Hattie Ever After

Hattie #2

by Kirby Larson

After leaving Uncle Chester's homestead claim, orphan Hattie Brooks throws a lasso around a new dream, even bigger than the Montana sky. She wants to be a reporter, knowing full well that a few pieces published in the Arlington News will not suffice. Real reporters must go to Grand Places, and do Grand Things, like Hattie's hero Nellie Bly. Another girl might be stymied by this, but Hattie has faced down a hungry wolf and stood up to a mob of angry men. Nothing can squash her desire to write for a big city newspaper. A letter and love token from Uncle Chester's old flame in San Francisco fuels that desire and Hattie jumps at the opportunity to get there by working as a seamstress for a traveling acting troupe. This could be her chance to solve the mystery of her "scoundrel" uncle and, in the process, help her learn more about herself. But Hattie must first tell Charlie that she will not join him in Seattle. Even though her heart approves of Charlie's plan for their marriage, her mind fears that saying yes to him would be saying no to herself. Hattie holds her own in the big city, literally pitching her way to a byline, and a career that could be even bigger than Nellie Bly's. But can making headlines compensate for the pain of betrayal and lost love? Hattie must dig deep to find her own true place in the world. Kirby Larson once again creates a lovingly written novel about the remarkable and resilient young orphan, Hattie Inez Brooks. 

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Romance, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2013

About the author

Kirby Larson went from history-phobe to history fanatic while writing the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, HATTIE BIG SKY. Her passion for historical fiction is reflected in titles such as THE FENCES BETWEEN US, THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL, as well as the sequel to HATTIE BIG SKY, HATTIE EVER AFTER, and her two latest titles, DUKE--which was nominated for 5 state Young Reader Choice awards as well as being a finalist for the Washington State Book Award-- and DASH--which has garnered two starred reviews, a NAPPA Gold Award and a Capitol Choices nomination. She will have two new books out in 2016 -- watch for them!

In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend Mary Nethery resulting in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL, and NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE AND A MIRACLE.

Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil, and Winston the Wonder Dog. When she’s not reading or writing Kirby enjoys beach combing, bird watching, and traveling. She owns a tiara and is not afraid to use it.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, and one that will be enjoyed by the many fans of the first Hattie book. I don't think it's as good as the first one, however.

Hattie seemed too young, too naive for her eighteen, especially when after having survived and thrived on the homestead for so long. Yes, that was country life and the city brings with it a different circumstance, and it's not like she wasn't a go-getter who took things into her own hands on multiple occasions, but still. Something I can't quite put my finger on made her seem younger than she was.

This book lacked some of the complexity of the first one. Unlike the previous title, pretty much everything Hattie wanted out of life came true. I loved the ending of the first book for its stark disappointment so deftly tempered by hope. Here everything is wrapped up neatly in a bow. The characters are less complex as well. Traft Martin in the first book was unlikeable, but he was also a fully rounded character with multiple motivations and occasional flashes of niceness. Here the villains are just plain mean. Both of the "villains" shown are quite nice before their betrayals, but afterwards there is no sense of regret or an attempt to understand why s/he made his/her decision. They're simply bad people.

I also found the many coincidences at the beginning of the book offputting. Hattie finishes paying her IOU on the same day that the acting troupe shows up, which is the same day that Charlie drops by unexpectedly? That's a little much. The feathers seemed a bit much as well.

So all in all, a good book, but not one that held up to the high expectations I had after reading the first one.

[Zora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. I was predisposed to love this. The first book, if you haven't read it, was a historical YA book about a young woman trying to homestead, alone, at the beginning of WWI. It won the Newberry, and I found it charming and educational, having no idea homesteading lasted that long in the lower 48.

