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On Pointe #2
Head to Head
Hannah and Lisa have just one rule—no boys, no distractions.On paper, Hannah O’Brian has it all. Scholarships to not just one, but two, prestigious summer intensives, parents ready to support her dream of becoming a professional dancer and a cute boy sending her sweet texts. When the opportunity to compete in an international ballet competition arrives, Hannah has to decide if she’s brave enough to finally make the leap to the big leagues. Or will a certain someone with a pair of warm brown eyes distract her at just the wrong time?For Lisa Hamasaki, everything makes more sense when you make a pros and cons list.Pro—if she can keep her grades up, her parents might just let her go with Hannah this summer, getting her one step closer to their shared dream.Con—giving up the sliver of a social life she squeezed out between school dance, and Japanese school. Is ballet worth giving up everything else? Especially when that something else has a devastating smile?Pro—Her best friend’s brother is suddenly a little more interested in their personal chemistry than the AP Chem exam.Con—when their attraction explodes in a moment of carelessness, will her best friends still be there to help her clean up the mess?Head to Head is the second book in Penelope Freed’s On Pointe series, a contemporary YA romance with a ballet twist. Make-or-break competition, secret relationships and best friends who just don’t understand, all set against the world of pre-professional ballet, where all that glitters isn’t rhinestones. Dive into the world of bunheads, blisters and heartbreak today!
- GenresYoung Adult
296 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2021
9 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 25, 2021
Couldn't sleep til I finished reading this book. YA isn't typically my bag, but Penelope knocked it out of the park. I'm not a dancer, but I love a good story and Penelope delivers that in SPADES. Love this book, love this series, and love this author. She's a one-click for me!
March 16, 2021
An incredible continuation from Toe to Toe! Delving into Hannah's world again, and being invited to see the nitty gritty of Lisa's overwhelming day to day was a great addition. I look forward to the next installment.
March 10, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed Head to Head, probably even more than the first book in the series, Toe to Toe. It was great to read Lisa’s point of view, as she is so different in character to Hannah and Olivia, but the Hannah chapters demonstrated appropriate character development from the events of Toe to Toe. The friendship of the four girls is central to this novel, and is explored in a way that feels true to life; even the misunderstandings that occur are not contrived, as can often happen in YA. The way in which Freed brings together a wider friendship group towards the end of the novel (which I will not explain any further because of spoilers!) is natural, and if anything helps to strengthen the connection between the four main girls.
It was refreshing to see Lisa juggling her studies and ballet, directly contrasted with Hannah’s complete dedication to dancing. The school lessons, interspersed with ballet rehearsals and the competition, really ground the story and provide an understanding of the girls’ lives outside of dancing. Another interesting aspect of this novel is the girls’ normal relationship with food; unlike so many novels about ambitious ballet dancers, Head to Head demonstrates the girls eating and acting like normal teenagers.
Just like in her debut novel, Freed demonstrates an impeccable ability to describe the emotional experience of dancing onstage, to the extent that even a read who has never experienced this would feel as though they had. The character of Miss Parker, the dance teacher, is also spot on; Freed manages to convey both her strict commitment to her discipline and her warm and supportive side.
My only issue with these novels is the representation of the ‘villain’ characters; there is very little substance to them other than the fact that they are superficial, pretty cheerleaders and stereotypical ‘mean girls’.
Overall, however, Penelope Freed once again manages to create an incredible YA novel. Freed’s ability to truly understand the mindset of ambitious teenagers, in a variety of ways, is brilliant. In the words of Olivia, this novel truly demonstrates that when you are sixteen, even if you are a budding ballerina, you are still ‘supposed to eat crappy food and make bad choices’.
I was sent an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It was refreshing to see Lisa juggling her studies and ballet, directly contrasted with Hannah’s complete dedication to dancing. The school lessons, interspersed with ballet rehearsals and the competition, really ground the story and provide an understanding of the girls’ lives outside of dancing. Another interesting aspect of this novel is the girls’ normal relationship with food; unlike so many novels about ambitious ballet dancers, Head to Head demonstrates the girls eating and acting like normal teenagers.
Just like in her debut novel, Freed demonstrates an impeccable ability to describe the emotional experience of dancing onstage, to the extent that even a read who has never experienced this would feel as though they had. The character of Miss Parker, the dance teacher, is also spot on; Freed manages to convey both her strict commitment to her discipline and her warm and supportive side.
My only issue with these novels is the representation of the ‘villain’ characters; there is very little substance to them other than the fact that they are superficial, pretty cheerleaders and stereotypical ‘mean girls’.
