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The saga of The 1929 Series continues as Aryl’s battle with opiates forces Jonathan and Caleb to take drastic measures in an effort to save him. Claire clings desperately to the hope that the man she fell in love with, and lost, will reemerge from the depths of his addiction.
Ava confronts a dark secret from her past that sends her spiraling deeper into postpartum depression. And instead of reaching out to Jonathan, she withdraws from her friends and her life.
While Arianna is expecting their third child, Caleb finds himself ensnared in Marvin’s tangled web of deceit and blackmail. He struggles to keep his family safe as he maneuvers his way out of the nightmare.
Bonds are renewed and further strengthened as the families band together. Will they have the tenacity to overcome their ordeals? Or will this forever destroy their friendships as they know it?
Ava confronts a dark secret from her past that sends her spiraling deeper into postpartum depression. And instead of reaching out to Jonathan, she withdraws from her friends and her life.
While Arianna is expecting their third child, Caleb finds himself ensnared in Marvin’s tangled web of deceit and blackmail. He struggles to keep his family safe as he maneuvers his way out of the nightmare.
Bonds are renewed and further strengthened as the families band together. Will they have the tenacity to overcome their ordeals? Or will this forever destroy their friendships as they know it?
Unknown Binding
First published March 24, 2014
325 people are currently reading
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About the author
M.L. Gardner
47 books165 followersM. L. Gardner is the bestselling author of the 1929 series. Gardner is frugal to a fault, preserving the old ways of living by canning, cooking from scratch, and woodworking. Nostalgic stories from her grandmother’s life during the Great Depression inspired Gardner to write the 1929 series—as well as her own research into the Roarin’ Twenties. She has authored nine books, three novellas, one book of short stories and a cookbook. Gardner is married with three kids and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 11, 2016
I've now read all 6 books in this series. In a nutshell, these are books I love to hate. The storyline is engaging, and I definitely wanted to keep reading to see what happens to all the characters. Having said that, there are SO MANY historical inaccuracies that it was almost, but not quite, enough to make me walk away. Other readers have pointed out some of the obvious errors, like showers in the NYC tenements, etc. I'll point out a couple of things that just about drove me crazy: (1) the author's constant use of bad grammar in an effort to make the dialogue more authentic -- at least I can only assume that's why she uses it. Case in point, "Me and Caleb used to go there when we were younger." (OK, this isn't a direct quote, but you get the idea.) Every time I read another example of "Me and ____ did such and such" it makes me grit my teeth. (2) Getting a very simple detail like the Ides of March incorrect. In Book 3, one of the chapters is titled, "March 10, 1931," and starts off: " 'The Ides of March,' Jonathan grumbled as he carried Jean back to his bed." NO! NO! NO! The Ides of March is the 15th!!! The Ides of any month is the 15th!!! IMO, this sort of error is inexcusable. (3) In Book 2, a large chunk of the plot is "lifted" straight from the movie "Ghost." Hardly original.
It should be noted I lowered my rating for Book 5 by 1 star. Yes, I understand it's a "novella;" yes, I read it; and yes, it does relate, at least somewhat, to the rest of the series. BUT, I simply cannot rate it any higher. The storyline would be perfectly fine without this, and, IMO, it really doesn't add much.
Overall, the storyline was entertaining. Some of the characters were great; some not so much. I found Ava to be an insufferable, whiny witch. The predictability of many plot points was a little irritating, i.e. who was related to whom, who was doing what, etc. And while many probably see Book 6 as wrapping up all the loose ends, I don't. When I read books that crawl through the minutia of daily life, only to then cover decades (in this case, 41 years) in a few pages, I am just plain annoyed! It's as if the author decided she was tired of writing, tired of the story, and tired of the characters -- so jumped over a lot of years and slapped on a silly ending.
It should be noted I lowered my rating for Book 5 by 1 star. Yes, I understand it's a "novella;" yes, I read it; and yes, it does relate, at least somewhat, to the rest of the series. BUT, I simply cannot rate it any higher. The storyline would be perfectly fine without this, and, IMO, it really doesn't add much.
Overall, the storyline was entertaining. Some of the characters were great; some not so much. I found Ava to be an insufferable, whiny witch. The predictability of many plot points was a little irritating, i.e. who was related to whom, who was doing what, etc. And while many probably see Book 6 as wrapping up all the loose ends, I don't. When I read books that crawl through the minutia of daily life, only to then cover decades (in this case, 41 years) in a few pages, I am just plain annoyed! It's as if the author decided she was tired of writing, tired of the story, and tired of the characters -- so jumped over a lot of years and slapped on a silly ending.
May 31, 2017
I am glad that I have completed this series. It is a garbled mix of historic fiction and paranormal intrigue. I truly believe that she could have stuck with the first storyline and done just fine.
June 26, 2017
I like this series - sometimes - at other times, it drives me nuts. Lots of sloppy editing (for example: Patrick visits Ian on his boat and sees Patrick's bed roll in the corner. Huh?? The point is that Patrick sees Ian's bed roll and from that figures out that Ian is sleeping on the boat.) Lots of bad grammar - and if it is being done for effect, its use is too inconsistent to create that image. It just comes across as bad grammar.
February 7, 2023
I chose to read only the three books in this series that dealt mostly with the main family characters. I enjoyed reading the stories of the struggles as they progressed through difficult, but, ultimately fulfilling and enduring lives.
August 21, 2018
The saga continues as Jonathan and Caleb try to do anything they can to help Aryl break his addiction to opiates. Meanwhile Caleb's wife has a third child, Caleb gets ensnared with the local deputy and a drug running scam, and Jonathan's wife is trying to hide a secret that distances her from Jonathan and her friends.
It's a cliff hanger of a book to see what happens and if the friends and families can work it all out and stay together as friends or break apart from one another. Things really start to get intensive.
I really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it. I don't usually read series, especially one book right after another, but I couldn't put these books down.
It's a cliff hanger of a book to see what happens and if the friends and families can work it all out and stay together as friends or break apart from one another. Things really start to get intensive.
I really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it. I don't usually read series, especially one book right after another, but I couldn't put these books down.
July 17, 2017
Read the series of books in order is my advice to fellow readers. After reading the first book, I had to read the next book and finally the last book of the series. This read was as enjoyable as the first. There were several grammatical errors that did not bother me in the least. However, for her good name, the author should take care with the mechanics of good writing. I will miss the characters and how they overcame wave after wave of adversity. and their courage in making things right between or among themselves.
Thank you, Ms. Gardner, for a good read.
Thank you, Ms. Gardner, for a good read.
February 8, 2017
Best series of books I've read in a long time.
I got the first book in this series as a free kindle book. After reading 1929, I knew I had to immediately get the rest of the books! This whole series has been wonderful. Clear your day, grab a cup of coffee and settle in for some great reading. The characters come alive and you know you just want them all as your friends. My absolute favorite was 1931! Hated getting to the end of the story.
I got the first book in this series as a free kindle book. After reading 1929, I knew I had to immediately get the rest of the books! This whole series has been wonderful. Clear your day, grab a cup of coffee and settle in for some great reading. The characters come alive and you know you just want them all as your friends. My absolute favorite was 1931! Hated getting to the end of the story.
September 22, 2017
1929
This is a very hard review for me. I enjoyed the series very much, but book 2 was very hard for me, I still do not understand why it was in this series! I couldn't wait to start the book, was very upset with the content, even thought of putting the whole thing down and not reading anymore.
I did finish the whole series, have three stars because most of it was interesting, strong characters.
This is a very hard review for me. I enjoyed the series very much, but book 2 was very hard for me, I still do not understand why it was in this series! I couldn't wait to start the book, was very upset with the content, even thought of putting the whole thing down and not reading anymore.
I did finish the whole series, have three stars because most of it was interesting, strong characters.
December 19, 2017
Ties up a lot of loose ends, but when it was ever, I still wanted more...
Aryl is back at home, but is hooked on opium... definitely not himself! Jonathan, Caleb, and Ian take him into the woods and tie him up so they can wean him off the drugs. Meanwhile, more things happen to the families left in town.
Much better than the previous book!
Aryl is back at home, but is hooked on opium... definitely not himself! Jonathan, Caleb, and Ian take him into the woods and tie him up so they can wean him off the drugs. Meanwhile, more things happen to the families left in town.
Much better than the previous book!
November 10, 2020
Engrossing series . Best read in order
Thes
B
Binge-reading these 6 novels got me through the week after the US 2020 Election without the need for adult beverages.
Binge- reading these
Thes
B
Binge-reading these 6 novels got me through the week after the US 2020 Election without the need for adult beverages.
Binge- reading these
May 30, 2023
Amazing
The saga of these friends and how they survived the crash of 1929 through 1931 was amazing! Trouble of all kinds! They stuck together and survived some horrible life events. Friends and family forever!!
The saga of these friends and how they survived the crash of 1929 through 1931 was amazing! Trouble of all kinds! They stuck together and survived some horrible life events. Friends and family forever!!
July 24, 2017
Liked it. Now reading Purling Road season 1.
April 7, 2018
My review of 1929, 1930 and 1931 has been combined and is in the first book, 1929.
September 21, 2018
The story of the families continues. I loved the series.
November 24, 2018
can not wait until i read the other books
January 12, 2019
Really? Put the car in "drive" and "park"...1930s cars didn't have "drive" and "park". They had manual transmissions! Hated the "crazy" books.
