Every time I step into Books-A-Million, I always make a bee-line to their bargain section because it’s massive and you can typically find really good books there! I can’t tell you how many bargain purchases are on my shelf right now, but I can tell you that they’ve all been solid selections so far. Sidelined by Kara Bietz is no exception!
The story flows in alternating perspectives between Julian, a star quarterback determined to end his senior year on the highest note possible to make his father proud of him, and Elijah, Julian’s former teammate who’s been living in Houston the past few years. In their small Texas town, it’s not long before Julian learns that Elijah is back, mainly because he is staying with him and his grandma. Kind of hard to miss. But even though it’s been several years, it doesn’t take long for gossip to make its way to Elijah’s ears, even if almost all of it is false. Just because his dad didn’t turn out well doesn’t mean Elijah will follow in his footsteps. Julian isn’t happy to have him back for a couple of other reasons.
The first is that Elijah and his family picked up and moved without a word. And even though phones are a thing, Julian never heard from him in that time. The second is that just before the move, the two shared what he thought be be a mutual kiss in the locker room. Julian still thinks about it even though he’s tried to move on, but Elijah being back just makes that impossible. In Elijah’s defense, he did like the kiss, but he had also just learned that his sister was pregnant and his fourteen year old brain could only process one major life event at a time. So sure, Elijah had some valid reasons, but he definitely also could have reached out to Julian to explain things. Even if it came just one or two years later. Instead, he’s basically forced to explain himself now that he’s back.
But he doesn’t do that quickly either. Instead, he let’s Julian hate him from a distance for a while as he tries to build a life for himself again in his hometown. Rejoining the football team seems to be like riding a bike – once you learn, it just comes naturally. The guys like him, and after a slow, but steady persistance, Julian starts to break down his defenses, too. Aside from their personal relationship, Julian deals with a lot of other responsibilities that sometimes clash with the expectations of their small town. At its core though, this is a feel-good book, so of course we get a feel-good ending. However, it did feel a bit abrupt, so a part of me is wondering if a second novel is in the works?
Bietz doesn’t have a long bibliography by any means. In fact, just one other novel that came out ten years ago, but the premise is really intriging, so I’m planning to check it out. Stay tuned! But in the meantime, you can check out this cute, easy young adult novel.