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Micky O'Brady Books

Playing with #Fire

Playing with #Fire

Regular price $18.99 USD
Regular price $20.99 USD Sale price $18.99 USD
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A Feathered Quills Silver Award Winner!

 

Seventeen-year-old Everly Aldaire was pretty lit on social media—until a bullying campaign led to her attempted suicide. A few months later, she’s back at the very same school where everything began, only now she is #offline and not sure how to handle her life without posting or checking her feed.

Instead of giving her a break, though, fate throws her a curve ball when Everly has to participate in a health class challenge, picking up a new sport. Wouldn’t be too bad, if she wasn’t assigned the one sport nobody wanted: pro wrestling. #SRSLY?

Still traumatized by the bullying, Everly is expecting the worst of wrestling, but to her complete and utter surprise, it’s not as bad as she thought. Granted, that could be because of the well-built and highly athletic seventeen-year-old superstud named Fire training her. Dressed and masked in a Lucha Libre outfit, Fire is as mysterious as he is confident, and he’s the only one who really gets Everly. Fire and wrestling turn into her #safehaven, but when old bullies resurface and continue to play their sick games with Everly, it becomes clear something about Fire is not quite right. As Everly is struggling to keep her life under control, she is in for the #heelturn of the century, and the question becomes: who will need to #tapout first—the bullies or Everly?

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Customer Reviews

Based on 8 reviews
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Tammy Ruggles

O'Brady has created a socially relevant and potent book for YA readers and uses the platform of wrestling to tell the story, which is original and interesting. You don't find that many novels--YA or adult--that use it as a plot device, and it really works here. You don't have to be a wrestling fan to like this story, but it may make you one by the time you're finished. Everly and Fire are likable, as are the other characters--Haze in particular. O'Brady has adolescent issues down to a T. You learn what lies beneath the characters' motivations for bullying. The plot is intense but appealing, the dialogue dynamic, the conflict explosive, and the ending very satisfying. Playing with #Fire by Micky O'Brady is an A+ read for wrestling fans or anyone affected by bullying.

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Michael

Micky O’Brady never disappoints with another incredible teen read! She portrays the unfortunate reality of cyber bullying and its consequences on the young adult mind. MatrixGirl# had over 200K followers on social media until online hate sent her into a downward spiral of attempted suicide. As a mother of 3 pre-teens, this my worst nightmare! Complementary to Micky’s other books, the female character (girls rock!) powers through conflict and ends up kicking butt! The struggle is real. I LOVE the wrestling component (I may have to learn how to pull off an arm bar) and the relationship she builds with Fire#. Of course, if you are a Micky O’Brady follower like I am; you know there is always an unexpected twist. She gets me every time! Brilliant! I bought 3 copies of this book to give to some of my friends with teens and I can’t wait to share it with my own children. There is such an important message built in this adventure. It is a MUST read for both adults and teens!

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G. Galanti

I've been a big fan of Micky O'Brady's YA books since I read The President's Daughter, followed by Trial by Ice and Between Worlds. However, her latest book, #Playing with Fire is a cut above. O'Brady has gone beyond the fun and excitement of her earlier books and has written something deeply meaningful. She hasn't lost the fun, but this work has many layers to it. Her work as a pediatrician has given her great insight into teenagers, and after reading it, I had a much better understanding of the reasons why teens are so affected by social media, and are sometimes driven to cutting themselves and even to suicide. Parents should definitely read this as well. Buy a copy for your teen and one for yourself. The romance in the book is great, and I learned so much about pro wrestling. I've never been interested in it, but this book may actually get me to watch a match. One of the best things about the book is the plot twists. One I guessed -- I'm an adult, not a young adult. But boy did O'Brady manage to surprise me with another one! READ THIS BOOK. It's fun and important.

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K.C. Finn

Author Micky O'Brady has crafted a compelling young adult drama that will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who reads it. The central issues of bullying, self-esteem, social media and high school mentality are all dealt with very well, even in the most sensitive moments, and the story offers a realistic depiction of desperation and the strength to turn things around. The character development is also really well rounded, taking the teen pairing of Everly and Fire to new depths as much more than simple friends or love interests. It was refreshing to see a non-typical sport at the center of a high school drama, and in general, the plot was full of unexpected surprises like that which made it quite unique. Overall, I would highly recommend Playing with #Fire to readers who enjoy authentic teen drama with realistic characters and an exciting storyline.

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Vincent Dublado

Cyberbullying or electronic aggression is an emerging phenomenon, and Playing with #Fire handles this concept with a thorough understanding of the victim and the victimizer. Through its protagonist’s first-person narration, the reader’s look into Everly’s thoughts makes for gripping anticipation of the actions of the supporting characters as we make judgments based on Everly’s assumptions. The presence of topics in hashtags here and there effectively simulates a world obsessed with Twitter feeds. What separates this book from other YA novels is Micky O’Brady’s skillful weaving of romance, suspense, and social issue into one story that can teach young people that they do not have to remain passive when experiencing bullying. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, you will keep reading and turning the pages once you pick this book up.