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Break the Fall

Jennifer Iacopelli (Goodreads Author)

4.15 · Rating details · 960 ratings · 273 reviews

Audrey Lee is going to the Olympics.

A year ago, she could barely do a push up as she recovered from a spine surgery, one that could have paralyzed her. And now? She's made the United States' gymnastics team with her best friend, Emma, just like they both dreamed about since they were kids. She's on top of the world.

The pressure for perfection is higher than ever when horri ...more

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Hardcover, 304 pages

Published February 18th 2020 by Razorbill

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· 960 ratings · 273 reviews

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Feb 03, 2020 C.G. Drews rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary, read-2020

Oh this was an incredible read! I feel like my emotions just went through three flips on the bars here (because I MUST make some sort of terrible gymnastic pun) and there was one bit where I honestly teared up. I never never tear up in books. But it was a moment I'd seen coming, raw pain revealed for both the reader and the protagonist to feel gut-punched by, and both Audrey and I nearly broke down. I have such deepest respect for authors that make you feel.

[tackling dark topics]
I wanted to put ...more

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Mar 14, 2019 Jennifer Iacopelli rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Thanks everyone for their incredible support in the lead up to this release and last night at my launch!

The Pre-Order/Library Request Campaign is live and will continue throughout the first week of publication, so please submit your receipts!
https://www.buybreakthefall.com/pre-o...

Also, if you've read BTF, please consider crossposting your review on a retailer site! I'd VERY MUCH appreciate it!!

...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Kate (GirlReading) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, poc-rep, young-adult

THIS WAS SO GREAT.

I can't count the number of times I caught myself thinking about this book randomly throughout the day, I also can't remember the last time a book made me think about it randomly throughout the day as much as this did. It was brilliantly written, powerful in its message and execution, empowering and totally and utterly addictive. I had heart palpitations numerous times throughout the girls' routines, which were vivid and expertly described.

I have truly never regretted my heig ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Beth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My daughter is a competitive gymnast, so I speak from experience when I say that finding books - good books - about this subject that aren't just meant for the preschool set is...impossible. Really. A good fiction book about gymnasts just doesn't exist - until now.

The gymnastics in this book are so realistic that I could picture it in my head. Which is ironic, because my daughter rolls her eyes at me regularly when I ask her to remind me what in the world she's talking about as she mentions new My daughter is a competitive gymnast, so I speak from experience when I say that finding books - good books - about this subject that aren't just meant for the preschool set is...impossible. Really. A good fiction book about gymnasts just doesn't exist - until now.

The gymnastics in this book are so realistic that I could picture it in my head. Which is ironic, because my daughter rolls her eyes at me regularly when I ask her to remind me what in the world she's talking about as she mentions new skills. It's edge-of-your-seat athletics (which, to be honest, gymnastics often is), and I could feel myself getting more and more tense during the rotations. Gymnastics is one of THE most underrated sports, in terms of the time and training it requires, and the absolute strength and skill the girls possess. I've actually been sitting at a college meet and heard the guy behind me tell his girlfriend that their child wouldn't do gymnastics because it wasn't really a sport. This book makes it clear that this is NOT the case - that gymnasts are strong, fierce, and have an endurance beyond what many would ever believe. Particularly to get to this level.

But here's the kicker. This isn't just a book about gymnasts competing for a gold. That in itself has enough details to sideline many authors, but it's also about so much more. Iacopelli not only writes about the current elephant in the room (sexual assault in elite gymnastics), but she wrestles said elephant into submission. It's a realistic portrait of the coulds and woulds and should-haves that go through people's minds when someone they've known for years, someone they've trusted with their health, their career, THEIR DREAMS, becomes someone they find they didn't really know. When the people they thought they knew best have secrets, and how those secrets can come tumbling down like a string of dominoes. While this could be a trigger for some, Iacopelli has handled the situation gracefully - no big flashbacks, no horrific graphic imagery. Simply a group of girls, getting ready to compete on the biggest stage in the world, trying to process the truth. I'm also VERY appreciative of the resources listed in the back of the book for RAINN, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and Flip the Switch - there for those who may stumble upon them and realize that help is available.

