Hooked by Liz Fichera

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done. 

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

This combines two things that I haven't seen in YA before: golf and Native American customs. Considering I know as much about golf as I do any other sport, i.e. none, I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed reading about it. It was original and quite sweet how Fred used golf as her escape. As for Native Americans, it was incredible to get an insight into their lives and customs, which I have always found interesting. 

Using alternate perspectives between Fred and All American lover-boy Ryan, it told of Fred joining the boys golf team at her local high school, creating unimaginable tension. Especially as one of the boys were kicked off to make room for her. Fred was pretty cool, although she didn't grow into her own until the second half of the book. I liked her, she has got some major guts for not backing down when the boys don't want her on the team. Especially Seth. God, that boy needs to be institutionalised! I was honestly scared for Fred at several points when it came to Seth, the whack-job. And her Native American history was interesting, but it took me a while to connect with her. 

Ryan was the typical American teenager: bit of a brat, used to getting his way, but comes from a lousy family. You know you should hate him, especially as he does not stand up for Fred when he knows he should, but the way he falls head-over-heals for her and her golf swing did make me melt. Eventually. He was so adorably in over his head when it came to Fred; it was obvious neither of them knew what they were doing when it came to love. Which was pretty damn annoying! But despite them both being complete fools, their story was sweet and developed slowly to allow both of them to overcome previous prejudices and dramas. 

The blend of romance and sport was well done, the details basic enough for anyone to understand (and I did!). Fred and Ryan had some troubles to overcome, both socially and at home, and I liked how both their families had this back story that effected the teens in their everyday lives. The balance between the budding romance and them growing as individuals was well written; add in the competition of the sport, their family/friend drama and some racist bullying, I was pretty invested in these characters! And while this story, or its characters, wasn't perfect, I really did enjoy it. 

Published 29th Janurary 2013 by Harlequin Teen. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.