Scan barcode
shelleyann01's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story of dance marathons during the depression. I loved the feeling of time and place, both in Chicago and Houston, the descriptions were very well done. I really appreciated the romantic side of the story, even if it was only one way. It was sweet without being saccharine and it didn't take over the entire plot. I liked learning about The Great Depression itself as well, usually it's all about The Dust Bowl so I found this to be very unique that way. This book is such a refreshing take on that time in history. I did find that there were a lot of minor characters that we don't learn enough about and I found that very frustrating. But the story sucked me in, I did care for the main characters and the writing style was one I really loved and i would read this author again...so I am rounding up.
With many thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Bird and St. Martin's Press for the giving of the ARC.
I really enjoyed this story of dance marathons during the depression. I loved the feeling of time and place, both in Chicago and Houston, the descriptions were very well done. I really appreciated the romantic side of the story, even if it was only one way. It was sweet without being saccharine and it didn't take over the entire plot. I liked learning about The Great Depression itself as well, usually it's all about The Dust Bowl so I found this to be very unique that way. This book is such a refreshing take on that time in history. I did find that there were a lot of minor characters that we don't learn enough about and I found that very frustrating. But the story sucked me in, I did care for the main characters and the writing style was one I really loved and i would read this author again...so I am rounding up.
With many thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Bird and St. Martin's Press for the giving of the ARC.
maryreadstoomuch's review against another edition
3.0
Genre: historical fiction, women's fiction
Pub date: 4/12/22
In one sentence: Evie Devlin has worked 3 years to be a nurse, but when her dream is denied, she finds herself swept into the world of 1920s/30s dance marathons and the arms of star dancer Zave.
I requested this book on a whim due to the beautiful cover, but I really liked following Evie's journey. She's so determined to become a nurse, but she refuses to give up when things don't go her way. I enjoyed seeing her find her way to the dance marathons, becoming a popular character as the nurse who steals the lead dancer's heart. I hadn't heard about this Depression-era entertainment, so it was a whole new world for me. In addition to the dance marathon and nursing plots, Zave has his own secrets, and Evie's BFF Sofie's work with a leading psychiatrist adds to the drama. There's a lot going on in this book, and I can see why some reviewers wanted to see a more focused narrative. 3.5 stars.
Trigger warnings: This book contains somewhat graphic depictions of child sexual abuse and anti-gay violence.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 4/12/22
In one sentence: Evie Devlin has worked 3 years to be a nurse, but when her dream is denied, she finds herself swept into the world of 1920s/30s dance marathons and the arms of star dancer Zave.
I requested this book on a whim due to the beautiful cover, but I really liked following Evie's journey. She's so determined to become a nurse, but she refuses to give up when things don't go her way. I enjoyed seeing her find her way to the dance marathons, becoming a popular character as the nurse who steals the lead dancer's heart. I hadn't heard about this Depression-era entertainment, so it was a whole new world for me. In addition to the dance marathon and nursing plots, Zave has his own secrets, and Evie's BFF Sofie's work with a leading psychiatrist adds to the drama. There's a lot going on in this book, and I can see why some reviewers wanted to see a more focused narrative. 3.5 stars.
Trigger warnings: This book contains somewhat graphic depictions of child sexual abuse and anti-gay violence.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
jacquie62's review against another edition
5.0
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier
Sarah Bird
Release date: 11 Apr 2022
Synopsis:
"Set during the Great Depression, Sarah Bird's Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a novel about one woman—and a nation—struggling to be reborn from the ashes.
July 3, 1932. Shivering and in shock, Evie Grace Devlin watches the Starlite Palace burn into the sea and wonders how she became a person who would cause a man to kill himself. She’d come to Galveston to escape a dark past in vaudeville and become a good person, a nurse. When that dream is cruelly thwarted, Evie is swept into the alien world of dance marathons. All that she has been denied—a family, a purpose, even love—waits for her there in the place she dreads most: the spotlight.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a sweeping novel that brings to spectacular life the enthralling worlds of both dance marathons and the family-run empire of vice that was Galveston in the Thirties. Unforgettable characters tell a story that is still deeply resonant today as America learns what Evie learns, that there truly isn’t anything this country can’t do when we do it together. That indomitable spirit powers a story that is a testament to the deep well of resilience in us all that allows us to not only survive the hardest of hard times, but to find joy, friends, and even family, in them."
Review:
I loved this book!! Highly recommend - definitely 5 stars!! Great characters, fantastic storyline, beautifully written tale!