Speaking of the group of girls in the story - they echoed what I have seen over and over again, even at my daughter's level of gymnastics. Girls on a team, even if they aren't "friends" outside the gym, are absolutely teammates inside of it. They will cheer each other on, high five, and encourage - and hug when needed. They will cheer on girls from *other* gyms when they feel it's warranted. As the parent of a gymnast, it was excellent to see this teamwork and camaraderie brought to light in this book. Gymnasts - or even just women athletes - often seem to be considered bitchy or haughty or aloof, in part because of how hard they've had to work to get to an elite level. But for the most part, while this does exist, it is not in the majority. Again, Iacopelli was able to show the teamwork and empathy that most exhibit, and that really helped to make the characters shine.

Overall, I could not be more thrilled to have a book that my daughter might be interested in reading. One with true characters, some suspense, and even a little romance. I'm not usually a contemporary YA reader, but the gymnastics twist drew me in - and I'm so glad it did.
#BreakTheFall
@PenguinTeen ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Caz (littlebookowl) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hachette

Rating: 4.5 stars

A truly powerful book, but with an overarching tone of hope, empowerment, loyalty and strength.

Trigger warning: discussions about sexual assault (nothing graphic on the page)

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Apr 06, 2020 Joce (squibblesreads) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

See more of my thoughts in detail in my review HERE!

Break the Fall was phenomenal. It comes at such a needed time, when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been postponed. We all need a little more gymnastics in our lives. Luckily, Audrey, or Rey's story exceeded all my expectations.

She narrates her journey towards hopefully qualifying for the USA women's gymnastics team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. One of Audrey's teammates accuses her coach of sexual assault, and there are various responses from the ...more

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May 20, 2019 Kaelyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Once again, Jennifer has written a book about girls in sports that is about SO MUCH MORE. I was lucky enough to read an early version of Break the Fall and it will not disappoint. These girls are amazing, Leo is adorable, and the story is heartbreaking, uplifting, and inspiring.

I always hesitate to leave reviews because I don’t think I articulate what I love about them well enough, but trust me when I tell you this book is amazing. I can’t wait to order this for the teens at my library, they’re ...more

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Mar 27, 2020 Madalyn (Novel Ink) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, library, quarantine-reads

Listened to this entire audiobook during a bad bout of insomnia, and I enjoyed every minute. YA about women’s sports is one of my favorite things, and this was so well-done! I know next to nothing about gymnastics, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of all the gym stuff, but at its heart, this is a story about friendship and the bonds between women. Definitely the thing I needed to soothe the pain of the 2020 Olympics (rightfully) being postponed.

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Apr 27, 2019 Alicia Thompson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

THE YA GYMNASTICS NOVEL I’VE DREAMED OF SINCE 1996

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May 01, 2019 Sarah Henning rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of BREAK THE FALL. As a former competitive gymnast and current-and-always lover of sports fiction, this book had it all: drama, suspense, heartbreak, redemption, friendship, and jealousy, all set against the backdrop of the Olympic stage and the shock of a major scandal. I loved every second of it!

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Aug 10, 2019 Scarlet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-cry, read-the-arc, ya-ftw, ya-no-school, 2019

So good! The sports aspects felt SO real and I really enjoyed all of the characters. I liked that it surprised me several times with the plot and it really kept me reading way past my bedtime because I just had to know what was going to happen.

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Mar 22, 2020 Nev rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

It’s kinda weird reading a book about the 2020 Olympics where there isn’t the threat of COVID-19 potentially cancelling or postponing the games. The US women’s gymnastics team has been named and they’re ready to train and take off for Tokyo to win gold medals. However, their lives get turned upside down when it’s revealed that the national team coach has been sexually abusing one of their teammates. Their personal coaches are taken away, they have to be interviewed by the FBI, and continue to tr ...more

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Feb 09, 2020 Brooklyn Tayla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

RTC to come on Feb 28th, my posting date for the AusYABloggers review tour showcasing Break the Fall :)

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Feb 18, 2020 Lauren Hopkins rated it it was amazing

Full disclosure, I have been friends with the author for the past eight years after I sold her my Olympic Trials tickets for gymnastics in 2012. We've since traveled the country for the sport, and knowing Jen was a writer, it wasn't a surprise when she began talking about working on a gymnastics-themed book sometime around 2015.

