Alena Dillon’s debut, MERCY HOUSE, dealt with the aftermath of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. Her second novel, THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, is also inspired by true events, in this case the scandal of Larry Nassar --- the doctor who sexually abused dozens of gymnasts and other elite athletes.

In Dillon’s fictional version of the story, the doctor is named Eddie Levett. Sera Wheeler first encounters him when he “treats” her best friend, Lucy, while both are participating in a camp for up-and-coming elite gymnasts. Sera and Lucy have been friends since they both joined an Indianapolis gymnastics club as young girls. Now they both seem to be on a trajectory that could lead to a national championship --- or even the holy grail of the Olympics.

"Dillon’s novel is more than just a ripped-from-the-headlines account. It’s also a well-crafted character study of a young woman who is both driven but very vulnerable."

But as Lucy and Sera advance through their training, Lucy’s relationship with Eddie seems to be driving a wedge between the two friends. At first, Sera is jealous of the special attention and treatment Eddie gives Lucy, especially when Lucy seems to try to deflect any possibility of having Eddie, the team’s elite medical specialist, examine Sera even after accidents and injuries. Over time, however, as rumors start to arise about Eddie’s inappropriate touching during exams, Sera reluctantly comes to realize that Lucy might have been trying to protect her by shielding her from the insecurities and physical ailments from his “treatments.”

When Lucy speaks out against Eddie, Sera fails to back up her friend because she fears the repercussions and rejections she has seen other girls receive who dared to oppose the gymnastics powers that be. Risking her gymnastics career could mean losing her greatest dream, one shared by her mother, her coach and seemingly countless others. Once Sera disappoints Lucy, she becomes doubly committed not to disappoint anyone else en route to her Olympic aspirations.

THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, full of cameos by real-life (and thinly veiled versions of real-life) gymnastics personalities, offers a behind-the-scenes imagination of what it was like to live through a notorious scandal. But Dillon’s novel is more than just a ripped-from-the-headlines account. It’s also a well-crafted character study of a young woman who is both driven but very vulnerable. And it’s the story of two foundational relationships --- those between Sera and Lucy and between Sera and her mother, Charlene.

Sera’s narration is punctuated by chapters from Charlene’s point of view. Her gradual realization of her (over-) investment in Sera’s gymnastics career, as well as her belated acknowledgment of her own culpability, offers another interesting glimpse at the evolution of a flawed but fascinating character.