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A Stick McLaughlin Novel #1
Stick McLaughlin: The Prohibition Years
Times are tough for sixteen-year-old Stick McLaughlin, running from a trumped up arson charge and hiding among hobos in 1918 Boston. Denied the companionship and support of lifelong soul mate Ellie, Stick edges her way through prison as “Mac,” only to be thrust alone and wide-eyed into the very definitely Roaring Twenties. She swallows what’s left of her pride through the final year of her sentence—serving as maid to a wealthy family—but stockpiles many invaluable lessons about rapidly-changing life in 1924.
Confrontations with bootleggers and a particularly enthralling flapper go a long way toward molding a strong, confident, clever “Mac,” who hits the streets with a gang of her own, determined to claim the good life she deserves by beating the corrupt system and Boston’s ethnic mobs at their own game.
Little does she know that the lost love she’s mourned for years is closer than she thinks. But have time and circumstance conspired against her once and for all?
Confrontations with bootleggers and a particularly enthralling flapper go a long way toward molding a strong, confident, clever “Mac,” who hits the streets with a gang of her own, determined to claim the good life she deserves by beating the corrupt system and Boston’s ethnic mobs at their own game.
Little does she know that the lost love she’s mourned for years is closer than she thinks. But have time and circumstance conspired against her once and for all?
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2014
8 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
C.F. Frizzell
7 books17 followersA life-long Massachusetts resident, CF Frizzell (“Friz”) endures the telecom industry in Boston for a living but dreams of retirement days spent writing at the seashore or in an Adirondack cabin. She grew up in community newspapers and established an award-winning twenty-two-year career that culminated in the role of founder/publisher. Friz discovered her passion for writing in high school, but credits powerhouse authors Lee Lynch, Radclyffe, and the generous family that is Bold Strokes Books for inspiration. She’s into history, acoustic guitar, New England pro sports—and, most of all, her partner, Kathy, with whom she makes a home in Sandwich on Cape Cod.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2018
3.5 Stars. With the sequel to this book coming out shortly, I decided to give this a go. Overall, I thought this was a good story, but I struggled a bit at times. I’m not big on books that take place in the 20’s. Not sure why, I just don’t really like reading about that time period. I found the beginning, when Stick was a teenage girl, to be tough to read. I almost considered a DNF. The book wasn’t bad I just felt it wasn’t for me. It’s funny because a lot of the reviewers actually like the beginning part the best. For me, when the book fast-forwarded 5 years, I started to enjoy it much more.
This book does have some romance. A YA romance in the beginning, and a light romance towards the end of the book. The book also has some excitement to keep you reading. I was really happy with the ending. I thought it was nice and sweet and a good ending for Stick. Now, I’m actually thinking I’m going to pass on book 2. I liked this ending so much I’m worried another installment will ruin the happy ending.
If you like historical romances that take place during prohibition with gangsters and such, this book will probably be for you. While I will be skipping the next Stick installment for now, I still would be happy to read other books by Frizzell.
This book does have some romance. A YA romance in the beginning, and a light romance towards the end of the book. The book also has some excitement to keep you reading. I was really happy with the ending. I thought it was nice and sweet and a good ending for Stick. Now, I’m actually thinking I’m going to pass on book 2. I liked this ending so much I’m worried another installment will ruin the happy ending.
If you like historical romances that take place during prohibition with gangsters and such, this book will probably be for you. While I will be skipping the next Stick installment for now, I still would be happy to read other books by Frizzell.
July 12, 2018
This is set post-WWI and into the early 20s in Boston. Elizabeth "Stick" McLaughlin comes from family struggling to make ends meet. Her best friend Ellie often makes sure she's fed. They have a special connection that, by the time they're 16, has turned into love. A series of events means Stick needs to disappear and for ages she only has intermittent contact with Ellie.
The first 30% of this novel is beautiful. There are clear connections made between the characters and the scene is set really well. After that it just seems to explode into too many incidents with far too many characters' names being thrown in. There isn't enough information about the main characters and their backgrounds or their motivations. The rival mobs during prohibition and their entanglements with politicians and law makers is interesting but not at the expense of becoming engaged with the characters.
The last 20% is an improvement but it had the feeling of being 'slices of life' except that the slices that were important to me were the ones that were left out.
On the whole, the setting was really good (I couldn't tell you if it was accurate or not) and the characters placed in it felt like they belonged. I enjoyed the writing but I could have done with a lot more of Stick and Ellie and without a lot of the middle bit.
The first 30% of this novel is beautiful. There are clear connections made between the characters and the scene is set really well. After that it just seems to explode into too many incidents with far too many characters' names being thrown in. There isn't enough information about the main characters and their backgrounds or their motivations. The rival mobs during prohibition and their entanglements with politicians and law makers is interesting but not at the expense of becoming engaged with the characters.
The last 20% is an improvement but it had the feeling of being 'slices of life' except that the slices that were important to me were the ones that were left out.
On the whole, the setting was really good (I couldn't tell you if it was accurate or not) and the characters placed in it felt like they belonged. I enjoyed the writing but I could have done with a lot more of Stick and Ellie and without a lot of the middle bit.
October 21, 2017
The beginning of this story totally pulled me in. I had high hopes it was going to be a solid 4-5 star read.
The character and world building was excellent, the writing descriptive, painting vivid imagery, bringing the characters to life.
I loved being introduced to Stick and the girl she was crushing on, Ellie. They were cute together. Then an event happens that forces Stick to go into hiding. I still don't understand how she stayed under the radar for as long as she did, but was able to overlook that, caught up in the rest of the story.
