Backhanded Compliments By Katie Chandler Book Review

I will be honest, Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler grabbed my attention right away. If you like sapphic romance with sports, you will enjoy this book. The tennis rivalry and soulmate idea seem new. LGBTQ+ stories like this are very popular now, especially with young readers, and I understand why.

Key Takeaways

Backhanded Compliments is a new sapphic romance.
It mixes tennis rivalry with a magical soulmate bond. This mix keeps readers interested.
The story has real and relatable characters. They grow emotionally and face honest struggles.
This makes the romance feel real and touching.
Katie Chandler’s writing has fast sports action and special moments.
She also shows important LGBTQ+ themes and different experiences.

Overview

Premise

I love when a book hooks me right from the start. Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler does just that. The story follows a classic structure, but with a twist. Here’s how it plays out:

The book opens with a tense tennis match that sets up the rivalry.
An inciting incident throws the two main characters together, forcing them to face their feelings and their competition.
Tension rises as both women struggle with their growing connection and the pressure of the sport.
The climax hits during a high-stakes tournament, where everything comes to a head.
The story wraps up with a resolution that feels both satisfying and true to the characters.

I found myself rooting for both leads, even when their choices made me want to yell at the page.

Setting

The tennis courts feel so real, I could almost smell the fresh-cut grass and hear the squeak of sneakers. The book sprinkles in details about the tournaments, locker rooms, and travel schedules. These little touches make the world feel lived-in. The setting isn’t just a backdrop—it shapes the characters’ lives and their relationship.

The story moves between different cities, giving a sense of the grind and excitement of pro sports.
Local customs and traditions pop up, adding flavor and depth.

Main Characters

The two leads are what kept me turning pages late at night. Their personalities jump off the page:

One is fierce and driven, always chasing the next win.
The other is more reserved, but her quiet strength surprised me.
Their dialogue feels sharp and real, with plenty of banter and backhanded compliments (pun intended).
Side characters add humor and help show different sides of the main duo.

Watching their relationship shift from rivals to something deeper left me gasping more than once.

Themes

Soulmate Trope

Katie Chandler does something new with the soulmate trope. In Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler, the main characters feel a strong connection right away. It seems like fate wants them to be together. This made me think of stories where people just know they belong, like Bella and Edward in Twilight or Kai and Cinder in the Lunar Chronicles.

The book uses that “meant to be” feeling but changes it a bit. The characters can sense each other’s feelings and thoughts. This makes their bond feel magical and real at the same time. I wanted them to end up together, even when things got tough.

The soulmate idea here is not just about love. It is also about understanding and accepting someone, even with their flaws.

Sports Rivalry

The tennis rivalry in this book is very exciting. Every match feels like a big fight, not just for a trophy but for respect. I liked how the competition helped both women grow as people. Their rivalry is not just about winning. It is also about learning to trust and open up. The tension from the court follows them into their personal lives. This makes every scene feel important.

The matches are exciting and move quickly.
The rivalry shows both the good and bad sides of the leads.
Their jokes and backhanded compliments add humor and energy.

Speculative Elements

Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler surprised me with some magical twists. The story uses ideas you might see in shows like Black Mirror. It mixes real life with just enough magic to keep things fun. The psychic link between the leads adds suspense. I liked how the book asks big questions about fate and choice but still keeps the story fun and romantic.

Sometimes the story changes, like in a movie or TV show.
The magical parts make you think about what it means to really know someone.

Writing Style

Tone

Katie Chandler uses a friendly and sharp tone in this book. The main characters joke with each other in a way that feels real. Their jokes are funny but do not feel forced. There are many positive words, so the story feels happy.

Even when things get tense, the mood stays upbeat. People often look at tone by counting good and bad words. This book has more good words than bad ones. The author keeps the story light but still talks about hard feelings.

The tone made me think of J.K. Rowling’s mix of fun and serious, but it feels more modern.

