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Podium Finish
With six months until the Olympic Games, seventeen-year-old Harper's life is pretty much perfect. She's fighting for the starting spot on Team USA Women's Hockey, and for the first time ever, she has a crush on a guy who likes her back. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world, until she runs a risky play at practice and breaks her knee, thereby sentencing herself to six weeks in a cast and possibly ending her Olympic dream before it even starts.
For seventeen-year-old Alex, being anything less than the best is unacceptable. That's why, after a miserable debut season at the senior level, the former junior national singles champion switches to ice dance. Her skating partner, Ace, is an "all skating all the time" type of guy, which would be fine, if he'd stop keeping secrets about the real reason he and his former partner broke up. Now is not the time for second thoughts, but how can Alex skate her best if she can’t trust her partner…or herself?
As the pressure to make the Olympic team builds, the girls must rely on each other, because if there’s one thing they both know, it's that the only thing harder than skating to the top is staying there.
For seventeen-year-old Alex, being anything less than the best is unacceptable. That's why, after a miserable debut season at the senior level, the former junior national singles champion switches to ice dance. Her skating partner, Ace, is an "all skating all the time" type of guy, which would be fine, if he'd stop keeping secrets about the real reason he and his former partner broke up. Now is not the time for second thoughts, but how can Alex skate her best if she can’t trust her partner…or herself?
As the pressure to make the Olympic team builds, the girls must rely on each other, because if there’s one thing they both know, it's that the only thing harder than skating to the top is staying there.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2013
11 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 23, 2014
I love the Olympics! And I think Olympians are amazing! When I saw this book come up for review so close to the Winter Olympics, I knew I had to read it. Harper and Alex have been roommates at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center for the past year. They've also become friends who support and rely on each other to get them through the tough days.
The book switches POV between Harper and Alex. Harper is working hard to gain a starting spot on the women's hockey team and the competition is fierce. She has some friends and she has a nemesis named Jess. They have a hard time working together because they each want to shine separately. She breaks her knee one day and has to work extra hard to come back in time to play in the Olympics.
Alex was a singles skater doing well until she had a bad year. Her dad wanted her to switch to ice dancing so she'd have a chance to be in the Olympics. She did, and she's now partners with Ace. Ace is a champion skater who recently split up with his dance partner, Sophie. Alex and her dad want Ace to do more interviews and be more involved in social media, but he's not interested in the fame at all. Alex does a video chat with her parents once a week and when things aren't going well, her relationship with her father is strained.
This was fun to read as each girl worked hard to make it into the Olympics. There were challenges and setbacks for each of them. Harper got her first boyfriend, Rye, and she needed to figure out how to balance that relationship as well. Alex wanted to know what happened to break up Ace and Sophie's skating partnership and kept pushing him for answers. I enjoyed reading about Harper's games and Alex's competitions and the discipline they each had to continue to do their best. I felt bad when things didn't go their way and cheered them on when they were in the midst of competing. It was hard to put this book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next!
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Beth Pond in the future! And I am now officially in the mood to watch the Olympics (too bad they don't start tomorrow)!
Mel's Shelves
The book switches POV between Harper and Alex. Harper is working hard to gain a starting spot on the women's hockey team and the competition is fierce. She has some friends and she has a nemesis named Jess. They have a hard time working together because they each want to shine separately. She breaks her knee one day and has to work extra hard to come back in time to play in the Olympics.
Alex was a singles skater doing well until she had a bad year. Her dad wanted her to switch to ice dancing so she'd have a chance to be in the Olympics. She did, and she's now partners with Ace. Ace is a champion skater who recently split up with his dance partner, Sophie. Alex and her dad want Ace to do more interviews and be more involved in social media, but he's not interested in the fame at all. Alex does a video chat with her parents once a week and when things aren't going well, her relationship with her father is strained.
This was fun to read as each girl worked hard to make it into the Olympics. There were challenges and setbacks for each of them. Harper got her first boyfriend, Rye, and she needed to figure out how to balance that relationship as well. Alex wanted to know what happened to break up Ace and Sophie's skating partnership and kept pushing him for answers. I enjoyed reading about Harper's games and Alex's competitions and the discipline they each had to continue to do their best. I felt bad when things didn't go their way and cheered them on when they were in the midst of competing. It was hard to put this book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next!
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Beth Pond in the future! And I am now officially in the mood to watch the Olympics (too bad they don't start tomorrow)!
Mel's Shelves
January 21, 2014
I don't even know where to start. This book came to me right at the right time. I would have loved it anyway, but with the Winter Olympics coming up and being a HUGE Olympics fan, made this book even more exciting to me.
I often wonder what goes through the heads of Olympians as they struggle each day to make the team and this was a little glimpse into that life. Whether it was real or not, it was intense. I cannot even wrap my head around that kind of competition and stress.
I cannot imagine living away from my family to train every day for hours a day knowing that my hard work may or may not pay off. It was an exiting ride from the beginning to the finish.
Figure skating is my FAVORITE Winter Olympic sport so this book made me love it even more. The hard work and dedication it takes to be an Olympian is amazing. I am not a hockey fan, especially women's hockey, but this book made me feel like I was right there watching it go down, and I loved it.
I loved how Harper and Alex found their joy in being in the competition. They lived for it. I could really feel the emotions they were going through while reading this book. I found my self feeling anxious just waiting to hear who made the final cut for the Hockey team. That is how in to this book I was. I LOVE it when an author does that for me.
I don't think there is anything I didn't like about this book. It was exciting, interesting, intense, and had a love story to boot. Seriously a great read. A fun read!
I often wonder what goes through the heads of Olympians as they struggle each day to make the team and this was a little glimpse into that life. Whether it was real or not, it was intense. I cannot even wrap my head around that kind of competition and stress.
I cannot imagine living away from my family to train every day for hours a day knowing that my hard work may or may not pay off. It was an exiting ride from the beginning to the finish.
Figure skating is my FAVORITE Winter Olympic sport so this book made me love it even more. The hard work and dedication it takes to be an Olympian is amazing. I am not a hockey fan, especially women's hockey, but this book made me feel like I was right there watching it go down, and I loved it.
I loved how Harper and Alex found their joy in being in the competition. They lived for it. I could really feel the emotions they were going through while reading this book. I found my self feeling anxious just waiting to hear who made the final cut for the Hockey team. That is how in to this book I was. I LOVE it when an author does that for me.
I don't think there is anything I didn't like about this book. It was exciting, interesting, intense, and had a love story to boot. Seriously a great read. A fun read!
January 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book as part of I am a Reader Not A Writer book tour. This in no way influences my honest opinion!
This book focusses on two characters, Harper and Alex. Both athletes training for a place on the American Olympic teams. This book gives an insight on how hard athletes have to train to even get to the Olympic games.
It also shows how athletes deal with injuries, this was a really interesting part because I didn't know much about it. Like how they treat sore muscles with a warm/cold water bath. And the machines they use for injuries. Those are things you don't often hear about. I found it was really interesting. Also I had never heard of ice dancing before, sure I have heard of figure skating singles and pairs but never ice skating.
My favourite part of this book was when Harper and Alex went to watch the short track match from Rye, that was so exciting, I felt the rush as if I was skating myself. It was well put and I could see the match happen right in mind! That was really cool! I am going to be on the outlook for more books like these. Also this book made me want to go get my skates, drive to the nearest rink and go skating!
This book is great for all people who love the winter games, or skating in general. It's a story about motivation, passion, friendship, love and of course the Olympic Wintergames.
Full bilingual review at: http://icequeensbookshelf.blogspot.nl...
This book focusses on two characters, Harper and Alex. Both athletes training for a place on the American Olympic teams. This book gives an insight on how hard athletes have to train to even get to the Olympic games.
It also shows how athletes deal with injuries, this was a really interesting part because I didn't know much about it. Like how they treat sore muscles with a warm/cold water bath. And the machines they use for injuries. Those are things you don't often hear about. I found it was really interesting. Also I had never heard of ice dancing before, sure I have heard of figure skating singles and pairs but never ice skating.
My favourite part of this book was when Harper and Alex went to watch the short track match from Rye, that was so exciting, I felt the rush as if I was skating myself. It was well put and I could see the match happen right in mind! That was really cool! I am going to be on the outlook for more books like these. Also this book made me want to go get my skates, drive to the nearest rink and go skating!
This book is great for all people who love the winter games, or skating in general. It's a story about motivation, passion, friendship, love and of course the Olympic Wintergames.
Full bilingual review at: http://icequeensbookshelf.blogspot.nl...
December 2, 2013
Podium Finish is unlike any other book I have read, period. It is amazing that Ms. Pond could take two very different characters who are pursuing two completely different sports and tie them together as roommates at the Olympic Training Center. The perspective changes back and forth from Harper and Alex and as a reader it was so intriguing to read a book with two stories, two friends, two dreams for Olympic Gold. Pond flawlessly intertwined the two girls' stories and their friendship, goals, dreams and hopes. Harper and Alex were completely opposite in every aspect of their lives except for their Olympic dreams and that is what made their friendship so believable to me. Opposites attract in all relationships, including friendships. I loved the way that the girls supported, encouraged and helped each other. I skated through Podium Finish as I became a part of Harper and Alex's Olympic dreams! I would definitely recommend this book to friends!
I received a copy of this book for free, this is my honest review.
I received a copy of this book for free, this is my honest review.
December 26, 2013
I guess I'm a little biased because I am friends with the author (and I'm in the acknowledgments––woohoo!) but I did really enjoy Podium Finish. It's a very fun and addicting read and I read most of it in a single sitting. I think Ms. Pond just an excellent job realistically portraying the lives of her Olympic athlete characters, paying fine attention to adding believable details and distinguishing their two voices from each other. I found it a little hard to connect with at times because I am the farthest thing from an athlete––but I do definitely think this book stands out, since I haven't read a lot of YA books about Olympic sports. I also think it felt a little rushed at times and I wish it could have been longer, although I do understand it having to be a little on the short side since it's the author's first book. But anyway, I think this is quite a strong debut and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Pond does next! :)
September 6, 2016
Let me just say.. Podium Finish was unlike any other book I have read. Pond touched on a subject most YA and teens love, the Olympics. I think every young girl out there has a dream or two of being the beautiful girl in the showy costumes, twirling on the ice. I know I did. Pond caught my interest immediately with the title and the cover!