Vague spoilers ahead:

This book follows the same character, older now, to San Francisco after the war, where she tries to start a career as a reporter. The problem with the book is that she is utterly perfect, nothing goes wrong for her, and it feels unrealistic and cloying. Her charming naivete that worked so well in a rural setting seems not so charming in a city and I kept thinking she was going to get ax-murdered any time, acting as foolishly as she does. Instead of brave, she seems a little dim. And she doesn't suffer more than one tiny stumble in her road to happiness, and her unhappiness about that event lasted less than five hours and had zero consequences. Everyone loves her. All her dreams come true and, in many cases, because someone else advocates for her. During a time when most women neither had their cake nor ate it, Hattie gets it all without half-trying. So while Hattie is a young woman now, the intended audience has slipped in age, for only small children could believe this sort of fairy-tale perfection in a story.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second adventure in the fictional life of Hattie Brooks was an intriguing journey with lots of twists and surprises along the way. This book is sure to keep you guessing with nearly every chapter. I really enjoyed the mystery and nods to the early 1920s (fashion in particular). The sweet author's note, read by the author herself, was interesting and eye-opening about her research and why she wrote this second book in the Hattie series.

Content: profanity (English and French), tobacco products

[Karina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself in front of the building directory. There it was: NEWSROOM. A little shiver went through me as I tried to imagine what such a place might be like. Would it be all clicking and clacking from busy typewriters? Reporters discussing the events of the world? Telephones ringing right and left? Whatever was up there, it was where I wanted to be. (PG 42)

I read the first book in the series called Hattie Big Sky and I Loved It. I wanted to know what happened to Hattie after she lost the farm her uncle left her. I thought she was smart and kind and deserved something grand to happen to her.

What we get instead was a super naive girl that went backward in age. The story line was a bit outlandish how she was just "at the right place at the right time." I wasn't digging what Kirby Larson did to Hattie.

Luckily it was short. I was super bored though. Be happy to have read the first one and don't look for more is my advice.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I'd like this book, but I didn't expect to love it this much. In my opinion, it was better than the first book even. Also, I really liked the setting, as I didn't know much about it, plus it was just cool to begin with. Also, the characters were great. One of the highlights of this book was that we finally got to meet Charlie in person, which I loved. One of my new favorites.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I really loved this; I actually think the beginning of the book was my favorite part. I found the boarding house setting to be really interesting, and I almost wish the plot would've stayed there—although the San Francisco setting was pretty neat as well. As the story continued, though, many of the plot points hinged on too-neat coincidences. The several chance encounters with famous people seemed especially improbable.

I also felt like the girl power message was shoved down my throat a little too much. I have nothing against a little old-fashioned girl power, but I thought it was layered on a bit thick, and it bothered me just how it was handled. Hattie feels like she has this one last chance to prove herself, as if she can never be herself if she marries. Marriage shouldn't feel like that. It's about unconditional and self-sacrificial love, not a mutually beneficial partnership. Plus, it's not like she'll never have a chance to be a journalist again. By the end of the book she figures this last part out, but she wasn't able to do it herself. It took someone to practically push her to realize that. She needed to decide what she wanted, and what she was looking for. The ambiguous search for self-actualization seemed pointless if she didn't have a goal. While realizing you aren't ready to get married is fine, I think she should've been upfront about this with Charlie. She shouldn't have kept him dangling for so long, as if a husband was merely an accessory she could pick up when it fit into her plans.

I did love the time period and "feel" of the story, as well as Hattie's authentic and often humorous voice, her hardworking and practical attitude, and the fact that she often prayed. There is also a nice little message about trust and forgiveness. I liked the old-fashioned sayings that were sprinkled through the book, such as “opportunity doesn't nibble twice at the same hook” or “well-begun was half done.” All the little period details were fun, and the author gives some interesting information about her research and writing process in the Author's Note at the end of the book.

I thought Ruby was an odd villain. I have a bit of a hard time believing she did all that stuff with Hattie—shopping, quilting bees, responding to her letters—just to cultivate her for cash. But I suppose criminals have done lower things.

Random questions: Why does Hattie think of Pearl as her cousin? Who was it that told Mr. Monson about the 49ers article? (And why did she call them "49ers" anyway? They clearly weren't 49ers.) Ned stealing her story was really rotten, but—although this fact doesn't excuse what he did—would she ever have gotten her break without him? Why did Ruby have some of Chester’s books? Why did Charlie and Hattie wait four years before getting married? What did they do in the meantime? Why was there no explanation given for this?

