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Girls of Summer #1
Training Ground
Sometimes a chance meeting can change everything.
At fifteen, Jamie Maxwell’s main goals in life are to make the United States youth national soccer pool, move past the Incident-That-Shall-Not-Be- Named, and maybe—someday—kiss a girl. When she meets Emma Blakeley at a tournament in Southern California, something about the older girl draws her in. And it isn’t that she expects to ever get the chance to kiss Emma. Really.
When Jamie invites her to sneak out on the last night of Surf Cup, Emma doesn’t go because she likes Jamie’s smile. She goes because, as the daughter of a surgeon and a nurse, she has a genetic predisposition to try to heal people. And Jamie, she can tell, is wounded.
Neither girl suspects that this first last night together will form the basis of a bond that will last across years and miles, from SoCal soccer fields and New York hotels to Portuguese beaches and the streets of Vancouver. But that’s how most friendships begin, isn’t it? With a smile and a nod and the courage to ask, “Do you maybe, possibly, want to come with me?”
At fifteen, Jamie Maxwell’s main goals in life are to make the United States youth national soccer pool, move past the Incident-That-Shall-Not-Be- Named, and maybe—someday—kiss a girl. When she meets Emma Blakeley at a tournament in Southern California, something about the older girl draws her in. And it isn’t that she expects to ever get the chance to kiss Emma. Really.
When Jamie invites her to sneak out on the last night of Surf Cup, Emma doesn’t go because she likes Jamie’s smile. She goes because, as the daughter of a surgeon and a nurse, she has a genetic predisposition to try to heal people. And Jamie, she can tell, is wounded.
Neither girl suspects that this first last night together will form the basis of a bond that will last across years and miles, from SoCal soccer fields and New York hotels to Portuguese beaches and the streets of Vancouver. But that’s how most friendships begin, isn’t it? With a smile and a nod and the courage to ask, “Do you maybe, possibly, want to come with me?”
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2016
52 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Kate Christie
38 books250 followersKate Christie, author of In the Company of Women, Gay Pride & Prejudice, and the Girls of Summer series, was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. A graduate of Smith College, she lives near Seattle with her wife, their three daughters, and the family dogs.
To join her mailing list and receive email notifications of new releases, giveaways, and other news, visit https://katejchristie.com/mailing-list/.
To join her mailing list and receive email notifications of new releases, giveaways, and other news, visit https://katejchristie.com/mailing-list/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 20, 2019
This was a good YA book. I’ve mentioned before I’m not the biggest YA fan except when it comes to YA fantasy, I’m happy to say that this was an exception. This was the kind of YA book that was really well done and actually made me feel. I was having trouble today, I kept picking up different books only to read a few pages and decided nope. Nothing was clicking until I saw this book. This was a series I've wanted to read for ages and I’m so glad I did because I could not put this book down after the first page.
This is the kind of YA that is well written so that the characters actually feel their age, but they don’t feel so young that being in my 30’s I could still connect to them. I grew close to the two mains and found myself tearing up multiple times because they kept getting to me. While this book is only a few years old, it takes place in the early 2000’s, shortly after I graduated high school, so it brought back a lot of memories of the time period and it helped me to relate to the book more.
While a lot of the book deals with the subject of soccer, there is actually not too much time spent on the soccer field. This book was really about what these two teenagers are going through and for both of them it is a lot. You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy this. In fact, I’m hoping the next book spends more time on the soccer field. Christie keeps telling us these characters are good at soccer, I want to actually see it.
I do have to say thank goodness the next few books in this series are already out. I would have been mad at Christie with the way this book ended if I could not just go and start the next. Too much unfinished business left hanging. I will be starting book two tonight. If you like a good YA that will actually make you feel, this book is for you. This book is also only 2.99 right now. I bought this a while ago so can't remember if that is the normal price. Anyway, this book is a steal for only 2.99.
This is the kind of YA that is well written so that the characters actually feel their age, but they don’t feel so young that being in my 30’s I could still connect to them. I grew close to the two mains and found myself tearing up multiple times because they kept getting to me. While this book is only a few years old, it takes place in the early 2000’s, shortly after I graduated high school, so it brought back a lot of memories of the time period and it helped me to relate to the book more.
While a lot of the book deals with the subject of soccer, there is actually not too much time spent on the soccer field. This book was really about what these two teenagers are going through and for both of them it is a lot. You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy this. In fact, I’m hoping the next book spends more time on the soccer field. Christie keeps telling us these characters are good at soccer, I want to actually see it.
I do have to say thank goodness the next few books in this series are already out. I would have been mad at Christie with the way this book ended if I could not just go and start the next. Too much unfinished business left hanging. I will be starting book two tonight. If you like a good YA that will actually make you feel, this book is for you. This book is also only 2.99 right now. I bought this a while ago so can't remember if that is the normal price. Anyway, this book is a steal for only 2.99.
May 24, 2025
**'It's always good when writers are knowledgeable about the subjects/topics that they are trying to tell. It makes the storylines seems more authentic and genuine..'
3.5 Stars!
A good start to this 'Girls of Summer' ongoing sports chronicle.
Recommended book #1!
3.5 Stars!
A good start to this 'Girls of Summer' ongoing sports chronicle.
Recommended book #1!
November 29, 2016
It's been a long time since I've written a review, but I'm going to give this a try. There's going to be a vague spoiler about the general type of ending (because it's all I could think about), but nothing too terribly specific.
