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Mazie
About a 1950s farmgirl who sets out to pursue her dream of Broadway, only to find that success will bring her startlingly full-circle.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published February 23, 2021
22 people are currently reading
1984 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Crowder
10 books170 followersMelanie Crowder graduated in 2011 with an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of JUMPER, MAZIE, THREE PENNIES, AN UNINTERRUPTED VIEW OF THE SKY, A NEARER MOON, AUDACITY, PARCHED, and THE LIGHTHOUSE BETWEEN THE WORLDS and A WAY BETWEEN WORLDS.
A West Coast girl at heart, Melanie now lives and writes in the beautiful state of Colorado.
A West Coast girl at heart, Melanie now lives and writes in the beautiful state of Colorado.
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Want to read
July 21, 2020Someone on twitter mentioned this is sapphic? I’m not 100% sure but 1950s Broadway is enough for me 👀
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February 14, 2021Crowder writes some of my favorite historical YAs, and this book is a total treat. Packed with 1950s time-period detail, 18-year-old Mazie is in a long-term relationship with Jesse in their small Nebraska town, but all she wants in the world is to be in theater. She's talented, no doubt, but people don't tend to leave her small town, aside from those who went to work for the war and came back. And for her to have such huge dreams while also having safety and security in Nebraska is a lot for those who love to to handle.
Except for her grandmother.
Mazie is gifted a sum of money and train tickets out of town, and she books the first trip to New York City, where she stays at a boarding house for those seeking work in theater. She has six weeks to prove herself, as that's what her budget allows. When it's drawing near the end of her time in the city, she gets a chance of a lifetime. But it's not what she anticipates: she'll be part of an industrial theater group touring the midwest to help a tractor company get their employees excited about selling. She'll be an understudy, responsible for all of the female roles, and Mazie has no little time to make a decision, let alone practice.
She takes the job, despite feeling like she's stepping backwards, but within no time, she's suddenly forced into the role she's been coveting.
After a stage incident, she and the company are staying an extra week in Nebraska, and Mazie uses it as an opportunity to right some of the wrongs she'd made when she left town. But not everyone is excited to see her, and not everyone is so quick to welcome her back.
This is a moving, fascinating story of a girl who is hard headed and determined to pursue her dreams, while also encouraging others to do the same. At least she is when she's in Nebraska. Upon hitting the stage and New York City, she shrinks away, more intimidated by her dreams and goals than encouraged by them. But when brought back to her hometown, she finds herself pushing for others to seek out their dreams, begging Jesse's sister to let him leave the farm and pursue education nearer to her in NYC.
There's a fabulous thread throughout about queerness in theater, at a time when being queer was not socially accepted by any means. Mazie learns this by accident, and it's one of the ways she seeks to step up into her dreams and help others live their truths. Theater is a place for those looking to play a role they sometimes can't in their real lives, as a means of finding others who, like them, want to be seen and loved for exactly who they are. This plays out on so many smart levels throughout.
The time setting, the theater shows, the exploration of industrial theater, and indeed, the sweet romance and family that is at once supportive and hesitant to let Mazie do something so big and bold at age 17-18 makes this a memorable, warm, and deeply enjoyable read. It reminded me a lot of Christine Fletcher's Ten Cents a Dance, one of my all-time favorites. A perfect blend of looking at the realities of a struggling midwest post-war with a thriving theater and arts scene in New York City without ever elevating one over the other.
Except for her grandmother.
Mazie is gifted a sum of money and train tickets out of town, and she books the first trip to New York City, where she stays at a boarding house for those seeking work in theater. She has six weeks to prove herself, as that's what her budget allows. When it's drawing near the end of her time in the city, she gets a chance of a lifetime. But it's not what she anticipates: she'll be part of an industrial theater group touring the midwest to help a tractor company get their employees excited about selling. She'll be an understudy, responsible for all of the female roles, and Mazie has no little time to make a decision, let alone practice.
She takes the job, despite feeling like she's stepping backwards, but within no time, she's suddenly forced into the role she's been coveting.
After a stage incident, she and the company are staying an extra week in Nebraska, and Mazie uses it as an opportunity to right some of the wrongs she'd made when she left town. But not everyone is excited to see her, and not everyone is so quick to welcome her back.
