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slflorence99's review
4.0
I'm pretty sure I found this book as a recommendation from my fave, [a:Kelli Stuart|3902829|Kelli Stuart|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447023275p2/3902829.jpg]. It's feel good historical fiction for my baseball loving hear which also brings to light the uncomfortable, fear-based politics of post WWII America. It's still unnerving when stories of book banning and wild accusations from many years past feel so familiar in present day. This story is full of endearing characters you'll love to the very end.
katet's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Best read of 2024
Sometimes a book comes along that after you finish, you just sit perhaps for days thinking about what a joy it was to read.
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. The characters became new friends that I want to visit with every year.
I laughed out loud, and I broke down and sobbed but never would I change a single moment of joy, love, and awe of reading such an incredible book such as this.
Sometimes a book comes along that after you finish, you just sit perhaps for days thinking about what a joy it was to read.
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. The characters became new friends that I want to visit with every year.
I laughed out loud, and I broke down and sobbed but never would I change a single moment of joy, love, and awe of reading such an incredible book such as this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
courtyyjane's review
3.0
I wanted to like this book so badly and I loved the premise. I found the writing to be a bit lackluster. After about half of the book, she still had not even tried out for the Sweet Peas, which I thought was a bummer.
Maybe, I will retry this book at another time. But as of right now, it was dnf'ed at about 50%.
Maybe, I will retry this book at another time. But as of right now, it was dnf'ed at about 50%.
bargerel's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
squeakymayonnaise's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
protagonistspub's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Fluffy - many missed opportunities to delve deeper
authoramyearls's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! I could not put it down. The characters were fantastic and the setting vivid enough to make me feel I was in 1952. I laughed, cried, and was left feeling deeply satisfied.
alshaw10210's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So, so good! Flew through this and can't wait to read other books by this author.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
I went into this book expecting it to be a book about Bertha. What I found was a book about two sisters experiencing the same family and time, but with very different perspectives. Bertha gives us the tomboy teenage view of how things go. Flossie gives us the pre-teen more bookworm/girly view of the same experiences.
The book goes back and forth between the two sisters--always labelled--as they experience the things going on in their life. Bertha's main dream is to be a baseball player for the professional girls leagues--not the image of an "all american girl" that is taught at school. Flossie just wants a friend who can accept her for who she is--a dreamer who lives in her books, but gets bullied frequently.
Everything changes for them when their dad (a famous author) is accused of being a Red--a member of the communist party. Suddenly their world flips upside down and they have to flee their town for their own safety...and that means leaving the beloved ball field and library behind.
The girls learn that dreams can happen anywhere and sometimes the things we think are the biggest trials in our lives, can ultimately bring us our dreams.
ps. this won't be a happily ever after. So be prepared. ;)
4 stars!
The book goes back and forth between the two sisters--always labelled--as they experience the things going on in their life. Bertha's main dream is to be a baseball player for the professional girls leagues--not the image of an "all american girl" that is taught at school. Flossie just wants a friend who can accept her for who she is--a dreamer who lives in her books, but gets bullied frequently.
Everything changes for them when their dad (a famous author) is accused of being a Red--a member of the communist party. Suddenly their world flips upside down and they have to flee their town for their own safety...and that means leaving the beloved ball field and library behind.
The girls learn that dreams can happen anywhere and sometimes the things we think are the biggest trials in our lives, can ultimately bring us our dreams.
ps. this won't be a happily ever after. So be prepared. ;)
4 stars!
kimsackleh's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0