This was a book club pick ... I loved another book by this author (The Peach Rebellion) and liked Flipped, Wild. This one was on the ♥ side. Lots of thoughts as I was listening (I went with the audio) and I'll try a read of the Kindle copy before bookclub discussion. 

My youngest tried out track his senior season. Sprinter - the 100, 200, 400 and relays. I ran the 200 and 400 and 800 relay back in my day (9th grade) ... so the track scenes, the feeling of running, was interesting to me.

I observed the similar situation as a friend's son (active soccer player) lost a foot in a boating accident.  Interesting to see some parallels there (actually THREE of the ladies I know through Zumba each have a son who has an amputated leg/foot ...) I've followed their stories (some familiarity with the need to change up prosthetics in a still growing child). 

Insurance struggles ... I wondered if the parents were going to file suit against the coach/school. 

I play the free NYT games ... Wordle/Connections and the new Spanagram. The Spanagram was Ruby Slippers, and then low and behold, here in my book, there is mention of them. Quite the coincidence. 

This was a little "Hallmark" ... overcoming all obstacles, being such an inspiration ... but I enjoyed it. The MC, the mother, the friend, they were all inspiring (even if fictional). There was quite a bit of humor thrown in to balance out the serious topic(s).  I was connected to the characters, and got hit emotionally a few times.

First person/Present tense.
There were five parts ...
1. Finish Line (26 chapters)
2. Headwind (15 chapters)
3. Straightaway (24 chapters)
4. Adjusting the Blocks (18 chapters)
5. Starting Line (15 chapters)

I liked this "reverse" set up to a race symbolizing Jessica's journey. The chapters were short. It threw me a little to have them start over at one for each part rather than keep running chronologically (to have five different chapter 1 ...) Very easy, conversational tone in the writing. 

I look forward to the book club discussion.