In conclusion, while the book is squeaky clean (a kiss that "tasted of peppermint" is pretty much the extent of it) and has a fun setting and a likable heroine, everything just seemed to happen a little too neatly. I have a feeling I would've loved this a lot more as a kid, though, so take my review with a grain of salt.

[Maria ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, this book not so much. I knew going into it that there were a couple tropes in this book that I don’t like as a rule so I’m aware that I did this to myself. I don’t like the trope where small town girl likes small town boy, then small town girl moves to big town and then starts to have feelings for big town boy who betrays her and then she ends up with small town boy. Like I’ve read books with this before and I just don’t like it, but I was hoping it would be minor and I could move past it.

What I Didn't Like: I know it was the case in the 1920s that if you were married you also usually didn’t have a career, so I understand that was very common for the time, but I don’t like the character traits that are necessary for a character to have that kind of a story arc. I also found the scenes in the reporting rooms to be a little boring, once Hattie started to finally work there. Hattie was really interested in her uncle's back story, but I wasn't so that part of the story was also boring for me. I didn't like the big reveal and the ending felt extremely rushed and there wasn't much resolution after the characters whole life falls apart.

What I Did liked: The beginning of this book was good. But I didn’t enjoy the romance, Hattie and Charlie are good, but we rarely got good moments with them and there was usually a lot of unnecessary tension and they stopped talking multiple times. I like stories that center around characters that write and so it was interesting to see at that time what it would have been like for someone to get into a career in that. It was a very fast read, I read this in three days, very easy to read. I like how every chapter starts with either something that had been written in the newspaper or a letter. I think that style is very cool. And there’s a scene where the main character gets to interview someone very famous, (I won't tell you who, because that would spoil it) which as an author myself was a really cool moment.

Content: Mention of a man in paper injured from suicide attempt. Two characters elope. One character says, “As much as I would love to take you home with me, I think you’d best get out.” Women not treated equally in work space as was common in the 1920s. Some characters committed crimes in the past and in the book and lie, causing Hattie to lose money.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!
Such a great book. I enjoyed reading this series. I have learned somethings that I did not know about the struggles that had happened in America. I like it when I read books and then after finishing it I learn this that I did not know before. It is always great to learn new things that you never learned before. I did like this one a little bit better because it was more interesting than the first book I thought. I loved the writing and the Historical Fiction story. This is one Historical Fiction that I really liked. I wish there was more books in the series than just two books, that is one down side of the series.

[Syuhada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea I started reading this book on the second one. But still i can fathom everything about the story. It was historical fiction book and guess what i really like the language.

“If trusting others was foolish, well, much better to be a fool. If you didn’t trust, didn’t open your heart up to people, to one special person, that was what made you a failure. Not a summer hailstorm. Not a homestead left behind. Not a huckster in the form of a false friend.”

[Noninuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year after the end of the first book (if not mistaken), Hattie is working at a boardinghouse as a help and finally, she's able to pay the IOU of Uncle Chester. After her writing been published in a small town newspaper, Hattie is dreaming to become a reporter. Out of nowhere an opportunity appear for her to move on from Montana. With a dream as big as the sky, she put aside a marriage proposal to try her luck in San Francisco. Will she be able to achieve it?

I'm struggling to put my feelings into words because I like everything about this book. First of all, I love Hattie! She's strong, sensible and brave. And I think she's also someone who anyone can relate to because everyone has a dream at one point. This book tells the story of how she tries to achieve hers.

The language is easy to read and it is still as witty and funny like Hattie that I knew from Hattie Big Sky. Although I have to say that certain parts were predictable, it's still an engaging read. I particularly love one scene where she stood up to herself about a cup of coffee. I was like, "There you go Hattie! Good job!". The point of the whole thing about Hattie is for girls to have dreams and go for their goals. And as much as men could do certain job, women could too if they're given opportunity & trust.

I feel like this was a well researched and well written historical fiction. I wish & little bit hope that Ms Larson would write more of this kind of novel. Even if it is not about Hattie anymore, maybe one of Perilee's children... Highly recommend for everyone!

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved Hattie Big Sky. By the time, I finished the book, I felt like Hattie was one of my best friends. I was so proud of her and all that she attempted and all that she learned. And then she leaves Vida to start a new chapter.