This book is a lovely character study--or rather two character studies--of a pair of young women, both high school soccer players, who develop a long-distance friendship and, eventually, romantic feelings for one another. Don't read it. At least not until the next book in the series comes out. You'll want the next book as soon as possible because the relationship is completely broken at the end of the first. Given what both characters go through, given what they mean to one another, seeing it end on a break felt gutting. As I was reading and watching the Kindle progress tick up through the percentages--70%, 80%, 85%--I kept thinking, "No...no...no! There's not enough time to fix this!" And there wasn't. So there's that.
Now, all of that said, this is a very well-written book. The lead characters are both fully developed and relatable, their difficulties are understandable and engaging, their friendship feels utterly natural (and speaking as someone with a long-distance friend, very familiar), the supporting characters had enough detail to make them interesting, and it's difficult to see how the book could've ended any way other than the way it did, given the respective ages of the main characters and the challenges they faced. The book has a lot to recommend it, and I'm absolutely going to read the next book in the series. But I wish I'd followed my own long-distance friend's example and read the ending of this one first; I still would've read the book, just at a later date.
So, I rate this one at 4.5 stars, rounded down because it made me sad. I do highly recommend it, but I'll leave the timing of that reading up to you.
(ETA: Book 2 is out, so grab both of them and you're all set! My previous "don't read this yet" suggestion is hereby rescinded.)
This book is a lovely character study--or rather two character studies--of a pair of young women, both high school soccer players, who develop a long-distance friendship and, eventually, romantic feelings for one another. Don't read it. At least not until the next book in the series comes out. You'll want the next book as soon as possible because the relationship is completely broken at the end of the first. Given what both characters go through, given what they mean to one another, seeing it end on a break felt gutting. As I was reading and watching the Kindle progress tick up through the percentages--70%, 80%, 85%--I kept thinking, "No...no...no! There's not enough time to fix this!" And there wasn't. So there's that.
Now, all of that said, this is a very well-written book. The lead characters are both fully developed and relatable, their difficulties are understandable and engaging, their friendship feels utterly natural (and speaking as someone with a long-distance friend, very familiar), the supporting characters had enough detail to make them interesting, and it's difficult to see how the book could've ended any way other than the way it did, given the respective ages of the main characters and the challenges they faced. The book has a lot to recommend it, and I'm absolutely going to read the next book in the series. But I wish I'd followed my own long-distance friend's example and read the ending of this one first; I still would've read the book, just at a later date.
So, I rate this one at 4.5 stars, rounded down because it made me sad. I do highly recommend it, but I'll leave the timing of that reading up to you.
(ETA: Book 2 is out, so grab both of them and you're all set! My previous "don't read this yet" suggestion is hereby rescinded.)
January 17, 2022
This was ok, but just dragged on far too long, too much extraneous stuff added to the story.
Two nice enough high school soccer playing women become friends. One recovering from a rape, one dealing with the death of a close family member. Divided by distance (San Francisco and Seattle) they spend 300 pages trying to connect, but ultimately in the too hard basket.
Nice characters, story, but just did not resonate in the end. Will not go on to the next in the series.
Two nice enough high school soccer playing women become friends. One recovering from a rape, one dealing with the death of a close family member. Divided by distance (San Francisco and Seattle) they spend 300 pages trying to connect, but ultimately in the too hard basket.
Nice characters, story, but just did not resonate in the end. Will not go on to the next in the series.
December 22, 2016
Soccer is a passion of mine. I have played most of my life, starting when I was just in the 1st grade. Combine that love with a Kate Christie book. Okay yeah, you have me interested. Even if soccer isn’t your passion ,you should give this book a chance for one reason, the author.
Jamie Maxwell is a young high school aged soccer player. She has that single-minded focus of an elite athlete. Soccer, she lives for it, she will sacrifice everything else for the game. How many teenagers are that focused, not many? Combine that with a natural athletic prowess and you have that special combo that just might take you to the top of the game.
Emma Blakeley is exactly like Jamie in the sense that the game defines her. Emma is finishing up her senior year and has already committed to the storied women’s soccer program UNC. Emma sees a kinship in Jamie, where the sport they love supersedes everything else. What she also sees, when they randomly bump into each post-tournament is that Jamie radiates sadness. They bond almost instantly seeing a kinship of a fellow athlete but also drawing strength from one another. This instant connection will define the rest their year.
In the beginning, they are strictly friends, sharing their love of the beautiful game, waking up before the sun is up to catch a Premier League match, sharing stories of their day on the pitch. Soccer is the catalyst for more. They become to depend on each other. They become each other’s anchors as they deal with some pretty heavy stuff.
This story is jam-packed with drama. You have multiple life defining moments and the reactions and emotions of two young women. My heart ached for both Jamie and Emma, at times individually and simultaneously. To say these two are put through the gamut is an understatement. 2003-2004 will be a time that will forever define the course of these two lives.
Pretty heavy right! If this book was a stand alone, I would be wary to recommend this one. Not because of any flaw in the writing, because it is really good, but it also kind of hurts. While I read romance novels for so many reasons, let’s all face the cold hard truth, we want that happy ending. Good news is this is not a stand alone, but one of three books following the lives of soccer’s toughest duo. Training Ground is the backstory, vital to understanding how it all began. So you have to read it, and you’ll want to, but buy the second part with the first, and go right into it.