Being a sports fan and having been on a sports team myself, I can relate a little to the competitiveness that comes with a sport like hockey. There were many times when my heart got to pumping while reading about these young girls, Alex and Harper, in action. But the Olympics is so much more than sports. It is years and years of training, sacrifices, determination.... So much determination and hard work to just get to the team itself. The pressure these young teens are put under not only by themselves, but parents, friends and coaches is immense. I was so lost in this, I felt those pressures too. I just wanted to hug and love these roommates who were alone, away from family, having to deal with the pressures of it all.
This was such a great clean read with a little romance. It is so different from most of the YA I have read, it was a breath of fresh air. I am going to get this for my teen boys to read. Especially with the winter Olympics coming up, this will be the icing on the cake!
Being a sports fan and having been on a sports team myself, I can relate a little to the competitiveness that comes with a sport like hockey. There were many times when my heart got to pumping while reading about these young girls, Alex and Harper, in action. But the Olympics is so much more than sports. It is years and years of training, sacrifices, determination.... So much determination and hard work to just get to the team itself. The pressure these young teens are put under not only by themselves, but parents, friends and coaches is immense. I was so lost in this, I felt those pressures too. I just wanted to hug and love these roommates who were alone, away from family, having to deal with the pressures of it all.
This was such a great clean read with a little romance. It is so different from most of the YA I have read, it was a breath of fresh air. I am going to get this for my teen boys to read. Especially with the winter Olympics coming up, this will be the icing on the cake!
March 22, 2018
Nicely satisfying—twin stories of a hockey player and an ice dancer trying for the Olympics. I love that although there is a bit of romance, the characters in said romance know when to put training first (and, perhaps more to the point, that there's zero drama whatsoever about it) and that there isn't a romance in the place you'd necessarily expect. This is actually one where I'd happily have read two books instead of one—one book focussing on Harper and one on Alex.
The big question in both cases, of course, is whether or not they'll earn Olympic medals—although for Harper there's also a question of whether or not she'll make it onto the Olympic team at all after breaking her knee. I think I could have used a little more sports tension throughout, though I'm ambivalent on that, because I did appreciate the low drama. But it did strike me that this is pretty much a book where the characters go forth and do what they've trained to do, and then carry on. So, make of that what you will.
The big question in both cases, of course, is whether or not they'll earn Olympic medals—although for Harper there's also a question of whether or not she'll make it onto the Olympic team at all after breaking her knee. I think I could have used a little more sports tension throughout, though I'm ambivalent on that, because I did appreciate the low drama. But it did strike me that this is pretty much a book where the characters go forth and do what they've trained to do, and then carry on. So, make of that what you will.
October 22, 2014
My Review: I love watching the Olympics. I don't know what it is; watching athletes become legends, the coming together of a country, the underdog stories, or a combination of these, but I love it. (Wow, that sounded cheesy.) Podium Finish was the perfect Olympic book, and I couldn't get enough of it.
The Multiple POV: was great. I loved both Harper and Alex, and I never was rushing ahead to get to my favorite POV because I loved their stories equally. Which almost never happens with me. I always end up slightly rushing through one POV to get to the one i like better.
The writing was AMAZING; absolute perfection. I felt like I was watching Harper and Alex instead of reading about them, which in my opinion is a true sign that a book is good. Even if you don't know much about hockey or ice dance, you can understand what is going on.
There wasn't a single character that I felt was underdeveloped or didn't care about. My favorite character (and possibly a new book boyfriend) was Ace. Harper and Alex were both great main characters, and I felt like cheering for the half the time! The little details about them were what truly made them shine, like Alex tapping the Olympic rings, or Ace saving a teddy bear from his and Alex's first competition. (Really sweet, by the way!)
One thing that I would warn readers about is that the book didn't grab me right away. Which by no means a bad thing, especially in the Realistic fiction genre, (the beginning of Podium Finish was great in that we learned a lot about Harper and Alex) but I suppose some readers might be put off by it. It starts off a bit slower but by the end of the book I couldn't put the book down. So if you start off and the book isn't instantly amazing, KEEP READING! It builds up as it goes along.
Four stars for an exciting read that exceeded all my expectations. Podium Finish is a book I would easily recommend!
The Multiple POV: was great. I loved both Harper and Alex, and I never was rushing ahead to get to my favorite POV because I loved their stories equally. Which almost never happens with me. I always end up slightly rushing through one POV to get to the one i like better.
The writing was AMAZING; absolute perfection. I felt like I was watching Harper and Alex instead of reading about them, which in my opinion is a true sign that a book is good. Even if you don't know much about hockey or ice dance, you can understand what is going on.
There wasn't a single character that I felt was underdeveloped or didn't care about. My favorite character (and possibly a new book boyfriend) was Ace. Harper and Alex were both great main characters, and I felt like cheering for the half the time! The little details about them were what truly made them shine, like Alex tapping the Olympic rings, or Ace saving a teddy bear from his and Alex's first competition. (Really sweet, by the way!)