This is a moving, fascinating story of a girl who is hard headed and determined to pursue her dreams, while also encouraging others to do the same. At least she is when she's in Nebraska. Upon hitting the stage and New York City, she shrinks away, more intimidated by her dreams and goals than encouraged by them. But when brought back to her hometown, she finds herself pushing for others to seek out their dreams, begging Jesse's sister to let him leave the farm and pursue education nearer to her in NYC.
There's a fabulous thread throughout about queerness in theater, at a time when being queer was not socially accepted by any means. Mazie learns this by accident, and it's one of the ways she seeks to step up into her dreams and help others live their truths. Theater is a place for those looking to play a role they sometimes can't in their real lives, as a means of finding others who, like them, want to be seen and loved for exactly who they are. This plays out on so many smart levels throughout.
The time setting, the theater shows, the exploration of industrial theater, and indeed, the sweet romance and family that is at once supportive and hesitant to let Mazie do something so big and bold at age 17-18 makes this a memorable, warm, and deeply enjoyable read. It reminded me a lot of Christine Fletcher's Ten Cents a Dance, one of my all-time favorites. A perfect blend of looking at the realities of a struggling midwest post-war with a thriving theater and arts scene in New York City without ever elevating one over the other.
Want to read
July 21, 2020wait wait wait hold on.. actress... broadway... queer????? I WANT THIS BOOK!!! I NEED THIS BOOK!!!!!!
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Instagram | Blog | Booktube Channel | Twitter
August 22, 2021
Loved the historical setting but couldn't fully connect to it.
June 19, 2021
Thank you to Penguinteen Canada for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the story of Mazie. My favourite part of the story was the atmosphere and the late 50s early 60s vibe that was present throughout the story.
Mazie has a character was also very interesting. I really liked her ambition and drive to pursue her dream. Although I enjoy Broadway, I am not a huge musical fan and so a lot of the old-school Broadway references kind of went over my head. But if you are someone who really likes Broadway and musicals and the mid 20th century setting you’ll love this story.
The romance was good, but I found it to be a little absent in the second half. I understand it was hard to implement considering the characters were separated. It would’ve been nice if there was some other kind of love and trust.
Overall it was a good book and I think many people will enjoy it.
I really enjoyed the story of Mazie. My favourite part of the story was the atmosphere and the late 50s early 60s vibe that was present throughout the story.
Mazie has a character was also very interesting. I really liked her ambition and drive to pursue her dream. Although I enjoy Broadway, I am not a huge musical fan and so a lot of the old-school Broadway references kind of went over my head. But if you are someone who really likes Broadway and musicals and the mid 20th century setting you’ll love this story.
The romance was good, but I found it to be a little absent in the second half. I understand it was hard to implement considering the characters were separated. It would’ve been nice if there was some other kind of love and trust.
Overall it was a good book and I think many people will enjoy it.
July 3, 2021
3.5 STARS
This book was the classic fight that a girl from a small town has to give as an aspiring actress. She wants to move into New York and work at Broadway. She has big dreams that may be too big for her small city. However, our heroine has to face many rejections, along with heartbreak, as she has left behind her boyfriend that she still loves and didn't want to abandon.
I really enjoyed it, I loved how it may be a book from back in the 50s, but it gave me a contemporary feeling as well. I also appreciated the queer parts of the book, even though it's a historical book. The struggles that she had to face and the romance part , this was also my favorite. I was very curious as to how this story would eventually develop and I wondered if she would have to go back or if she would abandon her dream etc. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending though, so I had a constant smile on my face during the last chapter.
This book was the classic fight that a girl from a small town has to give as an aspiring actress. She wants to move into New York and work at Broadway. She has big dreams that may be too big for her small city. However, our heroine has to face many rejections, along with heartbreak, as she has left behind her boyfriend that she still loves and didn't want to abandon.
I really enjoyed it, I loved how it may be a book from back in the 50s, but it gave me a contemporary feeling as well. I also appreciated the queer parts of the book, even though it's a historical book. The struggles that she had to face and the romance part , this was also my favorite. I was very curious as to how this story would eventually develop and I wondered if she would have to go back or if she would abandon her dream etc. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending though, so I had a constant smile on my face during the last chapter.
July 31, 2021
This was wonderful. Mazie is an easy character to root for, but she isn't perfect. She makes stumbles and missteps. She hurst people even if that hurt isn't always intentional. I was deeply surprised when reading the Author's note to discover Crowder knew very little about musical theatre prior to her research for this novel. As I was reading, I was most impressed by how industry accurate it was for the time period and how much insight she had into the process Mazie would have to go through. This just proves what an author can do with dedicated research. Mazie's relationship with her family and hometown boyfriend, strained by Mazie's desire to chase her dreams, was handled well. Crowder is so good at writing relationships and didn't disappoint. As a lover of Crowder's historical fiction and Broadway, this book was a perfect for me.
February 9, 2021
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
Really liked this one a lot! Great YA historical fiction. We all know the classic "girl from the small town goes off to the big city to make it big" story and this book takes it in a new, different direction. There's a lot of heart in this story and it will leave you with a smile on your face.
Really liked this one a lot! Great YA historical fiction. We all know the classic "girl from the small town goes off to the big city to make it big" story and this book takes it in a new, different direction. There's a lot of heart in this story and it will leave you with a smile on your face.
October 28, 2021
3.5 stars. The Broadway-loving part of me was thrilled to see this book on my library’s new book display and grabbed it without a second thought.
I loved the setting, but I wasn’t truly invested in Mazie as a character until half way through. Leaving the day of your grandmother’s funeral was a jerk move, and I understood why her parents and BF were mad at her. Couldn’t she have waited a week?! Also, I understand that it would’ve been unrealistic for her to book a part sooner, but as a reader it was pretty boring seeing her go to audition after audition for half of the book without much else. The story really picked up once she booked the tour and that is when I started to enjoy the book.
Jesse is a sweet boy and I liked him and Mazie as a couple. They actually pushed one another to be better people, which is rare in YA. I also like that the author didn’t push Mazie into another romantic relationship while she was in NYC. Crowder could have easier tossed in a cute stagehand or a hot actor for Mazie to have a will-they-won’t-they with, but she didn’t and I applaud her for that.
This is just another quibble, but the book didn’t really feel grounded in the time period? Like, I knew it was the 1950s because of the clothing descriptions and the references to period actresses, but it didn’t feel as well researched as other historical fiction I’ve read.
I did enjoy this book, but it’s not something I would necessarily reread.
I loved the setting, but I wasn’t truly invested in Mazie as a character until half way through. Leaving the day of your grandmother’s funeral was a jerk move, and I understood why her parents and BF were mad at her. Couldn’t she have waited a week?! Also, I understand that it would’ve been unrealistic for her to book a part sooner, but as a reader it was pretty boring seeing her go to audition after audition for half of the book without much else. The story really picked up once she booked the tour and that is when I started to enjoy the book.
Jesse is a sweet boy and I liked him and Mazie as a couple. They actually pushed one another to be better people, which is rare in YA. I also like that the author didn’t push Mazie into another romantic relationship while she was in NYC. Crowder could have easier tossed in a cute stagehand or a hot actor for Mazie to have a will-they-won’t-they with, but she didn’t and I applaud her for that.
This is just another quibble, but the book didn’t really feel grounded in the time period? Like, I knew it was the 1950s because of the clothing descriptions and the references to period actresses, but it didn’t feel as well researched as other historical fiction I’ve read.
I did enjoy this book, but it’s not something I would necessarily reread.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2021
In 1950’s Nebraska, Mazie dreams of Broadway. But to follow her dreams, she’ll have to leave behind Jesse, the boy she loves who dreams of a career as a rocket scientist, but has accepted that his destiny is to run the family farm. Mazie doesn’t want a life as a farm wife, and runs off to NYC days before her high school graduation to see if she can make it on stage, breaking both their hearts.
Mazie’s got a heart of gold, and I was rooting for her to find her way. She has to learn to persevere through rejection and homesickness while dodging advances from sleazy directors.
It was a fascinating look at both 1950’s Broadway and the ties that bound girls like Mazie to their families and rural Nebraska. It also dove into the pressures the girls faced to have a certain “look” in addition to their talent, and Mazie’s struggle to figure out if she could stay true to who she was while still making it in show biz.
I recommend this book for anyone who’s ever dreamed of Broadway or a life beyond their small hometown.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mazie’s got a heart of gold, and I was rooting for her to find her way. She has to learn to persevere through rejection and homesickness while dodging advances from sleazy directors.
