraction, they are both very resistent to an emotional connection (throw in the fact that Chelsea has a very serious boyfriend waiting for her at home). But denying their growing need and desire for each other is easier said than done. Seeing the hurt played out in each other's lives, helps them to see the need for healing in their own, and soon they find themselves letting go, and learning to live and love again.
I flew through this book. I couldn't stop turning the pages, reading the very sweet love affair that developed between Chelsea and Clint. It kept reminding me of "Dirty Dancing" where the girl goes to a resort and ends up having an affair with the troubled staff, but instead of a dance instructor, Clint was a boot-camp trainer. :)
I loved the setting of Minnesota. I really enjoyed reading about them swimming in the Lake, kayaking in the Rainy River, hiking through the woods, and exploring the beauty of the forest.....especially the waterfall! I could picture it all in my head, and it made me want to go there!
I did feel really sorry for Chelsea's boyfriend. He is so completely in love with her, and I feel like if you're going to be in a relationship, you should be faithful to that relationship. If you start to have feelings for someone else, you should break it off. But I can't blame Chelsea for falling for Clint. He's rough and rugged and gorgeous and athletic, he pushes her to move on and to not be afraid. Who wouldn't fall for him? And I liked the family aspect of the book. I appreciated that Holly actually wrote multi-dimensional characters as Chelsea's mother, father, and especially her brother.
The only thing that I didn't like, was a moral issue, and not a problem with the writing style. It really bothered me how pre-occupied Chelsea was with losing her virginity. She is constantly mentioning that she's the only virgin left, since she's graduated high school. It is such a MAJOR theme that runs throughout the whole book, and I felt that it belittled the relationship that she had with Clint. It was like she just wanted to get it over with, and couldn't wait for it to happen. I just hope girls don't read this (and other books that say things like this) and think that they are the only ones waiting for the right person. Girls have enough pressure already. I felt like their relationship was so much more meaningful than it sometimes came across because of her thoughts about needing to hurry up and have sex. Just my thoughts :)
If you're craving a beautiful story about loving, losing love, and loving again, you will adore this book!
~Andye http://ReadingTeen.net/
April 20, 2011
Original post at One More Page
When my good friend Kai asked me if I wanted to be a part of the Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour, I said yes because she told me that the book for the tour is a contemporary YA novel. It's no secret that my first love for YA is contemporary, so a chance to read a new one from a highly-praised author is something that I won't say no to.
In Playing Hurt , Chelsea Keyes is a basketball star in Fair Grove High School, up until her last game when a court accident finally made her hip give way, stopping her from playing the rest of the season. Fearful and broken with the metal plate on her hip in mind, she retreated to herself and her family, only relying on her romantic and supportive boyfriend Gabe to make her happy. That summer, her dad hires Clint, an ex-hockey player with ghosts of his own as Chelsea's personal trainer for their 3-week vacation. Chelsea and Clint feel an instant connection the moment they see each other. As they grow closer, Chelsea and Clint wrestle with their own demons, wondering if their relationship will just cause more pain or heal their heartaches.
I jumped into Playing Hurt expecting to like it a lot, especially since I don't think I've read about a jock for a heroine. I've also always liked recovering stories, especially those that deal with fear and yes, maybe a little romance. That's the good thing about contemporary YA -- it deals with real things, and I was looking forward to seeing how Chelsea's story turns out. However, reading Playing Hurt enforces my new found belief that one shouldn't read another contemporary YA novel immediately after reading a Melina Marchetta one. This causes a little bit of high expectations for the next novel I read regardless of the author. For that, I apologize in advance.
The novel started out pretty good, with Chelsea reliving her last game before her accident. I liked the smooth transition from the video to real life where instead of playing, we see Chelsea watching the game and wondering where her life has gone (you can read it in the excerpt here). I liked Brandon, Chelsea's brother, even if I can't shake the fact that he's younger than his age, and not a high school sophomore. I also liked Gabe very much, with his sweetness and his concern for Chelsea especially after her accident. The initial set up was very good, and it made me want to know what will happen next.
However, the novel lost me the moment Chelsea and Clint met. I cringed at how they described each other as "perfection", and how the air zinged when they were in the mere presence of the other. I'm sorry, I just don't buy that. Maybe it's possible, who knows, right? I just don't really buy it -- I want history in my fictional couples. I want banter. I want long conversations that do not involve the one person staring at the other and wondering if their knees "...as pink as the wads of cotton candy..." are just as sweet. Sorry, I can't help but roll my eyes at that. I want the whole shebang -- the getting to know stage, the simmering attraction that would eventually lead to the swoon-worthy, tingle-inducing scenes that would make me sigh and doodle hearts in every available space. I think this preference is obvious based on my track record for contemporary novels that I love.
I also wished that Chelsea's other relationships had more resolution, especially for her father. I thought there was too much focus on the relationship that the other issues weren't really tackled. I wished there was more conflict between Chelsea, Clint and Gabe, and that Chelsea and her dad had a longer and more heartfelt conversation. I felt kind of bad for the minor characters, particularly Kenzie, whose stories weren't really explored because of the focus on Clint and Chelsea. It somehow made the main characters come off as selfish, wanting only what they want and nothing else.
I don't really think Playing Hurt is a bad novel. I'm a minority among those who loved this book -- it's just okay with me. This novel may just not be up my alley, you know? That, and like what I mentioned up there, reading this after a Marchetta novel (especially something as lovely as Jellicoe Road !) tends to up my expectations. I knew I should have read another genre first before jumping into this one! I'm still open to reading Holly Schindler's other books.
When my good friend Kai asked me if I wanted to be a part of the Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour, I said yes because she told me that the book for the tour is a contemporary YA novel. It's no secret that my first love for YA is contemporary, so a chance to read a new one from a highly-praised author is something that I won't say no to.
In Playing Hurt , Chelsea Keyes is a basketball star in Fair Grove High School, up until her last game when a court accident finally made her hip give way, stopping her from playing the rest of the season. Fearful and broken with the metal plate on her hip in mind, she retreated to herself and her family, only relying on her romantic and supportive boyfriend Gabe to make her happy. That summer, her dad hires Clint, an ex-hockey player with ghosts of his own as Chelsea's personal trainer for their 3-week vacation. Chelsea and Clint feel an instant connection the moment they see each other. As they grow closer, Chelsea and Clint wrestle with their own demons, wondering if their relationship will just cause more pain or heal their heartaches.