One thing that I would warn readers about is that the book didn't grab me right away. Which by no means a bad thing, especially in the Realistic fiction genre, (the beginning of Podium Finish was great in that we learned a lot about Harper and Alex) but I suppose some readers might be put off by it. It starts off a bit slower but by the end of the book I couldn't put the book down. So if you start off and the book isn't instantly amazing, KEEP READING! It builds up as it goes along.
Four stars for an exciting read that exceeded all my expectations. Podium Finish is a book I would easily recommend!
January 20, 2014
I'm not a big sports fanatic. I watch a little here and there, especially if my kids are playing, but one thing that I absolutely love and spend hours and hours and hours watching, is the Olympics. I get into all of the sports and come to know the athletes. I watch sports that I would never watch otherwise, but this big event is heaven. Podium Finish was so much fun because not only did it tell one athletes road to the Olympics, but two.
Harper and Alex are roommates at the Olympic Training Center and they're also best friends. They understand the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment it takes to succeed. I love watching them support one another. Each chapter goes back and forth between the two 17 year old girls and it's told in first person, so we can really understand their feelings and thoughts. I was completely caught up in their stories and felt this was the perfect time to read it--just a few weeks before the Winter Olympics! I'm so excited!
I loved the emotion and learning experiences these girls faced. I loved the relationships they had to figure out and deal with--teams, families, friends, enemies, etc. I even found myself shedding a few tears, although they were tears of joy and pride, I promise. The growth that occurred was perfect for their ages and experiences.
Content: there were a few mild kissing scenes and thoughts of taking things further, but making a choice not to; there was one situation of a boy and girl in the same bed, but clothed and nothing happened. Clean.
Harper and Alex are roommates at the Olympic Training Center and they're also best friends. They understand the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment it takes to succeed. I love watching them support one another. Each chapter goes back and forth between the two 17 year old girls and it's told in first person, so we can really understand their feelings and thoughts. I was completely caught up in their stories and felt this was the perfect time to read it--just a few weeks before the Winter Olympics! I'm so excited!
I loved the emotion and learning experiences these girls faced. I loved the relationships they had to figure out and deal with--teams, families, friends, enemies, etc. I even found myself shedding a few tears, although they were tears of joy and pride, I promise. The growth that occurred was perfect for their ages and experiences.
Content: there were a few mild kissing scenes and thoughts of taking things further, but making a choice not to; there was one situation of a boy and girl in the same bed, but clothed and nothing happened. Clean.
September 7, 2016
This was a great reading book. The female characters were strong and so wonderful to read about. If you want a book that has a small element of romance but really focuses on the female characters and their successes and struggles for success than this is one to read. Alex and Harper are two amazing characters. Although both seem strong on the outside they are scared on the inside especially when Harper has a injury that could ruin everything she ever wanted. Her boyfriend and Alex are there for her the whole way though offering support and loved.
These two young ladies help each other through disappointments, happiness and success. They are both striving for the Olympics and understand what the other is going through. The writing is wonderful and will keep you engrossed in their journey. Alex just switched over from single skating to ice dancing so she has so much to adjust to. Her partner is great to read about as well. The evolution of their trust and friendship with each other is a terrific read.
this book is a great tale of the story of two woman's journey to the Olympics. Their hopes, dreams, successes, failures, worries, friendships and trust are all laid out for you to get endeared to their struggles and joys. You will root for them as you read and keep your fingers crossed for Harper as your heart is torn for her struggles.
These two young ladies help each other through disappointments, happiness and success. They are both striving for the Olympics and understand what the other is going through. The writing is wonderful and will keep you engrossed in their journey. Alex just switched over from single skating to ice dancing so she has so much to adjust to. Her partner is great to read about as well. The evolution of their trust and friendship with each other is a terrific read.
this book is a great tale of the story of two woman's journey to the Olympics. Their hopes, dreams, successes, failures, worries, friendships and trust are all laid out for you to get endeared to their struggles and joys. You will root for them as you read and keep your fingers crossed for Harper as your heart is torn for her struggles.
January 22, 2014
WHAT AN AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL BOOK!
Skating on ice...
Training hard...
Hoping...
And Going for the Gold...
Two girls...roommates at the Olympic Training Center...and their stories.
Harper is seeking a place on the Team USA Women's Hockey...when a knee injury sets her back on her goal. With the help of a boyfriend she wasn't planning on having she just might see her dreams come true.
Alex is seeking a medal with skating partner, Ace..but Ace is holding back secrets that leaves Alex feeling unsure about their efforts. They must learn to trust each other not only on the ice but off the ice as well.
A little sweat...
A little blood...
A little tears...
A little romance...
A GREAT read!
Skating on ice...
Training hard...
Hoping...
And Going for the Gold...
Two girls...roommates at the Olympic Training Center...and their stories.
Harper is seeking a place on the Team USA Women's Hockey...when a knee injury sets her back on her goal. With the help of a boyfriend she wasn't planning on having she just might see her dreams come true.
Alex is seeking a medal with skating partner, Ace..but Ace is holding back secrets that leaves Alex feeling unsure about their efforts. They must learn to trust each other not only on the ice but off the ice as well.
A little sweat...
A little blood...
A little tears...
A little romance...