Author	Diction Description	Tone Description	Syntax Description
J.K. Rowling	Simple yet magical word choice, unique terms	Adventurous, shifts between lighthearted and dark themes	Mix of short and long sentences to control pacing
Ernest Hemingway	Simple, straightforward vocabulary	Serious and reflective	Short, direct sentences creating urgency
F. Scott Fitzgerald	Elegant, rich with metaphors and symbolism	Reflective, sometimes melancholic	Longer, flowing sentences creating a dreamy mood

Emotional Depth

Chandler does a great job showing emotional depth. The characters do not just tell us how they feel. They show it through their actions. I could feel the tension when they argued. I also felt the warmth in their quiet times together. Small things, like a shaky hand or a long pause, show what they feel inside.

The emotional parts always feel real.
I cared about both main characters, even when they made mistakes.
The book follows rules for showing emotion: sympathy, change, and real reactions.

Modern Touches

Chandler’s writing feels new and fresh. She uses modern literary techniques that make the story special:

Scenes change quickly, so the story moves fast.
The way people talk sounds like real life today.
The story uses digital mixed methods and scalable reading, which help readers who want fast action and deeper meaning.

Readers like these modern touches. Many reviews say it is easy to get into the story. People also say the book feels up-to-date. That is a big win for a romance novel.

Characters

Protagonists

Chandler did a great job making the two main characters feel real. One is full of energy and wants to win every game. The other is quiet but strong in her own way. Their different personalities make their friendship interesting.

I watched how they changed as the story went on, almost like a teacher checking a chart. I saw how each tennis match and talk helped them grow. The bold one learns to share her feelings. The quiet one learns to speak up. Their changes feel natural and not rushed.

Grade Level	Character Development Focus	Evidence of Character Growth
3rd Grade	Map character evolution; analyze how plot events impact character; write responses	Concrete analysis of character growth over time

Relationship Dynamic

Their friendship pulled me in right away. The way they talk is sometimes funny, sometimes gentle. This shows they care about each other. I noticed how often they talked and what they said. Their talks start as jokes but turn into real talks about hopes and worries. This change made their bond feel true.

They talk a lot and share important things.
Their jokes turn into honest talks.
Both girls show their true feelings at different times.

I wanted them to do well, even when things got hard. Their friendship felt like real life—sometimes easy, sometimes tough, but always worth watching.

Side Characters

The side characters in Backhanded Compliments make the story better. They are not just there for show. Each one helps move the story or adds a surprise. Some are funny, some make things harder, and some bring drama that shocked me.

They help or challenge the main girls, making every part matter.
Their mistakes make them seem real and easy to understand.
Even with less story, they feel important.

The side characters do what good friends in stories should do. They help the main girls grow, cause problems, and sometimes take the spotlight. I liked how their choices made the main characters change, making the whole book more interesting.

Plot

Pacing

I’ll be honest, I read Backhanded Compliments way past my bedtime. The pacing kept me flipping pages, even when I promised myself “just one more chapter.” Chandler balances fast tennis matches with slower, thoughtful scenes. I noticed how the story uses short, punchy sentences during matches, which made my heart race.

Then, after a big game, the book slows down. The characters talk, reflect, and let me catch my breath. This rhythm feels natural. It reminds me of how a good movie mixes action with quiet moments.

Short scenes build tension and excitement.
Longer, reflective scenes let me connect with the characters.
Cliffhangers at the end of chapters made it hard to stop reading.

Key Scenes

Certain moments in this book really stand out. The opening tennis match sets the stage and pulls me right in. The first time the leads share their psychic connection, I felt a chill. The big tournament near the end? Absolutely pulse-pounding. Chandler follows a classic story arc:

Exposition: We meet the rivals and see their world.
Rising action: Tension grows with each match and secret revealed.
Climax: The final showdown on the court had me gasping.
Resolution: The ending ties up loose ends and gives closure.

Every key scene pushes the story forward. Nothing feels wasted.