I jumped into Playing Hurt expecting to like it a lot, especially since I don't think I've read about a jock for a heroine. I've also always liked recovering stories, especially those that deal with fear and yes, maybe a little romance. That's the good thing about contemporary YA -- it deals with real things, and I was looking forward to seeing how Chelsea's story turns out. However, reading Playing Hurt enforces my new found belief that one shouldn't read another contemporary YA novel immediately after reading a Melina Marchetta one. This causes a little bit of high expectations for the next novel I read regardless of the author. For that, I apologize in advance.
The novel started out pretty good, with Chelsea reliving her last game before her accident. I liked the smooth transition from the video to real life where instead of playing, we see Chelsea watching the game and wondering where her life has gone (you can read it in the excerpt here). I liked Brandon, Chelsea's brother, even if I can't shake the fact that he's younger than his age, and not a high school sophomore. I also liked Gabe very much, with his sweetness and his concern for Chelsea especially after her accident. The initial set up was very good, and it made me want to know what will happen next.
However, the novel lost me the moment Chelsea and Clint met. I cringed at how they described each other as "perfection", and how the air zinged when they were in the mere presence of the other. I'm sorry, I just don't buy that. Maybe it's possible, who knows, right? I just don't really buy it -- I want history in my fictional couples. I want banter. I want long conversations that do not involve the one person staring at the other and wondering if their knees "...as pink as the wads of cotton candy..." are just as sweet. Sorry, I can't help but roll my eyes at that. I want the whole shebang -- the getting to know stage, the simmering attraction that would eventually lead to the swoon-worthy, tingle-inducing scenes that would make me sigh and doodle hearts in every available space. I think this preference is obvious based on my track record for contemporary novels that I love.
I also wished that Chelsea's other relationships had more resolution, especially for her father. I thought there was too much focus on the relationship that the other issues weren't really tackled. I wished there was more conflict between Chelsea, Clint and Gabe, and that Chelsea and her dad had a longer and more heartfelt conversation. I felt kind of bad for the minor characters, particularly Kenzie, whose stories weren't really explored because of the focus on Clint and Chelsea. It somehow made the main characters come off as selfish, wanting only what they want and nothing else.
I don't really think Playing Hurt is a bad novel. I'm a minority among those who loved this book -- it's just okay with me. This novel may just not be up my alley, you know? That, and like what I mentioned up there, reading this after a Marchetta novel (especially something as lovely as Jellicoe Road !) tends to up my expectations. I knew I should have read another genre first before jumping into this one! I'm still open to reading Holly Schindler's other books.
July 5, 2017
Про то, что любовь - это не теплое плюшевое одеялко (поддерживаю)
April 17, 2011
Review posted at
Amaterasu Reads
The rumors are true. Holly Schindler is a great writer.
I wanted to see for myself if everything I've heard, if the reviews I've read really hold some truth in them, and I was delightfully surprised because this book lived up to my expectation and more.
Chelsea's got a bright future ahead of her, she's popular, she's talented, and she's the star of her team's basketball team. She's got a lot of good things going for her, a bright future to look forward to, but all of it changed because of an accident. All of a sudden there's no scholarship in sight, no future, and having taken away the chance to play the sport she loved hurt Chelsea in a lot of ways. She was sent into a boot camp in hopes that she will heal, and she meets Clint, her physical trainer, who suffered devastating loss as well, and of all the things that could have happened to her, Chelsea fell in love.
I was able to relate to the theme of this book better because I'm a big fan of basketball. My older brothers play, and I see my twin brother in Chelsea, both having devastating injuries that just might never heal enough to let them be able to play the sport they love ever again and the pain that comes along with realizing that truth.
The doctors were able to put her back together but Chelsea was more broken and vulnerable than ever. When she was sent to a boot camp she met Clint, and together they formed an unlikely bond, both hurting and dealing with losses and love. Both struggling to fill the void that was left by the painful losses they've suffered and still continue to suffer from.
Through it all they fell in love, but will they be able to survive this added complication to their lives or lose more? Gabe was Chelsea's boyfriend, and she was aware of what she was doing with Clint while she still had Gabe, but I felt that Holly was able to bring out why Chelsea's relationship with Gabe had to stop to make way for Clint, and made the readers understand why it had to end up that way. If anything, Chelsea was being honest. I am not a fan of cheating, nor do I think that "two-timing" is good, but sometimes you need to know the difference of just being in a relationship for the sake of having one and recognizing (and falling) when the right person for you is there.
Told between Clint and Chelsea's alternating points of view, I loved how Holly was able to weave through both Chelsea and Clint's thoughts, letting the readers dive into their emotions and the way they think head on. I was deeply engrossed with the story, felt the tension between both Chelsea and Clint, with steamy scenes that adds to the intensity of their emotions for each other.
I loved how Holly was able to draw out the emotions of the characters and just transform them into words which the readers can almost feel radiating off the pages as they read on further in the story. You can feel Chelsea's pain throughout and that's what made reading this book more memorable for me.
Playing Hurt is a story about loss and moving on, acceptance and healing and of love and it's complexities. Holly's writing style is so beautiful, deep and compelling at times. With multi-dimensional characters and real, honest issues, Playing Hurt is a bittersweet, emotional, yet hopeful story that will leave a mark in us, basketball fans or not. If you are looking for a satisfying, good read, here's a book you should definitely read!
The rumors are true. Holly Schindler is a great writer.
I wanted to see for myself if everything I've heard, if the reviews I've read really hold some truth in them, and I was delightfully surprised because this book lived up to my expectation and more.
Chelsea's got a bright future ahead of her, she's popular, she's talented, and she's the star of her team's basketball team. She's got a lot of good things going for her, a bright future to look forward to, but all of it changed because of an accident. All of a sudden there's no scholarship in sight, no future, and having taken away the chance to play the sport she loved hurt Chelsea in a lot of ways. She was sent into a boot camp in hopes that she will heal, and she meets Clint, her physical trainer, who suffered devastating loss as well, and of all the things that could have happened to her, Chelsea fell in love.
I was able to relate to the theme of this book better because I'm a big fan of basketball. My older brothers play, and I see my twin brother in Chelsea, both having devastating injuries that just might never heal enough to let them be able to play the sport they love ever again and the pain that comes along with realizing that truth.
The doctors were able to put her back together but Chelsea was more broken and vulnerable than ever. When she was sent to a boot camp she met Clint, and together they formed an unlikely bond, both hurting and dealing with losses and love. Both struggling to fill the void that was left by the painful losses they've suffered and still continue to suffer from.