A GREAT read!
December 6, 2013
This is a great, fun book! This story is really 2 stories in one - bonus! It is about 2 girls and their dreams about reaching the podium at the Olympics. It contains a little bit of everything and was truly enjoyable to read!
January 16, 2014
Clean romance book that had me on the edge of my seat since it was tied to the Olympics and wondering if Alex and Ace would do well in ice dancing. If Harper would make the women's hockey team. The author did a great job of making the reader feel the emotions of the characters.
August 4, 2019
I kind of liked the story but I feel the author knew as much about Olympics than me about Russian ballet.
First, the idea of Reykjavík being the host city is simply ridicoulous. How can Iceland with 340.000 have enough money to host the Olympics? As much as I like Icelandic people, I'm pretty sure they don't have ice rinks (those for hockey, one for speed skating, one for short track and figure skating), a track for luge and bobsleigh, alpine skiing slopes, those for snowboard and freestyle skating and a stadium so big to host all the athletes for the ceremonies.
This alone kind of spoiled the entire book for me: it was totally unrealistic.
Second. During the parade all the nations enter according to the alphabetical order of the host country language. For instance, the US in Brazil entered very early giving the fact that they're called Estados Unidos da América in Portuguese. In Icelandic they're called Bandaríki Ameríku, so no chance for them to be the last one.
Third. The Olympics follow a very strict calendar which is very similar - if not the same - from one Olympics to the other. So yeah, ice dance usually starts the first day after the ceremony, but short track usually starts later. And the last event is always the men hockey final along with the 50km cross country skiing, while the women final is usually held a couple of day before.
So, yeah, I was reading and I was tsking…
Anyway, I read it because it was about skating. As a speed skater - on wheels, not ice - I love books about skating and here there are hockey, short track and figure skating. I'm not a big fan of the latter, I love hockey and short track is fun to watch (plus Italy has pretty gut short trackers).
I like the two main protagonists - Harper, the hockey girl; Alex the figure skater - and their stories felt realistic. But the ending was too abrupt and sometimes the scene changes were confusing because a lot of time had goon by and it wasn't very well explained.
All in all, I like the book: it was a good story about skating. I could probably read more by Beth Pond in the future.
First, the idea of Reykjavík being the host city is simply ridicoulous. How can Iceland with 340.000 have enough money to host the Olympics? As much as I like Icelandic people, I'm pretty sure they don't have ice rinks (those for hockey, one for speed skating, one for short track and figure skating), a track for luge and bobsleigh, alpine skiing slopes, those for snowboard and freestyle skating and a stadium so big to host all the athletes for the ceremonies.
This alone kind of spoiled the entire book for me: it was totally unrealistic.
Second. During the parade all the nations enter according to the alphabetical order of the host country language. For instance, the US in Brazil entered very early giving the fact that they're called Estados Unidos da América in Portuguese. In Icelandic they're called Bandaríki Ameríku, so no chance for them to be the last one.
Third. The Olympics follow a very strict calendar which is very similar - if not the same - from one Olympics to the other. So yeah, ice dance usually starts the first day after the ceremony, but short track usually starts later. And the last event is always the men hockey final along with the 50km cross country skiing, while the women final is usually held a couple of day before.
So, yeah, I was reading and I was tsking…
Anyway, I read it because it was about skating. As a speed skater - on wheels, not ice - I love books about skating and here there are hockey, short track and figure skating. I'm not a big fan of the latter, I love hockey and short track is fun to watch (plus Italy has pretty gut short trackers).
I like the two main protagonists - Harper, the hockey girl; Alex the figure skater - and their stories felt realistic. But the ending was too abrupt and sometimes the scene changes were confusing because a lot of time had goon by and it wasn't very well explained.
All in all, I like the book: it was a good story about skating. I could probably read more by Beth Pond in the future.
May 9, 2019
This was a decent story that followed two US Winter Olympics hopefuls in the run up to being chosen for their respective sports through to the Olympics themselves. There wasn't anything really objectionable about it, I just wasn't super into it either. Harper and Alex's stories felt weirdly disconnected, like they could have been two separate books that were spliced together to make up space. It was just kind of odd. I feel like I would have liked it more if more time was spent on their friendship rather than their individual struggles with occasional breaks for pep talks from the other. It wasn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours by any means, but it definitely wasn't groundbreaking either.
August 16, 2016
Really, I'm going with 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up here. Full review posted here.
Reading Podium Finish so close to Being Sloane Jacobs made it impossible to not draw some comparisons between the two books, but I found that once you get past the ice skating and the hockey, both books stand by themselves, and I hope readers will give both a chance, not dismiss them merely for having so many surface similarities. Being Sloane Jacobs is more of a typical contemporary ya with sports allowing for the hijinks of its wacky Parent Trap-esque primary plot, while Podium Finish is more of a straight-up sports novel, and that's why I was so excited to read it and be part of the tour. I am a HUGE sports fan. I do research and watch as many as I possibly can, especially during the Olympics, which are happening SOON. I love everything about sports, including those dramatic athlete stories. In fact, I watched one tonight of Davis and White, the US's top ice dancing couple, who are primed and ready to take the gold medal in Sochi. Podium Finish is incredibly cinematic. It's like reading two of those athlete profiles, one focused on hockey player Harper and the other on ice dancer Alex (and her partner Ace) and the two girls' not-quite-together-but-not-quite-separate journey(s) to the Olympics.
