Reviews

The Golden Season: A Novel by Madeline Kay Sneed

nataliebootlah's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Emmy lives in a small town where football and church are everything. Her dad, a devout Baptist and beloved football coach, is her best friend. So when she comes out as lesbian…it doesn’t go well. Emmy starts her senior year of college struggling to find out who she is and if her family and faith can still be a part of her life. 

As a straight, cis woman who has unsurprisingly never dealt with discrimination over who I love, this was a small glimpse into what LGBT+ folks quite often face. I initially didn’t enjoy how faith-heavy it was, but soon recognized it as an important layer to Emmy’s relationships with herself, her parents, and her community. 

The West Texas setting, intersection of faith and sexuality, complexities of a first love, and Emmy’s coming of age were all very well done. This novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster—anger, heartbreak, happiness—as Emmy grappled with becoming who she truly is despite everything.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

pumpkinghost24's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

readerowl's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced

3.0

jbraith's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

mackenziefred's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

aliciamcclintic's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

chrissiemwright's review against another edition

Go to review page

Shallow writing style with too much telling.

daisychainbookco's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5

I liked the concept of this book: a young woman from a deeply Christian, football loving Texas town discovers that her affection for women will change her connection to everything she’s known. The tension between faith and queer love has not been handled often (or well) in books I’ve read. This one did a better job, and yet still left me wanting. I liked Emmie’s POV and the issues in her relationship with Cameron were handled well. Steve’s POV was a little rich in football for me, but it makes sense considering his character. 

grimalkintoes's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Madeline Kay Sneed's debut, The Golden Season is a complicated and tender tale. Following Emmy Quinn and her father, Steve, this novel traces the complexities and challenges of queer identity, familial love, culture, community, and faith. For the queer folk who were raised in the Bible Belt, or for the people who are haunted by a place that refuses to claim them, this is a must-read. My therapist will hear about this one.

Special thanks to Libro.fm for a free, electronic ALC of this novel.

Expected publication date: May 31, 2022 

saraharnold47's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75