Over the years I knew her #AngstyGymBook took many turns, but what she ultimately crafted was beyond what I could have imagined in its early days. Gymnastics aside, YA r ...more

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Apr 06, 2019 Diana Urban rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I don’t usually read sports fiction, but I thought this book was amazing! I was blown away by the descriptions of the gymnastics routines and competitions; I could see them play out like a video in my mind. Sometimes I found myself tempted to look ahead and see the scores; I was so invested in these characters and what they’d accomplish. While anyone who loves gymnastics should check this out, it’s also a story about female friendships and overcoming adversity in the face of a trusted adult’s ep ...more

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Mar 16, 2020 Izzie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

(Thank you to my Mum for typing this for me).
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.
This book follows the main character Audrey, who is training for the gymnastics Olympic team, despite having a back injury which causes chronic pain. The world of gymnastics is rocked when a team mate, Dani, comes forward to accuse their manager of grooming and sexual assault. Audrey is determined to keep the team together but between changing coaches, uncertain placing at the Olympics and facing (Thank you to my Mum for typing this for me).
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.
This book follows the main character Audrey, who is training for the gymnastics Olympic team, despite having a back injury which causes chronic pain. The world of gymnastics is rocked when a team mate, Dani, comes forward to accuse their manager of grooming and sexual assault. Audrey is determined to keep the team together but between changing coaches, uncertain placing at the Olympics and facing what will be her last gymnastic competition, she feels overwhelmed and lost.
What I Liked:
- The discussion of sexual assault. This book is fantastic in the fact that the narrative is about the survivors, rather than the abuser. We don't focus on the act of what he did, or his denial. It is all about the girls and how they keep living and thriving after what has happened to them. Also I think it was both accurate and authentic to have a number of character react very differently to each other because no 2 people will cope in the same way.
- Gymnastics. This book was thoroughly interesting in it's focus on gymnastics. I learnt so much about this incredible sport and it has put me in awe of what these athletes can do. I also enjoyed the setting at the Olympics, the high pressure and high risk kept me on the edge of my seat.
- Feminism. One of this books stronger themes was friendship and sisterhood. It really showcased what can be achieved when women believe each other, advocate for each other and work together as a team. This made me tear up on multiple occasion as I felt proud of the characters and everything they achieved despite the challenges they faced.
- Pain. This is one of the few books that I've come across which addresses chronic pain and the impact it has on a character. I found it to be empathetically handled and an accurate portrayal of not only the pain but all the emotions which it arouses. As a sufferer myself, I felt very seen by this book.
What I Didn't Like:
- The pacing. There were definitely some issues in that a lot of action would take place in a small number of pages and then there would be chapters that felt repetitive and unnecessary. It was just a bit too up and down for me.
- The romance. Luckily this wasn't a prominent part of the plot but the scenes containing romance irritated me. It felt far too quick and there was not any development before words like"love" were being declared.
Overall this was an emotional and impactful story exploring sexual assault and how you move forward after such trauma. As well as an inspiring look at feminism and female friendship. I would highly recommend it as a worthwhile read. ...more

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Feb 25, 2020 Tiff at Mostly YA Lit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, contemps, ya, debut-author, arc-to-read, feminist, romance, pub-penguin, sports

4.5 stars.

Look, this was totally my catnip. Break the Fall is a YA gymnastics book by an author I love who does great romance, fierce girl characters, and deals with an issue that was ripped from the headlines but close to my heart. It doesn't hurt that Jenn Iacopelli is a gymnastics coach and knows everything about the sport. So yeah, probably I'm artificially inflating the score, but for reals, guys, I ripped through the bulk of this book in two days with no sleep because it just keeps the te 4.5 stars.

Look, this was totally my catnip. Break the Fall is a YA gymnastics book by an author I love who does great romance, fierce girl characters, and deals with an issue that was ripped from the headlines but close to my heart. It doesn't hurt that Jenn Iacopelli is a gymnastics coach and knows everything about the sport. So yeah, probably I'm artificially inflating the score, but for reals, guys, I ripped through the bulk of this book in two days with no sleep because it just keeps the tension that tight that you HAVE TO KNOW.

Audrey Lee is a Korean-American gymnast who is an Olympic hopeful. Together with her best friend and world champ Emma Sadowsky, she's been training for years for the chance to win an Olympic medal. At first, it seems that this dream is going off without a hitch - you know, other than the fact that Audrey is injured and has severe back pain but is pushing through. But when the head of the National Gymnastics Committee, Coach Gibson, is arrested for sexual assault against a fellow gymnast, everything spirals out of control. The ladies are left without a coach, with a few weeks left before the Olympics, and a lot of baggage and girl drama weighing them down. Can they make it to the Olympics and fulfill their dreams?

Honestly, I don't want to go into too many details on the plot because this is one of those books that totally surprised me - and that's not normal. I'm the person who guesses the ending or the climax for every movie and TV show. But with Break the Fall, I was so invested that I couldn't guess what was going to happen - maybe because I was so tense for Audrey and her team the entire time. The characters are real and fully developed and have a lot of flaws...but you want to root for them all the time anyway. The core team of Audrey, Emma, Chelsea (the reigning champion beyond her prime years), and Dani (the up and comer) is so fierce that I was both delighted and dismayed for them the entire time - because what they have to deal with is so much more than they bargained for.

What this book does so well is capture the repercussions of sexual assault, of long-term abuse and of how these girls, in this unique situation, need to face up to their fears again and again in order to succeed. And the other thing that makes it real and wonderful is that even though the coach's abuse looms large in everyone's hearts and minds, it doesn't define these characters. They are still them, they are fighting through this, and they're determined not to let anything get in the way of their dreams.

Speaking of dreams, have I mentioned that there's also an awesome, super-romantic, slightly goofy boy that Audrey isn't really allowed to date? I loved how Jenn developed the relationship between Audrey and Leo. He suffered just a tiny bit from seeming a little too perfect - he was always there for Audrey and he always knew just the right thing to say - but honestly, I'm not complaining. She deserved him, and their moments together were always refreshing and so sweet. I so want an epilogue with those two.

The Final Word:

I've been chatty with Jenn for a long time on Twitter, first about her excellent tennis new adult series Game. Set. Match, and then about all things sports related, whether it's gymnastics and our love of the tv show Make It or Break It, or baseball or just random stuff. So I've been waiting for Break the Fall - her #angstygymbook a long time - and I'm so glad it delivers. If you love gymnastics, sports YA, or just want to read something gritty, real, and triumphant, this is your book. Read it before or during the Tokyo Olympics, or read it now and get obsessed.
...more

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Apr 20, 2020 ⊱færies in space rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book made me feel like I was watching the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and I loved it ❤️

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Feb 19, 2020 PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 STARS

Audrey hopes to make the Olympics before her body gives out. Her best friend, world champion Emma is a shoo in. Then a doping/abuse arrest rocks the US gymnastics team. Loyalties will be tested. Friends will turn on each other. A victim will be bullied. If they don’t pull together, the team expected to take the gold won’t have a shot.

BREAK THE FALL is a book for gymnastics fans first and foremost. Routines on floor, vault, bars and beam are described in detail, which interested me as a ...more

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Aug 05, 2020 Christine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, ya, romance, sports

A great read! Audrey is a great protagonist, she's fierce and determined and you are rooting for her from the very beginning. Her friendships were heartwarming, and the way their team broke down and rebuilt themselves was powerful and emotional. It was wonderful to see these girls supporting one another while also being incredibly ambitious. I hope that other girls reading this see that they can also work just as hard and want to push themselves to be the best, and that you can do that at the sa ...more

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May 04, 2020 lanasbookworld rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book incarnates female empowerment and strength. And I absolutely loved it. It was just like being at the olympics in real life. You could feel all the excitement and the pressure. Furthermore I really liked Audrey, a smart,determined and ambitious girl and I could partly identify myself with her. 5/5⭐️

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Jan 06, 2020 ashortbooklover rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own-a-copy, read-in-2020

Trigger warning: sexual assault (off-age), grooming, victim-blaming

This book captivated me completely. I buddy read it with Sasha, otherwise I would've sped through it in one sitting.