Jamie Maxwell is a young high school aged soccer player. She has that single-minded focus of an elite athlete. Soccer, she lives for it, she will sacrifice everything else for the game. How many teenagers are that focused, not many? Combine that with a natural athletic prowess and you have that special combo that just might take you to the top of the game.
Emma Blakeley is exactly like Jamie in the sense that the game defines her. Emma is finishing up her senior year and has already committed to the storied women’s soccer program UNC. Emma sees a kinship in Jamie, where the sport they love supersedes everything else. What she also sees, when they randomly bump into each post-tournament is that Jamie radiates sadness. They bond almost instantly seeing a kinship of a fellow athlete but also drawing strength from one another. This instant connection will define the rest their year.
In the beginning, they are strictly friends, sharing their love of the beautiful game, waking up before the sun is up to catch a Premier League match, sharing stories of their day on the pitch. Soccer is the catalyst for more. They become to depend on each other. They become each other’s anchors as they deal with some pretty heavy stuff.
This story is jam-packed with drama. You have multiple life defining moments and the reactions and emotions of two young women. My heart ached for both Jamie and Emma, at times individually and simultaneously. To say these two are put through the gamut is an understatement. 2003-2004 will be a time that will forever define the course of these two lives.
Pretty heavy right! If this book was a stand alone, I would be wary to recommend this one. Not because of any flaw in the writing, because it is really good, but it also kind of hurts. While I read romance novels for so many reasons, let’s all face the cold hard truth, we want that happy ending. Good news is this is not a stand alone, but one of three books following the lives of soccer’s toughest duo. Training Ground is the backstory, vital to understanding how it all began. So you have to read it, and you’ll want to, but buy the second part with the first, and go right into it.
July 15, 2019
This was so perfect
Thank you Lex!
Thank you Lex!
April 20, 2020
Yes, I have finally found a YA F/F series to sink my teeth into!
As someone who has been obsessed with soccer since I was a kid and then last summer fell in love with lesfics, I can‘t believe it took me this long to find the Girls of Summer series. I’m hooked!
Training Ground follows Emma and Jamie who meet at a hotel following a soccer tournament they had participated in. Jamie feels suffocated by her mother and decides to take a walk to a nearby park to watch the sunset and after meeting Emma, coaxes her to join her.
In a very short time they form a bond and before separating, they exchange information (because this story happens in the year of our lord 2003) and end up starting up a strong friendship even though they live in different states.
I loved the way they connected through soccer, it’s 2003, so no face time but they watched games (..and cooking shows) together while talking on the phone and sent each other gifts. You really had to put a lot of work into a long distance friendship to make it work back then and Emma and Jamie did.
I won’t be going into more details on this but Jamie suffered a trauma before this book starts and we get to watch as that trauma colors all her experiences, especially her relationships with friends and family. I really loved reading about Jamie, her parents and awesome sister. I haven’t cared so much about a character in a long time, Jamie is simply adorable. Emma has her share of serious drama as well and all of it is just so well done, and this book does not shy from diving into serious topics and I appreciated that.
I found this to be a perfect read and I can’t wait to start the next book in the series, which I’m doing right now.
5.0 / 5.0
As someone who has been obsessed with soccer since I was a kid and then last summer fell in love with lesfics, I can‘t believe it took me this long to find the Girls of Summer series. I’m hooked!
Training Ground follows Emma and Jamie who meet at a hotel following a soccer tournament they had participated in. Jamie feels suffocated by her mother and decides to take a walk to a nearby park to watch the sunset and after meeting Emma, coaxes her to join her.
In a very short time they form a bond and before separating, they exchange information (because this story happens in the year of our lord 2003) and end up starting up a strong friendship even though they live in different states.
I loved the way they connected through soccer, it’s 2003, so no face time but they watched games (..and cooking shows) together while talking on the phone and sent each other gifts. You really had to put a lot of work into a long distance friendship to make it work back then and Emma and Jamie did.
I won’t be going into more details on this but Jamie suffered a trauma before this book starts and we get to watch as that trauma colors all her experiences, especially her relationships with friends and family. I really loved reading about Jamie, her parents and awesome sister. I haven’t cared so much about a character in a long time, Jamie is simply adorable. Emma has her share of serious drama as well and all of it is just so well done, and this book does not shy from diving into serious topics and I appreciated that.
I found this to be a perfect read and I can’t wait to start the next book in the series, which I’m doing right now.
5.0 / 5.0
May 13, 2018
This is the beginning of a new series, the Girls-of-Summer series. It’s about Jamie Maxwell and Emma Blakeley and their mutual love of soccer. And I’m a huge sports fan, especially women soccer, so it was a must to read. And it was exciting.
It’s a young adult FF book and the story is about their carriers in soccer, and about their friendship, turns into be more than friendship. In soccer, it’s mostly about competing for the youth national team. The characters are well developed and I fell in love with both of them. It contains also some drama and angst but also friendship and helping each other through hard times.
I really enjoyed this one and I was lucky, I didn’t have to wait for the second and third book. The only thing I didn’t like very much was the ending. I understand why and as I said before, I didn’t have to wait for book two, in the end, you are hanging in the loose.
It’s very well written and also includes some great secondary characters. I recommend this book not just to sports fans, also to romance fans. There is some soccer time in the book but not excessively. You have to read the books in order to understand the full story.
