Customer Reviews

Break and Hold: Inspired by a True Event

5 star:		(4)
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Wow! What an amazing insight into the role "stage parents" play in the role of young tennis athletes. I was amazed at some of the antics that some parents would do to secure their children's success. Vivien Kalvaria gives a remarkable insight into the behind the scenes happenings of one of the most exciting sports. She delves into the minds and emotions of the characters and brings them to life for the readers. I especially found the "stage parents" perspective as unusually informative, and yet uniquely repulsive in some degree. The author gives a first hand perspective that few have encountered. I feel she carries us through the agony and the perils of the truly unique "tennis elite".

I couldn't put this down and I don't even play tennis! A friend who is a
tennis nut lent it to me. I even found myself rooting for Nick and Brooke
during their matches. The book covers a lot of ground and I think the
court case is as good as it gets - like any Grisham novel. When I put
the book down I had a new respect for what it takes to become a top tennis
player and all the family dynamics that play into making these super stars.
I can thoroughly recommend this to anybody, tennis player or not. This
gets five stars from me.

From the accurately, nail-biting, fast paced commentating on exciting tennis matches, to the gripping courtroom drama, this book is a must read. It's stylized prose, mixed with short, sharp sentences makes it utterly readable, but it is the story itself that holds the reader's attention for all 295 pages of this book. How sad that behind most brilliantly talented young people, there has to be a greedy parent - greedy for self-aggrandizement, or financial gain or for vicarious satisfaction. It is unforgivable! Ms. Kalvaria has done amazing research in writing this book to bring this all too common behavior to our attention. I highly recommend this book to all parents and children, and of course it is a must read for all tennis junkies. This author really knows her tennis. I can't wait for the movie!!!!

As a former competitive tennis player, I think this book truly captures the emotions of not only the tennis player but the parents. Lots of twists and turns and the story continues to entertain. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in an entertaining, but realistic story of world class junior athletes.