Through it all they fell in love, but will they be able to survive this added complication to their lives or lose more? Gabe was Chelsea's boyfriend, and she was aware of what she was doing with Clint while she still had Gabe, but I felt that Holly was able to bring out why Chelsea's relationship with Gabe had to stop to make way for Clint, and made the readers understand why it had to end up that way. If anything, Chelsea was being honest. I am not a fan of cheating, nor do I think that "two-timing" is good, but sometimes you need to know the difference of just being in a relationship for the sake of having one and recognizing (and falling) when the right person for you is there.
Told between Clint and Chelsea's alternating points of view, I loved how Holly was able to weave through both Chelsea and Clint's thoughts, letting the readers dive into their emotions and the way they think head on. I was deeply engrossed with the story, felt the tension between both Chelsea and Clint, with steamy scenes that adds to the intensity of their emotions for each other.
I loved how Holly was able to draw out the emotions of the characters and just transform them into words which the readers can almost feel radiating off the pages as they read on further in the story. You can feel Chelsea's pain throughout and that's what made reading this book more memorable for me.
Playing Hurt is a story about loss and moving on, acceptance and healing and of love and it's complexities. Holly's writing style is so beautiful, deep and compelling at times. With multi-dimensional characters and real, honest issues, Playing Hurt is a bittersweet, emotional, yet hopeful story that will leave a mark in us, basketball fans or not. If you are looking for a satisfying, good read, here's a book you should definitely read!
March 2, 2011
I love the way this story begins! Chelsea is at the beginning of her senior year, playing a high school basketball game. She's amazing. She's on fire. She's a star in her small town community. She has her future mapped out because of her basketball scholarships. She's sweating and she's in pain. Her hip is shooting daggers down to her toes. She's hurt but she can't quit. The scene morphs into Chelsea watching the last game on a home movie her brother was shooting at the time. She's in her bedroom and she watches the drama unfold, recalls the pain she felt in her hips, the drive she felt to push her body, the excitement from the crowd, the last perfect lay-up. While airborne, her tricky twins on the sidelines continue with their argument and suddenly their drink is spilling, crawling across the court finally settling beneath her and the basket. Chelsea wishes she could have do-over before her body comes down and her legs go opposite directions as her feet slip on the liquid coating the floor. She wishes she could go back to a time before her hips land on the hardwood and crack, sending her into a tailspin of pain and ending her future. She ends the scene with the home movie paused in her lay-up.
Next scene is Clint, mostly dead inside. He is burying himself in work, school, and anything else that keeps him from 1) enjoying life and 2) thinking too much. Two years ago his childhood love, Rosie, died in an auto accident while driving to see one of his hockey games. He's working at a lake resort in Minnesota in rote mode.
Enter Chelsea and her family. Chelsea's dad has hired Clint to help Chelsea be a little more physical. Take her hiking, boating, whatever she needs to help her heal from the emotional trauma of giving up what she loved so much. Meanwhile, Chelsea and her dad have a strained relationship and also needs healing. Neither of them understand the other and make erroneous assumptions. Before the summer is out, this relationship's reset button is reset.
Both protagonists are terrified of getting hurt but in different ways. Both avoid activities that might cause pain; Chelsea with sports, Clint with his growing attraction to Chelsea. By the end of the summer, a lot of healing takes place.
My one problem with the book is that it is extremely sexual. Chelsea is completely hung up on the fact that she is a virgin. Virginity is a dirty word to Chelsea. I cringe when I consider the target audience reading this and thinking chastity is a bad thing and summer romance is acceptable. Frankly, her obsession with sex cheapens the wonderful relationship she and Clint have. They provide each other with the vehicle to heal their wounds that nobody can see. I also didn't understand the point of Gabe, Chelsea's boyfriend. He wasn't a villain and he did seem to truly care about Chelsea, albeit in a stifling and suffocating manner. Again, this cheapened the relationships she had with both boys. Her inability to be honest with either of them caused them undue pain.
I definitely enjoyed the book immensely. I definitely will not be giving the book to my teenage daughters. Sexual tension being one thing, nipple kissing and naked showers being quite another.
Next scene is Clint, mostly dead inside. He is burying himself in work, school, and anything else that keeps him from 1) enjoying life and 2) thinking too much. Two years ago his childhood love, Rosie, died in an auto accident while driving to see one of his hockey games. He's working at a lake resort in Minnesota in rote mode.
Enter Chelsea and her family. Chelsea's dad has hired Clint to help Chelsea be a little more physical. Take her hiking, boating, whatever she needs to help her heal from the emotional trauma of giving up what she loved so much. Meanwhile, Chelsea and her dad have a strained relationship and also needs healing. Neither of them understand the other and make erroneous assumptions. Before the summer is out, this relationship's reset button is reset.
Both protagonists are terrified of getting hurt but in different ways. Both avoid activities that might cause pain; Chelsea with sports, Clint with his growing attraction to Chelsea. By the end of the summer, a lot of healing takes place.
My one problem with the book is that it is extremely sexual. Chelsea is completely hung up on the fact that she is a virgin. Virginity is a dirty word to Chelsea. I cringe when I consider the target audience reading this and thinking chastity is a bad thing and summer romance is acceptable. Frankly, her obsession with sex cheapens the wonderful relationship she and Clint have. They provide each other with the vehicle to heal their wounds that nobody can see. I also didn't understand the point of Gabe, Chelsea's boyfriend. He wasn't a villain and he did seem to truly care about Chelsea, albeit in a stifling and suffocating manner. Again, this cheapened the relationships she had with both boys. Her inability to be honest with either of them caused them undue pain.
I definitely enjoyed the book immensely. I definitely will not be giving the book to my teenage daughters. Sexual tension being one thing, nipple kissing and naked showers being quite another.
May 23, 2011
A short interview with Holly Schindler, author of Playing Hurt!
1. Who or what inspired you to write your book?
My books generally start with a scenario, rather than a character: with my debut, A BLUE SO DARK, I knew I wanted to write about the possible link between mental illness and creativity. With this second book, PLAYING HURT, I knew I wanted to write about learning the difference between loving someone and being IN love with someone. (When you’re young, and just beginning to date, it’s hard, actually, to really understand the difference. It’s something you really do often have to feel to understand…)
2. If you had to identify yourself with just one of the characters in this novel, who would it be?
I’m really not sure I can choose between my two PLAYING HURT protagonists! I see bits of myself in both Chelsea and Clint. I really do think writing in first person allows bits of yourself to naturally leak through.
3. Tell us why readers will enjoy your book?
Because this is a straight contemporary romance—no paranormal aspects whatsoever. Chelsea and Clint are characters who will be completely familiar to you. You’ll wind up feeling their pain and rooting for both of them.
