It’s about damn time. I mean, it is about damn time that I finally read Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. A few of my friends are really into her books, most notably Shanyn. So, when Allison at The Allure Of Books mailed me a package that included Catching Jordan, I freaked out, then true to form, left it on my shelves for months and months and months, because I am the worst. As I have about 30 or so reviews to write, I thought that now would be the perfect time to procrastinate on those reviews and catch up on what promised to be a very quick read.
I love books about girls who have interests besides themselves and boys. I had a keen interest in reading Catching Jordan as it largely revolves around Jordan’s chosen sport, football. Jordan is the star player of her football team – she’s the quarterback and the captain. The guys on her team totally have her back and don’t treat her like a second class citizen simply because she happens to be a girl. Jordan is really tight with the guys on the team, especially her best friend, Sam Henry who often spends the night. She’s always thought of the guys as just friends and nothing more. Yet, her feelings do a 180 when a new boy, Ty, transfers from Texas to Jordan’s One Hundred Oaks team. Even worse, he is ALSO a quarterback. To compound matters further, Jordan’s dad is quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and absolutely refuses to support her football aspirations – which include one day maybe playing for Alabama at the collegiate level.
I am a bit on the fence with Jordan Woods. She’s a nice enough character, but certain things she does irritates me. Like, for example, she is very mistrustful of females – with good reason. It gets annoying though, how she constantly assumes other girls with the exception of Henry’s ex, Carrie, are featherheads. Granted, she does eventually change, but still the whole exceptional girl thing is annoying. There’s nothing wrong with liking things that are traditionally considered ‘female’ in nature. I also thought she was supremely privileged and so it was really hard for me to empathize with her. I ended up feeling like so many of her problems were first world problems. Here’s the thing, I can feel for people who experience first world problems, but they have to be written in a way that feels universal, like something is at stake. Like, lol, Jordan wants this full ride to college, but her dad is making MILLIONS a year. MILLIONS, and that’s just for playing professional football, it does not even take into mind his endorsements, and idk, it just pisses me off that someone who has zero financial need wants a full ride. However, that’s my own, very personal, very close to the heart pet peeve. I think normal people will be able to feel for Jordan though.
All my peeves aside, I think that Catching Jordan had very realistic dialogue. I thought it was written in a way that teens actually talk. There are tons of swears, YAY. There’s definitely locker room talk. AND awkwardness. I loved it. I thought Kenneally really captured being a teenager in such an authentic way. I mean, even the things that irritated me about Jordan came off realistically. I think that there are definitely girls out there who think that other females can’t be trusted. I know girls like that. So, Jordan’s reactions were not too off base. She acted exactly the way you would expect a girl whose been burned by a friend to act. Props to Kenneally for writing a fast-moving, engaging, and somewhat realistic story.
Honestly, as far as the romantic arc goes Kenneally’s debut, I am quite satisfied. Y’all there’s a little bit of a love triangle with this book AND FOR ONCE my team of choice wins. Of course, there’s all kinds of kissing scenes and grown up times scenes which makes for some pretty interesting reading. If you come to books looking for romantic scenes, you will get it with this book. There’s also some cheesiness too, which made me laugh, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a few points during the book where I had to text friends about how much of a tool one of Jordan’s love interests was being. I love reaction-texting, and so the fact that the romance had me doing that was a big plus. Catching Jordan suits the purpose of a fast, palate cleansing, no-stress, breather read.
Disclosure: Gifted by Allison at The Allure Of Books
Other reviews of Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally:
The Allure Of Books – “I couldn’t get past how shallow all the characters were enough to enjoy the book!”
Chick Loves Lit – “Excellent contemporary – I was not disappointed”
Alexa Loves Books – “I do think the story is well-written and interesting”
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I was so upset with Jordan’s girl-hate (as I saw it)-it really drove down my rating of the book because I’m very much a girl’s girl although (shocker to Jordan!), I do like sports especially football and can talk about them a bit. I’m still kind of angry about that and it’s been about 8 months since I read this book.
What I liked about this book was the resolution to her problems with her dad. I’m a sucker for a good reconciliation story, and like you, I was pleased that she picked the guy I was rooting for in the love triangle.
I’m glad you finally read this one! I do love this series and even though I know I won’t read Things I Can’t Forget again, I AM really looking forward to the 4th book, Racing Savannah. I love Kenneally’s writing!
Like you, I’ve heard much made of Miranda Kenneally’s work but have yet to read a single book penned by her. I do have Catching Jordan on my Kindle but I haven’t managed to work up the energy to read it yet. I’m not sure whether my hesitation is because I’m worried I won’t personally like it or because I’m worried it won’t live up to all the hype. Either way, opinions on Kenneally’s work seem to be rather divisive.
I ordinarily love books in which the protagonist has a passion (i.e. Audrey’s passion for music in Robin Benway’s Audrey, Wait! or Jessica’s passion for running in Megan McCafferty’s Sloppy Firsts, etc) but from what I’ve heard the ‘sports’ element of Kenneally’s novels can be a little superficial, more of a means to an end rather than an actual plot point themselves. I’m not a big fan of the internalized misogyny you touched upon in your review, but I am happy to hear that the novel is written with an authentic voice. That seems to be something that the author excels at as I’ve heard that commented on a number of times before. One of the things that’s most important to me when reading is that the dialogue rings true (I’ll often read a portion aloud to see how it flows) so it’s comforting to know this was a highlight in Catching Jordan.
I’m still on the fence when it comes to this book. I’ll definitely take the time to read it some day in order to make up my own mind, but some of the issues you brought up so make me hesitant to read it any time soon. This was a very insightful review, April, and a pleasure to read 🙂
I need to read this book. I think I might like it. Or at the very least, I could discuss the heck out of it, which is my favorite thing about a book anyway. I can’t believe I haven’t started this series yet. Doggone it. You make a compelling case for me picking it up to see what it’s all about.
I have been meaning to read this book for over a year. I even bought a copy about a year ago. But I haven’t read it. And I must say that after reading you review, I think this book is just not for me. I’m pretty sure that Jordan will get on my nerves too much with the whole “girls are airheads” thing, even if she does change her tune later on.
But I’m glad that for the most part you enjoyed this one. Thanks for the review.
I keep seeing great reviews of these! I need to start this series. I’m not sure about the triangle :(. And the female-distrust/hate :(. Those two things will bug me. But apparently this author is awesome and worth the angst. Also, I’m a BIG angry book reaction texter. My friends think I’m crazy sometimes. But it’s so cathartic. And funny to look back at my thoughts.
It’s really great that you finally got the chance to read this one! I liked Catching Jordan a lot, as it was a fun read. (And my team of choice was totally winner too, so yay for being on the same team!). But seriously, if you get the chance, definitely read the other books in the series! The next one – Stealing Parker – is actually my favorite, and totally made me cry.
She totally is not a fan of other girls, which does get a bit old in YA. I mean, I’ve had mostly guy friends at points in my life, but, come on, every heroine isn’t more comfortable with boys.
Good point about the scholarship. I didn’t even think about it. I mean, maybe she wants the full ride so she’s not dependent on her dad, who’s generally been a d-bag to her, but still she would be taking the chance to go to college away from a poorer kid, so that does suck.
She does such a great job with the dialog and the personalities. That is why I’m such a huge fan of Kenneally.