A rising star in Muay Thai figures out what (and who) is worth fighting for in this #ownvoices YA debut full of heart. If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If … first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport wasn’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.
Which is inconvenient, since she’s starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world’s most perfect Indian. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride–she’ll have to face his parents’ disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Kareena’s bid for the Olympics could very well make history–if she has the courage to go for it.
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LOVED IT! I was given an early copy for a review, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! It did NOT disappoint.
If you’re a fan of Miranda Kenneally and YA sports romance, you do NOT want to miss this one! <3
Kareena Thakkar is a Muay Thai fighter (Thai boxing) who's raising money to go to the Muay Thai US Open. It'll give her a shot to be invited to the World Championship team with an eye toward the Olympics, and she is one determined, badass character who I was rooting for the entire time. Along the way, she meets Amit Patel, and during their budding relationship, she learns a lot about herself, her community, and friendship in general.
Most sports romances have a pretty basic formula: the character works hard, stumbles, but finally gets to the championship and the love interest. What made The Knockout different was how layered the story was. It's a coming of age tale in the truest sense--where she learns to stand up for herself, navigate the ups and downs of friendships and a romantic relationship, as well as juggle academic, athletic, and cultural expectations. Add this to her worries at home, and you have a richly paralleled story that had me turning pages well past midnight.
The thing that sets this apart from most YA sports romances is that Kareena Thakkar is not only a female in what most would consider a "male" sport (that's hard enough!), but she's an Indian-American girl who is struggling against cultural expectations of what is feminine and "appropriate." The author does an amazing job of layering this aspect of the story too. As an Indian-American myself, I identify with Kareena's cultural disconnect of not being "Indian" or "American" enough, but throw that in with the stigma of stepping outside your gender lane? I seriously wanted to punch a few people myself along the way.
The author handles each of these layers with wonderful world-building, an engaging voice, and excellent pacing. I can't wait to see if there'll be another book in this series...perhaps when she makes it to the Olympics??
This book would be awesome for anyone who loves Miranda Kenneally, wants an #ownvoices read, loves badass heroines, slow-burn romances, and a fist-pumping, heart-thumping ending. (Can you tell I loved this book?)
High school senior Kareena has won an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open. But to get there, she needs $3000 for training and travel expenses. Money her family can’t afford, given her father’s medical expenses.
Computer genius Amit is on the brink of developing a breakthrough medical program, if only he can organize the chaos in his mind. That chaos now includes Kareena, whose strict parents won’t let her date him even if she could afford time away from practice.
Gradually, Amit wears down the walls Kareena has built around herself. Will she open up to the community who wants to help her, before it’s too late?
This powerful YA romance will have you cheering. The story leaps off the page and wraps around your heart. Don’t miss it!
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.