It was a fascinating look at both 1950’s Broadway and the ties that bound girls like Mazie to their families and rural Nebraska. It also dove into the pressures the girls faced to have a certain “look” in addition to their talent, and Mazie’s struggle to figure out if she could stay true to who she was while still making it in show biz.
I recommend this book for anyone who’s ever dreamed of Broadway or a life beyond their small hometown.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2021
annoying theater kid representation
May 15, 2022
3.75 stars.
Great book.
I loved that it was about theater and I loved the time period.
It was very comparable to Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (hi Sutton Foster). That is my fave musical. Of all time…
It was not an edge of your (theater) seat kind of book. A touch predictable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing however. I found it thoroughly enjoyable!
Great book.
I loved that it was about theater and I loved the time period.
It was very comparable to Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (hi Sutton Foster). That is my fave musical. Of all time…
It was not an edge of your (theater) seat kind of book. A touch predictable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing however. I found it thoroughly enjoyable!
March 30, 2021
I loved everything about this book!! Wonderful coming of age story set in the 1950s. This time period really made the story work. Mazie is from Nebraska but dreams of Broadway not a life on a farm. She decides to leave Nebraska prior to her 18th birthday to pursue her dream. She leave behind her boyfriend and family who are shocked at her choice to leave suddenly. Mazie chose to pursue her dreams at the expense of these relationships. The loneliness and isolation really came through due to the time period. This isolation would be different if it had been set in a modern time. Her eyes are opened up to many things both in New York and back in Nebraska including gender roles and sexuality. Unfortunately Mazie also has to deal with the male predator in a powerful position which was likely a large part of reality for many female stage actors. This situation raised issues of self doubt but also helped her grow. I had never heard of industrial musicals and am fascinated by this piece of history. Hearing about Nebraska was delightful. Recommend this to anyone who loves theater and is missing it during these COVID times.
March 23, 2021
This one was just ok for me. I liked the main character ok (spunky, go-getter), but she definitely didn't time her big trip well, and hurt her family, which seemed like the obvious outcome, and also unnecessary. Then she changed herself a little, and made it seem like she was a completely different person, but I thought the changes had been minimal, so her conflicting feelings seemed over-the-top to me. I love musicals and plays, so I was excited about this one, especially being labeled historical fiction. It seemed pretty light on the history, though I did learn about traveling marketing productions, so I liked that part. The writing was ok, and there were some good side characters. It was just a bit slow and predictable for me to really like it. Still, it was very quick, and I'd probably give this author another try.
August 11, 2021
Initial thoughts: This was so much fun to listen to. Really enjoyed joining Mazie on her journey to chase her dreams. I just wish I’d had gotten a better sense of the various places she visited while on the road.
June 22, 2021
I liked Mazie the character a lot. I found it admirable how hard working she was, and she was a genuinely good person. I'm a theatre person, so the whole premise excited me, and the realistic portrayal of the arts world was refreshing. It was a quick read as well, and I found myself sad when it ended. I would definitely recommend the read.
Also call me crazy, but I don't think Mazie was a bad person from going to NYC after her g-mas funeral. Her grandma literally TOLD her to go, and Mazie's logic was sound. The longer she stayed, the more grief and routine would make her stick. Harsh, but I supported her decision.
This book didn't really scream 1950's to me. There weren't a lot of call outs to the time period events. However, the author wanted to focus on the historic theatre "Industrials" which have seemed to be lost to time. Professional productions using professional actors/actresses that were put on for salespeople to inspire them to sell a product. It was cool to learn about this part of history that's generally gone unheard of!
Cons (the reasons I wouldn't give this a full 5 stars):
1. Ok first off, the girl on the cover was not how Mazie was described. The girl on the cover is thin and a brunette, whilst Mazie is described as "stocky, muscular" with "strawberry blonde hair". I don't think she's heavy, just fairly toned from a Midwestern diet and farm work.
2. I think the plot at times was too convenient. Mazie's small town just happened to include a ballet studio (where she could afford countless private lessons, AND countless pairs of pointe shoes which are incredibly expensive), an incredible vocal coach, and was a short drive away from a major city where she could be apart of semi professional/professional theatre productions. Her grandma leaves her money to go to New York, there's an affordable house there for Mazie to live in, and of course she nails a part right before she completely runs out of money. However, sometimes people are lucky. Mazie definitely struggled on this journey, and she busted her ass too. It wasn't all handed to her, she was persistent and didn't take things for granted. Still..it was very clear from the start she was being set up for success.