Eventually she is arrested, goes to prison and is released to a family on a years probation. That is when the story faulted for me. A huge part of the plot then follows Sticks life while staying at the 'Waters Estate', and frankly it bored me to tears. I had to push myself to keep reading. Had I not been reading to review I think I might have given up.
Once over that very long drawn out hurdle the pace picked up a little, but I wasn't pulled back in until Stick and Ellie finally crossed paths again. At this stage I was happy I persevered with the story, the ending was great. I could feel the depth of emotion between them. Actually I think that is what was lacking with the mid section of the story. I did 'feel' anything!
I'm not even sure how to tag this story, it has a New Adult feel at times, but not. There was one erotica scene, much to my delight, but not enough to call this story Erotica. Romance, possible but a good deal of the story is not romantic. It is probably best described as a story of love lost, then found.
I have to give full credit to a story being so very well edited!
copy provided by BOLD STROKES BOOKS, via NetGalley
The character and world building was excellent, the writing descriptive, painting vivid imagery, bringing the characters to life.
I loved being introduced to Stick and the girl she was crushing on, Ellie. They were cute together. Then an event happens that forces Stick to go into hiding. I still don't understand how she stayed under the radar for as long as she did, but was able to overlook that, caught up in the rest of the story.
Eventually she is arrested, goes to prison and is released to a family on a years probation. That is when the story faulted for me. A huge part of the plot then follows Sticks life while staying at the 'Waters Estate', and frankly it bored me to tears. I had to push myself to keep reading. Had I not been reading to review I think I might have given up.
Once over that very long drawn out hurdle the pace picked up a little, but I wasn't pulled back in until Stick and Ellie finally crossed paths again. At this stage I was happy I persevered with the story, the ending was great. I could feel the depth of emotion between them. Actually I think that is what was lacking with the mid section of the story. I did 'feel' anything!
I'm not even sure how to tag this story, it has a New Adult feel at times, but not. There was one erotica scene, much to my delight, but not enough to call this story Erotica. Romance, possible but a good deal of the story is not romantic. It is probably best described as a story of love lost, then found.
I have to give full credit to a story being so very well edited!
copy provided by BOLD STROKES BOOKS, via NetGalley
August 22, 2018
I enjoyed this quite a lot. I love historical fiction and there isn't a ton in the Lesfic category. This was a good one. I quite liked the characters and the fierce sense of family they felt for each other. There were a few plot points that felt quite rushed and awfully convenient. Which is the reason I gave 4 stars and not more. All together it was quite a delight!!
November 11, 2014
A really good debut novel for Ms. Frizzell. Historical novels are not my go-to genre, but I like bad girl mobsters so I put it on my reading list.
There were some surprises. I was surprised that the author stayed true to life and made her character suffer through some humiliation to get where she needed to be. That was hard to read, but I appreciate that she didn't just have things magically work out for her.
The second surprise was the depth of character development. It was so subtle I didn't realize it until I found myself thinking about Stick at odd moments during the day. When a character sticks in your head while you're not reading, the author has done a good job of making that person real.
I was a little disappointed that she skipped over the three years she spent in prison with barely a mention. It felt like a gap, but there was a lot of ground to cover, so it might have been edited out to keep the story from bogging down.
Good job all round. Enjoyed the story. Loved Stick.
There were some surprises. I was surprised that the author stayed true to life and made her character suffer through some humiliation to get where she needed to be. That was hard to read, but I appreciate that she didn't just have things magically work out for her.
The second surprise was the depth of character development. It was so subtle I didn't realize it until I found myself thinking about Stick at odd moments during the day. When a character sticks in your head while you're not reading, the author has done a good job of making that person real.
I was a little disappointed that she skipped over the three years she spent in prison with barely a mention. It felt like a gap, but there was a lot of ground to cover, so it might have been edited out to keep the story from bogging down.
Good job all round. Enjoyed the story. Loved Stick.
July 10, 2020
Well crafted, characters well defined, story captivating. A book impossible to put down before the end. I was drawn deeply into the storyline and was saddened to turn the last page. A great read I highly recommend.
July 25, 2023
Picked up this book at Salem Pride. Great plot, great character development. Way more complex than I anticipated
March 5, 2017
Excellent!
I loved Stick McLaughlin. I loved the main characters Stick and Ellie. But the side characters were just as good. Imagine Stick and Casey Cain together. What a pair. A great story of love and hardship.
SIDE NOTE: I also loved Exchange by this same author. For some reason the review didn't get put up. I love that the title of CF Frizzell's books give you a hint of their content.
I loved Stick McLaughlin. I loved the main characters Stick and Ellie. But the side characters were just as good. Imagine Stick and Casey Cain together. What a pair. A great story of love and hardship.
SIDE NOTE: I also loved Exchange by this same author. For some reason the review didn't get put up. I love that the title of CF Frizzell's books give you a hint of their content.
March 11, 2015
Pulled back through the pages of time to the city of Boston where you join Elizabeth McLaughlin on her live path.
It's a journey of first love and heartache, her dreams and detours from them, to then finding love again.
With her descriptive writing and vivid picture painting CF brought to life a great cast of characters and the era/area in which they lived.
The pace of the story can seem somewhat slow in a few places, however the end result is well worth your time.
It's a journey of first love and heartache, her dreams and detours from them, to then finding love again.
With her descriptive writing and vivid picture painting CF brought to life a great cast of characters and the era/area in which they lived.
The pace of the story can seem somewhat slow in a few places, however the end result is well worth your time.
June 28, 2017
Awesome! This would make an unbelievable movie. Very well written. A must-read by CF Frizzell.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews