Twice Victorious

In Twice Victorious, Judith B. Glad introduces readers to the competitive world of racing and proves that even the toughest competitor is not immune to love.

Estelle “Stell” McCray is an amateur cyclist at the top of her form, so good in fact that she is being courted to wear a new line of sportswear. However, when a serious accident forestalls her plans to win the biggest race of the year, will she have a chance at winning something even more valuable?

Adam Vanderhook abhors the world of amateur athletes. He has seen firsthand the damage it can wreak upon lives. He reluctantly approaches Stell about modeling his company’s new clothing line, and soon discovers a woman and athlete like no other.

As Stell confronts the seriousness of her injuries, she must also deal with her budding emotions towards Adam. The feelings they discover rival the passion Stell has for racing, yet when she refuses to give up all she has worked for, can these two find a common ground?

Judith B. Glad has crafted a tale that displays an innate understanding of human nature. The characters of Stell and Adam are wonderfully done and are so realistic that at times this work feels more like reading about two people than two fictional characters. The plot flows well and does not over simplify the demands of competitive racing. Personally, I enjoyed that the author did not gloss over Stell’s injuries or her recovery. Instead, her injuries enhance the reader’s understanding of her dedication and passion for racing. The interaction between Stell and Adam has all the elements of a good relationship. There is friendship, humor, passion, and respect throughout their exchanges. Knowing how opposed their opinions are on Stell’s racing, readers can’t help but be caught up in the story to see if love has a chance. Judith B. Glad is to be applauded for being able to create a wonderful contemporary romance that portrays the main characters realistically while at the same time illustrating that despite human foibles and real-life obstacles, love can be victorious.

Reviewed by: Amanda