When I heard that there was going to be a sequel, I was thrilled. A little nervous. What would happen to Hattie now? Would our "friendship" still be there? Well, I should never have doubted Hattie or author, Kirby Larson.

Hattie's voice rang clear and true in this sequel. It felt a bit like connecting up with a dear, dear friend after too much time apart but what is so special is that you immediately pick up where you left off. There is a comfortableness in the relationship. Hattie still has the same spirit of adventure and learning but now in a whole other location and challenge.

I don't want to spoil this one for others and a real review will go up closer to the release date, but I couldn't leave this section blank.

Fans of Hattie's will love the sequel and I hope others will read Hattie Big Sky before February 2013 so they will fall in love with her too.

[Chloe Millar/Angelica Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought about not writing this review, then remembered that Emily hates getting "Goodreads notification emails" so figured I better make it happen despite my incredibly busy schedule of doing nothing. This book was perhaps one of the best sequels that I have ever read, simply because it was as equal value to me as the first. I was flying through this book ever so quickly, that is until my English teacher told us to apply our books to the adolescent brain development. As Hattie grew into a young woman, she decided that despite her longing to settle down with her beloved Charlie, she longed for something more. Something better. She quit her "steady job" as a motel cleaning woman and moves to San Francisco in undisclosed desire to become a big-city-reporter. Hattie "isn't facing the problems of her seeds blowing away in a windstorm" but perhaps even more difficult she is facing the sharp cold winds of the worlds prevalent heinous society. Hattie has to give it her all to work her way up in an industry secluded to men at the time, mostly given the "latest faux fur coat to wear in your automobile assignments" I couldn't help relate to Hattie in some of her moments of feeling desperate and lost in a big world, wondering what she is ever to accomplish, if anything. Back on the prairie, Hattie's synapses were pruned to trust people and learn her own strong independence. However, in the city, she has to grow a pair. ( Of synapses of course ) She is tricked, her feeling are toyed with like that of a stringed doll, and Larson even touches on some sexually manipulated workplace atmospheres, which are still present in today's society. She is forced to MOLD HER BRAIN, this being especially easy due to her young age, to understand that not everyone is who they say they are and are not afraid to tear her down to build themselves up to the top. Hattie is constantly faced with situations in which she uses her limbic system to solve, instead of her only so partially developed prefrontal cortex, especially when it comes to young naive love. I may have only finished this book to read Tina Fey's Bossypants, or the 8 AR points, or the fact that is was "no electronics Saturday" however I am so glad that I finished this, as I now have a new perspective on the true independence and rigor faced to climb their way to the top in the workplace, along with that being successful in life should not be the most important, finding what made Hattie happy is what she was looking for, the missing peice one could say, not to be known. The sappy ending to review: check.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved HATTIE BIG SKY back when I read it in 2006, although the novel left me with two big questions. What was Uncle Chester's back story? What happens to Hattie after her big homesteading adventure? Although I didn't realize it until just a few weeks ago, Kirby Larson actually answered both those questions in HATTIE EVER AFTER, which was published in 2013. 2013! I wish I had known about the sequel when it came out!

At any rate, I enjoyed HATTIE EVER AFTER. Not as much as HATTIE BIG SKY, but still a great deal. The 1919 San Francisco setting is colorful and interesting, while Hattie's adventures in the city are fun, exciting, and, of course, instructive in her continued journey out of childhood and into adulthood. If you like engaging, clean, and well-written/researched historical fiction, I highly recommend the Hattie books.

[Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

And this was a good sequel.

[Erynn McKelvy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It's quite different from the original novel in the setting, style, etc. The ending is a bit sad, but the takeaway is powerful, which I will let you see for yourself. ;)

[Xydel · Rating 5 out of 5]

From an 11-year-old: This is the kind of book people obsessed with history would love. History classes tell us there were two world wars and that Columbus discovered America but books like Hattie Ever After show us what it was like to be a girl who dreamt of being a reporter in 1919, the most modern style of that time, and other wonderfully interesting things.
Hattie Ever After is a little hard to follow and is full of context clues but there is just enough romance and drama to please me.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. Just no. This had none of the charm the first book did. In fact I greatly disliked Hattie in this story. So disappointing. Should’ve just stopped after the first book.

