Riley Gaines is such an inspirational woman. Riley has been named so many names, verbally assaulted, physically assaulted, but there's one thing she will NEVER do, back down from speaking the truth. There's only TWO genders, male and female, males shouldn't be competing in women's sports, clear as that. I stand and support Riley 100%. Stand your ground, Riley and never back down from.the haters.

THANK YOU TO NETAGLLEY AND CENTER STREET FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was a wonderful book and I throughly enjoyed it.

Riley is one brave woman. Standing up for what is right even when the world has a completely different view.

Our world has completely shifted and it’s honestly scary how much it has changed.

A lot of our rights are being taken away to make others feel more comfortable. We have to be super careful about what we’re saying so we don’t offend.

It’s terrifying and I give Riley credit for doing what is right even when it’s hard, even when it’s uncomfortable.

I can’t wait for more people to read this book and feel advocated for especially as a woman.

Keep standing up for what is right, Riley. You’re doing wonderful 🤍

I enjoy sports biography books, and when I saw a new swimming book by Riley Gaines, I was curious to read it

Gaines had a successful career in DI swimming at the University of Kentucky. As an avid swimmer who always competed in other team sports while swimming my entire life, I’ve always had great appreciation for competitive swimmers who had the dedication and drive for those early morning killer workouts.

Gaines’ story took on a modern twist when, following a spectacular junior year, she was eager to clinch NCAA victory in her sprint specialties in her senior year – only to find an entirely new entry to the competition. Lia Thomas was a mediocre longer distance swimmer on the men’s team at Penn, one who never qualified for NCAA championships in three years of competition. But when he switched to the women’s team, he quickly shot to the tippety-top of the NCAA charts, nationwide, in both distance and sprinting. Weird, right?

Here’s where the story gets interesting, as we get Gaines’ inside view on how the NCAA bullied and silenced women athletes who called out the humongous elephant in the room if these elite women athletes refused to go along with The Narrative.

This is a book where the badge of honor is how many one-star reviews it garners from people who proudly proclaim “I’d never read such a TerribleHorribleNoGoodVeryBad Book.” A very interesting book, with a fascinating insider’s perspective – and a timely chronicle of one woman’s fight to protect women’s sports.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

I was so excited to receive this ARC. I have been following the story of Riley Gaines and everything she had to endure as a collegiate swimmer. This book shared more in depth stories and emotions than I had heard previously. She is a strong, brave woman and I am glad she is advocating for the rest of us that have worked so hard to compete athletically

I have followed Riley Gaines for several years on social media. I was excited that Net Galley and Center Street Publishing gave me the opportunity to read this ARC. Riley Gaines did a great job telling about the struggles women face in today's sports. It's nice to see that she’s bringing awareness to women that are having to compete against others in an unfair advantage.

I’ve always been pro “love” and “self acceptance”. This book opened my eyes to the downsides of trans gender athletes specifically when it comes to women’s sports. I understand her point and could feel her passion the entire book. It was well researched, and full of evidence to not only support her point but to hammer home how important this issue is to the future of women’s sports. I also love that she explicitly states she wants trans gender individuals to feel accepted in the sport, and doesn’t want to create a third category of segregation. Takes a strong woman to fight for what’s best for both parties.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Riley Gaines did a nice job with Swimming Against the Current. I have followed her story for quite some time. Riley is a brave and strong woman who does a great job of just telling it like it is and like she says, the truth hurts. Riley is an inspiration for young girls and women alike.

This was so good. For someone who I’m pretty sure has never written a book before it was done so well. I love Riley and have been following her story for a while know. I love and appreciate how brave she is to speak out and against this topic and stand up for real women everywhere. She is not hateful at all and does such a good job of getting her message across in a way that is logical and not attacking anybody. The truth is there is male and female. The truth is that women can’t compete with men in sports. That’s why there’s two different divisions and it is not fair to the women who have worked incredibly hard their whole lives for mediocre men to be allowed to come in and steal their thunder. There’s nothing wrong or hateful about that. Riley is 100% correct when she says that sometimes the truth hurts but it is needed and telling the truth is loving. You don’t truly care for someone if you lie to them and let them lie to themselves. We need more young women like Riley to speak out and fight back to show the left that people like her are not the minority. I am so inspired by Riley and truly grateful for all that she has done for women and the world. The book was tremendous and I hope people read it and can see how her side is really the only side. What was done to her and other female athletes is not okay and needs to be stopped. She stood up for herself and others and now the world and definitely other women need to stand up for her and all the future female athletes who will have to deal with the terrible consequences if we don’t.

I particular enjoyed the opening paragraphs about feminism, and how she wouldn’t have thought of herself as a feminist a few years ago. I would find myself in a similar boat. Riley writes very bravely, and I’m happy to have gotten the chance to read this book.

This was a great book. It was very informative and it shown a light on the problems in women’s sports today. I would highly recommend this book.

Special thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. In her book, 'Swimming Against the Current,' Riley Gaines proves to me that she is a brave and strong young woman who is speaking out and helping advocate for the rights of women. As a High School softball coach and mother of two teenage athletes, I found her book extremely frightening and concerning as it relates to women's rights and safety. The book was well thought out and while I found much of the factual information boring, felt it was necessary to be included. Bravo to you, Riley for standing up for what you believe in and being an empowering voice for women.

I read this book cover to cover, and I must admit that I cheered for Ms. Gaines all the way through. Finally, there's someone with their head screwed on right. You just keep telling them like it is, Riley. I fully support you. Riley Gaines for President (but she's too smart for that).

I don't usually star-rate memoirs, but NetGalley makes you, so I'm just giving it a middle-of-the-road three stars because I don't think one can accurately rate someone's life story.

I've been following Riley Gaines' story and this debate about athletes for a while as someone who works in news and politics, and so this book brought nothing new to the table because it is the same talking points and stories that she and many others have already said. Yes, the book does tell more from her perspective and more background on her but that is all. Is Riley passionate about the topic? yes, and you can see it in her writing but passion doesn't always make a good argument or story. I think the book lacks the nuances and understanding of the complexities of this debate. I think it was an interesting memoir to read but I don't think it added anything to her stories or the debate because it has been said before by her or others and there is also a lack of understanding or seeing the argument from the other side.

A great, thoughtful, common sense book regarding the uphill battle women face trying to protect privacy and rights.
Author Gaines wrote a powerful book regarding what it is like to be a female and have an intact male invade very private areas that were once believed to be a safe space for women.
This book is also testament to what happens when one has goals and plans and is on the path to fulfilling those dreams, but someone/something thwarts their progress, and they must pivot and give up that dream.
Ms. Gaines is getting much backlash now, however, I believe, if history is honest regarding this subject, Ms. Gaines will no doubt, be accepted and lauded much as Rosa Parks is now.