This is an excellent read! If the premise intrigues you at all, it won’t disappoint. But even if you have no interest in combat sports, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy here. More than anything, Flyweight is a story of discovering your own potential, especially in the face of oppressive social standards. Watching Lucy discover the strength of her body and mind was an inspiring, joyful experience—a great reminder to be everything you are, even if others can’t reconcile the different sides of you.

I thoroughly enjoyed Flyweight. First, I knew nothing about the world of boxing during the post-WW1 period so the book taught me a lot about what it means to be a boxer, not just physically but psychologically as well. Second, the struggle for women to create a place for themselves in what was clearly a "man's sport" was engaging, frustrating, and hopeful. Siobhan's love and commitment to the sport and her desire to show her daughter and Lucy what women can accomplish was something as a reader I could cheer on. Lucy's struggles with the need to leave behind all the social mores that her family had ingrained in her in the face of her new life with Robin will be very familiar to any woman today who has experienced the same. All is well until it is not and the economic and emotional impact to Lucy's family caused by her loss of work when the WW1 vets return coupled with her husband's loss of sight tips her over a cliff for which she is totally unprepared both emotionally and economically. Ellis does a great job of exploring the myriad of emotions Lucy must master as well as the physical burdens she must shoulder to ensure her family's survival as well as her own sense of self. I found her struggles very relatable to any reader, especially women, though the character of Robin is a great role model for the supportive and loving husband who is struggling to overcome his own challenges. I highly recommend this book.

"Flyweight" was a spellbinding story of women boxers and the inequality they face just to get into the ring. Helmmed by two women who dared to dream of something bigger than themselves.

Lucy's story is riveting. Living a rich-to-rags life, Lucy carries the heavy weight of taking care of her family on her shoulders, just barely keeping them financially afloat. As she begins to learn how to box, she discovers a new side of herself outside the parameters society placed her in as just a wife and mother and soft. However, Lucy begins to hesitate the more she gets involved in learning boxing. And yet, despite her hesitancy the more she trains the more resilient she becomes. I love that the story is in her POV alone. How it contrasts with the other characters.

Siobhan is the owner of the boxing club Lucy's husband, Robin, used to train at. Siobhan is an inspiring woman who's passionate about boxing and finding a way for women to be able to box too. She has such unwavering tenacity and eagerness to show the world that women can be boxers and should have the right to compete in such a sport. I liked the friendship that grew between Lucy and Siobhan and how supportive they were for one another. Siobhan's character was the perfect contrast to Lucy's and I think that's why they meshed so well together, almost like sisters.

I love the family dynamic of Lucy's family. This family of three may be poor but that hasn't diminished the true love and joy they exhibit. Lucy has a big heart and deep love for the family she chose. Robin is a good man who is capable despite being blind (an effect of the Great War). And Ellie, their young daughter, is so sweet and happy.

"Flyweight" was a truly remarkable historical fiction novel set after the Great War. The author took such great care and attention to detail while writing this story. I felt immersed in the setting, the characters' lives and perseverance—you really feel for the main characters and their struggles—and the adversity of women in boxing. I highly recommend reading "Flyweight."

Thanks again to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!