My rating 4.5
It’s a young adult FF book and the story is about their carriers in soccer, and about their friendship, turns into be more than friendship. In soccer, it’s mostly about competing for the youth national team. The characters are well developed and I fell in love with both of them. It contains also some drama and angst but also friendship and helping each other through hard times.
I really enjoyed this one and I was lucky, I didn’t have to wait for the second and third book. The only thing I didn’t like very much was the ending. I understand why and as I said before, I didn’t have to wait for book two, in the end, you are hanging in the loose.
It’s very well written and also includes some great secondary characters. I recommend this book not just to sports fans, also to romance fans. There is some soccer time in the book but not excessively. You have to read the books in order to understand the full story.
My rating 4.5
October 6, 2016
In a way, this one kind of reminds me of another book I read recently (Five Star) – though this one here, Training Ground, is an young adult FF book, while the other is a new adult MF book (difference between having characters 16-17; vs. characters in early 20s, like maybe 20). Both though include sports as an important though not overly graphically detailed theme, include much about parents/family/expectations, and both are more slice of life books than romances (or, I should say, Romance – while both include romance, just not the capital R kind).
Jamie Maxwell and Emma Blakeley are young soccer players (or, as they sometimes say, football, or ‘real football’) who play for youth travel leagues. Jamie, who has a tendency to get called ‘Max’ at times, or, on occasion James, is a little bit short of her 16th birthday. Lives in California. Emma is around 17 and lives in Washington.
One night while both are in the same hotel after a soccer tournament has ended in California, the two bump into each other. Jamie needs some air and some time alone. But something about Emma, who she spots attempting to get ice from a machine that has no ice, gets her to ask Emma to tag along. So they do – and sit and watch the sun go down while talking about themselves and getting to know each other. I mention all of this because – but for a set of circumstances that might never have occurred – (1) both soccer players; (2) both at the same tournament; (3) both still there in the hotel when many have already returned home; and (4) both out of their rooms at the same time – they would likely never have made the connection they did, and potentially might never have meet each other. But they did meet, and they did get to know each other. They still might have just had a nice meeting if one didn’t ask and receive the other’s phone (so they could swap numbers).
From this meeting grew a deep friendship – a long range friendship (since, as might be recalled, the two live in two different states, and if I recall correctly, their dwelling units are about 800 miles apart).
Oh, I forgot to mention that this is 2003. Before skype, after internet appeared.
For a year both grew deeply into the other – with morning and nightly texts, with shared long distance viewing of overseas football (soccer) matches (as in, both recorded a game, then watched together in their separate houses, while talking on the phone).
They were friends, not lovers, not girlfriends. Though both had ‘feelings’ – one didn’t think that the feelings could be built upon because of the experiences of the other (I’m being simplistic ) plus not being 100% certain of their own feelings/orientation; while the other knew nothing could grow beyond these ‘feelings’ due to the other’s straightness.
There was a lot of drama, family entanglements, missed chances, missteps – all of which seen through the eyes of naïve young women below the age of 18. I wish to say that this is one of the better young adult books that I’ve read, but I’m not sure exactly what I’d put in front of it.
I’d definitely recommend this book, bearing in mind that this is a slice of life book, not a capital R romance book ().
As I’ve seen in at least one other review – be aware that it’d be easier on yourself if you read this book after committing yourself to the idea that it is part of a series that involves two published books and a mention of a third – all of which are deeply linked to the others. This is a series that follow two (and more) people over a longish period of time (at least 10 years – first book sees people in 2003; second book sees those same people in 2013).
October 5 2016
Jamie Maxwell and Emma Blakeley are young soccer players (or, as they sometimes say, football, or ‘real football’) who play for youth travel leagues. Jamie, who has a tendency to get called ‘Max’ at times, or, on occasion James, is a little bit short of her 16th birthday. Lives in California. Emma is around 17 and lives in Washington.
One night while both are in the same hotel after a soccer tournament has ended in California, the two bump into each other. Jamie needs some air and some time alone. But something about Emma, who she spots attempting to get ice from a machine that has no ice, gets her to ask Emma to tag along. So they do – and sit and watch the sun go down while talking about themselves and getting to know each other. I mention all of this because – but for a set of circumstances that might never have occurred – (1) both soccer players; (2) both at the same tournament; (3) both still there in the hotel when many have already returned home; and (4) both out of their rooms at the same time – they would likely never have made the connection they did, and potentially might never have meet each other. But they did meet, and they did get to know each other. They still might have just had a nice meeting if one didn’t ask and receive the other’s phone (so they could swap numbers).
From this meeting grew a deep friendship – a long range friendship (since, as might be recalled, the two live in two different states, and if I recall correctly, their dwelling units are about 800 miles apart).
Oh, I forgot to mention that this is 2003. Before skype, after internet appeared.
For a year both grew deeply into the other – with morning and nightly texts, with shared long distance viewing of overseas football (soccer) matches (as in, both recorded a game, then watched together in their separate houses, while talking on the phone).
They were friends, not lovers, not girlfriends. Though both had ‘feelings’ – one didn’t think that the feelings could be built upon because of the experiences of the other (I’m being simplistic ) plus not being 100% certain of their own feelings/orientation; while the other knew nothing could grow beyond these ‘feelings’ due to the other’s straightness.
There was a lot of drama, family entanglements, missed chances, missteps – all of which seen through the eyes of naïve young women below the age of 18. I wish to say that this is one of the better young adult books that I’ve read, but I’m not sure exactly what I’d put in front of it.
