This book is easily one of my favourite contemporary read this year. I love love LOVE every bit of it because I felt like I was reading an alternate universe version of myself. Well... it's something that I would like to be if ever that was possible. 
 I never really heard of Paula Stokes before, I just saw this book on display at my local bookstore and the first thing that I saw was the title "Girl Against The Universe" and I laughed to myself because I'm the type of person that would always say "the world hates me" or the "universe isn't my best friend". Not that I'm fully pessimistic on life but I can be... sometimes. But anyways, naturally the title caught my attention. The other important thing that I noticed was the cover, it was a freaking tennis court so I assumed that the main character is a tennis player. Obviously. 
 Side note: I'm into tennis. I have been playing the sport for 7 almost 8 years now. I don't compete but tennis is definitely my kind of sport that it's safe to say to call it my life. I'm happy when I play and I'm more confident when I'm on the court. 
 To have a YA book focus on the sport itself, I was completely sold! And I'm really happy about the outcome of this book because it exceeded my expectations and eventually, the story somehow meant a lot to me. I will definitely be reading more of Paula's works in the future. 
 Right then on to the plot; Girl Against The Universe is definitely something very unique for me. It's not the generic contemporary book. It has certain issues that make it appealing to different people; whether you like contemporary or not, the story itself could change someone's life. 
 Another side note: I know that there are groups of readers out there that are against mental illness being romanticized in books especially YA. I learnt about this when there was shade being thrown at Jennifer Niven's "All The Bright Places" and "Holding Up The Universe", I won't be talking much about it now but all I have to say is that there are 2 sides to things and when it comes to this issue, I would appreciate it more if people are a tad bit open minded. Just saying. 
 GOING BACK LOL, Paula's writing was honestly really easy to read and I pretty much breezed through the pages. Maguire and Jordy are two people that needed each other but they didn't really realize it in the beginning. I admire the two because as I was reading them, you can't help but put yourself in their shoes. For Maguire's case, what's it like to always worry about other people getting hurt when you're around? Then for Jordy, is it really that hard to stand up for what you want to do in life and gain some sense of control? They didn't know it at first but as the plot progressed, their relationship from friendship to eventually liking each other, was something that they needed. In a way I guess, to snap them back to reality. To their own reality. In terms of character development, it was all pretty good, it's contemporary so nothing was really heavy when it came to dissecting the plot. 
 The only "heavy" part was the past of Maguire, I know for a fact that it's hard to let go of something traumatizing, in her case, it's not easy to constantly have that sense of fear of hurting others. But thankfully surrounding herself with people she can trust and at the same time, doing something good for herself, worked out for her in the end. It wasn't easy though, even when you do your best to live life the way you want it to be, there will always be that one tiny speck that will knock you down and for Maguire it was the car accident with Jordy. 
 Girl Against The Universe taught me a lot, despite the plot twists that happened. It taught me that you can't make the world the way you want it to be. When shit happens, you have to stand up again and work to make things better. It's also important, for me, to find someone that can share your problems with you because you won't win against the universe alone. Appreciate the simple things in your life and live. 
 At the start I didn't fully understand why Jordy needed therapy. Turns out his issue with his parents and their expectations takes out a toll on him. After reading about him, I suddenly had this realization that no matter who people are or what they do with their life, there will always be a side to them that they'll hide. Not that they're ashamed of it or anything but... in Jordy's case, to have his tennis fame in the works, he was slowly figuring out the fact that he was losing his real self and he didn't want that. In a way, I kind of looked up to him, kids and teenagers these days think that they know what they want to be, there's nothing wrong with having goals, in fact it's a good thing; but I hope that they also come to their senses and not lose their real self along the way. 
 This review is getting deeper and deeper I feel like I'm going to have to write a separate journal for this. Lol but anyways, again, I really love this book. Hands down to Paula Stokes. I liked how in the end, Maguire and Jordy found their way back to each other. Trust me when I say this book isn't the cheesy contemporary. 
 Last side note, Jordy was cute and hot for me at the same time here okay because he's the type of guy that will have a funny and cute personality but he'll turn full on beast mode in the tennis court. I WANT ONE. 
 Pick up this book, read it, love it and learn from it.