Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 312



Summary: Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.
That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

My Thoughts: Wow, Wow, Wow! Where to even begin to start with this review? I read a lot of books I love. I purposely read books I think I will enjoy. But reading Playing Hurt was beyond enjoyable. It was amazing. It was delicious, it was sexy, it was pure beauty.

We are introduced to Chelsea whose in high school. She was the star of the basketball team, had the perfect family, and the perfect boyfriend Gabe. She was having the time of her life. Until one night during a basketball game. She takes a fall and injures her hip. She learns she can no longer play basketball. Ripped away from the one thing she loves the most, she starts to go into a depression. She just doesn't enjoy anything as much as basketball.

We are than introduced to Clint. Sweet and sexy Clint. Clint lives in Minnesota where he's an athlete working at a resort. Clint is also going through a tough time. A few years ago, he went through a terrible thing. He can physically still play hockey but he has no motivation too. To really do any team sport. That was all taken away from him because of guilt. His own guilt.


Chelsea's family decides to take a family vacation up to the resort and her dad hired Clint as her personal trainer. To hopefully whip her back into shape and get her to at least start doing something again. While training with Clint, the rest of her family are enjoying their vacation. Her brother is even off practicing with a band, his dream come true.

Chelsea and Clint meet, and yes the chemistry is definitely there but they keep their distance. They are both hurt and the attraction that they feel could lead them both down a dangerous tunnel. Hurt feelings, broken hearts, awkward conversations.

As more and more time goes by, the two start to realize what they have both lost and what they could both possibly gain by getting to know one another. This book is told in alternating viewpoints and I fell in love with both sides of the story. I respected Chelsea and I fell in love with Clint.

I honestly can't say much else here. I want YOU to experience Playing Hurt on your own. I want you to feel the magic I felt while reading this book. The sports aspect, the relationships with her family and boyfriend, the tragedy in Clint's life.  Playing Hurt is deep. Really deep. It's not like anything you've probably read in the past. I enjoyed A Blue So Dark by Schindler, but it didn't hold a candlestick to Playing Hurt.  Playing Hurt was like a long walk on a hot day, romantic and soothing. You'll be crying and laughing throughout the novel. This is a book you should definitely go right out and buy now!!!

Overall: Loved it so much I know I'll be thinking about it for days. Please write a sequel!

Cover: Adore It! Its what first attracted me to the book. Fits perfectly. Love the way their legs are up in the air.

What I'd Give It: