by Chris Cleave
First published 2012
Kate Argall grips her handlebars as she watches her longtime friend Zoe Castle circle the velodrome. The two track cyclists have shared victories and defeats throughout their careers, betraying and forgiving each other in equal measure. Now the 2012 London Olympics approach, and their friendship faces its greatest challenge yet. Kate's eight-year-old daughter Sophie battles a serious illness while both women train under coach Tom's guidance. The competition will force impossible choices. Kate and Zoe must decide what they're willing to sacrifice for friendship when it means giving up what matters most. Chris Cleave crafts a story where four adults confront questions that have no easy answers. The velodrome becomes a stage where personal loyalty collides with professional ambition, and where the bonds between friends stretch toward their breaking point.
Genres: fiction, drama, contemporary, sports
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: London, Velodrome
Period: 2012
344 pages · Paperback · Prometheus