I’d definitely recommend this book, bearing in mind that this is a slice of life book, not a capital R romance book ().
As I’ve seen in at least one other review – be aware that it’d be easier on yourself if you read this book after committing yourself to the idea that it is part of a series that involves two published books and a mention of a third – all of which are deeply linked to the others. This is a series that follow two (and more) people over a longish period of time (at least 10 years – first book sees people in 2003; second book sees those same people in 2013).
October 5 2016
February 26, 2025
I bought this book a while ago but never got around to reading it. Maybe because it's part of a six-part series and I only had book 1. Ha! But I finally got around to it and I was pleasantly surprised.
Fair warning, this is angsty and, well, without spoiling things, I'm so glad there's a book 2 to immediately fall into. And while I do think the novel could be edited so that the narrative was a little bit tighter, I didn't mind. Kate Christie really captured what it's like to have a friend who, by some mysterious magic you just click with, like the universe would always ensure you meet.
I'm excited about the series, especially since we continue to follow Jamie and Emma, but I also know it's going to be hard for Christie to maintain this level of storytelling for 6.5 books.
Now on to book 2, totally destroying my well-constructed reading plan.
Fair warning, this is angsty and, well, without spoiling things, I'm so glad there's a book 2 to immediately fall into. And while I do think the novel could be edited so that the narrative was a little bit tighter, I didn't mind. Kate Christie really captured what it's like to have a friend who, by some mysterious magic you just click with, like the universe would always ensure you meet.
I'm excited about the series, especially since we continue to follow Jamie and Emma, but I also know it's going to be hard for Christie to maintain this level of storytelling for 6.5 books.
Now on to book 2, totally destroying my well-constructed reading plan.
October 11, 2016
So a little bit of a spoiler, do not continue if you don't want to know. It won't give anything away, but still lets you know something about the book. Before I give that away. I will say I liked the book a lot. The characters are well developed. A great young adult story coming of age and learning about identity. Here comes the spoiler...............there is a cliff-hanger ending. Looking forward to book Two at the end of the month want to see how this story gets resolved.
February 1, 2026
Jamie was 15 when she met 16-year-old Emma at the hotel where they were staying during a soccer tournament in 2003. They started talking and connected. A long-distance friendship developed, as Emma lived about 800 miles away from Jamie. Nevertheless, it became a close and beautiful friendship, with daily contact by phone and email.
During the Christmas holidays, Emma flew to visit Jamie, and they spent about a week together. Jamie also shared a difficult and life-changing experience she was struggling with. A while later, Emma also experienced something life-changing, and Jamie, in turn, became a source of support for Emma.
I loved Jamie and Emma and the beautiful friendship they shared. Although the book is called "Training Ground" and Emma and Jamie meet through playing soccer at a high level, the book isn't really about soccer at all. It's mainly about the special friendship these two very different girls share.
It was a beautiful and pure coming-of-age story. However, it was a real slow burn. Towards the end of the book, I realized that this "Girls of Summer" series, consisting of a total of 6.5 books, is all about Emma and Jamie. The ending of this first book felt like the end of a season of a Netflix series with a huge cliffhanger. Luckily, I only discovered the series after all the books had been released, so I didn't have to wait to read more.
4,5 ⭐️
During the Christmas holidays, Emma flew to visit Jamie, and they spent about a week together. Jamie also shared a difficult and life-changing experience she was struggling with. A while later, Emma also experienced something life-changing, and Jamie, in turn, became a source of support for Emma.
I loved Jamie and Emma and the beautiful friendship they shared. Although the book is called "Training Ground" and Emma and Jamie meet through playing soccer at a high level, the book isn't really about soccer at all. It's mainly about the special friendship these two very different girls share.
It was a beautiful and pure coming-of-age story. However, it was a real slow burn. Towards the end of the book, I realized that this "Girls of Summer" series, consisting of a total of 6.5 books, is all about Emma and Jamie. The ending of this first book felt like the end of a season of a Netflix series with a huge cliffhanger. Luckily, I only discovered the series after all the books had been released, so I didn't have to wait to read more.
4,5 ⭐️
June 5, 2021
4 ⭐ - all the young angst feels
Book one sets up the this story of how Emma and Jamie meet and become friends. The book is very in depth in letting use get to know both MCs each from their own POV. We really get to understand what make them tick and how they become so close so fast. I can see that by the end of these series we will know these characters very very well because their story does not end at the end of the book. I don't want to say to much so you can take the journey yourself but if you just can't stand it I will put some stuff behind a spoiler tag.
Book one sets up the this story of how Emma and Jamie meet and become friends. The book is very in depth in letting use get to know both MCs each from their own POV. We really get to understand what make them tick and how they become so close so fast. I can see that by the end of these series we will know these characters very very well because their story does not end at the end of the book. I don't want to say to much so you can take the journey yourself but if you just can't stand it I will put some stuff behind a spoiler tag.
September 26, 2016
This book is really really good. Both Jamie and Emma are good characters, who help each oher through the book to overcome their dificulties.
I didn´t expect to like so much this book when i picked up. Maybe, because my previous experiences with books about sport wasn't good. But this book make it up for the rest of them.
The only bad thing, in my opinion, is the ending. Not because it wasn't what it has to be. But because i have to wait until the second book of the series. At least i don't have to wait to long XDD
More that recommended lecture. But if you don't want to sufer....wait until the second one is published =).