3. Not really a con, but I wouldn't consider this book LBTQ+. Mazie has her first interactions with gay people in NYC, and it opens her mind to the different types of people that inhabit the world around her. It was touching, but not the central focus of the plot (It wasn't supposed to be! but don't be surprised by that if you decide to give this a read)
4. My BIGGEST qualm with the book...is that the conflict is very weak. It's supposed to be about a girl who faces the challenge of remaining true to herself, while still going after what she wants. I never really saw the "changes" she went through as detrimental to her character. She wore makeup for the show? Yeah. Every actor has to do that. You want your facial expressions to be more visible. She treated lipstick like she was being asked to convert to another religion. She had to update her wardrobe? Yeah. Because plain, worn dresses don't impress anyone. They show minimal effort. She also has a midwestern accent that several casting directors rejected her for. Of COURSE that's going to happen, and you can train an accent out of your voice. Of COURSE the accent is going to limit your roles. If you're auditioning for Blanche DuBois, or Juliet, or Cecily Cardew, they're not going to hire someone who sounds so obviously from a world opposite the character. Accents are limiting, it's tough but true. I auditioned for a role in the Crucible, back when I had a southern accent. Why would I have fit the role of a New England girl? What Quaker spoke with a southern drawl?
She has a couple enemies (notably Pierce, the sleazy director) but she handled them well. I just thought with the whole struggle to not change..the changes offered would be more extreme. Like for example, if she's offered roles that she doesn't want to play (like roles with inappropriate content, or offensive roles, etc. ) or she's shown the drug/alcohol abuse side of the performing industry, and is pressured to accept or take part in it. Her whole complaint was that she wasn't allowed to be herself...but that's kind of the whole point of theatre. You can't be a midwestern farm girl for every role you play...
Despite my apparent gripes, I actually truly loved this book. It was fun, inspiring, and a quick but good read. Honestly? 4 stars, but 10/10 XD
Also call me crazy, but I don't think Mazie was a bad person from going to NYC after her g-mas funeral. Her grandma literally TOLD her to go, and Mazie's logic was sound. The longer she stayed, the more grief and routine would make her stick. Harsh, but I supported her decision.
This book didn't really scream 1950's to me. There weren't a lot of call outs to the time period events. However, the author wanted to focus on the historic theatre "Industrials" which have seemed to be lost to time. Professional productions using professional actors/actresses that were put on for salespeople to inspire them to sell a product. It was cool to learn about this part of history that's generally gone unheard of!
Cons (the reasons I wouldn't give this a full 5 stars):
1. Ok first off, the girl on the cover was not how Mazie was described. The girl on the cover is thin and a brunette, whilst Mazie is described as "stocky, muscular" with "strawberry blonde hair". I don't think she's heavy, just fairly toned from a Midwestern diet and farm work.
2. I think the plot at times was too convenient. Mazie's small town just happened to include a ballet studio (where she could afford countless private lessons, AND countless pairs of pointe shoes which are incredibly expensive), an incredible vocal coach, and was a short drive away from a major city where she could be apart of semi professional/professional theatre productions. Her grandma leaves her money to go to New York, there's an affordable house there for Mazie to live in, and of course she nails a part right before she completely runs out of money. However, sometimes people are lucky. Mazie definitely struggled on this journey, and she busted her ass too. It wasn't all handed to her, she was persistent and didn't take things for granted. Still..it was very clear from the start she was being set up for success.
3. Not really a con, but I wouldn't consider this book LBTQ+. Mazie has her first interactions with gay people in NYC, and it opens her mind to the different types of people that inhabit the world around her. It was touching, but not the central focus of the plot (It wasn't supposed to be! but don't be surprised by that if you decide to give this a read)
4. My BIGGEST qualm with the book...is that the conflict is very weak. It's supposed to be about a girl who faces the challenge of remaining true to herself, while still going after what she wants. I never really saw the "changes" she went through as detrimental to her character. She wore makeup for the show? Yeah. Every actor has to do that. You want your facial expressions to be more visible. She treated lipstick like she was being asked to convert to another religion. She had to update her wardrobe? Yeah. Because plain, worn dresses don't impress anyone. They show minimal effort. She also has a midwestern accent that several casting directors rejected her for. Of COURSE that's going to happen, and you can train an accent out of your voice. Of COURSE the accent is going to limit your roles. If you're auditioning for Blanche DuBois, or Juliet, or Cecily Cardew, they're not going to hire someone who sounds so obviously from a world opposite the character. Accents are limiting, it's tough but true. I auditioned for a role in the Crucible, back when I had a southern accent. Why would I have fit the role of a New England girl? What Quaker spoke with a southern drawl?
She has a couple enemies (notably Pierce, the sleazy director) but she handled them well. I just thought with the whole struggle to not change..the changes offered would be more extreme. Like for example, if she's offered roles that she doesn't want to play (like roles with inappropriate content, or offensive roles, etc. ) or she's shown the drug/alcohol abuse side of the performing industry, and is pressured to accept or take part in it. Her whole complaint was that she wasn't allowed to be herself...but that's kind of the whole point of theatre. You can't be a midwestern farm girl for every role you play...
Despite my apparent gripes, I actually truly loved this book. It was fun, inspiring, and a quick but good read. Honestly? 4 stars, but 10/10 XD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2021
Disclaimer: I paid for this book from the Once Upon A Book Club Box! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Mazie
Author: Melanie Crowder
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Gay side characters, Lesbian side characters
Recommended For...: historical fiction, young adult readers, broadway, musical theater, romance
Publication Date: February 23, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (Religion, Language, Sexual harassment, Underage consumption of alcohol, sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight cursing throughout the book. There are a couple of scenes with sexual harassment and some very slight sexual content with a fade to black scene. There is religion that is mentioned very briefly. There are just some brief scenes that show underage consumption of alcohol.
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pages: 334
Synopsis: Mazie has dreamed of being on Broadway since she could walk. Growing up in her small Nebraska town, that always seemed like an impossible dream. But when Mazie's grandmother dies and leaves her a letter and enough money for a six-week stay in New York City, Mazie jumps at the chance to follow her dream, leaving behind everything--and everyone--she's ever known.
Of course, nothing can prepare Mazie for the loudness and chaos of the city. She's homesick for her family and the familiarity of her momma's cooking, and lovesick for Jesse--the boyfriend whose heart she broke when she left. But Mazie is determined to make her time in New York count. She is determined to succeed.
With her money running out, and faced with too many rejections to count, Mazie finally lands a role. But there's a catch: the tour is an industrial musical designed to sell farm equipment, bringing Mazie right back to the cornbelt of her hometown she was all too eager to escape.
Mazie is the story of a girl caught between two lives--and two loves--as she navigates who she is, what matters most, and the cost of following her dream.
Review: I really liked this book! I thought it was a sweet book that held a touching story about dreams forgotten for reality and doing what you can to make them become reality. The story was such a quick read too! I managed to read it in a little over 2 hours overall. The character development was well done. The world building was good and I loved that the book was set at the end of the 50s and I enjoyed all of the musical theater references. I also loved the pacing and the plot.
The only thing I really had issue with is that I thought that the ending was a bit abrupt and I would have loved an epilogue, but overall I absolutely loved this read.
Verdict: I recommend this one!
Book: Mazie
Author: Melanie Crowder
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Gay side characters, Lesbian side characters
Recommended For...: historical fiction, young adult readers, broadway, musical theater, romance
Publication Date: February 23, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (Religion, Language, Sexual harassment, Underage consumption of alcohol, sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight cursing throughout the book. There are a couple of scenes with sexual harassment and some very slight sexual content with a fade to black scene. There is religion that is mentioned very briefly. There are just some brief scenes that show underage consumption of alcohol.
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pages: 334
Synopsis: Mazie has dreamed of being on Broadway since she could walk. Growing up in her small Nebraska town, that always seemed like an impossible dream. But when Mazie's grandmother dies and leaves her a letter and enough money for a six-week stay in New York City, Mazie jumps at the chance to follow her dream, leaving behind everything--and everyone--she's ever known.
Of course, nothing can prepare Mazie for the loudness and chaos of the city. She's homesick for her family and the familiarity of her momma's cooking, and lovesick for Jesse--the boyfriend whose heart she broke when she left. But Mazie is determined to make her time in New York count. She is determined to succeed.
With her money running out, and faced with too many rejections to count, Mazie finally lands a role. But there's a catch: the tour is an industrial musical designed to sell farm equipment, bringing Mazie right back to the cornbelt of her hometown she was all too eager to escape.
Mazie is the story of a girl caught between two lives--and two loves--as she navigates who she is, what matters most, and the cost of following her dream.
Review: I really liked this book! I thought it was a sweet book that held a touching story about dreams forgotten for reality and doing what you can to make them become reality. The story was such a quick read too! I managed to read it in a little over 2 hours overall. The character development was well done. The world building was good and I loved that the book was set at the end of the 50s and I enjoyed all of the musical theater references. I also loved the pacing and the plot.
The only thing I really had issue with is that I thought that the ending was a bit abrupt and I would have loved an epilogue, but overall I absolutely loved this read.
Verdict: I recommend this one!
April 25, 2021
So we have hit an unfortunate roadblock with this book. Mazie is not very likable.
Mazie is a small town girl who wants to get away and become a star in the big city. She's saving up her money at the diner to go away once she graduates from high school. She's got a boyfriend of 4 years(?) who wants to build rocket ships but he has to take over the family farm(sad). So she realizes that she is going to have to leave him behind. They don't really discuss this over the 4 years they just sort of avoid the topic even though he's very in love with her.
Okay and so here's where she becomes unlikable and where spoilers start
Mazie is a small town girl who wants to get away and become a star in the big city. She's saving up her money at the diner to go away once she graduates from high school. She's got a boyfriend of 4 years(?) who wants to build rocket ships but he has to take over the family farm(sad). So she realizes that she is going to have to leave him behind. They don't really discuss this over the 4 years they just sort of avoid the topic even though he's very in love with her.
Okay and so here's where she becomes unlikable and where spoilers start
April 21, 2021
Since I love all things Broadway, the premise of this novel interested me a lot.
It was a sweet story overall. I loved the parts about Broadway and all the auditions. I kept getting "Climbing Uphill" from The Last Five Years in my head during that time. The build-up to get to the Broadway part was slow and could have been condensed down a bit in order to flesh out the Broadway section more. I never knew about the industrial performances and thought that was interesting. Although this took place in the late 1950s, I'm glad there was an LGBTQ aspect to the story. It even touched on #MeToo at one point. There were some things I wasn't expecting and it was interesting to see how everything played out.
The story wrapped up a bit too neatly, but it was still enjoyable. There was a good message within, about following your dreams. It also showed the realistic aspect of how hard it is to get a job in theater.
Movie casting suggestions:
It was a sweet story overall. I loved the parts about Broadway and all the auditions. I kept getting "Climbing Uphill" from The Last Five Years in my head during that time. The build-up to get to the Broadway part was slow and could have been condensed down a bit in order to flesh out the Broadway section more. I never knew about the industrial performances and thought that was interesting. Although this took place in the late 1950s, I'm glad there was an LGBTQ aspect to the story. It even touched on #MeToo at one point. There were some things I wasn't expecting and it was interesting to see how everything played out.
The story wrapped up a bit too neatly, but it was still enjoyable. There was a good message within, about following your dreams. It also showed the realistic aspect of how hard it is to get a job in theater.
Movie casting suggestions:
Mazie: Sadie Stanley
Jesse: Charlie Gillespie
Clive: Charlie Carver
Peggy: Skyler Samuels
Lois: Rumer Willis
March 25, 2021
"That's life, honey. You gotta pick the one thing you can't survive without and wring every last bit of joy out of it."
This story was so cute and so fun to read. This book also made me think a lot about perspective. If I had read this earlier in my life,I definitely would have been cheering Mazie on, telling her to forget Nebraska farm life, hoping that she made her big break onto Broadway, hoping she changed into a fancy New York star, and got to stay in New York.
As an older reader, a parent, and after we've lived through a pandemic during the last year - my hopes were really that she would realize how important family is, would stay true to her Nebraska ways and looks, and would go back home to Nebraska with her family.
"I won't give up who I am, not for anything. "
I ended up being 100% happy with the ending of this book! And I loved learning about industrials. I had no idea those were a thing!