[LPR · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As for your worries about not setting a date too soon: I have loved you since I was fifteen and don't see that state of affairs changing, whether there is a ring on your finger or not. Yours. Always. Charlie"
Read that. Read it again. I love it.
I was so surprised and happy that Hattie Big Sky has a sequel. I had never felt before like in needed a sequel, but this book totally worked. It was definitely it's own story, it didn't feel like it was just riding the coattails of Hattie Big Sky, but it has it's own distinct merit.
I loved this story. I loved the setting, I loved our dear Hattie in a new place with different challenges, I loved watching her grow up more, follow her dreams, hone her skills. I loved it.
I also was really surprised how invested I was in Charlie and Hattie ending up together. It had been a given in what I believed happened after the first book ended for years, so having Charlie and Hattie have relationship troubles and going on what seemed like separate paths was hard for me. I was so worried. I wanted her to follow her dreams SO BAD, but I wanted Charlie to be there too. I just wanted a happy ending, and I didn't know if I was going to get one. It was very distressing for me, but actually meeting present-day Charlie and then experiencing their happy ending was so worth all the distress.
I think Charlie's ending letter is my favorite thing. I literally danced in my kitchen with pure joy. So glorious. I am putting this up with Luka from Dragon Slippers for best freaking unorthodox marriage proposals. I love those. We need more. More characters should get engaged, it's just so much fun. That's what's really missing in teen romance for me. The engagements. Wow, I should not ever write book reviews at 2 am. I mean, really.
[I also feel the need to point out that of all the ways to thoroughly disband a love triangle, Hattie-Ned-Charlie was disbanded in precisely the way Nick-Cath-Levi is disbanded in [book:Fangirl|16068905] by Rainbow Rowell. literally to a T. He is all nice, he really likes her, he gets the part of her that Real Match can't relate to or understand, and then he turns around and takes credit for something she wrote. utter betrayal. I'm not saying that any author is unoriginal in this case, I just was really hung up on how crazy similar they are. Plus I might be ever so slightly obsessed with the disbanding of love triangles in a way that doesn't involve the girl just 'making a choice' and 'deciding who she really loves' while the boys mope. I'm a little nutty about it ever since City of Bones : The Mortal Instruments when the way it was disbanded was by finding out that one of the guys was literally her brother. and that was just freaky, so now I dwell on it in other books.]
also: note. I still shouldn't write book reviews at 2am bc glory, look at all the dumb weird tangents I went on.

FINAL WORD: I loved this book. For the same reasons I love Hattie Big Sky, even though the only common denominator between the two books are Hattie and Charlie. I love the vibrancy of Larson's historical fiction, the unexpected world that she paints oh so well. I love how we deal with many issued of the world, but it still remains Hattie's story. I love Hattie and her voice and her zeal and how darling she is. This book deserves just as many rereads as Hattie Big Sky, and just as thorough of a recommendation from me.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Kirby Larson's highly acclaimed Hattie Big Sky, delivers with another terrific coming of age tale of chasing dreams.


After losing her Montana farm Hattie moves to San Francisco to pursue her dream of being a reporter like her hero, Nellie Bly. But leaving for the big city means putting off her best friend, Charlie's marriage proposal. Will Hattie find a home for her heart in the big city?


It isn't everyday that I find a gem such as Hattie Ever After in the Young Adult section these days, with its strong, sensible, and sincere heroine. I have loved Hattie ever since I read Hattie Big Sky a few years, and she has remained one of my favorite, most memorable heroine throughout the last few years.


I loved how Hattie, had a strong sense of who she was, even as she was finding out, and becoming the person she would be--if that makes any sense! She always believed the best about others, and I greatly admired her spunk and grit.


While you may not have to read its prequel to enjoy this book, I would strongly recommend reading Hattie Big Sky before reading this book, because Hattie's references to the past will make more sense, and who would want to miss such a fabulous book!


