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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Engaging novel with a 14-year old protagonist who needs the biggest hug! Heartbreaking in so many ways. She's naive in so many ways (who knew that people could be so cruel?) while simultaneously “wise beyond her years.” Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my review.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐⭐⭐.5
The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church is a novel that follows the life of fourteen-year-old Leah Payne in her coastal Carolina town. Leah’s simple and free life, spent with her lumberjack father and exploring the wilds where the forest meets the shore, is disrupted when a tragic accident takes her father’s life. She is then forced into a family with a dark secret, separating her from her home and making her work for a wealthy household. When Leah becomes embroiled in an act of violence and prejudice, she must fight for her future in a world that doesn’t always appreciate the spirit of a Carolina girl. The story is set in 1935 against the backdrop of a recently formed state eugenics board.
The Last Carolina Girl has an appealing cover that caught my attention. I was initially drawn to the setting and time period, which I found intriguing. The inclusion of the eugenics movement as a plot thread added depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed Leah’s character and found her compelling.
However, I felt that the overall pace of the book was choppy. I would have liked more depth in both the plot and characters. Additionally, I found the ending abrupt and felt it needed a few more chapters to bring about a satisfying conclusion. Despite these shortcomings, The Last Carolina Girl offers powerful themes of strength, forgotten history, autonomy, and finding one’s true home.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church is a novel that follows the life of fourteen-year-old Leah Payne in her coastal Carolina town. Leah’s simple and free life, spent with her lumberjack father and exploring the wilds where the forest meets the shore, is disrupted when a tragic accident takes her father’s life. She is then forced into a family with a dark secret, separating her from her home and making her work for a wealthy household. When Leah becomes embroiled in an act of violence and prejudice, she must fight for her future in a world that doesn’t always appreciate the spirit of a Carolina girl. The story is set in 1935 against the backdrop of a recently formed state eugenics board.
The Last Carolina Girl has an appealing cover that caught my attention. I was initially drawn to the setting and time period, which I found intriguing. The inclusion of the eugenics movement as a plot thread added depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed Leah’s character and found her compelling.
However, I felt that the overall pace of the book was choppy. I would have liked more depth in both the plot and characters. Additionally, I found the ending abrupt and felt it needed a few more chapters to bring about a satisfying conclusion. Despite these shortcomings, The Last Carolina Girl offers powerful themes of strength, forgotten history, autonomy, and finding one’s true home.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will say first that I did think the plot twist was good. i didn't see it coming really. And I liked that there was a happy ending. however, the middle of the plot - it sucks that those things happened and that was her life but it got boring. The characters started to annoy me. I know you're supposed to dislike the mom but just reading her was eh. I wish this book had more.
emotional
informative
reflective
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:
Yes
Wow. This was a beautiful yet powerful and an unforgettable novel that will definitely have me thinking about for a long time.it gave me Where the Crawdads Sing vibes and I LOVED that book.
Based on a true story from within the author’s own family, this novel will shock, anger, and break your heart. But the beautiful imagery of the North Carolina coast and the love of true family shines. You dont have to be related by blood to be a family.
With tragedy theres finally hope. A definite recommend
Based on a true story from within the author’s own family, this novel will shock, anger, and break your heart. But the beautiful imagery of the North Carolina coast and the love of true family shines. You dont have to be related by blood to be a family.
With tragedy theres finally hope. A definite recommend
Leah’s whole world changes when her father tragically dies in a lumberjack accident. She is forced to live with strangers and is treated horribly. This had Where the Crawdads Sing vibes which is probably why I didn’t love it. Trigger warning for child neglect and forced sterilization. It was a tough one to get through.
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
"Sometimes, you gotta love even when it don't make sense."
The Last Carolina Girl is the perfect mixture of bitter and sweet. It's a beautiful story of acceptance and love while not leaving out the pains of rejection, hate, and loss. Very masterfully told.
This book is obviously being compared to Where The Crawdads Sing and I agree with this comparison a lot; there was a strong sense of familiarity as I was reading this book and I often compared Leah's story to Kya's. But while they are similar, there are some very stark differences. For one, I loved how simple and to the point The Last Carolina Girl is. It's a much shorter book and wasn't quite as heavy (topically) as Where The Crawdad's Sing was, but it is still a very emotional story and I highly recommend keeping tissues close.
I also really appreciated the underlying tone of suspense in basic, everyday life. While Where the Crawdads Sing was suspenseful for *other* reasons, The Last Carolina Girl presented suspense in a realistic way that we could relate to. Sending a letter. Riding the Farris Wheel. The things that made Leah's heart race, made my heart race right along with her and I think that's why I cared so deeply for her and her story. I could imagine myself in her shoes and the writing brought her to life with vivid beauty.
"Sometimes, tears are the only words worth sharing."
This book is also very clean. There's no cursing, gore, or explicit content. The trigger warnings include mental/physical abuse at the hands of eugenics and discrimination against the poor, however, these are not described in detail.
Overall, The Last Carolina Girl is a painstakingly heartfelt story that I won't soon be forgetting. I give it an easy 5 stars and recommend it to readers who both loved Where the Crawdads Sing and those who may *think* they would like Where the Crawdads Sing but don't want to encounter all of the extra content of that book.
I received this book for free from NetGalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.
The Last Carolina Girl is the perfect mixture of bitter and sweet. It's a beautiful story of acceptance and love while not leaving out the pains of rejection, hate, and loss. Very masterfully told.
This book is obviously being compared to Where The Crawdads Sing and I agree with this comparison a lot; there was a strong sense of familiarity as I was reading this book and I often compared Leah's story to Kya's. But while they are similar, there are some very stark differences. For one, I loved how simple and to the point The Last Carolina Girl is. It's a much shorter book and wasn't quite as heavy (topically) as Where The Crawdad's Sing was, but it is still a very emotional story and I highly recommend keeping tissues close.
I also really appreciated the underlying tone of suspense in basic, everyday life. While Where the Crawdads Sing was suspenseful for *other* reasons, The Last Carolina Girl presented suspense in a realistic way that we could relate to. Sending a letter. Riding the Farris Wheel. The things that made Leah's heart race, made my heart race right along with her and I think that's why I cared so deeply for her and her story. I could imagine myself in her shoes and the writing brought her to life with vivid beauty.
"Sometimes, tears are the only words worth sharing."
This book is also very clean. There's no cursing, gore, or explicit content. The trigger warnings include mental/physical abuse at the hands of eugenics and discrimination against the poor, however, these are not described in detail.
Overall, The Last Carolina Girl is a painstakingly heartfelt story that I won't soon be forgetting. I give it an easy 5 stars and recommend it to readers who both loved Where the Crawdads Sing and those who may *think* they would like Where the Crawdads Sing but don't want to encounter all of the extra content of that book.
I received this book for free from NetGalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.