Review#18 Frapper comme une fille :punch:

Summary

Frapper comme une fille is a powerful novel that follows Jade, a Vietnamese teenager adopted by French parents. Her life is turned upside down one night when she is assaulted by two racist men. Deeply shaken by the attack, she feels lost and powerless. That's when her energetic best friend Andrea introduces her to freestyle combat, a street sport that mixes various martial arts. Through this new discipline, Jade finds an outlet—a way to channel her anger, rebuild her confidence, and begin healing. At the same time, Jade slowly grows closer to Simon, a boy of Vietnamese descent like her. As they spend time together, their bond deepens. They discover each other, explore their shared cultural roots, and face the weight of their pasts together.

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Review

Frapper comme une fille is a touching, powerful, and deeply inspiring novel. Yves-Marie Clément brilliantly tackles important themes like racism, identity, personal healing, as well as friendship, young love, and the empowering force of sport. Jade’s journey is moving—not just a story of physical combat, but one of inner strength, balance, and self-discovery.

The friendship between Jade and Andrea is a true highlight of the book: strong, sincere, and unfiltered. And Jade’s evolving relationship with Simon adds a beautiful layer of hope and tenderness. It’s subtle and real, full of meaningful moments.

And the ending? It leaves you wanting more… in the best way. I truly hope there will be a second book, because I want to know more about Jade’s future, how far she’ll go in freestyle combat—will she become French champion?—and especially how her relationship with Simon will unfold.

P.S.: I’d love to say more, but I don’t want to spoil anything, so out of respect, I’ll stop here.