This story was so cute and so fun to read. This book also made me think a lot about perspective. If I had read this earlier in my life,I definitely would have been cheering Mazie on, telling her to forget Nebraska farm life, hoping that she made her big break onto Broadway, hoping she changed into a fancy New York star, and got to stay in New York.
As an older reader, a parent, and after we've lived through a pandemic during the last year - my hopes were really that she would realize how important family is, would stay true to her Nebraska ways and looks, and would go back home to Nebraska with her family.
"I won't give up who I am, not for anything. "
I ended up being 100% happy with the ending of this book! And I loved learning about industrials. I had no idea those were a thing!
January 30, 2024
(3.5 stars)
ugh i feel like i have trouble rating this because i only read it because i saw it was sapphic in some reviews. but like, it really wasn’t. if anything there were more gay characters than sapphic ones!! i was waiting the whole book for something sapphic to happen and it ended up being the tiniest itsy bitsy part at the end, and it had nothing to do with the main character. so that left me really disappointed lol but that’s not the book/author’s fault!
overall it was a cute book. i liked that even though the romance was a pretty major theme, the main character still put herself and her dreams first, she stayed true to herself. she didn’t drop her dreams for a man and i liked that! i do wish the romance, specifically at the end, had been handled a little differently. or that we at least got more information/more closure.
cute book tho overall!!!
ugh i feel like i have trouble rating this because i only read it because i saw it was sapphic in some reviews. but like, it really wasn’t. if anything there were more gay characters than sapphic ones!! i was waiting the whole book for something sapphic to happen and it ended up being the tiniest itsy bitsy part at the end, and it had nothing to do with the main character. so that left me really disappointed lol but that’s not the book/author’s fault!
overall it was a cute book. i liked that even though the romance was a pretty major theme, the main character still put herself and her dreams first, she stayed true to herself. she didn’t drop her dreams for a man and i liked that! i do wish the romance, specifically at the end, had been handled a little differently. or that we at least got more information/more closure.
cute book tho overall!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2021
I’m tired of writing negative reviews and I usually always have the same thing to say so how about this:
If you want to read a book about chasing fame/being a star, read The Final Revival of Opal and Nev instead of this.
Or even the Vanishing Half has a little bit of that element in it that I enjoyed.
This was not good.
If you want to read a book about chasing fame/being a star, read The Final Revival of Opal and Nev instead of this.
Or even the Vanishing Half has a little bit of that element in it that I enjoyed.
This was not good.
June 10, 2021
This was such a cute and cozy read. I fell in love with Mazie, and how could one not? A little naive but so determined, her headstrong ways are admirable. I also appreciated the injection of historical fiction by having this set in the 1950s. So fascinating! Thank you to Once Upon A Book Club for my gifted copy.
March 18, 2021
A small town girl trying to make it as a Broadway performer is like getting to read a story that is Thoroughly Modern Millie meets Smash. But, it's just not great. I persevered because the overall premise was so appealing, but I should have stopped the first time I cringed at the dialogue. This is like reading a book version of a Hallmark movie that uses anachronistic and trite expressions alongside some very problematic appearance related storylines (i.e. the need to lose weight, wear make up, etc, etc.). It's a no for me even though I love Broadway so much.
Happy reading and happy song belting--
Happy reading and happy song belting--
March 30, 2021
This was a great book! I really enjoyed it and going back to the 50’s! It kept me entertained from start to finish and the love story within it was the right amount of angst.
April 24, 2022
this is maybe 10 chapters too long, but it felt like a nice change on the "small town girl tries to make it in NYC" story.
March 30, 2021
This book is a super wholesome story about following your dreams and believing in yourself. I had a fun time reading it 😊
April 18, 2021
Delightful! 4 1/2 stars.
June 13, 2022
This was fun to read about, but a tad predictable in my opinion. There was lots of repetition about the rejection and homesickness, but I enjoyed Mazie’s character arc.
October 23, 2021
3/5
I had high hopes coming into this book. I had set them somewhat unbelievably high. It was ok, I wish there was more romance. I did enjoy the auditions and the outings. I don’t really know how to feel about the ending.
I had high hopes coming into this book. I had set them somewhat unbelievably high. It was ok, I wish there was more romance. I did enjoy the auditions and the outings. I don’t really know how to feel about the ending.
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