Review Detail

Julia Medina comes from a football family, except for her mom who coaches volleyball. Growing burnt out playing volleyball, Julia realizes there's something else that excites her. Football. But trying out for football is difficult when you're a girl because of the stigma that comes with it. Most of the guys think Julia is going to run scared after taking her first hit, but she'll prove them all wrong and show just how tough a girl can be.

Years of playing football with her three brothers gives Julia the knowledge and experience to give the quarterback tryouts a real shot. But her boyfriend Owen is going for the same position and thinks it's crazy that she's trying out. Like her parents, he doesn't want to see her get hurt. This friction places a strain on their relationship, but not even that will stop Julia. Her mind is set and her heart is in the game. Now she just has to earn the quarterback spot. The rest will fall into place as it's supposed to.

GRIDIRON GIRL is an uplifting contemporary story about a girl whose passion for football burns hotter than anything else. Julia will give anything to play football and won't let anyone tell her she can't do it. Every character in this book is fantastic. I love Julia's brothers, her family, all of the players (yes, even the rude ones), and the coaches/Christian. Every person plays a part in Julia's rise to being a gridiron girl, but my favorites are of course Square and D. They have her back on and off the field at all times and it shows.


Final Verdict: Julia's story is an inspiring one and I found myself getting pumped up a couple of times. Tamara Girardi's writing style makes the reader place their own heart into the story since all of Julia's emotions are palpable through the words. I would recommend this to fans of sports, coming of age, and strong female leads. I like how Girardi keeps the focus on Julia rather than this being a romance story.