What I really liked about this novel is that sports took top priority. Podium Finish is not one of those novels where the characters spend their time wondering if their sport is really for them and wanting out. Oh, no. Harper and Alex both want the Olympics, they both want gold, and they both are willing to sacrifice everything else to get there. Well...almost everything. I love that Beth spends so much time detailing all their intense preparation. The repetition of drills and the almost-monotony of practices designed to get one tiny move smoothed out, the early morning workouts, the long days of traveling...I truly loved how this novel is basically an inside look at the requirements and sacrifice of being an elite athlete. Often, novels about sports contain characters with great talent but relatively low drive. You can't be one of the best if you have no motivation. Talent won't get you everywhere. Podium Finish does a great job of showing just how much work goes into this life.
I also really enjoyed both Alex and Harper's individual stories. Both are looking for a comeback, in a way. Harper is a young hockey sensation, but she faces great trials when she blows out her knee only a few weeks before Olympic team selection. As someone with chronic ankle issues, I could 100% empathize with Harper's frustrations to get off her crutches and back on the ice, but I was worried at how much time she spent arguing with her coach and her trainer to get her out earlier. I may have yelled at her several times because I was truly worried she'd do something way stupid. Meanwhile Alex is attempting to move up the rungs of the ice dance ladder after giving up on a solo skating career. Although Harper is on a 20-person team, much of her time is spent worried about herself, not the team as a whole, so I actually felt more for Alex and Ace's teamwork troubles than I ever did for the hockey girls.
Another high point of this novel was the guys: Harper's crush-turned-boyfriend, a strapping speed skater named Rye (who is seriously darling!) and Alex's mysterious and often infuriating partner Ace. Watching Rye and Harper's relationship develop was a joy because it occurs pretty naturally and develops at a "normal" pace. It's not crazy instantaneous making babies, but it's not a slow creeper either. They go at their own pace, which is refreshing to witness, and their scenes together were delightful and charming. Ace and Alex's relationship, well, talk about refreshing. Imagine: a guy and a girl who AREN'T romantically involved! CRAZY. I loved watching their friendship, rather than romance, grow from their intially distant partnership. I do believe that their skating improved so greatly over the course of the novel because they finally learned to trust AND be honest with one another, and that led to their becoming good friends rather than just partners.
I do have a few complaints about Podium Finish that knocked it down to 3.5 as opposed to a higher rating. The biggest element I was disappointed with was pace. 1. Podium Finish spans several months so it stands to reason that not every moment would be important enough to be included. It just seemed like occasionally time would jerk by unevenly rather than slide by fluidly. The passage of time just didn't feel quite natural. 2. I felt like the individual scenes weren't always paced well. I'd say about 60% of the scenes left me somewhat unfulfilled when they ended. I always wanted more There wasn't always a natural end paired with a smooth transition to the next scene.
All in all, however, I was extremely satisfied with Podium Finish. It was sweet, funny, and extremely sporty. I had a lot of fun while reading it, and by the end, I found myself hoping that Alex and Harper were real girls on their way to the Olympics in Sochi. I do recommend Podium Finish to anyone who enjoys sporty books at all or even if you don't, you might be surprised at this one. If you have the chance to pick it up, you should!
Reading Podium Finish so close to Being Sloane Jacobs made it impossible to not draw some comparisons between the two books, but I found that once you get past the ice skating and the hockey, both books stand by themselves, and I hope readers will give both a chance, not dismiss them merely for having so many surface similarities. Being Sloane Jacobs is more of a typical contemporary ya with sports allowing for the hijinks of its wacky Parent Trap-esque primary plot, while Podium Finish is more of a straight-up sports novel, and that's why I was so excited to read it and be part of the tour. I am a HUGE sports fan. I do research and watch as many as I possibly can, especially during the Olympics, which are happening SOON. I love everything about sports, including those dramatic athlete stories. In fact, I watched one tonight of Davis and White, the US's top ice dancing couple, who are primed and ready to take the gold medal in Sochi. Podium Finish is incredibly cinematic. It's like reading two of those athlete profiles, one focused on hockey player Harper and the other on ice dancer Alex (and her partner Ace) and the two girls' not-quite-together-but-not-quite-separate journey(s) to the Olympics.
What I really liked about this novel is that sports took top priority. Podium Finish is not one of those novels where the characters spend their time wondering if their sport is really for them and wanting out. Oh, no. Harper and Alex both want the Olympics, they both want gold, and they both are willing to sacrifice everything else to get there. Well...almost everything. I love that Beth spends so much time detailing all their intense preparation. The repetition of drills and the almost-monotony of practices designed to get one tiny move smoothed out, the early morning workouts, the long days of traveling...I truly loved how this novel is basically an inside look at the requirements and sacrifice of being an elite athlete. Often, novels about sports contain characters with great talent but relatively low drive. You can't be one of the best if you have no motivation. Talent won't get you everywhere. Podium Finish does a great job of showing just how much work goes into this life.
I also really enjoyed both Alex and Harper's individual stories. Both are looking for a comeback, in a way. Harper is a young hockey sensation, but she faces great trials when she blows out her knee only a few weeks before Olympic team selection. As someone with chronic ankle issues, I could 100% empathize with Harper's frustrations to get off her crutches and back on the ice, but I was worried at how much time she spent arguing with her coach and her trainer to get her out earlier. I may have yelled at her several times because I was truly worried she'd do something way stupid. Meanwhile Alex is attempting to move up the rungs of the ice dance ladder after giving up on a solo skating career. Although Harper is on a 20-person team, much of her time is spent worried about herself, not the team as a whole, so I actually felt more for Alex and Ace's teamwork troubles than I ever did for the hockey girls.
Another high point of this novel was the guys: Harper's crush-turned-boyfriend, a strapping speed skater named Rye (who is seriously darling!) and Alex's mysterious and often infuriating partner Ace. Watching Rye and Harper's relationship develop was a joy because it occurs pretty naturally and develops at a "normal" pace. It's not crazy instantaneous making babies, but it's not a slow creeper either. They go at their own pace, which is refreshing to witness, and their scenes together were delightful and charming. Ace and Alex's relationship, well, talk about refreshing. Imagine: a guy and a girl who AREN'T romantically involved! CRAZY. I loved watching their friendship, rather than romance, grow from their intially distant partnership. I do believe that their skating improved so greatly over the course of the novel because they finally learned to trust AND be honest with one another, and that led to their becoming good friends rather than just partners.
I do have a few complaints about Podium Finish that knocked it down to 3.5 as opposed to a higher rating. The biggest element I was disappointed with was pace. 1. Podium Finish spans several months so it stands to reason that not every moment would be important enough to be included. It just seemed like occasionally time would jerk by unevenly rather than slide by fluidly. The passage of time just didn't feel quite natural. 2. I felt like the individual scenes weren't always paced well. I'd say about 60% of the scenes left me somewhat unfulfilled when they ended. I always wanted more There wasn't always a natural end paired with a smooth transition to the next scene.
All in all, however, I was extremely satisfied with Podium Finish. It was sweet, funny, and extremely sporty. I had a lot of fun while reading it, and by the end, I found myself hoping that Alex and Harper were real girls on their way to the Olympics in Sochi. I do recommend Podium Finish to anyone who enjoys sporty books at all or even if you don't, you might be surprised at this one. If you have the chance to pick it up, you should!
July 22, 2019
Definitely not what I was expecting. There was just too much going on in the story to get real character development
January 22, 2014
Alex and Harper are roommates at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, both aiming for the upcoming winter games. Harper is a hardcore hockey girl, while Alex recently switched from freestyle to dance in figure skating. Both of them are going to have to overcome some major obstacles if they want to live their Olympic dreams. Harper breaks her knee in a freak accident while Alex is dealing with a secretive partner and an overbearing father/manager. These two girls are determined to make their hard work payoff no matter what they have to do.
I am a major Olympic fangirl, so I was super excited to read this book. It was definitely a fun read. Harper and Alex are very different characters, but you always feel that they would be friends. They help to draw out the best in each other, and you can see how each one drew from the other to help them with their problems. Harper has a fun romance with a short track speed skater, and Alex manages to navigate her sometimes silent ice dance partner. This book gives a real feel for the dedication and hard work that both sports require. I could almost feel my heart pounding as I was waiting for results with Alex or watching for the puck to enter the goal with Harper. To be able to bring these feelings through words takes real skill.
In interest of full disclosure, I am an adult figure skater, so I know a fair bit about that world. There were a few details of that storyline that kind of drew me out of the story, however unless you are very knowledgeable about figure skating it won't bother you. It was just stuff like wondering if Alex had been testing dance while she was testing freestyle because I'm not sure how you could do every dance test needed to compete senior international that quickly. See, not going to matter to most people. Overall though I really loved the book. It was a super quick read for me, and I didn't want to put it down. I really got into the spirit of it all, and now I'm just counting down the days until the opening ceremonies. If you love sports and friendship, check this book out!
Book provided for review.
I am a major Olympic fangirl, so I was super excited to read this book. It was definitely a fun read. Harper and Alex are very different characters, but you always feel that they would be friends. They help to draw out the best in each other, and you can see how each one drew from the other to help them with their problems. Harper has a fun romance with a short track speed skater, and Alex manages to navigate her sometimes silent ice dance partner. This book gives a real feel for the dedication and hard work that both sports require. I could almost feel my heart pounding as I was waiting for results with Alex or watching for the puck to enter the goal with Harper. To be able to bring these feelings through words takes real skill.
In interest of full disclosure, I am an adult figure skater, so I know a fair bit about that world. There were a few details of that storyline that kind of drew me out of the story, however unless you are very knowledgeable about figure skating it won't bother you. It was just stuff like wondering if Alex had been testing dance while she was testing freestyle because I'm not sure how you could do every dance test needed to compete senior international that quickly. See, not going to matter to most people. Overall though I really loved the book. It was a super quick read for me, and I didn't want to put it down. I really got into the spirit of it all, and now I'm just counting down the days until the opening ceremonies. If you love sports and friendship, check this book out!
