In honor of the Olympics...The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols

"Brace yourself for the battle of the exes...Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized breakup. Now the two are "just friends," excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls' division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn't have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick's bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden's and the boys on Nick's, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated—and they might end up igniting some old flames."

I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Echols and discovered this little gem after reading another book of hers. So, please don't judge a book by it's cover of cute, illustrated artwork and think it's a young YA or Junior fiction novel (which there is nothing wrong with those books, I do love to read them as well). I would consider this book an older YA book. But no matter what, it's a fun book to read that will have you laughing out loud.

I loved the 'voice' of Hayden in the book. She's a strong, girl-power kind of character with one major fear. I know some people think that if you have a fear or show that fear you're less of a person. I find strength in her finally confronting her fear although it does take most of the book. I think it's great for our girls to see that fear and know you can work through it.

This story is also a great romantic comedy and has one of the most epic boys versus girls throw down that I have ever read. What first starts as a friendly competition between six friends becomes a town competition with even Hayden's mom and dad betting on the upcoming race. This was one of the things that made the book so much fun to read, a whole town separating in the boys versus girls to win race.

Learning about the characters in their 'younger' years and how awkward they were as kids was also very fun to read. Learning how something happening in 9th grade could be thrown completely out of proportion by Senior year. Very high school like. Hayden and Nick have great chemistry and you can't help but smile when the fight and then makeup with a kiss.
I picked this book today in celebration of the Olympics and the two gold metals we received in snowboarding so far. I watched and didn't understand half of what the announcer was saying. I was just in awe of these woman throwing it all out there on the course. I also loved the healthy body image they all had. What a great role model for our girls today!

You can find copies at the usual places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. But you can also find copies of this story at your local library, most likely under the YA section.