I didn´t expect to like so much this book when i picked up. Maybe, because my previous experiences with books about sport wasn't good. But this book make it up for the rest of them.
The only bad thing, in my opinion, is the ending. Not because it wasn't what it has to be. But because i have to wait until the second book of the series. At least i don't have to wait to long XDD
More that recommended lecture. But if you don't want to sufer....wait until the second one is published =).
May 30, 2024
This was heavy and angsty, and I wasn't gonna rate this one yet until after I've read the second book. But then, the fact that i'm itching to read the next books in the series right after should indicate that this story has already got me hooked. This was a well-written, slow burn sports romance which someone who isn't even into sports can appreciate.
August 8, 2024
I don’t usually read books with such young MCs but the blurb and the soccer background intrigued me. I’m glad I did read it. It’s well written, the characters are likeable, and the story wouldn’t let me stop reading. I had a bit of a sniffle, too. And I’m off to read book two in the series.
July 26, 2016
Well written and highly entertaining.
But... that ending.
While it does make sense in the context of the story, it is also very, very, very frustrating and bleak.
Personally I love duologies, trilogies and the likes. Finding a good story with great characters that you know you'll be able to follow for a bit longer makes my nerdy-self very happy. But at the same time it is so very, very hard to find authors that can manage to write each book of said series as the self-contained and satisfying story that they should be on its own. The 'to-be-continued' feeling that is constantly and unnecessary ham-fisted in books like this drives me insane. If your story is good, people will come back to read more. Trying to create excitement for a next book at the cost of a frustrating and unfulfilling epilogue in your current book is just kind of a bad trade-off in my opinion.
Rant aside, my advice here? It's a good story but wait for the release of book #2 before reading this one. I think you'll thank me later.
But... that ending.
While it does make sense in the context of the story, it is also very, very, very frustrating and bleak.
Personally I love duologies, trilogies and the likes. Finding a good story with great characters that you know you'll be able to follow for a bit longer makes my nerdy-self very happy. But at the same time it is so very, very hard to find authors that can manage to write each book of said series as the self-contained and satisfying story that they should be on its own. The 'to-be-continued' feeling that is constantly and unnecessary ham-fisted in books like this drives me insane. If your story is good, people will come back to read more. Trying to create excitement for a next book at the cost of a frustrating and unfulfilling epilogue in your current book is just kind of a bad trade-off in my opinion.
Rant aside, my advice here? It's a good story but wait for the release of book #2 before reading this one. I think you'll thank me later.
May 1, 2019
So...even though this is the first book in the series I honestly dont know if it should he read as such. The way it ended makes it feel like a prequel which means in a way book two should he read first and then this one because it is the history of Jamie and Emma in high school. If you read this first be aware that you will not be happy and will need to start the second book asap, which is exactly what happened to me. Just my advice.
This is however well written and you really do just love the characters. If you are going into this book with sports being the main theme then change that approach. Soccer is the common between the two characters but the the real story is how they got be where they are in the beginning of book 2.
This is however well written and you really do just love the characters. If you are going into this book with sports being the main theme then change that approach. Soccer is the common between the two characters but the the real story is how they got be where they are in the beginning of book 2.
July 14, 2018
Well..as I have finished book 2 I guess it wasn't too bad..I'm not a soccer [football] fan but still was able to enjoy this ..3.5
November 25, 2016
Wow! A lot of emotions here. I haven't read any review or what. I just jumped and flipped the pages. I'm not really prepared because this involves one of my triggers. I love YA but with the storyline like this, I usually pass up. There are issues that I usually skip but I'm glad I didn't.
They have met on their surf camp and from there, they've manage to build a strong friendship/connection. Emma and Jamie are two friends who's living far from each other but instead of them drifting apart, they sort of got closer together.
They were each others anchors. They got each others back until that day on the train station.
Slow burn book and more like a friendship book than romance but worth every page..
They have met on their surf camp and from there, they've manage to build a strong friendship/connection. Emma and Jamie are two friends who's living far from each other but instead of them drifting apart, they sort of got closer together.
They were each others anchors. They got each others back until that day on the train station.
Slow burn book and more like a friendship book than romance but worth every page..
August 11, 2019
Training Ground is a YA story about two teens who dream of playing for the US National Soccer Team.
Jamie is a sophomore in high school in San Francisco. She is secure in her identity as a soccer player and an out lesbian. She has a supportive family and is playing some of the best soccer of her life, if only she could forget about what happened in France. Emma is a senior in high school who plays soccer in Seattle and is already in the sights of the national pool. She can’t wait for her real life to start in the fall and to get away from the drama of her parent’s marriage. Jamie and Emma’s chance meeting at a club tournament, and the deep friendship that ensues changes both their lives.
I was worried this might be one of those books from a smaller publisher that reads like bad fanfic, but it wasn’t. Even though we get to experience the perennial favorite “whoops there’s only one bed” trope. ;) The story flows, the characters, even the secondary ones are complex and well developed, and it was surprisingly deep. No punches pulled here.
I am eagerly anticipating the sequel to be delivered from Amazon.
Jamie is a sophomore in high school in San Francisco. She is secure in her identity as a soccer player and an out lesbian. She has a supportive family and is playing some of the best soccer of her life, if only she could forget about what happened in France. Emma is a senior in high school who plays soccer in Seattle and is already in the sights of the national pool. She can’t wait for her real life to start in the fall and to get away from the drama of her parent’s marriage. Jamie and Emma’s chance meeting at a club tournament, and the deep friendship that ensues changes both their lives.