January 22, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
May 24, 2019
Really enjoyed this series. I thought this was the last book, but then after the epilogue I find out there are many more books with the same characters! On to Purling Road, Season 1!
December 29, 2019
Continuing the saga f Jonathan, Caleb, and Arkyl as Army struggles to free himself demo the opiates.
June 25, 2020
Enjoyed book six.
I really enjoyed the characters and story lines especially if the original three couples. On to book 7. Helps with this long quarantine!!
I really enjoyed the characters and story lines especially if the original three couples. On to book 7. Helps with this long quarantine!!
January 6, 2022
still loving this series
Getting ready to buy the next books. Lots of unanswered questions about some of the characters. Can’t wait to read on.
Getting ready to buy the next books. Lots of unanswered questions about some of the characters. Can’t wait to read on.
January 10, 2022
Very Real
There was a balance of characters. Ask yourself, who did you love the most ? Who did you hate more?
There was a balance of characters. Ask yourself, who did you love the most ? Who did you hate more?
October 30, 2022
Great
I loved the series and the trials @ tribulations of these families. Not sure what kind of blowup Gina caused but feel sure Clair & Aryl got thru it.
I loved the series and the trials @ tribulations of these families. Not sure what kind of blowup Gina caused but feel sure Clair & Aryl got thru it.
January 7, 2015
At long last, I have finally finished this series. I simply couldn't get through it fast enough! This impatience was motivated both by the need to see the outcome for Jonathan and his friends, and the need to stop reading such unedited writing.
The positives:
While I was disappointed, disgusted and irritated by the numerous subplots, the author did an acceptable job of wrapping them all up in this final novel. She gave ample time to talk about Patrick and Shannon, and relatively appropriate time to Tarin and Gordon. She wrapped up the Gina subplot, the Marvin/opium subplot, the Simon/Elizabeth subplot, and even Sloan's subplot. Hmm, that really does seem to be a lot of subplots... so let's move on.
Negatives:
Why are there so many characters? And why are there so many subplots? And why could they have not had TRANSITIONS? I felt like they were just sort of squished in at random times. "Oh, this seems like a good time for Gina to stop by and get her a** kicked by Claire." Also, "Let's throw in a fight between Ian and Maura, even though most of the time we don't really pay attention to their relationship." And how about, "Here's a random kid who can talk to ghosts!" And THEN, "We're all practical people, but we've decided we believe in ghosts AND we're going to have a memorial service for two of them because apparently they're important." I simply could not take half of the subplots seriously, and was dying to just get the whole story over with.
This is not a Dickens novel. It is nowhere near the quality of a Dickens novel. So, why does the author feel she can appropriately handle a Dickensian amount of characters and subplots?
As I've said before in my reviews of the other books in the series, she is in dire need of a good editor, and perhaps needs to write some more thorough outlines of her books so that all of the subplots (since she seems to enjoy having many of them) fit together with the main premise of the story. In addition, the grammatical errors need to be fixed. They may be small and don't change the plot or the characters, but they are the mark of a unprofessional writer.
In Conclusion:
I am satisfied with the general conclusion of the story--although, I'm shocked that we have no idea what happened to Ava, since everyone else is there at the finale. I would not read this again or recommend them to anyone unless by some miracle the author hired a very thorough editor and put out new editions of the series.
The positives:
While I was disappointed, disgusted and irritated by the numerous subplots, the author did an acceptable job of wrapping them all up in this final novel. She gave ample time to talk about Patrick and Shannon, and relatively appropriate time to Tarin and Gordon. She wrapped up the Gina subplot, the Marvin/opium subplot, the Simon/Elizabeth subplot, and even Sloan's subplot. Hmm, that really does seem to be a lot of subplots... so let's move on.
Negatives:
Why are there so many characters? And why are there so many subplots? And why could they have not had TRANSITIONS? I felt like they were just sort of squished in at random times. "Oh, this seems like a good time for Gina to stop by and get her a** kicked by Claire." Also, "Let's throw in a fight between Ian and Maura, even though most of the time we don't really pay attention to their relationship." And how about, "Here's a random kid who can talk to ghosts!" And THEN, "We're all practical people, but we've decided we believe in ghosts AND we're going to have a memorial service for two of them because apparently they're important." I simply could not take half of the subplots seriously, and was dying to just get the whole story over with.
This is not a Dickens novel. It is nowhere near the quality of a Dickens novel. So, why does the author feel she can appropriately handle a Dickensian amount of characters and subplots?
As I've said before in my reviews of the other books in the series, she is in dire need of a good editor, and perhaps needs to write some more thorough outlines of her books so that all of the subplots (since she seems to enjoy having many of them) fit together with the main premise of the story. In addition, the grammatical errors need to be fixed. They may be small and don't change the plot or the characters, but they are the mark of a unprofessional writer.