4. If being a writer is the greatest job in the world, is there a process you like most? Least?
The first draft is always the toughest part for me. (I usually keep a stack of notes and extensive outlines next to my computer, and draft from that…It really allows me to fool myself into thinking I’m revising, rather than drafting…)
I adore revising…Because that’s the stage of the book when everything really starts to pop—all the pieces start to come together. Your stack of pages finally becomes a BOOK.
5. What are you working on now?
I’m always working on a new book—I also have another book currently in development! My first middle grade novel (title pending) will be published by Dial in the summer of 2012.
Challenges:
Book #108 for 2011
Amaterasu Reads [x] - Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour
1. Who or what inspired you to write your book?
My books generally start with a scenario, rather than a character: with my debut, A BLUE SO DARK, I knew I wanted to write about the possible link between mental illness and creativity. With this second book, PLAYING HURT, I knew I wanted to write about learning the difference between loving someone and being IN love with someone. (When you’re young, and just beginning to date, it’s hard, actually, to really understand the difference. It’s something you really do often have to feel to understand…)
2. If you had to identify yourself with just one of the characters in this novel, who would it be?
I’m really not sure I can choose between my two PLAYING HURT protagonists! I see bits of myself in both Chelsea and Clint. I really do think writing in first person allows bits of yourself to naturally leak through.
3. Tell us why readers will enjoy your book?
Because this is a straight contemporary romance—no paranormal aspects whatsoever. Chelsea and Clint are characters who will be completely familiar to you. You’ll wind up feeling their pain and rooting for both of them.
4. If being a writer is the greatest job in the world, is there a process you like most? Least?
The first draft is always the toughest part for me. (I usually keep a stack of notes and extensive outlines next to my computer, and draft from that…It really allows me to fool myself into thinking I’m revising, rather than drafting…)
I adore revising…Because that’s the stage of the book when everything really starts to pop—all the pieces start to come together. Your stack of pages finally becomes a BOOK.
5. What are you working on now?
I’m always working on a new book—I also have another book currently in development! My first middle grade novel (title pending) will be published by Dial in the summer of 2012.
Challenges:
Book #108 for 2011
Amaterasu Reads [x] - Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour
July 12, 2011
*SPOILERS*
Don't know how do I feel about this book. It started out great and it ended in a bad way. There were few things I loved and there were some that pissed me off. Let's get started with the good things.
What I really loved were the hot and steamy scenes with Chelsea and Clint. I just still can't get used to have this kind of scenes in YA books. Other thing I loved is Clint. He is such a good guy that went through a lot. His girlfriend died in a car crash going to his hockey game so he stopped playing it altogether even though he was really good.
Now for the things that royally pissed me of.
Chelsea. She is an ex basketball player that is mopping for the past few months since her accident.Lemme just say she is a major selfish bitch. I mean she had a 'perfect' boyfriend(well almost perfect,he was a little clingy but loved Chelsea very much) back home and she goes and has sex with the other guy. Why,why did she have to cheat? Why didn't she dump Gabe if their relationship wasn't working? I'll tell you why. Because she is selfish. She wants it all. Sweet and caring boyfriend and a hot exciting new guy. Now hear this. In the end she blames Gabe(the boyfriend) for her cheating. I wanted to find her and break her other hip.
I am really sorry for recommending this book to my friends. Please guys don't read it.
Don't know how do I feel about this book. It started out great and it ended in a bad way. There were few things I loved and there were some that pissed me off. Let's get started with the good things.
What I really loved were the hot and steamy scenes with Chelsea and Clint. I just still can't get used to have this kind of scenes in YA books. Other thing I loved is Clint. He is such a good guy that went through a lot. His girlfriend died in a car crash going to his hockey game so he stopped playing it altogether even though he was really good.
Now for the things that royally pissed me of.
Chelsea. She is an ex basketball player that is mopping for the past few months since her accident.Lemme just say she is a major selfish bitch. I mean she had a 'perfect' boyfriend(well almost perfect,he was a little clingy but loved Chelsea very much) back home and she goes and has sex with the other guy. Why,why did she have to cheat? Why didn't she dump Gabe if their relationship wasn't working? I'll tell you why. Because she is selfish. She wants it all. Sweet and caring boyfriend and a hot exciting new guy. Now hear this. In the end she blames Gabe(the boyfriend) for her cheating. I wanted to find her and break her other hip.
I am really sorry for recommending this book to my friends. Please guys don't read it.
September 9, 2011
Chelsea was a rising star on the basketball court, likely headed for her choice of big name colleges on an athletic scholarship. All of that comes crashing down in one moment.
The story picks up several months later as she and her family go on a vacation to a lake in Minnesota.
There has also been a life-altering accident in Clint's life two years prior and he's struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Chelsea and Clint are both trying to be safe and protect themselves. Even though Chelsea has a serious boyfriend, there is an instant and undeniable connection between these two.
I liked the way this played out, that each one had to reach beyond their fears and find a way to move forward from where they were. Each in their own way was somewhat stuck in what used to be, what's been lost.
I enjoyed way the story was told, with alternating voices of Chelsea and Clint. I could feel the wind and smell the scents of Minnesota from the character's descriptions of the place. The characters are well drawn and they grow during the story, in self-awareness and in the relationship with one another.
Definitely enjoyed it. Great read.
*note* While this is a YA novel, but I'd say it comes down much more on the A than on the Y side. It has some fairly mature content, possibly not suitable for younger YA readers.
The story picks up several months later as she and her family go on a vacation to a lake in Minnesota.
There has also been a life-altering accident in Clint's life two years prior and he's struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Chelsea and Clint are both trying to be safe and protect themselves. Even though Chelsea has a serious boyfriend, there is an instant and undeniable connection between these two.
I liked the way this played out, that each one had to reach beyond their fears and find a way to move forward from where they were. Each in their own way was somewhat stuck in what used to be, what's been lost.
I enjoyed way the story was told, with alternating voices of Chelsea and Clint. I could feel the wind and smell the scents of Minnesota from the character's descriptions of the place. The characters are well drawn and they grow during the story, in self-awareness and in the relationship with one another.
Definitely enjoyed it. Great read.
*note* While this is a YA novel, but I'd say it comes down much more on the A than on the Y side. It has some fairly mature content, possibly not suitable for younger YA readers.
September 25, 2012
Went from 3 to 2 to 1 because I just felt grosser and grosser the more I read. I loved the setting, but the first chapter made it very clear we should all be on Team Gabe. Chelsea Keyes is nothing but a self-absorbed whiny brat. I was liking Clint all right until the halfway point, and then my respect for him rapidly began draining away as well. I intensely dislike how this book's basic message seemed to be, "Sex will fix you/make you feel alive again" - and there was WAY too much detail in that department. I had to skip about ten pages.
I really wish I'd listened to my instincts and not finished this book, because by the time I closed it, I felt like I had food poisoning. Dear authors everywhere: if you want us to root for a relationship about cheating, don't star a girl whose boyfriend is more devoted than a guide dog and fairytale romance personified, because I have less than zero sympathy for someone who just wants more firecrackers in her pants.
I really wish I'd listened to my instincts and not finished this book, because by the time I closed it, I felt like I had food poisoning. Dear authors everywhere: if you want us to root for a relationship about cheating, don't star a girl whose boyfriend is more devoted than a guide dog and fairytale romance personified, because I have less than zero sympathy for someone who just wants more firecrackers in her pants.
June 11, 2020
As a relatively novice romance reader, I have a certain comfort zone that I operate in and I hope you take that into account when you read my review. There are some spoilers below, although not really anymore than the summary blurb for the book.
Playing Hurt follows Chelsea, a star basketball player who has recently suffered a serious injury that threatens her future as an athlete but more seriously, her morale. Her parents decide to take the family off to a summer camp to do a boot camp to strengthen her physically and mentally. Her reaction is to be expected... frustration. At the camp, her proposed trainer, Clint, is a former hockey player with his own past to overcome. I enjoyed the journey between the two, there was great banter and fun ways they challenged one another to grow.
Two issues for me that kept this from being a four star review for me:
One, Chelsea comes in with a long term, seemingly perfect boyfriend at home and ends up having an emotional and ultimately physical affair with Clint. That for me is just not something that I swoon over. I understand their ages (18 & 19) and that this kind of thing happens but it just takes me out of the story. I recently read Elin Hilderbrand's 28 summers and this story reminds me of that, great story but a huge problem in the middle of it. There were several times where she could have said to her boyfriend that she wanted a break or had concerns but didnt. There were many times where she could have told Clint that she needed time to deal with her home romance first.
Two, when perfect boyfriend finds out his reaction is both violent physically and verbally. That seemed so in contrast to all we'd been told about him previously. So that one left a poor taste in my mouth.
Overall I loved Chelsea and Clint's journey to healing and growth. It was a beautiful character arc for both. I liked the ending and the hope within it. This one gets 3.5 stars from me.
Thanks to the author for a review copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Playing Hurt follows Chelsea, a star basketball player who has recently suffered a serious injury that threatens her future as an athlete but more seriously, her morale. Her parents decide to take the family off to a summer camp to do a boot camp to strengthen her physically and mentally. Her reaction is to be expected... frustration. At the camp, her proposed trainer, Clint, is a former hockey player with his own past to overcome. I enjoyed the journey between the two, there was great banter and fun ways they challenged one another to grow.
Two issues for me that kept this from being a four star review for me:
One, Chelsea comes in with a long term, seemingly perfect boyfriend at home and ends up having an emotional and ultimately physical affair with Clint. That for me is just not something that I swoon over. I understand their ages (18 & 19) and that this kind of thing happens but it just takes me out of the story. I recently read Elin Hilderbrand's 28 summers and this story reminds me of that, great story but a huge problem in the middle of it. There were several times where she could have said to her boyfriend that she wanted a break or had concerns but didnt. There were many times where she could have told Clint that she needed time to deal with her home romance first.
Two, when perfect boyfriend finds out his reaction is both violent physically and verbally. That seemed so in contrast to all we'd been told about him previously. So that one left a poor taste in my mouth.
Overall I loved Chelsea and Clint's journey to healing and growth. It was a beautiful character arc for both. I liked the ending and the hope within it. This one gets 3.5 stars from me.
Thanks to the author for a review copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 19, 2011
** CONTAINS SPOILERS **
Playing Hurt romanticises cheating, lying and manipulating. The only person the main character thinks of is herself. Chelsea is selfish and when her cheating is not a secret anymore, she only feels sorry for herself and that it got out. Not once did she have any regret about what she was doing. It pissed me off beyond belief.
She deserved everything Gabe accused her of, it was only the truth.
Oh and then she's obsessing over virginity, like being a virgin is something completely awful that tarnishes someone's reputation.
I don't even get what the point of Chelsea having a boyfriend does. It was completely unnecessary and seemed shoved in to cause drama. All it did was to make me hate Chelsea. When the cheating started I lost every drop of sympathy I had for her.
I just can't with this book. I wish I hadn't spent money on it. The writing is not bad but it often drifts into the melodramatic and the editing was really bad in some places, where there were too many words or too few words. And the whole "slang" and Southern voice felt completely silly and fake.
If you think this book is about people overcoming an accident that crushed their very souls and ended the lives they had until that point - it's not. It touches on it in only the shallowest way.
Playing Hurt romanticises cheating, lying and manipulating. The only person the main character thinks of is herself. Chelsea is selfish and when her cheating is not a secret anymore, she only feels sorry for herself and that it got out. Not once did she have any regret about what she was doing. It pissed me off beyond belief.
She deserved everything Gabe accused her of, it was only the truth.
Oh and then she's obsessing over virginity, like being a virgin is something completely awful that tarnishes someone's reputation.
I don't even get what the point of Chelsea having a boyfriend does. It was completely unnecessary and seemed shoved in to cause drama. All it did was to make me hate Chelsea. When the cheating started I lost every drop of sympathy I had for her.
I just can't with this book. I wish I hadn't spent money on it. The writing is not bad but it often drifts into the melodramatic and the editing was really bad in some places, where there were too many words or too few words. And the whole "slang" and Southern voice felt completely silly and fake.
If you think this book is about people overcoming an accident that crushed their very souls and ended the lives they had until that point - it's not. It touches on it in only the shallowest way.
April 17, 2022
3.5 stars! This is a good, summery YA book about 2 kids trying to rediscover themselves after loss. Chelsea was an allstar basketball player who loved the sport more than anything, until she hurt her hip in a career ending injury. She and her family go to a Minnesota cabin resort for the summer and she meets Clint. Clint was a star hockey player, but then his girlfriend was in a car accident and died on the way to watch him play so he ran from the sport and all things female. He works at the resort and is hired to train Chelsea over the summer. Chelsea is seriously dating someone back home, yet she and Clint have instant chemistry that they can't deny. I hated that they cheated the WHOLE TIME despite the fact that her boyfriend was talking to her every day. I wished she would've said something to him earlier. The romance was also sweet, but nothing exceptional. I won't remember this long, but I am going to go ahead and read the sequel, so take that for what it is!
