Reviews

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

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cnorgart's review

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

okayletsread's review

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A heartwarming, lighthearted, cozy book with a lot of heart that's not centered around romance? I'm all in! After finishing this book in two sittings, I truly have no notes.

From its morally gray women to its Minnesota setting to its exploratory theme of aging with purpose and second chances, it had me hooked. My favorite part of the book comes into play toward the end, and while it's not quite a spoiler, I recommend going into this one as blind as you can.

While I enjoyed Stradal's debut, this sophomore novel was exactly what I wanted to read this summer. I may not enjoy beer, but this backlist book of women making craft brews in a male-dominated industry might have just become my favorite book of the year so far.

Content Warnings

bhnmt61's review

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5.0

Two sisters growing up in Minnesota in the mid-twentieth century. One inherits the family farm and achieves her dream, one keeps going through everything, and there is quite a lot of everything. It’s a quiet book, but the characters are vivid and the beer lore is a rabbit-hole-ish surprise. Really enjoyed this one, and it is especially lovable since I know and love so many people from the northern Midwest.