I have always been fascinated with gymnastics and these superhumans that compete within it. The sheer limits they push their body to, with artistry and flair to boot, is stunning to watch. Here, we're given a look behind the scenes, looking at the immense physical work and politics that go into this incredible sport ...more

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Nov 21, 2019 Andrea Tomé rated it liked it · review of another edition

2.5/5

Gymnastics is one of my favourite sports that I 100% believe should receive more love, so when I saw this book on NetGalley I just hit the request button SO DAMN FAST.

I will begin by saying that Jennifer clearly knows her gymnastics. I can't say for sure how this novel will read to a YA reader who is not familiar with the sport, but I think Jennifer did a pretty good job at depicting competitive gymnastics faithfully and clearly, explaining the concepts and the judging in a way that's easy ...more

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Aug 29, 2019 Kim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: date-a-book, favourites, want-to-reread, ya-contemporary, hachette

When I was in Primary School, I devoured Teddy Slater’s Junior Gymnasts series. I wasn’t a gymnast myself, ballet/dancing was my after school activity, but I had this serious fascination with gymnastics and I adored the Junior Gymnasts books (still have them in a cupboard with my childhood favourite books). Break the Fall took me back to that time of fascination with gymnastic and ramped it up a notch!

This book was emotional and thrilling and I couldn’t put it down! I loved how real that charac ...more

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May 05, 2020 Kiley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: gymnast

Omg omg omg omg!!!! You have no idea how much I loved this book! It was a perfect YA Gymnastics Romance, and I think I am in LOVE with this book! Thank you to Epub for giving me this book for free over the quarantine. It is sooo hard to find a good gymnastics book, that ain’t nonfiction or totally childish. This was awesome. I’d give it a 15.9 in gymnastics and that is saying something. Also, thanks to Addison for recommending this book to me!

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Aug 06, 2019 The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, young-adult, owned

Review to come!

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Feb 19, 2020 Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned, 2020-releases, contemporary

This book was amazing! I've been wanting to read it since I heard about it, as I am a big fan of gymnastics. This book deals with a fictional version of the sex abuse scandal that hit US Gymnastics a couple years ago. I think it dealt with the topic of sexual assault in a caring manner. The reactions of characters were realistic, and covered a wide range of possibilities. I cried multiple times while reading the book, mostly once the characters reached the Olympics. The scene on the bus with the ...more

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Feb 21, 2020 K. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, contemporary, omg-that-cover, poc-narrator, difficult-topics, setting-asia, setting-usa, own-it-kindle, audience-young-adult

Trigger warnings: grooming, sexual assault, slut shaming, bullying.

4.5 stars.

I've been intrigued by this book since I first heard about it at the State Library of Victoria's YA Showcase last December. Because how could you NOT be intrigued by a book that's described as a gymnast pushing for the Tokyo Olympics with a #metoo subplot??

Anyway, I was a little hesitant going in about what content would be on the page as far as the #metoo stuff went. For those of you who are also hesitant, allow me ...more

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Feb 22, 2020 Tash rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Review to be posted on February 28th on the AusYABlogger blog for the #Breakthefall tour.
...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Samantha - She Writes About Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

You can find my mini review over here on Instagram as part of the Aus YA bloggers tour. :)

...more

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About Jennifer Iacopelli

Jennifer Iacopelli

474 followers

Jennifer Iacopelli was born in New York and has no plans to leave, ever. Growing up, she read everything she could get her hands on, but her favorite authors were L.M. Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett, both of whom wrote about kick-butt girls before it was cool for girls to be kick-butt. As a high school librarian, she frolics all day with her students, books and computers and writes at nigh ...more