June 15, 2011
2.5
Having heard a lot about the author's previous book and because of my mostly good experiences with YA contemporary novels, I expected a lot from Playing Hurt. The book turned out to be completely different from what I expected and unfortunately, not in a good way. Though I am sorry to say I am a bit disappointed in the book, there still are things I did like about it which I will come to later.
Chelsea Keyes was the star basketball player in her high school. Everything changed after a disastrous accident that stopped her from playing any further games. Chelsea is broken not just physically but mentally too. Everything she worked towards is falling apart. Her boyfriend, Gabe supports her through the rough time. Chelsea goes to a three week "boot camp" program which is a gift from her father. Her trainer is 19 year old, Clint, who has his own painful past to deal with. Chelsea and Clint are two broken people trying to be whole again. When they meet, they are immediately drawn to each other, but Chelsea is torn between Gabe and Clint.
I have not read the author's previous novel, A Blue So Dark, but I have heard it being praised a lot, especially the author's writing. I agree completely. Her beautiful writing creates a lingering effect - there are lines and paragraphs that I could read again and again.
Playing Hurt is told from both Clint and Chelsea's perspectives, which is something different because usually we only get to know one of the main protagonists' point of view. In Playing Hurt, we get to know what both of them are thinking or feeling in more detail. The transition between the two POVs is smooth and unlike what one might expect, it's not confusing at all.
Initially, I really liked how the story evolved. I really felt for Chelsea, especially when she relives the accident that changed everything. What she has to go through seems so sad and unfair for a young, talented girl like Chelsea that I couldn't help but feel bad. Though I did not care for Gabe a lot, I thought him to be a sweet, supportive boyfriend who did not abandon her during her worst time. I also liked her relationship with her younger brother and how the author portrayed the conflicted relationship with her father. However, the book started to go downhill for me once Chelsea reached the camp. I expected the focus of the book to be more on Chelsea's journey towards healing, accepting what happened and creating a new life for herself, rather that on the romance. Whatever little connection I felt with Chelsea disappeared once she met Clint - maybe it's just me, but I felt that she became a completely different person. The way Clint and Chelsea describe each other seems straight out of a romance novel. Both of them seem to focus too much on each others' looks, which makes it seem like their relationship is all about attraction based on physical appearence. I really don't understand this "insta-attraction" thing and had a hard time seeing the point or the basis of their relationship. The romance seemed to be lacking any real emotional connection. Moreover, what about Gabe? I seriously felt bad for him. He seemed like a perfectly nice boyfriend who stands by Chelsea through the worst, yet suddenly she sees Clint and forgets all about Gabe. Is it that easy? Perhaps a better development of the romance between Clint and Chelsea would have made me more in favor of their feelings for each other.
I wish Chelsea had given more thought about Gabe and what she was doing to him. In the start, I found Chelsea to be a brave girl with an incredible inner strength. Halfway through the book, she seemed like a selfish, thoughtless girl. Connecting to the characters is important for me; unfortunately, I felt nothing for either of the main protagonists.
This is just one person's opinion though. Let it not deter anyone from reading the book. There have been many more positive reviews as compared to a very few negative ones. So I guess if you are a fan of the author or like the YA contemporary genre, you can read this book and make up your own mind about it. You might like it much more than I did.
Recommended?
Yes, for a one time read and for fans of romance.
Having heard a lot about the author's previous book and because of my mostly good experiences with YA contemporary novels, I expected a lot from Playing Hurt. The book turned out to be completely different from what I expected and unfortunately, not in a good way. Though I am sorry to say I am a bit disappointed in the book, there still are things I did like about it which I will come to later.
Chelsea Keyes was the star basketball player in her high school. Everything changed after a disastrous accident that stopped her from playing any further games. Chelsea is broken not just physically but mentally too. Everything she worked towards is falling apart. Her boyfriend, Gabe supports her through the rough time. Chelsea goes to a three week "boot camp" program which is a gift from her father. Her trainer is 19 year old, Clint, who has his own painful past to deal with. Chelsea and Clint are two broken people trying to be whole again. When they meet, they are immediately drawn to each other, but Chelsea is torn between Gabe and Clint.
I have not read the author's previous novel, A Blue So Dark, but I have heard it being praised a lot, especially the author's writing. I agree completely. Her beautiful writing creates a lingering effect - there are lines and paragraphs that I could read again and again.
Playing Hurt is told from both Clint and Chelsea's perspectives, which is something different because usually we only get to know one of the main protagonists' point of view. In Playing Hurt, we get to know what both of them are thinking or feeling in more detail. The transition between the two POVs is smooth and unlike what one might expect, it's not confusing at all.
Initially, I really liked how the story evolved. I really felt for Chelsea, especially when she relives the accident that changed everything. What she has to go through seems so sad and unfair for a young, talented girl like Chelsea that I couldn't help but feel bad. Though I did not care for Gabe a lot, I thought him to be a sweet, supportive boyfriend who did not abandon her during her worst time. I also liked her relationship with her younger brother and how the author portrayed the conflicted relationship with her father. However, the book started to go downhill for me once Chelsea reached the camp. I expected the focus of the book to be more on Chelsea's journey towards healing, accepting what happened and creating a new life for herself, rather that on the romance. Whatever little connection I felt with Chelsea disappeared once she met Clint - maybe it's just me, but I felt that she became a completely different person. The way Clint and Chelsea describe each other seems straight out of a romance novel. Both of them seem to focus too much on each others' looks, which makes it seem like their relationship is all about attraction based on physical appearence. I really don't understand this "insta-attraction" thing and had a hard time seeing the point or the basis of their relationship. The romance seemed to be lacking any real emotional connection. Moreover, what about Gabe? I seriously felt bad for him. He seemed like a perfectly nice boyfriend who stands by Chelsea through the worst, yet suddenly she sees Clint and forgets all about Gabe. Is it that easy? Perhaps a better development of the romance between Clint and Chelsea would have made me more in favor of their feelings for each other.
I wish Chelsea had given more thought about Gabe and what she was doing to him. In the start, I found Chelsea to be a brave girl with an incredible inner strength. Halfway through the book, she seemed like a selfish, thoughtless girl. Connecting to the characters is important for me; unfortunately, I felt nothing for either of the main protagonists.
This is just one person's opinion though. Let it not deter anyone from reading the book. There have been many more positive reviews as compared to a very few negative ones. So I guess if you are a fan of the author or like the YA contemporary genre, you can read this book and make up your own mind about it. You might like it much more than I did.
Recommended?
Yes, for a one time read and for fans of romance.
March 11, 2017
Миленько, но не настолько
April 11, 2011
It took me about 50 pages to get into this novel because I didn't find Chelsea compelling, and then by page 120 or so I decided I didn't really care all that much about Chelsea and Clint's developing relationship.
There were a couple of major problems for me.
The narrative, which alternates between Chelsea and Clint, could get really cheesy at times.
Example:
Clint: The blond, beautiful, peach-scented creature sits next to me, waiting for me to touch her.
Chelsea: In so many ways, this black diamond of a man, his insides obscured by darkness, is nothing like the overtly romantic Gabe...
Black diamond of a man?
Clint's chapters were more interesting than Chelsea's, but they were also shorter, and each time I was tossed back into Chelsea's story, I just wanted to skim.
There were several issues the book touched on, but nothing was fully fleshed out. Chelsea's accident, Chelsea's refusal to be active again and her fear of falling, Chelsea's damaged relationship with her father, Clint's past and the real reason he gave up hockey...
I was expecting a different book, I guess. I was excited to read the boot-camp scenes - I thought Clint had a plan and was going to really give Chelsea a work out that would make her physically and mentally stronger, but Chelsea refuses to do any of the activities Clint suggests and Clint gives up easily by agreeing to do hikes in search of orchids. Mainly, they decide they like each other pretty quickly - one of those "she's/he's gorgeous and I feel something for someone I haven't felt in a long time" deals. We don't get the daily meetings in which they slowly develop a friendship, a respect and an attraction for each other.
And while I was rooting for Chelsea to choose Clint over Gabe, I didn't really buy that neither Clint nor Chelsea acknowledged that Chelsea was cheating on her boyfriend by way of discussion. Wouldn't Clint have some doubts about a girl who would clearly sleep with him even though she has a boyfriend? When Clint finally does get angry with Chelsea, it seems a bit late and I felt no sympathy for him.
Though Chelsea's brother really drove me crazy with his constant defense of Gabe, Chelsea's boyfriend, I'm not sure I should criticize it. Because in so many teen novels, the main character's family isn't around to add any conflict. It was refreshing (though very irritating) that Chelsea's younger brother was policing her every move and making things a bit difficult for Clint and Chelsea to hook up. An opportunity was lost here - I wish there had been a moment when Chelsea explained to her brother that the "perfect" boyfriend may not be the perfect boyfriend for everyone. That the way to keep a relationship healthy is not to be clingy. That sometimes two people just click (like Clint and Chelsea) and when one has to work so hard to make things work, maybe it's time to let go.
There were a couple of major problems for me.
The narrative, which alternates between Chelsea and Clint, could get really cheesy at times.
Example:
Clint: The blond, beautiful, peach-scented creature sits next to me, waiting for me to touch her.
Chelsea: In so many ways, this black diamond of a man, his insides obscured by darkness, is nothing like the overtly romantic Gabe...
Black diamond of a man?
Clint's chapters were more interesting than Chelsea's, but they were also shorter, and each time I was tossed back into Chelsea's story, I just wanted to skim.
There were several issues the book touched on, but nothing was fully fleshed out. Chelsea's accident, Chelsea's refusal to be active again and her fear of falling, Chelsea's damaged relationship with her father, Clint's past and the real reason he gave up hockey...
I was expecting a different book, I guess. I was excited to read the boot-camp scenes - I thought Clint had a plan and was going to really give Chelsea a work out that would make her physically and mentally stronger, but Chelsea refuses to do any of the activities Clint suggests and Clint gives up easily by agreeing to do hikes in search of orchids. Mainly, they decide they like each other pretty quickly - one of those "she's/he's gorgeous and I feel something for someone I haven't felt in a long time" deals. We don't get the daily meetings in which they slowly develop a friendship, a respect and an attraction for each other.
And while I was rooting for Chelsea to choose Clint over Gabe, I didn't really buy that neither Clint nor Chelsea acknowledged that Chelsea was cheating on her boyfriend by way of discussion. Wouldn't Clint have some doubts about a girl who would clearly sleep with him even though she has a boyfriend? When Clint finally does get angry with Chelsea, it seems a bit late and I felt no sympathy for him.
Though Chelsea's brother really drove me crazy with his constant defense of Gabe, Chelsea's boyfriend, I'm not sure I should criticize it. Because in so many teen novels, the main character's family isn't around to add any conflict. It was refreshing (though very irritating) that Chelsea's younger brother was policing her every move and making things a bit difficult for Clint and Chelsea to hook up. An opportunity was lost here - I wish there had been a moment when Chelsea explained to her brother that the "perfect" boyfriend may not be the perfect boyfriend for everyone. That the way to keep a relationship healthy is not to be clingy. That sometimes two people just click (like Clint and Chelsea) and when one has to work so hard to make things work, maybe it's time to let go.
July 17, 2011
As the story swung from Chelsea to Clint, so did my opinion of Playing Hurt. From being intrigued, to being annoyed, then finally, me fanning myself over their encounters.... then back again. In the end, however, I can say without a doubt, I do not like Chelsea. As for Clint, well, I do not dislike as much.
She's selfish and she cheats. When she said no one could help what they felt. I agreed, but I wanted to add, they could help what they did. Perhaps, the cheating greatly affected my opinion of her, but it's everything Gabe had to say in the end that summarized what I felt; it's even what Clint had to say when they finally blew up, something that ran along the lines of her being a scared girl who could not even decide between to boys. (That last line alone had me boohoo-ing *insert sarcasm here* for her!) Everytime, yes, everytime she asked herself what was wrong her... well, I was wondering the same thing too.
As to Clint. I'm indifferent. Like Chelsea, he too was hurt. And like her, he too behaved in a way that's unacceptable ('it takes two to tango' and all that, right?) But I sympathized with him just a little more, his interaction with his friends, his relationships with other people beside Chelsea, proved he cared... and was not as callous as Chelsea could be, a callousness demonstrated by her brushing aside Gabe, as well as by her ignoring all the warnings from her brother.
One thing though, I'd have wanted a little more on her and her father. Them trying to make their peace, them trying to put aside blame as no blame could be had... it was this part of the story that rang true for me. Sadly, it came too little and too late because her actions had entrenched her in my not-so-good people list.
2.5
She's selfish and she cheats. When she said no one could help what they felt. I agreed, but I wanted to add, they could help what they did. Perhaps, the cheating greatly affected my opinion of her, but it's everything Gabe had to say in the end that summarized what I felt; it's even what Clint had to say when they finally blew up, something that ran along the lines of her being a scared girl who could not even decide between to boys. (That last line alone had me boohoo-ing *insert sarcasm here* for her!) Everytime, yes, everytime she asked herself what was wrong her... well, I was wondering the same thing too.
As to Clint. I'm indifferent. Like Chelsea, he too was hurt. And like her, he too behaved in a way that's unacceptable ('it takes two to tango' and all that, right?) But I sympathized with him just a little more, his interaction with his friends, his relationships with other people beside Chelsea, proved he cared... and was not as callous as Chelsea could be, a callousness demonstrated by her brushing aside Gabe, as well as by her ignoring all the warnings from her brother.
One thing though, I'd have wanted a little more on her and her father. Them trying to make their peace, them trying to put aside blame as no blame could be had... it was this part of the story that rang true for me. Sadly, it came too little and too late because her actions had entrenched her in my not-so-good people list.
2.5
March 19, 2011
Contains Spoilers
Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler is about Chelsea, a star athlete on her high school basketball team. During one of her games her senior year she is injured and no longer able to play which causes her to lose her scholarship. After she graduated she and her family take a vacation at a lake resort in northern Minnesota this turns out to be an eye opening experience for Chelsea when she meets Clint, her bootcamp instructor her father hires for her so she isn't wasting her time. The chapters alternate from Chelsea's point of view to Clints point of view. Chelsea must learn to let go of her past and move forward and this even involves letting go of certain people as well. As for Clint, Chelsea helps him heal old wounds and live his life to the fullest.
I didn't care for this book mainly because of Chelsea. I found her character to be very selfish and manipulating. She has a boyfriend whom she claims to love yet she cheats on him with Clint and through out the book she keeps telling Clint, "He is my boyfriend so its my problem, you don't have to worry about it" for someone who supposedly loves her boyfriend its very easy for her to put him out of her mind and cheat on him as soon as she gets the chance. She practically throws herself at Clint every time she sees him even when he is clearly saying no. I also did not like how they did not have any type of "boot camp" unless the author's definition of boot camp is going hiking to look at flowers and maybe fish a couple of times. I had high expectations for this novel and was very disappointed. 2 stars and that's being generous.
Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler is about Chelsea, a star athlete on her high school basketball team. During one of her games her senior year she is injured and no longer able to play which causes her to lose her scholarship. After she graduated she and her family take a vacation at a lake resort in northern Minnesota this turns out to be an eye opening experience for Chelsea when she meets Clint, her bootcamp instructor her father hires for her so she isn't wasting her time. The chapters alternate from Chelsea's point of view to Clints point of view. Chelsea must learn to let go of her past and move forward and this even involves letting go of certain people as well. As for Clint, Chelsea helps him heal old wounds and live his life to the fullest.
I didn't care for this book mainly because of Chelsea. I found her character to be very selfish and manipulating. She has a boyfriend whom she claims to love yet she cheats on him with Clint and through out the book she keeps telling Clint, "He is my boyfriend so its my problem, you don't have to worry about it" for someone who supposedly loves her boyfriend its very easy for her to put him out of her mind and cheat on him as soon as she gets the chance. She practically throws herself at Clint every time she sees him even when he is clearly saying no. I also did not like how they did not have any type of "boot camp" unless the author's definition of boot camp is going hiking to look at flowers and maybe fish a couple of times. I had high expectations for this novel and was very disappointed. 2 stars and that's being generous.
October 28, 2011
Holy crap. I just - I can't even believe this book. Chelsea is absolutely freaking heartless. She fucks around behind her sweetheart of a boyfriend's back and doesn't show one iota of remorse about it. In fact, she's surprised that he's *NOT* okay with this and won't stay with her. Yes, she actually imagines that she's going to keep him, even though she justifies her absolutely disgusting behaviour by going on and on about how they never loved each other, anyway, because he wanted her first time to be special. I'm all about the WTF right now. Seriously.
I was going to give Playing Hurt 3.5 out of 5, but - no. No, no, no. If Chelsea would have learned something from her actions, or at least come to realize that what she did was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, I'd feel differently. Unfortunately, stressing that you won't be able to keep your nefarious deeds from your boyfriend because he's going to notice that you're no longer a freaking virgin IS JUST *NOT* OKAY. Finding your inner strength does not mean treating people like dirt. What the heck kind of a role model is Chelsea for her younger brother who *KNOWS* what she's doing all along ... and keeps trying to convince her to STOP?! As for Clint - would he like it if he had a girlfriend screwing around behind his back?! Just, NO. I cannot in good conscience give this book anything but 1 out of 5. It's disgusting.
I was going to give Playing Hurt 3.5 out of 5, but - no. No, no, no. If Chelsea would have learned something from her actions, or at least come to realize that what she did was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, I'd feel differently. Unfortunately, stressing that you won't be able to keep your nefarious deeds from your boyfriend because he's going to notice that you're no longer a freaking virgin IS JUST *NOT* OKAY. Finding your inner strength does not mean treating people like dirt. What the heck kind of a role model is Chelsea for her younger brother who *KNOWS* what she's doing all along ... and keeps trying to convince her to STOP?! As for Clint - would he like it if he had a girlfriend screwing around behind his back?! Just, NO. I cannot in good conscience give this book anything but 1 out of 5. It's disgusting.
December 7, 2013
I really enjoyed the premise of Playing Hurt and I connected well with Chelsea. The romantic tension between her and Clint but I did not appreciate the cheating. I think that Gabe got played and while it is realistic and I could see it happening, it just is hard for me to read and accept and pull for cheating. Love triangles to me are somehow different because there isn't that attachment already there and established over a long period of time, and also, the guys normally know about each other so it seems more fair.
Despite that hang up, I loved the story. It flowed well, I sympathized with Chelsea and she had some real emotional turmoil going on. I also devoured Clint's story. I think that his pain, and his past really are the depth to this story.
The romance between Clint and Chelsea could have stood on its on without the Gabe aspect, and with him being in the picture, I just wish that he would have really had a shot and that it wouldn't have been the comfortable and the adding the tension because I think that was already present.
I will say that this maybe should be considered NA because it is pretty sexual and steamy in the real sense, not letting much to the imagination.
Bottom Line: Good character development, just had issues with the cheating.
Despite that hang up, I loved the story. It flowed well, I sympathized with Chelsea and she had some real emotional turmoil going on. I also devoured Clint's story. I think that his pain, and his past really are the depth to this story.
The romance between Clint and Chelsea could have stood on its on without the Gabe aspect, and with him being in the picture, I just wish that he would have really had a shot and that it wouldn't have been the comfortable and the adding the tension because I think that was already present.
I will say that this maybe should be considered NA because it is pretty sexual and steamy in the real sense, not letting much to the imagination.
Bottom Line: Good character development, just had issues with the cheating.
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