Reviews

The Golden Season: A Novel by Madeline Kay Sneed

karacake's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

alissa417's review

4.0

I came for the family drama, and stayed for a surprisingly easy read - very "Friday Night Lights"-esque. Growing up in the South to a preacher, I could see a lot of the communities I was raised in mirrored thru the characters in the book. Great plot, story moves with a good pace, I enjoyed this one.

lsayh's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

bigbookbaby's review against another edition

4.5

emmy's pov on it's own was a 5 star read. i was emotionally reeling for her as she navigated

her father's painful rejection, her increasingly toxic relationship with cameron, and the loss of the place she loved to call home. i appreciated that this book didn't wrap up perfectly, leaving emmy + readers grieving for her relationship with her father while excitedly welcoming in her new era in houston. the chapters focused on football left me feeling disengaged, their content + sharpness falling flat compared to the emotionality and depth of emmy's chapters. i appreciate the role that football plays in the story + texas culture, but wish there had been less of this and more space for steve to process their relationship. however, i do understand this could have been the intended reading experience, which though powerful in its own way was not totally for me.

i appreciate how this story challenged stereotypical portrayals of rural texas and introduced us to many characters whose faith + values were inextricably linked with supporting their [queer] community and chosen family members. overall, an emotionally intense, raw, and tender read. i devoured it in two days, and look forward to reading more by madeline kay sneed!

nolamanns's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.5

ginnyandtonic's review against another edition

5.0

More thoughts later, but this book came into my life at the exact right moment and saying it changed my life would be an understatement.

chick's review against another edition

3.0

If this was written by a non queer person, I’d hate it.  
The father is worthless. 
It’s beyond sad AF that there are people that will throw away their kids. 

nannersreads's review against another edition

5.0

“It was a feeling she used to get in church. It filled her up as she looked at the sky, the landscape, all the space Texas had to offer. It was enough for Emmy; she was enough for it. It felt like a sort of gift, an olive branch from the infinite, and her heart swelled with gratitude at the thought that such a thing could still exist for her.”
-
I picked up an ARC of The Golden Season at this year’s TLA conference and it’s been patiently waiting on my desk to emotionally end me

lisaj712's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

notesonbookmarks's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked this. Some tough scenes in here though if any of this is personal to you.