I was worried this might be one of those books from a smaller publisher that reads like bad fanfic, but it wasn’t. Even though we get to experience the perennial favorite “whoops there’s only one bed” trope. ;) The story flows, the characters, even the secondary ones are complex and well developed, and it was surprisingly deep. No punches pulled here.
I am eagerly anticipating the sequel to be delivered from Amazon.
December 5, 2025
4.25⭐️ Argh the ANGST - from start to finish without reprieve (almost too much even for me). This transported me into the hyper intense existence of a teenage girl. Both MCs were real, raw and captivating. When I started this book, I had no idea I was diving head first into such heavy material. Props for the author in tackling what they did!
I couldn’t put this down, and am eagerly about to start Book #2 completely sleep deprived without one ounce of regret. Bring on more Jamie and Emma!
I couldn’t put this down, and am eagerly about to start Book #2 completely sleep deprived without one ounce of regret. Bring on more Jamie and Emma!
January 31, 2024
Wow
I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this book as I love books that revolve around soccer, and this one did not disappoint. The writing, dialog, and setting were wonderful, as were the MCS. I could put myself in both their positions back when I was a teenager, and the author did a wonderful job captioning all the feels. I look forward to the next book.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this book as I love books that revolve around soccer, and this one did not disappoint. The writing, dialog, and setting were wonderful, as were the MCS. I could put myself in both their positions back when I was a teenager, and the author did a wonderful job captioning all the feels. I look forward to the next book.
February 8, 2020
If you follow me on twitter you'll have seen my response to this book. As much as I need happy endings, I knew this was a series so could forgive that the ending wasn't exactly happy.
One reason why I worry about stories involving teens is the drama can be hard to relate to. But this story could have happened between two people of almost any age. They were dealing with first love, sure, but they were also dealing with the real challenges of life pulling them in two different directions. And yet they handled it with far less drama than some other writers would have written.
I immediately bought and started listening to book two. First, I needed to know how they get together. Second, my poor heart couldn't wait around in this limbo of them being apart.
I am enjoying this series immensely.
One reason why I worry about stories involving teens is the drama can be hard to relate to. But this story could have happened between two people of almost any age. They were dealing with first love, sure, but they were also dealing with the real challenges of life pulling them in two different directions. And yet they handled it with far less drama than some other writers would have written.
I immediately bought and started listening to book two. First, I needed to know how they get together. Second, my poor heart couldn't wait around in this limbo of them being apart.
I am enjoying this series immensely.
June 19, 2019
I read all 4 books in short order and thought I should circle back to review. They were all great! Usually I stop reading a series once the main characters get together. Not the case here. I was hooked all the way through and loved the soccer parts (also, hello World Cup 2019 happening right now!). The second book had some serious build up & tension which was my personal favorite. I also enjoyed the authors humor and bringing back fun terms like “dickweed.”
All sex is mostly fade to black so appropriate for a YA audience. Though one of the MC’s has already gone through a trauma in the fist book but it’s not explicit and we get to see how she deals with it.
All sex is mostly fade to black so appropriate for a YA audience. Though one of the MC’s has already gone through a trauma in the fist book but it’s not explicit and we get to see how she deals with it.
May 3, 2018
It's official: Kate Christie has supplanted Melissa Brayden as my favourite lesbian-fiction writer. This is more YA than romance, partly because of the characters' ages (they're in high school) and partly because Christie is playing the long game here: this isn't a love story to be resolved in one book.*
But this benefits tremendously from not conforming too closely to a traditional romance plotline. The characters come together and drift apart; they have other relationships; ; there isn't the same page-length pressure for them to set overcome their baggage and declare themselves to be Together Forever (while still in high school!) that they'd have had in a standard romance. I'm rooting for Emma + Jamie, and I suspect that by book 2 or 3 they're going to be saying 'we could have been together all this time!', but I love that they get to have independent trajectories and experiences for a while.
As a bonus (for me...or an aside for you...whichever), I grew up in the 90s, and like Emma and Jamie remember watching the 1999 women's World Cup. If you were around and even slightly soccer-mad at the time, you'll know exactly what they mean when they talk about seeing that game. (Mia Hamm earned my toaster, for crying out loud.**)
Filing this under Things That Make Me Happy.
*Should I be annoyed by this? I'm not. I bought the second book as soon as I finished the first, which I'm pretty sure means the author's done her job well and we both win.
**Or possibly Emma Thompson—I'm not sure whether I saw Much Ado About Nothing before or after 1999. Whatever. Surely there's space for two toasters. (An even further aside: Googling tells me that there are multiple explanations for who gets the toaster, but as I learned it, they'd get the toaster(s), not me.)
But this benefits tremendously from not conforming too closely to a traditional romance plotline. The characters come together and drift apart; they have other relationships; ; there isn't the same page-length pressure for them to set overcome their baggage and declare themselves to be Together Forever (while still in high school!) that they'd have had in a standard romance. I'm rooting for Emma + Jamie, and I suspect that by book 2 or 3 they're going to be saying 'we could have been together all this time!', but I love that they get to have independent trajectories and experiences for a while.
As a bonus (for me...or an aside for you...whichever), I grew up in the 90s, and like Emma and Jamie remember watching the 1999 women's World Cup. If you were around and even slightly soccer-mad at the time, you'll know exactly what they mean when they talk about seeing that game. (Mia Hamm earned my toaster, for crying out loud.**)
Filing this under Things That Make Me Happy.
