This simple and sweet story quickly draws you into its cozy little world, where love and basketball and academics all collide. You never know what life is gonna throw at you and that’s certainly the case for Lula Bowman. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out, surprising circumstances and obligations change, leaving her – and the readers – to hang on for the ride.
This book grew the characters very naturally and they came away better, stronger people because of the trials they endured. Who doesn’t love an underdog? While Lula is battling family obligations and old reputations to prove herself as a responsible and reliable adult, Chet is trying to balance everyone else’s expectations of him against his own dreams for the future. Love and loss, forgiveness and regret, are just some of the topics touched on throughout the story.
The pace did seem to slow at a few points, I’ll admit, and the setting didn’t always grab me like I wanted it to. The theme seemed at times a little simple, but it still delivered a satisfying read. Honestly, what kept me flipping the pages more than anything was Chet and Lula’s forbidden friendship/relationship. I loved following these two along as they tried so hard to deny their attraction to one another. And I liked their hearts for the kids they taught at school as well.
From the start, I appreciated the writer’s voice and enjoyed her way with words. The book is full of heart and beautiful new beginnings. And just when I thought the story was wrapping up, a surprising twist caught me off guard. Watch for it and enjoy!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author and publisher for my copy.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But then a shocking phone call from her sister, Jewel, changes everything.
With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister, but the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Lula doesn’t even consider those real subjects!
Determined to prove herself, Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys’ coach, Chet, to learn the newfangled game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She’s returning to college and her scholarship as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.
However, the more time she spends around Jewel’s family, the girls’ basketball team, music classes, and Chet, the more Lula comes to realize what she’s given up in her single-minded pursuit of degree after degree. God is working on her heart, and her future is starting to look a lot different than she’d expected.
Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But then a shocking phone call from her sister, Jewel, changes everything.
With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister, but the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Lula doesn’t even consider those real subjects!
Determined to prove herself, Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys’ coach, Chet, to learn the newfangled game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She’s returning to college and her scholarship as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.
However, the more time she spends around Jewel’s family, the girls’ basketball team, music classes, and Chet, the more Lula comes to realize what she’s given up in her single-minded pursuit of degree after degree. God is working on her heart, and her future is starting to look a lot different than she’d expected.
– See more at: http://www.annemateer.com/books/playing-by-heart/#sthash.s2hCtX14.dpuf
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anne Mateer has a passion for history and historical fiction, and her vacations often revolve around research trips in different parts of the country. She and her husband live near Dallas, Texas, and are the parents of three young adults.
For more information about Anne and her books, please visit her website and blog at www.annemateer.com
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I recently sat down with Anne for an interview. 😉 In case you missed it, you can read it here.
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