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hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
The depression was a hard time for most people in the US. While the realities of life were obvious, people still found ways to entertain themselves. In this case, the dance marathons pitted couples against one another to win a cash prize. Looking back, you have to wonder how sane this idea was as some of these marathons lasted months. I can't even imagine being awake that long even with catnaps here and there. I don't know about historical accuracy, but this novel featured "hoofers" or employees in the marathons and typically won, keeping the money in the company or with the promoter. Reading these accounts made me appreciate what people did to ensure their livelihood.
Evie Grace Devlin was no stranger to performing, but her dream was to be a nurse, and she thought she had succeeded when she was accepted into a nursing school in Galveston on a full scholarship. Who knew the head nun would have it out for her and yank that from under her at the last moment? This moment throws Evie back into the theater world via dance marathons as a nurse of sorts. This ragtag group became her family, and I learned a lot about how these marathons worked and to what extent they would help each other just make it through life. When you learn about Evie's life growing up and how her mother treated her, you won't lose any love for that woman. Mamie only cares about herself to the extent of torpedoing her daughter's life.
Zave is a hoofer and has a connection to Evie that she discovers after a short period of time. They form a bond, and Evie thinks he could be her life's great love until she learns something about him. I won't spoil that secret, but it creates tension and issues between the two until they resolve the issue.
This story intrigued me, educated me, and gave me all the feels while reading about lives during the Great Depression. There are even political references since it was the same time that FDR ran against Hoover for President. I enjoyed the various settings, from Houston to Galveston to Litchfield to Chicago. Each represented what was happening in these different areas during the depression, and not all towns were alike.
We give this book 5 paws up.
Evie Grace Devlin was no stranger to performing, but her dream was to be a nurse, and she thought she had succeeded when she was accepted into a nursing school in Galveston on a full scholarship. Who knew the head nun would have it out for her and yank that from under her at the last moment? This moment throws Evie back into the theater world via dance marathons as a nurse of sorts. This ragtag group became her family, and I learned a lot about how these marathons worked and to what extent they would help each other just make it through life. When you learn about Evie's life growing up and how her mother treated her, you won't lose any love for that woman. Mamie only cares about herself to the extent of torpedoing her daughter's life.
Zave is a hoofer and has a connection to Evie that she discovers after a short period of time. They form a bond, and Evie thinks he could be her life's great love until she learns something about him. I won't spoil that secret, but it creates tension and issues between the two until they resolve the issue.
This story intrigued me, educated me, and gave me all the feels while reading about lives during the Great Depression. There are even political references since it was the same time that FDR ran against Hoover for President. I enjoyed the various settings, from Houston to Galveston to Litchfield to Chicago. Each represented what was happening in these different areas during the depression, and not all towns were alike.
We give this book 5 paws up.
bhunsberger's review against another edition
4.0
This story provides a new perspective of life during the Great Depression which was quite interesting to me. Evie has a tough childhood, but turns her life around as she enrolls in nursing school and excels in her studies. More challenges come her way, and she ends up as a nurse for a dance marathon crew. As the marathon experience develops, she eventually finds herself dancing too! I enjoyed learning about the dance marathons that happened during the Depression, and have done a little more research on this topic.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
emmybird86's review against another edition
4.0
You just have to root for Evie the whole time. She had such a hard life growing up and deserves so much more. Her life as a nurse and marathon dancer was so interesting. I just loved the historical aspects of this book. I did not know much about dance marathons during the depression. I had no idea it was even a thing. It was really interesting to read about. It made me google some stuff to learn more.
kristensreadingnook's review against another edition
4.0
“How had I become a person who would cause the man I love to kill himself?”
Set during The Great Depression, Last Dance on the Starlight Pier features Evie Grace Devlin as she runs from her childhood life as a stage performer, working her way through a nursing program, only to find herself back in the spotlight in a dancing competition.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I continually pictured the Gilmore Girls episode where Stars Hollow hosted a 24hr danceathon. This also gave me The Lincoln Highway vibes. The stories are vastly different, but the feeling of the writing was similar to me.
Rating:
4.25
Read if you like:
Short chapters
The Lincoln Highway
Gilmore Girls danceathon episode
Depression era novels
Thank you St Martins Press for the gifted copy.
Set during The Great Depression, Last Dance on the Starlight Pier features Evie Grace Devlin as she runs from her childhood life as a stage performer, working her way through a nursing program, only to find herself back in the spotlight in a dancing competition.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I continually pictured the Gilmore Girls episode where Stars Hollow hosted a 24hr danceathon. This also gave me The Lincoln Highway vibes. The stories are vastly different, but the feeling of the writing was similar to me.
Rating:
4.25
Read if you like:
Short chapters
The Lincoln Highway
Gilmore Girls danceathon episode
Depression era novels
Thank you St Martins Press for the gifted copy.
thepolishedbibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Sarah Bird takes readers into the Great Depression with this story. Told through the point of view of Evie, I was immediately captivated and intrigued into her life as a nurse and a dancer. I found the other cast of characters to be interesting and a good addition to Evie's story. The setting and writing made me feel as if I was walking or dancing side by side, especially in Galveston. Thank you to NetGalley for a copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
bibliopage's review against another edition
5.0
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier brings readers to the Dance Marathon craze in the US during the 1920s and 1930s. I really enjoyed this story and loved that I learned something new!
jaded618's review against another edition
4.0
I have not read alot of books on the great depression and this one had so much more within it and was so fascinating.
momsterlee's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
candicem's review against another edition
4.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley. I really liked this. Being from Texas and spending timing Galveston, I learned a lot about the history of it and Houston that I didn’t know. This was a fresh look at historical fiction set during the Depression.
It’s a story of hope, love, family and redemption.
Definitely recommend this book.
It’s a story of hope, love, family and redemption.
Definitely recommend this book.
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sarah Bird for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
As a fan of historical fiction and a fan of strong woman characters, I could not pass Last Dance on the Starlight Pier. Evie Grace Devlin escapes her life in search of stable job and secured life. She wants to escape her authoritarian mother who always made her feel low and practically managed to sell her own daughter in order to support herself. Evie’s mother was not only authoritarian but also emotionally and physically abusive as the readers learns later on. Evil remembers her father fondly who unfortunately passed way too soon. Through struggle and betrayal Evie manages to reinvent herself and finds love. However, she does not know that real love means to Accra person as he/she is.
Overall, great novel with interesting plot. I have never heard about dance marathons and was curious to learn about that era and particularities of the endeavour. The book made me do my own research for which I am forever grateful. Character-wise I think it is also well done, except Evie being repetitive all the time. She seems not blue to learn from her mistakes but make them on and on and on again which made me tick and roll my eyes numerous times by the end of the book.
I found a few similarities with current times and blind belief in medicine which Mande me think if it was intentional. I can draw a parallel between two timelines and offered procedures, however I am not sure that author intended it to be that way.
Anyway, interesting book, quite thought provoking and might be a good option for book club as there are tons of issues to discuss.
As a fan of historical fiction and a fan of strong woman characters, I could not pass Last Dance on the Starlight Pier. Evie Grace Devlin escapes her life in search of stable job and secured life. She wants to escape her authoritarian mother who always made her feel low and practically managed to sell her own daughter in order to support herself. Evie’s mother was not only authoritarian but also emotionally and physically abusive as the readers learns later on. Evil remembers her father fondly who unfortunately passed way too soon. Through struggle and betrayal Evie manages to reinvent herself and finds love. However, she does not know that real love means to Accra person as he/she is.
Overall, great novel with interesting plot. I have never heard about dance marathons and was curious to learn about that era and particularities of the endeavour. The book made me do my own research for which I am forever grateful. Character-wise I think it is also well done, except Evie being repetitive all the time. She seems not blue to learn from her mistakes but make them on and on and on again which made me tick and roll my eyes numerous times by the end of the book.
I found a few similarities with current times and blind belief in medicine which Mande me think if it was intentional. I can draw a parallel between two timelines and offered procedures, however I am not sure that author intended it to be that way.
Anyway, interesting book, quite thought provoking and might be a good option for book club as there are tons of issues to discuss.