Galveston - vaudeville - The Depression - nursing school - Houston - dance marathons - West Texas - Dust Bowl - Chicago - Prohibition - Capones - mother/daughter issues - "reversing sexual inversion" - Hoover & FDR - nuns - "silver showers" - resilience
My only quibble would be: how & when did these dance marathons end? It would have been nice to read how long an actual marathon went - how many days were these poor souls holding each other up? Did the "regulars" always win the marathons?
I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Sarah Bird
Release date: 11 Apr 2022
Synopsis:
"Set during the Great Depression, Sarah Bird's Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a novel about one woman—and a nation—struggling to be reborn from the ashes.
July 3, 1932. Shivering and in shock, Evie Grace Devlin watches the Starlite Palace burn into the sea and wonders how she became a person who would cause a man to kill himself. She’d come to Galveston to escape a dark past in vaudeville and become a good person, a nurse. When that dream is cruelly thwarted, Evie is swept into the alien world of dance marathons. All that she has been denied—a family, a purpose, even love—waits for her there in the place she dreads most: the spotlight.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a sweeping novel that brings to spectacular life the enthralling worlds of both dance marathons and the family-run empire of vice that was Galveston in the Thirties. Unforgettable characters tell a story that is still deeply resonant today as America learns what Evie learns, that there truly isn’t anything this country can’t do when we do it together. That indomitable spirit powers a story that is a testament to the deep well of resilience in us all that allows us to not only survive the hardest of hard times, but to find joy, friends, and even family, in them."
Review:
I loved this book!! Highly recommend - definitely 5 stars!! Great characters, fantastic storyline, beautifully written tale!
Galveston - vaudeville - The Depression - nursing school - Houston - dance marathons - West Texas - Dust Bowl - Chicago - Prohibition - Capones - mother/daughter issues - "reversing sexual inversion" - Hoover & FDR - nuns - "silver showers" - resilience
My only quibble would be: how & when did these dance marathons end? It would have been nice to read how long an actual marathon went - how many days were these poor souls holding each other up? Did the "regulars" always win the marathons?
I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
ksbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy to review!
July 1932. Height of the Great Depression. Evie is trying to escape her past, but it seems to always be catching up with her. As a result, she falls in with a character named Zane and a crew on the dance marathon circuit, which is exactly where she didn't want to be. But this time, she decides to stay.
I completely binged this book; read it in a day. Probably less than a day. Evie's character really touched my heart, and I loved watching her grow in her confidence, abilities, and love for others. Zane's character was misunderstood, and yet he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Both Evie and Zane wanted to be loved and accepted for who they were without reservations. The dance marathon/vaudeville-esque setting was also fun and unique. I don't think I've ever read a book with that setting before. It sounds like a rough life. Especially during the Depression.
One of the reasons I think I enjoyed this book so much is because I too am a dancer. Pre-pandemic I spent countless hours perfecting vintage swing dances like Lindy Hop and Balboa. There were some obvious {to me} dance references that were really fun - including jokes on “the pretzel” (iykyk - just don't). Evie's character grows so much, and her experiences are still applicable today. I greatly enjoyed this fun, quick read and think that others who enjoy historical fiction will, too.
CW: language, abuse, rape, lobotomy, suicide
July 1932. Height of the Great Depression. Evie is trying to escape her past, but it seems to always be catching up with her. As a result, she falls in with a character named Zane and a crew on the dance marathon circuit, which is exactly where she didn't want to be. But this time, she decides to stay.
I completely binged this book; read it in a day. Probably less than a day. Evie's character really touched my heart, and I loved watching her grow in her confidence, abilities, and love for others. Zane's character was misunderstood, and yet he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Both Evie and Zane wanted to be loved and accepted for who they were without reservations. The dance marathon/vaudeville-esque setting was also fun and unique. I don't think I've ever read a book with that setting before. It sounds like a rough life. Especially during the Depression.
One of the reasons I think I enjoyed this book so much is because I too am a dancer. Pre-pandemic I spent countless hours perfecting vintage swing dances like Lindy Hop and Balboa. There were some obvious {to me} dance references that were really fun - including jokes on “the pretzel” (iykyk - just don't). Evie's character grows so much, and her experiences are still applicable today. I greatly enjoyed this fun, quick read and think that others who enjoy historical fiction will, too.
CW: language, abuse, rape, lobotomy, suicide
meaghanreadshfx's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved Last Dance on the Starlight Pier, its an excellent Depression era historical fiction about dance marathons. Its an excellent read that is really enthralling and wonderful to read!
More...