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Balancing Act by Paula Chase

Balancing Act

Balancing Act

Paula Chase

St. Martin's Press · Print & ebook · October 21, 2025

A Sweet Valley High for a new generation, a dishy, dazzling YA drama set against the backdrop of an elite charter school where stars are made—or fade.

Contemporary YA RomanceBasketballSports StoriesYoung Adult
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RomanceContemporarySports
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Who it’s for
A tight, character-first read with enough edge for staging and a steady pull for immersion.
Genres
Sports Stories, Contemporary YA Romance, Basketball
Published
St. Martin's Press, October 21, 2025

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About this book

A Sweet Valley High for a new generation, a dishy, dazzling YA drama set against the backdrop of an elite charter school where stars are made—or fade. When Chyna gets a scholarship to the newest, most prestigious sports school in the city, it’s the best opportunity to do the gymnastics she loves. But between caring for her ailing mother and dealing with the elitist girls on her gymnastics team, she’s not sure she belongs.

Continue reading

Meanwhile, Jamaal is reeling from the death of his brother—who was also secretly Chyna’s boyfriend. Becoming star of the Power Panthers basketball team is his way to honor his brother’s memory and nothings going to stand in his way. Not even his health. Filled with gossip, high-stakes sports drama, and tons of heart, BALANCING ACT is the first in a riveting new series about teens fighting for their dreams in a city where picking a side is no game.

Why It Clicks

A tight, character-first read with enough edge for staging and a steady pull for immersion.

Come here for

  • boarding-school dynamics
  • friendship under pressure

Expect

  • teen relationships with real friction
  • mental-health threads in the mix

Where it sits

Sports Stories72%
Contemporary YA Romance52%
Basketball46%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • YA Stories About Girls & Women
  • Boarding School YA
Authors
Paula Chase
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
Published
October 21, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
YA Stories About Girls & Women