In Conclusion:
I am satisfied with the general conclusion of the story--although, I'm shocked that we have no idea what happened to Ava, since everyone else is there at the finale. I would not read this again or recommend them to anyone unless by some miracle the author hired a very thorough editor and put out new editions of the series.
September 2, 2014
I don't understand how this book was so highly rated. I struggled to get through it. There were many characters to keep track of and little explanation of whether they were related or how the couples became friends. I realize that this is one in a series of books by this author but usually an author will give a reader enough background that even one who is unacquainted with the series can understand. A young boy was introduced who somehow had a connection with spirits. Something he said led one of the characters to find an item of her husband's but the reader doesn't know why it is significant. Other than his mother's fear they will need to move because someone learned of his special gift, they just fade from the story. I read the whole book and I still don't remember who is married to whom, where they came from, or why I should care. If you have read the other books in the series, you will probably enjoy it. If you haven't read the others, I hope you get more out of it than I did.
July 25, 2015
Book 6 of The 1929 Series continues as Aryl’s battle with opiates forces Jonathan and Caleb to take drastic measures in an effort to save him. Claire clings desperately to the hope that the man she fell in love with, and lost, will reemerge from the depths of his addiction.
Ava confronts a dark secret from her past that sends her spiraling deeper into her postpartum depression. And instead of reaching out to Jonathan, she withdraws from her friends and her life.
While Arianna is expecting their third child, Caleb finds himself ensnared in Marvin’s tangled web of deceit and blackmail. He struggles to keep his family safe as he maneuvers his way out of the nightmare.
Bonds are renewed and further strengthened as the families band together. Will they have the tenacity to overcome their ordeals? Or will this forever destroy their friendships as they know it? The book ties up nicely, although it looks like there is a continuation.
Ava confronts a dark secret from her past that sends her spiraling deeper into her postpartum depression. And instead of reaching out to Jonathan, she withdraws from her friends and her life.
While Arianna is expecting their third child, Caleb finds himself ensnared in Marvin’s tangled web of deceit and blackmail. He struggles to keep his family safe as he maneuvers his way out of the nightmare.
Bonds are renewed and further strengthened as the families band together. Will they have the tenacity to overcome their ordeals? Or will this forever destroy their friendships as they know it? The book ties up nicely, although it looks like there is a continuation.
February 19, 2015
So I only kept reading these books because I absolutely loved the first one. As I read each book I began to like them less and less, but I really wanted to know what happened to the characters I had grown to love. I just feel like the author tried to bring in too many ideas and some of them didn't feel fully realized and seemed out of place. I think these books would have benefited from keeping it simple. I also find myself feeling unsatisfied with the ending. I like that it is ended on a good note, but it is pretty abrupt leaving lots of questions. I know there are short series out there that answer some of those questions but I don't think I'll be reading them.
June 12, 2015
This series just dragged on and on for me. I was committed to finishing the books, because in a sick, abusive way, I wanted to find out what happened to everyone. But this book was the most trying and difficult to get through. Yes, ML Gardner, wrapped up all the loose ends, but there were three stories lines that were brought back that had already been resolved in the 1930 book, and added no value in this book. She also introduced two new characters in this book, which I felt was unnecessary. We know by now that Caleb, Aryl, and Jonathan are hospitable people. Glad this series is over, I will not read another of ML Gardner's books. Let alone 6 of them.
April 14, 2015
"1931 Caleb's Err" Book Six of the 1929 Series by M.L.Gardner was the final book of the series. It was a good book, back to more realistic writing. I am not into paranormal stories so did not like Book Two nor Five. I've read that several readers felt the novels were historically inaccurate. It's fiction, folks! The author is allowed literary license so the story flows. Overall, I liked the way the main trio of friends, worked together, maintained friendship, thought as a team and resolved hardships as best they could since they lost their wealth due to the Market Crash.
August 13, 2015
Avoid this series
I've read three of the previous books in this series, but never actually read the entirety of each book. The writer is accomplished as a writer. Perhaps this writer would benefit by writing contemporary fiction, because the historical inaccuracies are just too annoying and distracting. Once again, I wasn't able to finish it. So, I can't recommend this book to anyone. That a shame because I generally appreciate historical fiction from this Great Depression era, but there's just too much inaccuracy!
I've read three of the previous books in this series, but never actually read the entirety of each book. The writer is accomplished as a writer. Perhaps this writer would benefit by writing contemporary fiction, because the historical inaccuracies are just too annoying and distracting. Once again, I wasn't able to finish it. So, I can't recommend this book to anyone. That a shame because I generally appreciate historical fiction from this Great Depression era, but there's just too much inaccuracy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews