Lucky break

Lucy Lucky Graves is the star fly-half of her high-school rugby team. She's on track for an athletic scholarship to college when she's sidelined with a broken ankle halfway through the season. The trauma makes her already significant OCD flare and triggers PTSD from a childhood accident. Can she undergo both rehab and therapy to pull it together mentally and physically in time to finish the season? Or has that scholarship been sidelined for good? Carter's personal rugby experience pays off in deep, clear knowledge and passion for the fun, brutal sport. Her clever, quippy dialogue and enjoyable first-person voice make the sassy, inner-monologuing Lucy a pleasure of a protagonist, which in turn allows for emotional investment in her welfare. Bonus points are given for the story's delightful romance with an adorable redhead, a warm and healthy relationship with her mother, a winning subplot involving a goofball math teacher, and a sweet, sincere look at the complexities of female friendship between competitive athletes. This book tackles a lot and scores at every turn.--Becca Worthington Copyright 2018 Booklist

A teenage sports star battles rugby opponents and inner demons in this quick and compelling read. Seventeen-year-old Lucy "Lucky" Graves is at the top of her game, both literally and figuratively. A straight-A student and her high school's star athlete, Lucy excels both in the classroom and on the rugby pitch. Though she lost her father when she was 12, Lucy is surrounded by people who love and support her, including her single mom, best friend and fellow rugby player Emily, and her new crush, New Zealand transplant Andy. There's nothing standing in the way of her earning a college scholarship, until a terrible hit during a rugby match results in a broken ankle. When a video of her accident goes viral, Lucy's mental health also deteriorates, threatening both her rugby career and her relationships. In order to get back on the pitch, Lucy must confront old demons and learn to love the game again. Readers will enjoy the action-packed scenes, as well as the concise yet thorough explanations of all things rugby. Snappy dialogue, strong pacing, and sympathetic characters make for an enjoyable and easily digestible read. Mental illness is a recurring theme and is handled with care. Lucy is biracial, with a Black Trinidadian father and a white Irish mother; supporting characters read white. A relatable, realistic look at the pressures teen athletes face that will appeal to reluctant readers. (author's note) (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.