The book centers around the protagonist Kareena Thakkar, an Indian-American high school student who lives and breathes Muay Thai, a type of martial art that’s kind of similar to boxing. Quick note: I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley but it didn’t affect my review in any way, shape, or form. Kareena’s bid for the Olympics could very well make history–if she has the courage to go for it. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride–she’ll have to face his parents’ disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Which is inconvenient, since she’s starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world’s most perfect Indian. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse. If only her sport wasn’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. Kareena's bid for the Olympics could very well make history-if she has the courage to go for it.If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously.

Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride-she'll have to face his parents' disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Which is inconvenient, since she's starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world's most perfect Indian. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena's never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.

If only her sport weren't seen as something too rough for girls, something she's afraid to share with anyone outside of her family.

She's landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. A rising star in Muay Thai figures out what (and who) is worth fighting for in this YA debut full of heart.

The Knockout by Sajni Patel