Book Review of Roller Girl by Vanessa North

Publication Date: July 23, 2016.

Publisher: Riptide Publishing.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports, and LGBT.

Rating:

Selling points: Female empowerment, amazing f/f ship, and derby.

Purchase here: Amazon | The Book Depository

Synopsis: Recently divorced Tina Durham is trying to be self-sufficient, but her personal-training career is floundering, her closest friends are swept up in new relationships, and her washing machine has just flooded her kitchen. It’s enough to make a girl cry.

Instead, she calls a plumbing service, and Joanne “Joe Mama” Delario comes to the rescue. Joe is sweet, funny, and good at fixing things. She also sees something special in Tina and invites her to try out for the roller derby team she coaches.

Derby offers Tina an outlet for her frustrations, a chance to excel, and the female friendships she’s never had before. And as Tina starts to thrive at the derby, the tension between her and Joe cranks up. Despite their player/coach relationship, they give in to their mutual attraction. Sex in secret is hot, but Tina can’t help but want more.

With work still on the rocks and her relationship in the closet, Tina is forced to reevaluate her life. Can she be content with a secret lover? Or with being dependent on someone else again? It’s time for Tina to tackle her fears, both on and off the track.

Thank you Riptide Publishing for my advanced review copy of Roller Girl. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review; this does not affect my opinion. Any quotes mentioned below are taken from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

Roller Girl is a story with heart. It’s a story that’ll make you smile and feel all warm and fluffy inside. What I love the most about this book is how well done it is, this lesbian romance is about so much more than just love (which all in itself is absolutely amazing). Roller Girl is about companionship, friendship, and women supporting other women.

Wearing the team shirt makes me feel like part of something larger than myself- an “us,” where I’ve been thinking of the other girls as “them.”

What I love about this book is that it’s so positive. Tina Durham, the main character, is a trans woman and throughout the book, we see a lot of what she has gone through and everyone around her is supportive, kind and sees her as an inspiration. Tina is such a lovely person, through and through, who just tries to navigate her life after a divorce. Tina cares so deeply for others and only wants to stand on her own two feet while at the same time be a part of something bigger than herself. A derby team. A group of women who work together, support each other and always have each other’s backs. Tina is a lovely addition to the team and has a positive impact on everyone around her. She inspires others and helps others, without even realizing it.

“You worry that you need people too much, but the way I see it, other people need you- to motivate them, to show them where to find their courage. Yes, they still have to put in the work, but they want to because you believe they can.”

However, in the end, this is a lesbian romance and wow does this book deliver. This romance is sexy, sweet and totally ship worthy. This book will make you go crazy with feels one minute because of something really cute, and the next minute you’ll hope for everything to work out the way you want it to. Read Roller Girl and let all the precious moments fill your heart. You’ll not regret a second of it.