*Should I be annoyed by this? I'm not. I bought the second book as soon as I finished the first, which I'm pretty sure means the author's done her job well and we both win.
**Or possibly Emma Thompson—I'm not sure whether I saw Much Ado About Nothing before or after 1999. Whatever. Surely there's space for two toasters. (An even further aside: Googling tells me that there are multiple explanations for who gets the toaster, but as I learned it, they'd get the toaster(s), not me.)
March 28, 2017
This book was pure sweet innocent young love and a healthy dose of angst worked in. Emma and Jamie together are just adorable - the best of friends and with a connection that is off the charts. Emma frustrated me in the end, but they're just kids after all and you have to make mistakes to learn from them. The two girls had to deal with a lot of heavy stuff throughout the book and I'm glad they had each other to get through the hard times.
I loved the huge cast of characters throughout the book - Emma's family and friends in Seattle, Jamie's in Berkley and the various girl they met at soccer games and whatnot. I loved the way the author described both Berkley and Seattle - with the water and the mountains and the people and the weather. It was just beautiful.
If you're going to read this you should definitely have the second book ready to read immediately, because you are going to need it.
One thing I noticed - and when you notice something once you can't ignore it - that whenever the author describes what people are talking about (and she does this often), she writes it in a list. "They talked about schoolwork and soccer, team dinners and gossip." " They talked about everything, from favourite colours and breakfast foods to the assault and Emma's father's affair." She does this a lot in the second book as well.
I loved the huge cast of characters throughout the book - Emma's family and friends in Seattle, Jamie's in Berkley and the various girl they met at soccer games and whatnot. I loved the way the author described both Berkley and Seattle - with the water and the mountains and the people and the weather. It was just beautiful.
If you're going to read this you should definitely have the second book ready to read immediately, because you are going to need it.
One thing I noticed - and when you notice something once you can't ignore it - that whenever the author describes what people are talking about (and she does this often), she writes it in a list. "They talked about schoolwork and soccer, team dinners and gossip." " They talked about everything, from favourite colours and breakfast foods to the assault and Emma's father's affair." She does this a lot in the second book as well.
September 1, 2019
I truly loved this book. The story was so relatable, so sweet, and yet so complex - it captures the emotions of complicated, impossible young love perfectly. I laughed and cried reading this. I was rooting for them, but at the same time, I knew that when they said it couldn’t work, they likely weren’t wrong. The characters were incredibly lovable and yet, still imperfect. They both made frustrating mistakes, but you still find yourself forgiving them and rooting for them. I really can’t wait to read the next book in the series - I feel like there’s so much more potential for Emma and Jamie in both their relationship and their careers.
The only reason I’m giving this book four stars instead of five is that I feel like the ending was rushed. Maybe it was because I wasn’t ready to close this book, but I felt like the end could’ve been developed more and I wish it didn’t end how it did. I guess that could be because it was a realistic ending as opposed to a happy one and as much as I appreciate that in a book, I wanted so badly for them to be happy or have closure! Maybe that will come in the next two books and I’m being impatient. But I do still feel like the end of the book could’ve been more developed.
Overall, 10/10 would recommend. We need more books like this one. It gave me so many feels and I adored it.
The only reason I’m giving this book four stars instead of five is that I feel like the ending was rushed. Maybe it was because I wasn’t ready to close this book, but I felt like the end could’ve been developed more and I wish it didn’t end how it did. I guess that could be because it was a realistic ending as opposed to a happy one and as much as I appreciate that in a book, I wanted so badly for them to be happy or have closure! Maybe that will come in the next two books and I’m being impatient. But I do still feel like the end of the book could’ve been more developed.
Overall, 10/10 would recommend. We need more books like this one. It gave me so many feels and I adored it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2016
I need a moment.. then I will be back to review it.
[Update - from this point u may consider spoilers]
And I am back.
So, I hated the way things ended. I don't believe the way it finished would help on all the psychological problems Jaime has, Emma is well aware of it, and the fact she just let her these things make me even more angry. If this was real life, the damages could be huge.
But, I am a optimistic person, so I will patiently wait for the second book. To things get better. Because Kate seems a good writer (is my first time reading her), Jaime and Emma are adorable and I NEED A HAPPY AND FLUFFY END!
[Update - from this point u may consider spoilers]
And I am back.
So, I hated the way things ended. I don't believe the way it finished would help on all the psychological problems Jaime has, Emma is well aware of it, and the fact she just let her these things make me even more angry. If this was real life, the damages could be huge.
But, I am a optimistic person, so I will patiently wait for the second book. To things get better. Because Kate seems a good writer (is my first time reading her), Jaime and Emma are adorable and I NEED A HAPPY AND FLUFFY END!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
Excellent book!
This is the first book in a series, which leaves me to believe that the rest of the books are going yo be equally riveting! I finished reading the book and found myself reading exerts of the story over and over. That is how poignant and thought provoking this story was. It will be interesting on how Jaime and Emma's story unfold in the upcoming book in the fall. Well done!
This is the first book in a series, which leaves me to believe that the rest of the books are going yo be equally riveting! I finished reading the book and found myself reading exerts of the story over and over. That is how poignant and thought provoking this story was. It will be interesting on how Jaime and Emma's story unfold in the upcoming book in the fall. Well done!
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