Overall, this book was well written, with a well rounded heroine. I loved how Hattie had an honest faith in God, and how she was always remembering things that her aunt, or Perilee, Charlie or her other friends had said, I felt that it really gave me a sense of those she held dear to her heart, and I loved them because she did. Plus there was plenty going on, never a dull moment to slow my steady flipping of the pages. A fantastic book that I heartily recommend!


I received this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked this book but not as much as "Hattie Big Sky" which I think had more emotional depth and stronger surrounding characters. This book begins where the first one leaves off with Hattie working in Great Falls. She wants to be a reporter and eventually gets her chance in San Francisco, where she is challenged by misogyny and a puzzle involving her Uncle Chester. This story of Chester and Ruby Danvers was pretty easy to figure out from the beginning so I found no suspense there, although younger readers probably won't clue in as soon as I did. Hattie is also torn between her ambition and a possible marriage to Charlie and although this tension was ostensibly caused by the time period, I thought a teen girl who had tried to homestead on her own could have easily figured out much earlier the solution that is finally come to in the end. Having said all that, the book is once again filled with Kirby Larson's trademark attention to period detail and good research which made it interesting and fun to read. Hattie is an authentic character with an original voice, who retains her faith in humanity when faced with the perils of the big city. She learns that people aren't always nice, but she remains good and forgiving. An overall enjoyable read.

[Brichimt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this long awaited sequel to the award winning Hattie Big Sky (Delacorte, 2006) the story picks up Hattie after she lost her Montana homestead and arrives in San Francisco with hopes of making it as a newspaper reporter. To pay the bills, she takes on several jobs to survive. One of the jobs is as a cleaning lady at the San Francisco Chronicle. This particular job get her inside the building where she discovers the newspaper’s stock of back issues and began looking through them for news on her late Uncle Chester. What she develops as she searches the back issues are all the skills one needs to perform basic research, which is definitely what a good reporter needs to be equipped with. Hattie is not alone in the big city for long. Charlie, a friend from her childhood, in back from the war and shows up. He has taken a job in Seattle with the Boeing company and comes to the city for an air show and runs into Hattie. Perilee, one of Hattie’s neighbors from Montana has also moved to Seattle and keeps up a busy letter exchange. The story is a quick read and has left room for a possible third installment.

[Phoebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel felt so rushed and lacked the appeal of the first book. Everything seems to come a little too easily for Hattie, who turns her back on Charlie to head out to San Francisco in hopes of pursuing a career as a reporter. She manages this goal in a relatively short time despite having no formal schooling, no secretarial skills, and no resources. Her romance with Charlie is the most genuine part of the book, and her tug of war with herself regarding career versus marriage is one many women of her time must have experienced. In the end, Hattie gets it all, and are we surprised? Not really, because Kirby Larson makes everything easy for her heroine. Stick with the true adventure, and real plot, of the first book. Upper junior high, older.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hattie Ever After By Kirby Larson, Hattie Ever After is the sequel to Hattie Big Sky. After leaving the homestead in Montana, which she inherited from her late Uncle; she traveled with a vaudville act to San Francisco as their seamstress with the thought of being a news paper reporter. She did get a job with the new paper as a janitor. When she extra time she began to do some research towards a great story which she accomplished and was the Chronicle's reporter. She still had her special friend (Charlie) from Iowa, who was in Seattle working for Boeing. She left for Seattle to marry Charlie. She could be a reporter in Seattle as well as San Francisco. She truly felt love now after growing up an orphan. (library Book)

[Afton Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo Kirby Larson! A first class read with a very authentic feel. You can tell she did her research on early 1900's San Francisco, airplanes, fashion and the newspaper business. And women! Hattie is so fresh and spunky and honestly believes she can do anything. And she does! Despite having her big heart and her trust violated in "Big Sky" and this book, she doesn't lose her pluck and determination. Way to go Hattie. And way to go Kirby Larson for a fantastic sequel to the Newbery Medal winning "Hattie Big Sky."

[Tenille Shade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of hope, resilience, and passionate pursuit of dreams. Charlie's final letter made all my previous frustrations melt away. Kirbie Larson shares exquisite writing with us all!

