Fear stops dreams in their tracks before they even have a chance. Then again, so do injuries.Natalia Grekov was born to win a gold medal. As the USA’s top gymnast, she’s calm, confident and ready to make her country proud in just two short months. And her elite athlete lifestyle includes no time for distractions—especially men. When a disastrous fall in practice puts her dreams at risk, it seems … risk, it seems the only person who can help her is the one person she wants nothing from.
Spencer Russell is gymnastics’ bad boy. A cocky, laid-back charmer with abs of steel and a witty mouth, he waltzes around the U.S. Gymnastics Training Camp like he owns the place—even though he doesn’t anymore. After an injury sidelined his career and any chance at glory, he’s now just a coach, helping other gymnasts reach their goals. Serious is not a word in Spencer’s vocabulary. But when Natalia tumbles into his life, he’s suddenly sincerely interested in helping the blonde beauty in any way he can.
Can they vault over the obstacles standing in their way? Or will Spencer be the distraction that causes Natalia’s chance at gold to crash and burn?
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Natalia has been working her biscuits off to get to the Olympic games. She finds herself at the elite training camp only to be struck with the worst case of fear when it comes to the balance beam. She knows that she can’t make it if she can’t overcome this fear. She doesn’t know how but she will beat it and she will go to the games. What she wasn’t expecting was Spencer, the bad boy of gymnastics who is trying to cope with his career ending injury while being the newest coach for the team. When these two come face to face not only do sparks fly but Spencer realizes that he can help Nat’s dreams come true and he won’t stop until he can help her.
These two were so much fun. Their banter was everything. I loved how she wasn’t afraid of who she is and what she has but yet how she pushed in his face when he wasn’t expecting it. Her confidence was everything and yet she had that one vulnerability that Spence was helping her with. I also really respected that Spence had his moments of vulnerability with his shoulder but that was all it was – a moment. You knew that he hated that he wasn’t competing anymore but you didn’t feel that he was depressed because through that he found a new calling. I loved the push and pull between these two with her training but I also loved that they could leave it on the mats and then connect as lovers after the fact. Nat and Spence are kind of awesome and I love them to pieces.t
***4.5 STARS***
Blind Landing in the first book in the Flipping Series by the very awesome and fun-loving Carrie Aarons! It’s the first book I have read that centers around gymnastics so it gave me more appreciation for the sport. More to that later, this is Spence and Nat’s story…
Natalia is nineteen years old and has been a dedicated gymnast for sixteen of those years. She was born to be an Olympic Gold Medalist. She has trained in different parts of the United States and now in New Jersey at a gym for only the elite. The Coach is intense, the hours are long but she is doing what she loves and is making new friends. In two shorts months she will be heading to the Olympic Trials. It’s the step to her dream. This is it. She has been known as the fearless gymnast but she now has one fear that could get in her way. She freezes on the beam. What she didn’t expect was that the cockiest, hottest, and most laid back coach in the facility to wake up early with her to help her conquer that fear. She also didn’t expect to want him so badly. She didn’t need the distraction but when a flirty friendship has to the potential to turn into more, is it worth the risk?
Spencer knows exactly who Natalia is. She is a top athlete in the sport. She loves and is dedicated to the sport but she also can’t be molded by Novak and his crazy methods. She could be a bit of a rebel like himself. They both want to do their thing without changing themselves completely. So, when he decides to help her with her fear, he knows exactly what he needs to do. He also knows she doesn’t need any distractions but he can’t help feel the chemistry between them. A hot no-strings attached sexual relationship could be helpful, right? It’s stress-relieving and a great work-out. He has never wanted anything more than that with anyone else so this could work. Maybe. Yeah…they can totally do this. Sure. And not get caught. Ok. And not let feelings get in the way. Yep. They got this!
Spence and Nat both want Nat to achieve her dreams. He was on top until an injury took him out for good. He could have walked away from the sport but he could never do that. He loves coaching the elite. It keeps him close to the sport he has dedicated his life to. And now it has brought him Nat. She is different from the other women her. From her body to her attitude. He wants every part of her. Even if she doesn’t want anything more than his friendship and body. Can he keep his feelings at bay until she can give him more? Didn’t she even want more? Even if she does, can she have the gold and the man?
Damn…Spence and Nat’s relationship is fucking hot but it’s also about friendship, trust, support, and understanding. Nat doesn’t only want her dreams to come true but she wants Spence to achieve his as well. Whatever they may be. I loved that about Nat. She is tough but she is compassionate too. She wants to see every one be happy. Except for Novak…that guy is a jackass.
Like I said before, I found while reading it gave me more appreciation to the sport. I have heard of all the hard work gymnast go through but reading about it but it more real. I think Carrie did her research and wrote about it beautifully. I didn’t feel lost when she was explaining a move or competition.
Quotes:
“Bring it on, Coach. I can’t wait to see what you have to teach me.”
“I think I found the way to finally make you shut up. If not kill you.”
“Are my tricks gold medal worthy?”
What makes this book so amazing is that it isn’t just a love story…it is two love stories in one. This is definitely, first and foremost, a story of the love of gymnastics. Natalia and Spencer’s love story is totally secondary. This book came at the perfect time with the summer Olympics coming up. I feel like I got a bit of Gymnastics for Dummies…and it was great! I loved learning all the inside info. Books like this are some of my favorites…learning about something new-to-me from a book is just the best!
Aarons has such a way with words, she can pull you in from the very first word and not let you go until the last written word. Spencer and Natalia have such a fun, easy banter. This wasn’t just a book about sex and heat but really focused on their friendship and their love of a common passion. To me, it made this a more believable and relatable story. I love reading about the heat and naughty scenes but the real everyday moments is what kept me coming back for more.
Blind Landing yet another Carrie Aaron’s book that is a must read! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Carrie! Who are we meeting in book 2?
Blind Landing was the first book that I’ve read from Carrie Aarons, but it will not be my last! The story follows and elite gymnast, Natalia, who is independent, sassy, determined, and caring. Her counterpart is Spencer, who is hot, funny, carefree, and kind. With our hero being a coach it gives the story a bit of a forbidden love aspect. I especially enjoyed it because of my love of dancing. I highly recommend Blind Landing to anyone!