Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 1
15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of being a nobody, of always being made fun of by her classmate, Dean Ottmer. She decides that the only way for her to be elevated above the taunts is to become a "sweetheart" in their Texas town's annual Christmas parade, actually taking part and being looked up to.
With the help of some new and old friends, Austin sets about obtaining the qualities she needs to be sweetheart material: she raises a rooster named Charles Dickens, tries her hand at hunting, and befriends junior members of the Future Farmers of America, who include the former FFA sweetheart and a sweet, cute budding cowboy. Part of Austin's journey to become sweetheart, however, means convincing her overprotective mother, who is still mourning the death of Austin's dad many years ago, to let her grow a little.
I'm always on the lookout for books featuring farm, rural, small-town, or Southern fresh-faced girls, but THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY blows the competition right out of the water. The people of this quirky small town in Prosper County are funny, charming, and absolutely unforgettable.
Austin is a relatable protagonist, with her desires to not be made fun of, to step out of the crowd and be a winner for once. Her actions may cause us to cringe, remembering the bad decisions we made as an uncertain teen, but ultimately Austin pulls through and becomes a character to fall in love with. The plot is equal parts gut-achingly funny and poignant, the plot of THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY is sure to satisfy. The result is a fun, fast-paced story that loses none of its sweetness or credibility.
This is a fantastic pick if you love funny, small-town Southern charm reminiscent of Catherine Gilbert Murdock's Dairy Queen series. Check it out!
With the help of some new and old friends, Austin sets about obtaining the qualities she needs to be sweetheart material: she raises a rooster named Charles Dickens, tries her hand at hunting, and befriends junior members of the Future Farmers of America, who include the former FFA sweetheart and a sweet, cute budding cowboy. Part of Austin's journey to become sweetheart, however, means convincing her overprotective mother, who is still mourning the death of Austin's dad many years ago, to let her grow a little.
I'm always on the lookout for books featuring farm, rural, small-town, or Southern fresh-faced girls, but THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY blows the competition right out of the water. The people of this quirky small town in Prosper County are funny, charming, and absolutely unforgettable.
Austin is a relatable protagonist, with her desires to not be made fun of, to step out of the crowd and be a winner for once. Her actions may cause us to cringe, remembering the bad decisions we made as an uncertain teen, but ultimately Austin pulls through and becomes a character to fall in love with. The plot is equal parts gut-achingly funny and poignant, the plot of THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY is sure to satisfy. The result is a fun, fast-paced story that loses none of its sweetness or credibility.
This is a fantastic pick if you love funny, small-town Southern charm reminiscent of Catherine Gilbert Murdock's Dairy Queen series. Check it out!
Helpful Score: 1
My Thoughts: This was a cute fun story! We meet Austin who is an ordinary girl like you and me. She has hopes and dreams. She just wants to be normal. She lost her daddy when she was young and thinks that if she had a daddy people would leave her alone. She is sick of being picked on by Dean and she figures the only way for that to happen is to become the Sweetheart in the parade. We've all had our Dean's in our life. You know, those annoying boys who liked to pick on us, who made fun of everything we did, who wouldn't get off our case! Austin needs an animal so she picks out a rooster named Charles Dickens. This book is one of the cutest happiest books I have ever read. I especially loved the Matthew McConaughey reference on page 31. Does Austin win and become sweetheart? How is Charles Dickens doing? Does Dean finally leave her alone?
My Favorite Paragraph: The rooster knocked over Momma's autographed picture of Matthew McConaughey, which the actor had personally given her when he passed through town and needed a new hinge for the screen door of his trailer. He came in the store shirtless, and Omma tripped over herself getting him a pack of hinges.
Overall: Cute and Fun! I recommend it!
My Favorite Paragraph: The rooster knocked over Momma's autographed picture of Matthew McConaughey, which the actor had personally given her when he passed through town and needed a new hinge for the screen door of his trailer. He came in the store shirtless, and Omma tripped over herself getting him a pack of hinges.
Overall: Cute and Fun! I recommend it!