Book provided for review.
January 24, 2014
3.5 stars rounding up
This book got me so excited for the Winter Olympic Games which are just around the corner! One of my favorite parts of any Olympics are the athlete spotlights that they do so you can get to know the athletes. The characters in this book felt like Olympian spotlights to me. Well, a more extended version and a bit more personal, but still.
Harper and Alex are both competing for a spot in the Olympics. They have both been training and working for this goal practically their whole lives- Harper in hockey and Alex in ice dancing. They become friends when they room together for training and it's a friendship to last a lifetime.
This book was really like getting two stories in one. The narration bounces back and forth between Harper and Alex so you get to know each girl separately and together as they interact with each other. Each girl had a distinct voice and personality.
It was easy to picture the girls in their athlete settings because I've watch a lot of ice skating and hockey over the years. The book flowed well. There was nothing overly intense or surprising here but it was a fun book and I really enjoyed reading it. It's what I would call a fluffy diversion. :)
This book got me so excited for the Winter Olympic Games which are just around the corner! One of my favorite parts of any Olympics are the athlete spotlights that they do so you can get to know the athletes. The characters in this book felt like Olympian spotlights to me. Well, a more extended version and a bit more personal, but still.
Harper and Alex are both competing for a spot in the Olympics. They have both been training and working for this goal practically their whole lives- Harper in hockey and Alex in ice dancing. They become friends when they room together for training and it's a friendship to last a lifetime.
This book was really like getting two stories in one. The narration bounces back and forth between Harper and Alex so you get to know each girl separately and together as they interact with each other. Each girl had a distinct voice and personality.
It was easy to picture the girls in their athlete settings because I've watch a lot of ice skating and hockey over the years. The book flowed well. There was nothing overly intense or surprising here but it was a fun book and I really enjoyed reading it. It's what I would call a fluffy diversion. :)
February 16, 2014
Saw this in a giveaway on the author Jennifer Comeaux's site. I picked it up as I thought it might be something my daughter and I could read together. Plus, I have Olympic fever.
It is an enjoyable YA contemporary fiction. There is a very small romance side story but the center stage of this book is relationships in general (friendships, familial, between partners, between teammates etc) and also the drive of athletes. The book follows two 17 year old olympic contenders and the time proceeding up through the Olympics. The author really captures the mindset of an athlete and also some of the training challenges along the way. I think at the moment it might be too much detail for my 12 year old daughter but I think in another year or two she will enjoy it.
I recommend this to those looking for a clean YA contemporary fiction that focuses mostly on strong girls in sports. The author has a good grasp on the mentality of an athlete and training. I really liked the characters. I would be interested if this author furthered the stories of these girl into the future in a follow up book or companion.
It is an enjoyable YA contemporary fiction. There is a very small romance side story but the center stage of this book is relationships in general (friendships, familial, between partners, between teammates etc) and also the drive of athletes. The book follows two 17 year old olympic contenders and the time proceeding up through the Olympics. The author really captures the mindset of an athlete and also some of the training challenges along the way. I think at the moment it might be too much detail for my 12 year old daughter but I think in another year or two she will enjoy it.
I recommend this to those looking for a clean YA contemporary fiction that focuses mostly on strong girls in sports. The author has a good grasp on the mentality of an athlete and training. I really liked the characters. I would be interested if this author furthered the stories of these girl into the future in a follow up book or companion.
August 12, 2016
Podium Finish is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. This is a great novel that tells us the story of a group of teenagers training for the Olympic Games. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. The author did a great job portraying the main characters, Harper and Alex. If you like reading stories about friendship, sports, Olympic Games, family, etc. this is the book for you. It has got everything, funny moments, romantic moments, etc. I can't wait to read more books from Beth Pond.
September 12, 2015
as a figure skater myself I was dubious if the facts were going to be incorrect but all the minor details were correct. I was blown away by how gripping it was, I really enjoyed it. I would have actually liked more romance, that's the only thing that let this book down. in still convinced there should be something going on between Ace and Alex. Harper and Rye were the most adorable couple and I wanted more from them. I love both characters and their different points of view.
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August 10, 2016It's an enjoyable read but technically flawed. Did the author do any research into ice dance? It's unrealistic for a singles skater to make such a fast leap into ice dance. Ms. Pond seems to think it takes no time at all to accomplish and forgets about the fact that her heroine skips over the compulsories S if they don't apply to her. For this reason, I categorize this book as a Mary Sue.
April 5, 2016
A good read for anyone who enjoys skating and the olympics. The characters are likable and I enjoyed how the author switched points of view between the two main characters Alex, a figure skater, and Harper, a hockey player.
August 4, 2014
Harper and Alex are two athletes and Olympic hopefuls who dream of winning gold. I absolutely adored this book!
October 21, 2014
wasn't totally angst driven which was nice - not the resolution I was expecting
August 9, 2016
The mark of a good book is that it's a hazard to my bedtime, and this one definitely was last night! Can we get another installment of these characters' stories, please?!
December 9, 2014
This book would have gotten a higher rating if there was another chapter finishing the story. I thought that the ending was too abrupt. It was a great book though and kept me interested throughout.
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