Weaknesses

To be fair, not every part worked for me. Sometimes, the pacing stumbles. A few scenes drag, especially when the characters overthink their feelings. I wanted more from some side plots, which felt rushed or unfinished.

Some transitions between cities felt abrupt.
A couple of emotional moments got lost in the action.
The speculative twist could have used more explanation.

Still, the plot mostly kept me hooked, even when I rolled my eyes at a few slow spots.

Representation

LGBTQ+ Focus

I noticed right away that Backhanded Compliments puts LGBTQ+ characters front and center. This isn’t just a romance with two women—it’s a story that really cares about what it means to be queer today. I saw the characters deal with real issues, not just cute flirting or drama for drama’s sake. The book touches on things like:

Mental health challenges that LGBTQ+ people often face, like stress from feeling different or dealing with unfair treatment.
The story doesn’t shy away from showing how hard it can be to find support, but it also gives hope.
I liked how the author included moments where the characters talk about their identities and what that means for them.
The book even hints at the need for better sexual health education and more open conversations, which I rarely see in sports romance.

I have to give props to Chandler for making the characters feel seen and heard. It felt honest, not forced.

Diversity

Diversity in this book goes beyond just who the main characters love. I saw different backgrounds, personalities, and even family situations. The author brings up intersectionality, which means some characters deal with more than one kind of challenge. For example:

Some side characters face both cultural and identity struggles.
The story shows how teachers and coaches sometimes don’t know enough about LGBTQ+ issues, which felt real to me.
I noticed the book talks about the need for more inclusive education—not just for the main characters, but for everyone.

This mix of voices made the story richer. I felt like I was reading about real people, not just characters in a romance.

Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler: Recommendation

Strengths

I have to give props to Katie Chandler for writing a book that made me stay up way too late. Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler has some real strengths that made it stand out from other romance novels I’ve read.

Unique Blend: The mix of tennis rivalry, soulmate magic, and sapphic romance felt fresh. I haven’t seen this combo before.
Real Characters: Both leads felt like people I could meet in real life. Their flaws made them easy to root for.
Emotional Honesty: The book didn’t shy away from tough feelings. I felt every win, loss, and awkward moment.
Representation: LGBTQ+ readers will see themselves in these pages. The story doesn’t just add diversity for show—it feels honest.
Fast Pacing: The tennis matches and quick scene changes kept me hooked. I couldn’t put it down, even when I knew I should sleep.

If you want a romance that feels both magical and real, this book delivers.

Weaknesses

To be fair, not everything worked for me. Even a book that kept me flipping pages has a few weak spots.

Speculative Elements: The psychic connection idea sometimes felt rushed. I wanted more explanation or deeper world-building.
Side Plots: Some storylines with side characters felt unfinished. I wished for more closure.
Pacing Issues: A few scenes dragged, especially when the characters got stuck in their own heads.
Abrupt Transitions: The jumps between cities and tournaments sometimes left me confused about where the action was happening.

I found myself skimming a couple of chapters, hoping the story would get back to the main rivalry.

Final Verdict

Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler surprised me in the best way. I laughed, I rooted for the leads, and I even got a little teary during the final match. The book isn’t perfect, but its heart and honesty shine through. If you love sports romance, sapphic stories, or just want something a little different, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Best for: Fans of LGBTQ+ romance, readers who like sports settings, and anyone who wants a soulmate story with a twist.
Not for: Readers who want deep world-building or slow-burn romance.

I closed the book feeling happy for the characters and wishing I could watch their next match. That’s a win in my book.

I stayed up way too late with Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler. The tennis rivalry, soulmate twist, and honest LGBTQ+ focus made it stand out.

I laughed, rooted for the leads, and felt every win.
If you want a fresh sapphic romance, give this one a shot.
Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Backhanded Compliments a good pick for teens?

Absolutely! I think teens who love sports, romance, and LGBTQ+ stories will connect with this book. The tennis rivalry and soulmate twist kept me hooked.