Overall, however, Penelope Freed once again manages to create an incredible YA novel. Freed’s ability to truly understand the mindset of ambitious teenagers, in a variety of ways, is brilliant. In the words of Olivia, this novel truly demonstrates that when you are sixteen, even if you are a budding ballerina, you are still ‘supposed to eat crappy food and make bad choices’.
I was sent an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2021
The second book in this series picks up right where Toe to Toe left off. If you didn’t read book one, I’d definitely suggest reading it first because you will understand who the characters are better and you need to see how important ballet is to them.
This book also focuses on Hannah but gives us Lisa’s story too.
Hannah is still trying to decide which ballet school to go to, she’s also trying to balance ballet and life and trying to decide if she can fit a long distance boyfriend into it. She has a very sweet, patient love interest in another state.
Lisa’s story was interesting too. She also loves ballet, but can’t devote as much energy to it as her friends do. Her friends’ parents seem to understand that they can’t necessarily be straight A students and devote themselves to ballet. Lisa’s parents allow her to pursue ballet as long as she keeps those straights A’s in AP courses. There’s only so many hours in the day and Lisa is exhausted, overextended and overwhelmed.
She winds up in class with her friend’s older brother. He’s being very sweet too her and they might be interested in each other. But Lisa can’t even phantom how to fit dating into her life.
I thought it was interesting to see how ballet weighed in each girl’s life. To some, it is the most important part. To others, it’s a fun hobby. They all deal with the stress of how to balance their lives and the fear of disappointing themselves and others.
Even though the girls are all close friends and probably understand each other better than anyone, they also deal with issues with each other. It made sense to me, they want good things for their friends but they can’t help but to be jealous when their friend has an easier time chasing that dream than they do.
I got to read an early ebook from the author.
I’m guessing the next book in this series is about Hannah and Katy’s stories. I’m interested to read that too. I’m rooting for these girls to get what they want.
This book also focuses on Hannah but gives us Lisa’s story too.
Hannah is still trying to decide which ballet school to go to, she’s also trying to balance ballet and life and trying to decide if she can fit a long distance boyfriend into it. She has a very sweet, patient love interest in another state.
Lisa’s story was interesting too. She also loves ballet, but can’t devote as much energy to it as her friends do. Her friends’ parents seem to understand that they can’t necessarily be straight A students and devote themselves to ballet. Lisa’s parents allow her to pursue ballet as long as she keeps those straights A’s in AP courses. There’s only so many hours in the day and Lisa is exhausted, overextended and overwhelmed.
She winds up in class with her friend’s older brother. He’s being very sweet too her and they might be interested in each other. But Lisa can’t even phantom how to fit dating into her life.
I thought it was interesting to see how ballet weighed in each girl’s life. To some, it is the most important part. To others, it’s a fun hobby. They all deal with the stress of how to balance their lives and the fear of disappointing themselves and others.
Even though the girls are all close friends and probably understand each other better than anyone, they also deal with issues with each other. It made sense to me, they want good things for their friends but they can’t help but to be jealous when their friend has an easier time chasing that dream than they do.
I got to read an early ebook from the author.
I’m guessing the next book in this series is about Hannah and Katy’s stories. I’m interested to read that too. I’m rooting for these girls to get what they want.
April 24, 2021
Another great addition to the On Pointe series!
The thing that I love the most about these books is how relatable these young characters are. Lisa, who is trying so hard to meet expectations, it’s very well written and I think a lot of teen aged readers would be able to see themselves in her. The pressures and expectations on teens are real, and the ways that those things make them feel is valid and important to see in YA literature. It was really great to read Lisa’s story and to see her become more confident in herself and in asking for what she wants.
And I loved getting to pick right back up with Hannah‘s story. I want her to succeed so badly! It is such a joy to read about her triumphs and even her struggles. Again, I think that is super relatable. And I applaud Penelope for writing a character that deals with feelings of not being good enough, because I think those feelings are all too prevalent in teens nowadays.
The friendships, the fights, the fun and silly moments, and the sweet romances combine to make this another great book from Penelope. Can’t wait for the next two!
The thing that I love the most about these books is how relatable these young characters are. Lisa, who is trying so hard to meet expectations, it’s very well written and I think a lot of teen aged readers would be able to see themselves in her. The pressures and expectations on teens are real, and the ways that those things make them feel is valid and important to see in YA literature. It was really great to read Lisa’s story and to see her become more confident in herself and in asking for what she wants.
And I loved getting to pick right back up with Hannah‘s story. I want her to succeed so badly! It is such a joy to read about her triumphs and even her struggles. Again, I think that is super relatable. And I applaud Penelope for writing a character that deals with feelings of not being good enough, because I think those feelings are all too prevalent in teens nowadays.
The friendships, the fights, the fun and silly moments, and the sweet romances combine to make this another great book from Penelope. Can’t wait for the next two!
March 12, 2021
*** 4.5 Stars ***
Head to Head (On Pointe #2) by Penelope Freed is a contemporary YA novel told in the first person, dual POVs of 16-year-old ballet dancers and friends Hannah and Lisa. Both girls share a dream of wanting to become professional ballerinas, and they're both very driven and focused on attaining their goals, sharing the motto, "No boys, no distractions." But that's easier said than done.
I loved the continuation of Hannah's story. It was fun to revisit the characters and spend some time with Hannah and her friends. It was great to get Lisa's perspective too. And Hunter! He's so sweet I might have a cavity. Absolutely love him! This was a great addition to the story. I'm loving this series, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
Head to Head (On Pointe #2) by Penelope Freed is a contemporary YA novel told in the first person, dual POVs of 16-year-old ballet dancers and friends Hannah and Lisa. Both girls share a dream of wanting to become professional ballerinas, and they're both very driven and focused on attaining their goals, sharing the motto, "No boys, no distractions." But that's easier said than done.
I loved the continuation of Hannah's story. It was fun to revisit the characters and spend some time with Hannah and her friends. It was great to get Lisa's perspective too. And Hunter! He's so sweet I might have a cavity. Absolutely love him! This was a great addition to the story. I'm loving this series, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
May 21, 2021
Penelope pulled me in right from the beginning of this book. I can hear the teenage angst and love how she weaves real life advice during her storytelling. Right now, I’m loving Hunter and Mrs. Parker and how these young women have goals, talk about goals and keep wanting to move forward in life.
March 20, 2021
If I thought I was sucked into Toe to Toe fast, then this was in warp speed. I couldn't wait to devour more from the On Pointe series. I almost threw my Kindle when it was over.
Let's start... Trevor. OMG Trevor is amazing. What an amazing friend for Hannah to have. He had me blushing and laughing all in the same text message!
The dual POV is back, but between Lisa and Hannah this time. I liked revisiting Hannah and all the issues going on with her life, but learning about Lisa and what she does when something begins to blossom with her friends older brother... oh the feels! I couldn't put this book down and cannot wait for book 3 to come! I'm obsessed with this crew and the amazing writing from Penelope Freed!
Let's start... Trevor. OMG Trevor is amazing. What an amazing friend for Hannah to have. He had me blushing and laughing all in the same text message!
The dual POV is back, but between Lisa and Hannah this time. I liked revisiting Hannah and all the issues going on with her life, but learning about Lisa and what she does when something begins to blossom with her friends older brother... oh the feels! I couldn't put this book down and cannot wait for book 3 to come! I'm obsessed with this crew and the amazing writing from Penelope Freed!
March 23, 2021
I adored this addition to the On Pointe series. Hannah is always a fun character to read and it's been great watching her relationships and person change with her experiences. I loved reading Lisa's point of view and getting to know Hunter. I think it's really important to see the stressors that teenagers are going through and positive ways to tackle them, such as simply talking to your parent(s) especially if you don't do so often.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
March 29, 2021
Outstanding!! I have long been a fan of ballet, so this book, as Book 1, satisfied my yen in that respect. That was only a part of why I found this tome a dynamite read. As an old fart, my first initiation to ballet, I think was when my grandfather took me to see the movie "The Red Shoes" around 1949. Yeah, I'm almost 80, and ballet has stuck with me ever since.
Ms. Freed does an awesome job of intertwining ballet into and around the lives of some very believable young adults, and their vastly different lives, and at the same time, similar emotions and experiences. I've become a big Penelope fan, and look forward to following her with smiles.
Ms. Freed does an awesome job of intertwining ballet into and around the lives of some very believable young adults, and their vastly different lives, and at the same time, similar emotions and experiences. I've become a big Penelope fan, and look forward to following her with smiles.
July 14, 2022
After being completely engulfed in book 1 of this series, I was super eager to move on to book 2, and it did not disappoint! Love being able to read the book from each character’s perspective and learning more about them. Really need to get my hands on the rest of the series!
April 18, 2021
Another great entry in this series-- the story really pulled me along!
May 17, 2022
On point
I liked the expansion within the group to see a new perspective. The last chapter was great with another viewpoint and a good teaser for book 3.
I liked the expansion within the group to see a new perspective. The last chapter was great with another viewpoint and a good teaser for book 3.
May 24, 2025
4.25 STARS
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews