Mighty Mille Novak by Elizabeth Holden

Release: August 20th, 2024

Format: Ebook
Publisher: ‎ Flux Books
Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
Find it at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Social anxiety, her parents’ divorce, and tumultuous friendships won’t stop Millie’s pursuit of what she wants–in roller derby and in love. But her own lies might…

Sixteen-year-old Millie Novak is stuck in an “if only” rut. If only she were stronger and faster, maybe her roller derby teammates would take her seriously. If only she had the guts to go back to in-person learning, maybe she’d have a social life. And If only she wasn’t such an awkward mess, maybe she could get the attention of that cute girl on the all-star derby team. And don’t get her started on her family!

After the one-two punch of her beloved older brother’s departure for college and her parents’ overdue split, leaving her lonelier than ever, Millie decides it’s time to reinvent herself. With the help of her new friend Pumpkin and a little bit of deceit, Millie crafts a plan to cement her status on the team and get her crush to fall for her.

But reinvention isn’t easy. Millie’s constantly shown up by show-off teammate Stork, and the only way she can get her crush’s attention is through increasingly elaborate lies. Worse, she begins to suspect Pumpkin is not the supportive friend she’d imagined. Toughest to handle? Realizing the person she’s in love with might not be her longtime crush, after all.

Content Warning: references to past bullying, references to a parent who is a hoarder

About the Author:

Elizabeth Holden (she/her) is a writer, a physics teacher, a travel company owner, an X-Files podcast host, and an avid roller derby player.

She believes the ideal conditions in which to write a novel are in the dining car of a train traveling through the Alps, with a pot of tea beside you–though she does most of her writing at her home in Wisconsin.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Mighty Mille Novak Review:

I enjoyed *Mighty Millie Novak* for its relatable and well-developed characters. Millie, the lead, stood out with her insecurities, and I could easily connect with her. While some of her traits could be frustrating at times, the author did a great job explaining them and showing how Millie worked to overcome them once she understood their root causes. I also became a fan of Stork, who brought so much energy to the story.

One of the strengths of this book is how it tackles the challenges that arise when shared interests between friends start to fade, and how friendships can change over time. I wasn’t too fond of Millie’s friend, Pumpkin. Initially, she seemed alright, but as the story progressed, she viewed Millie more as a follower than a true friend. Moreover, Millie’s mistakes stemmed from her desperation to maintain the friendship, even though she didn’t have much experience navigating such relationships.

Also, I liked how the author incorporated the romance. The romance subplot was sweet, and it’s nice how the author doesn’t make it the book’s main focus. *Mighty Millie Novak* is more about coming of age and personal growth; the romance adds a nice touch to Millie’s journey.

However, I wish the author had provided more details about the roller derby rules. My knowledge of the sport was essential, so some terms were initially confusing. It also took me some time to keep track of all the characters due to their nicknames.

Overall, *Mighty Millie Novak* was a fun read that offered a heartfelt friendship, growth, and self-discovery story.