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marilynw's review against another edition
3.0
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird
Evie Grace Devlin had a sad upbringing. After her beloved father died when she was young, Evie was left at the mercy of a cruel, heartless mother. Her parents had made their living through vaudeville performances and once Evie's dad was dead her mother used Evie almost with no restrictions on what Evie was asked to do. If it brought in money, mom was happy to push Evie into darker performances.
At seventeen Evie breaks away and excels at three years of nursing school, in Galveston, only to have her success pulled out from under her on the day of her nursing school graduation. At this point, I feel that Evie had enough confidence building success and time away from her brutally abusive mother that she wouldn't choose crawling back to her mother as her only option but that's what Evie does. Thank goodness, once she's back in Houston, rather than finding her mother, she finds work as a nurse for a dance marathon outfit. Not only does Evie work as a nurse but also fills in as a dancer.
This is 1932 and dance marathons were the rage. The marathons provided food, shelter, and cash prizes in a time when so many people were suffering from few ways to survive during the hard times. I had no idea of the hardships involved in dance marathoning and how much a nurse would be needed to keep contestants on their feet. Dance marathoning was no walk in the park!
As much as I wished the best for Evie, I had trouble staying with the story. Evie makes such rash and unwise decisions that I just stopped caring what would happen next. There is too much to the story, too many characters who come and go, too many things going on, and once again, Evie making decisions that are wrong headed and confounding to me. This book did have me looking further into the dance marathons of the past, which I enjoyed.
Publication: April 12, 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Evie Grace Devlin had a sad upbringing. After her beloved father died when she was young, Evie was left at the mercy of a cruel, heartless mother. Her parents had made their living through vaudeville performances and once Evie's dad was dead her mother used Evie almost with no restrictions on what Evie was asked to do. If it brought in money, mom was happy to push Evie into darker performances.
At seventeen Evie breaks away and excels at three years of nursing school, in Galveston, only to have her success pulled out from under her on the day of her nursing school graduation. At this point, I feel that Evie had enough confidence building success and time away from her brutally abusive mother that she wouldn't choose crawling back to her mother as her only option but that's what Evie does. Thank goodness, once she's back in Houston, rather than finding her mother, she finds work as a nurse for a dance marathon outfit. Not only does Evie work as a nurse but also fills in as a dancer.
This is 1932 and dance marathons were the rage. The marathons provided food, shelter, and cash prizes in a time when so many people were suffering from few ways to survive during the hard times. I had no idea of the hardships involved in dance marathoning and how much a nurse would be needed to keep contestants on their feet. Dance marathoning was no walk in the park!
As much as I wished the best for Evie, I had trouble staying with the story. Evie makes such rash and unwise decisions that I just stopped caring what would happen next. There is too much to the story, too many characters who come and go, too many things going on, and once again, Evie making decisions that are wrong headed and confounding to me. This book did have me looking further into the dance marathons of the past, which I enjoyed.
Publication: April 12, 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
susublb's review against another edition
3.0
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Last Dance on the Starlight Pier. I love the premise of this book. It's about Depression-era Dance Marathons that were all the rage in the 20s and 30s and much of the book is centered in Galveston, a place I haven't read a lot about up until now. I enjoyed the story. That said, I wouldn't count this as great literature or a complex, thought provoking story. It's lightweight and would make a good beach read. It begins with an event that happens much later in the book - to the point that I had to go back and read the first couple of chapters at the end to remember what was described. The story deals with some heavy themes and sometimes meanders. As I got to know the main characters and got a peek into the Dance Marathon scene, the heavy issues - like the Evie's early life as a vaudevillian child performer - reminded me that you don't know what another person is going through, or what they have gone through; you can't tell what a person's life is like at first glance. Several of the characters in the book deal with life challenges that others may not understand or see. Sometimes you have to dig a little, below the surface to understand the decisions people make and to have compassion and empathy for others. When Evie Grace (the main character) first meets Sophie, her hardships are exposed fairly quickly. Sophie doesn't judge Evie, but tries to do anything she can to help her and in the process, becomes a best friend, confidant and someone Evie can truly rely on. Evie hasn't grown up privileged as Sophie has and throughout nursing school and even after, Evie is cut down by various characters for her social standing, her religion (because she's not Catholic) and even because of her past as a child performer. There are heart-warming connections made throughout the book - and there are cringe-worthy moments (like when she encounters her mother and new boyfriend). The ending left me wanting - it was mostly predictable and without giving away too much, seems an unlikely outcome. Evie finally has some semblance of the family she's always wanted and everything seems to get resolved in one way or another. The book is on the long side and although the story could have been told in a much shorter fashion, it was entertaining and almost like a soap opera at times. Some of the storylines seemed to go nowhere and others seemed really interesting. The book was enjoyable without being deep and although it's not among the best books I've read, I was engaged and looked forward to reading the book throughout.
lfinkenkeller's review against another edition
3.0
This book is set in the Great Depression. It is the story of Evie Grace Drake who wants to be nurse. When things don't work out for her, she returns to her roots and finds work as a nurse for marathon dancers. It is here that she begins to find herself among the regular dancers. She is thrust into the spotlight when she helps Zave, the star of the show, survive the sickness of his partner by stepping in and dancing with him.
It was interesting to learn about Marathon Dancing and what the dancers had to endure to perform. It was also interesting to learn how the working man felt about FDR. She tells the reader that workers felt that they had found someone who actually understood their needs.
The theme of accepting people for who they are was much too explicit, and the book was a little too long. Overall, I liked the book, but I didn't love it.
It was interesting to learn about Marathon Dancing and what the dancers had to endure to perform. It was also interesting to learn how the working man felt about FDR. She tells the reader that workers felt that they had found someone who actually understood their needs.
The theme of accepting people for who they are was much too explicit, and the book was a little too long. Overall, I liked the book, but I didn't love it.
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to give this one a good review, but it ultimately fell flat. There were some really good ideas here - I loved the idea of focusing on dance marathons during the Great Depression! - but the plot felt contrived and the ending was too neat and melodramatic. I'm hoping this was just a sophomore slump. Sarah Bird's [b:Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen|37638135|Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen|Sarah Bird|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523454341l/37638135._SX50_.jpg|59225545] was excellent.
kgnade's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced reader copy of Last Dance on the Starlight Pier from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. I also won an advanced reader copy thru a Goodreads giveaway.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird is a story about love- chasing it and unexpectedly finding it. As a child Evie Grace Devlin grew up around the vaudeville circuit. Evie’s father, Denny, was a well known dancer. After Denny’s death, Evie’s cruel mother, Mamie, was always looking to make money quickly , often times at Evie’s expense.
Evie’s dream is to become a nurse, upon graduation Evie is denied her pin when the secrets of her past are revealed. With nowhere to go, Evie ends up back in vaudeville while formulating a plan to get her nursing pin. Evie quickly taken with Zave- a very good looking man who has ties to her father. Soon Evie and Zave are the dancers that everyone is coming to see. In July 1932, an unfortunate incident changes everything, leaving Evie’s heart shattered.
This was a slow moving story filled with great characters- I found myself more interested in the subplots than the main storyline. Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is available today, April 12, 2022.
#sarahbird #lastdanceonthestarlightpier #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #readin2022 #stmartinspress #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic #goodreads #goodreadsgiveaway
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird is a story about love- chasing it and unexpectedly finding it. As a child Evie Grace Devlin grew up around the vaudeville circuit. Evie’s father, Denny, was a well known dancer. After Denny’s death, Evie’s cruel mother, Mamie, was always looking to make money quickly , often times at Evie’s expense.
Evie’s dream is to become a nurse, upon graduation Evie is denied her pin when the secrets of her past are revealed. With nowhere to go, Evie ends up back in vaudeville while formulating a plan to get her nursing pin. Evie quickly taken with Zave- a very good looking man who has ties to her father. Soon Evie and Zave are the dancers that everyone is coming to see. In July 1932, an unfortunate incident changes everything, leaving Evie’s heart shattered.
This was a slow moving story filled with great characters- I found myself more interested in the subplots than the main storyline. Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is available today, April 12, 2022.
#sarahbird #lastdanceonthestarlightpier #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #readin2022 #stmartinspress #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic #goodreads #goodreadsgiveaway
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
shesbecomingbookish's review against another edition
3.0
Evie has been fighting her whole life. Fighting to eat, to get her mother’s affection, to find a way to a better future. So when she manages to get accepted into nursing school she's already prepared for the uphill battle of long shifts, bedpans, exams, and textbooks. What she wasn’t expecting was the constant fear of being found out for who she really is. Will her vaudeville past come to light and corrupt her chances at a future in nursing? And if so, what in the world would she do? She ran out on her mother. And Vaudeville is over. Who would be there to hold her up and force her to just keep dancing?
Great Depression. Vaudevillian heroine. Hot dancer guy. LGBTQIA subplot. This book has a little something for everyone! I enjoyed it thoroughly and have very few complaints really. The writing was super descriptive without shoving it down your throat. I was captivated by the main characters and the idea of the dance marathon (who knew that was a thing). I found myself not wanting to put this down more often than not, which is a good sign in my book. I loved learning about Depression Era Galveston and was reminded a bit of The Four Winds and Blind Tiger while reading this one. Overall, it was a solid new historical fiction. I did think it was a bit too long. There were a few times it felt like the story was dragging a bit and losing momentum, but the author recovered well with a new twist. It read a bit like a YA novel, which isn’t usually my thing, but I can see how/why this one would appeal to young people and those who like a good clean novel. I definitely suggest snagging this from your local library when you get a chance.
Great Depression. Vaudevillian heroine. Hot dancer guy. LGBTQIA subplot. This book has a little something for everyone! I enjoyed it thoroughly and have very few complaints really. The writing was super descriptive without shoving it down your throat. I was captivated by the main characters and the idea of the dance marathon (who knew that was a thing). I found myself not wanting to put this down more often than not, which is a good sign in my book. I loved learning about Depression Era Galveston and was reminded a bit of The Four Winds and Blind Tiger while reading this one. Overall, it was a solid new historical fiction. I did think it was a bit too long. There were a few times it felt like the story was dragging a bit and losing momentum, but the author recovered well with a new twist. It read a bit like a YA novel, which isn’t usually my thing, but I can see how/why this one would appeal to young people and those who like a good clean novel. I definitely suggest snagging this from your local library when you get a chance.
adria_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this because it is a Gulf Coast Reads nomination. I listened to the audio and the narrator is the same one that read Where the Crawfish Sing. It was an interesting look at Galveston's history through the lens of a fictional mob-style family, probably much like the real family that ran Galveston. I didn't know that dance marathons were that popular. The characters were well developed, and the story interesting.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This book was so fascinating! I don't read a lot of books set during the great depression or about dance-athons. I know very little about both so I loved and appreciated the author embracing both and really giving us an inside look. I could feel both the political climate and a bit of menace in the air that went so well with the odd partying and dancing of a dance-off. The main character was odd but I did like her. I'm so glad I gave this one a chance, I really liked it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
beachburgmom's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel, I found it very descriptive and felt like I could feel where everything took place. It was an interesting part of history that I had no idea existed…..set in the 1930’s as the world was entering the depression and we enter the world of the never ending dance off where those who were part of vaudeville put on these shows / competitions to provide entertainment and make a bit of money. I enjoyed the characters and the subject matter regarding the male lead which is also the start of an important part of our history( not wanting to post any spoilers). I found the first 2/3 of the book flowed a bit better and the final 1/3 felt a bit rushed …..still I am glad I picked this one to read.
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
I would recommend this book to friends and my book clubs …..lots of great subject matter to chat about
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
I would recommend this book to friends and my book clubs …..lots of great subject matter to chat about