[Iris]

Oh my goodness. So good! I loved this book so much!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel to one of my favorite Newbery Honor books, Hattie Big Sky. I had been told it was not quite as good as the first one. And I would agree with that. However, it was still a fun read and I am glad to have read more of Hattie's story!

Thoughts for a review:
*I was fascinated by the history! This time period between the great wars is not one I know much about. I really enjoyed the details like women in the workplace, the league of nations (loved the elevator ride with the president!), airplanes (one of my favorite scenes is hattie riding in a plane for the first time), and the changing face of the nation. Loved that Larson has done so much research and found such specific details to make her story feel more connected to the time like the postcards and the particular hotels and buildings mentioned. The fiction and the history blend seamlessly together.
*Hattie is certainly a determined character. I was amazed at how hard she works to get a job at the paper and then as an actual reporter. So neat! The details of the newsroom and the morgue were really interesting as well. I was frustrated with her at a couple of points in the story. Why was she so focused on herself? Why was being a big city reporter so important to her? Why won't she accept Charlie when he obviously makes her so happy?! Luckily she learned more as the story went on and the ending was quite satisfying. Although I would have liked a wedding epilogue as well :) My favorite character was probably Charlie. I loved getting to meet him face to face and how kind, hard working, and determined he is. They are a great match.
*It felt like a different book and character entirely from Hattie Big Sky at times. While she was in the wide open homestead of Montana in the first book, this one is set in the city. Larson does a nice job setting the scene in both places but they don't really feel like two parts of the same story. It threw me off to have such different settings. But Hattie does feel like she can belong in both places. So it didn't bother me too much. I was disappointed never actually see or hear from Perilee and would have liked more details of Hattie and Charlie's wedding.
*Some of the action is so crazy! I have to admit I was skeptical of Ruby Danvers from the first time Hattie gives her money. Pretty crazy how crooked her character turned out to be! Also I was disappointed in Ned and how his character progressed. I thought he was a real friend to Hattie but then he steals all her stories? And gets away with it? That's just wrong. But I guess the world isn't fair.

Overall, an enjoyable read about an intriguing time in American history. I liked this one and if you have read Hattie's first story, I think you'd like it too!

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Hattie Big Sky was such an unexpectedly big hit with me, I was really looking forward to Hattie Ever After. It's good, but doesn't have the special magic of the first installment.

Mostly, Hattie Ever After feels a bit scattered. Hattie's working as a maid in Montana, but then she gets a job working as wardrobe mistress for a theater troop so she turns down Charlie and moves to San Francisco. There she tries to get a job as a reporter and becomes caught up with her Uncle's ex-girlfriend. It comes together sort of, but everything feels rushed, and the Ruby Danvers thing particularly feels somewhat out of place. I'd have liked a bit more time spent on the romance, and on Hattie's emotional arc.

For a sequel that may not have been planned initially, this is better than most. It was entertaining and quick, but it didn't entirely satisfy.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways, I enjoyed this one more than Hattie Big Sky. It was a relief to move beyond the sheer exhaustion (and dependence on the weather) of trying to succeed at homesteading. And the flu. And the war.

I like the setting of San Francisco and the Chronicle. I like the woman reporter who supports Hattie.

The Ruby plot was predictable and therefore frustrating. I didn't care about whether or not she found out anything about Uncle Chester. The whole Ruby/Chester thing luring Hattie to San Francisco was a stretch to start with, very plot devicey. How could she NOT go with her newfound family to Seattle?

Even though all of her big reporting breaks seem silly, one was real, borrowed from a woman reporter in Seattle. Clearly, tons of research went into this story, and I always appreciate that.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few parts of the story line that I figured out pretty quickly, but this felt like such a perfect and satisfying sequel that I did not care. Hattie is a young woman worth rooting for. She is willing to work hard for her dream and is the kind of friend any of us would be blessed to have. Also, perhaps this doesn't appeal to everyone, but I love a good historical book that gives me 100 different rabbit trails to pursue via Google, should I be interested. The author obviously does her research and loves to plant references to people, places, and things that would be found in that time and place, but she doesn't overwhelm the book with them, leaving me to pursue the things that I personally wanted to research.