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pam2375's review against another edition
1.0
This absolutely did not do this for me. There are so many things that I just didn't like about this book. I really wanted to like it, however, there are things about this book that I find just too distasteful and I did not think that it added to the story in any way.
This is supposed to be the story of the end of Vaudeville, prohibition, dance marathons and the end of the roaring 20's. Maybe because the story is at the end of the 20's that the characters just seem so desperate.
I'm sorry that I did not like your book Ms Bird, but I LOVED Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release April 12, 2022.
This is supposed to be the story of the end of Vaudeville, prohibition, dance marathons and the end of the roaring 20's. Maybe because the story is at the end of the 20's that the characters just seem so desperate.
I'm sorry that I did not like your book Ms Bird, but I LOVED Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release April 12, 2022.
kleonard's review against another edition
3.0
This is a decent historical novel in which a young woman, desperate to escape the exploitation of her past, tries to reinvent herself in Galveston, Texas, in the early 1930s, only to find that she's embroiled in mob family drama and scheming. The plot is good and the book's pace is quick without sacrificing detail. The characters are mostly well-drawn and interesting, with compelling stories. A major part of the plot revolves around the use of lobotomies for "treating" queerness; this entire plot line made me feel ill but of course it is historical fact, and in the end, no one is violated in this way. Overall, a good read, and readers interested in the time period, location, crime families, or show business will find it entertaining.
lamom77's review against another edition
2.0
I put it down about halfway through. The main character was portrayed as being street tough but made so many poor, naïve choices, and the social commentary throughout just turned me off of what could have been a very interesting and unique tale.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
This is a Depression era story. Evie Grace Devlin desperately wants to be a nurse. Her mother has tried to thwart her at every turn, still upset that Evie has left her and stopped supporting her. Evie moves to Galveston where she meets an. unlikely friend, Sofie.
Evie was a vaudeville star as a child, but when her mother pushed her to do something risque, it soured Evie on dance. Yet, when her dream of being a nurse fails, to make money, she starts dancing in dance marathons. There she meets Zave, a man whom she loves, but believes she let him down.
This story highlights a desperate time in America, prohibition, questionable medical procedures, homosexuality, and how friends can rescue you. when you need them most.
I enjoyed this story. Good historical fiction.
Evie was a vaudeville star as a child, but when her mother pushed her to do something risque, it soured Evie on dance. Yet, when her dream of being a nurse fails, to make money, she starts dancing in dance marathons. There she meets Zave, a man whom she loves, but believes she let him down.
This story highlights a desperate time in America, prohibition, questionable medical procedures, homosexuality, and how friends can rescue you. when you need them most.
I enjoyed this story. Good historical fiction.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is set during the great depression. In it, you will meet interesting characters that will take you on an even more interesting adventure. At times, I was very confused with what was going on but I think that was the whole point. We get to see things through Evie's eyes and at times she does go squirrely. Her words - not mine.
Other than that, I felt like I was missing little pieces of information. Like I wasn't seeing the entire puzzle until the end of the book. I'll admit that the beginning completely sucked me in and I was very intrigued with Evie's character and what might have gone down. Unfortunately, once things started to confuse me, I started to like her less and less.
Then again, I probably would act like her or even worse than that if I went through what she did. Which is why we had to go back and forth to see what actually happened. Lies, truths, and secrets all come out to play and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat too.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to jump into this. It was interesting to see what life was like for these character during this era and how they viewed what was happening politically too.
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is set during the great depression. In it, you will meet interesting characters that will take you on an even more interesting adventure. At times, I was very confused with what was going on but I think that was the whole point. We get to see things through Evie's eyes and at times she does go squirrely. Her words - not mine.
Other than that, I felt like I was missing little pieces of information. Like I wasn't seeing the entire puzzle until the end of the book. I'll admit that the beginning completely sucked me in and I was very intrigued with Evie's character and what might have gone down. Unfortunately, once things started to confuse me, I started to like her less and less.
Then again, I probably would act like her or even worse than that if I went through what she did. Which is why we had to go back and forth to see what actually happened. Lies, truths, and secrets all come out to play and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat too.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to jump into this. It was interesting to see what life was like for these character during this era and how they viewed what was happening politically too.
klibera6's review against another edition
1.0
Could not finish this book. Story is incredibly boring and the book is too long. Just not my book, I guess?
greenmachine31's review against another edition
4.0
Really interesting story about vaudeville during the depression
jaybee0615's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
This is a sweeping historical fiction book set in Depression era America that gives insight into a part of that time few people really talk about. How dances and entertainers still flourished and helped keep spirits up during an incredibly difficult time.
In this story we come to learn all about a travelling dance troupe, that went around the country putting on what were essentially shows under the guise of dance marathons. For a small admission fee people could come watch or participate in what could be days long dance offs with the last couple standing winning. Think of that episode from The Gilmore Girls but much more extreme! But along with the good, there is also a rise in criminal activity and we get a glimpse of that in this story too in a family of Gangsters living in Galveston, Texas.
What I loved about this book was the rich characterization! We get to know these characters as deeply flawed individuals just trying to survive in a world that doesn't always want them. Told from Evie Grace Devlin's perspective, a young woman escaping a dark past, who wants nothing more than to earn her Nurse's pin.
When Evie gets caught up with a travelling dance troupe she makes new friends, falls in love and has the adventure of a lifetime. I absolutely loved her relationship with the star of the show and his storyline was deeply moving. A gay man who is not able to be out openly and is even told he needs to try this new conversion treatment, "the lobotomy" in an attempt to "cure" him.
Perfect for fans of The four winds by Kristin Hannah and great on audio narrated by Cassandra Campbell. This is one that is going to stick with me for a long while after I finished. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
This is a sweeping historical fiction book set in Depression era America that gives insight into a part of that time few people really talk about. How dances and entertainers still flourished and helped keep spirits up during an incredibly difficult time.
In this story we come to learn all about a travelling dance troupe, that went around the country putting on what were essentially shows under the guise of dance marathons. For a small admission fee people could come watch or participate in what could be days long dance offs with the last couple standing winning. Think of that episode from The Gilmore Girls but much more extreme! But along with the good, there is also a rise in criminal activity and we get a glimpse of that in this story too in a family of Gangsters living in Galveston, Texas.
What I loved about this book was the rich characterization! We get to know these characters as deeply flawed individuals just trying to survive in a world that doesn't always want them. Told from Evie Grace Devlin's perspective, a young woman escaping a dark past, who wants nothing more than to earn her Nurse's pin.
When Evie gets caught up with a travelling dance troupe she makes new friends, falls in love and has the adventure of a lifetime. I absolutely loved her relationship with the star of the show and his storyline was deeply moving. A gay man who is not able to be out openly and is even told he needs to try this new conversion treatment, "the lobotomy" in an attempt to "cure" him.
Perfect for fans of The four winds by Kristin Hannah and great on audio narrated by Cassandra Campbell. This is one that is going to stick with me for a long while after I finished. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!