Review from Deana at Texas Book-aholic

"I have mixed feelings about this book for a few reasons. I did found the story interesting and was quite surprised at the details the author gives us about rowing. It sure takes lots of practice, endurance and determination to make it in this sport. It is a team effort and I liked how the girls worked together to make the team a success. The main  focus in the book is on  Carrie during the early 1970's . I think I had forgotten what it was like to grow up during that time. 
Carrie was very grounded in her faith but it is tested as she goes off to college. I was very upset the way her father and brother treated her. She couldn't do anything to make them proud of her. Her father was especially hard on Carrie and continually found  fault in everything she did. I was able to relate to her because I grew up as a preacher's kid. Nothing I did was ever good enough for my parents and they  were never proud of me for anything. I did like how Carrie proved to herself that she was important and able to achieve goals.
We all know about peer pressure and Carrie struggled to fit in. Many of us growing up have probably faced being made fun of because we were a Christian. In the 1970's it was about women's lib, freedom and carefree attitudes.  It was easy to see where Carrie was headed as she slowly slipped away from her Christian friends. The story does a good job of showing the consequences of a bad decision that not only will have heartache but change the course of Carrie's future. There are a few very important people in Carrie's life that will help her forgive herself, speak words of love into her life and lead her back to God. 
The reason I have mixed feelings about the book was for several things. There were several times throughout the book the language was foul and unnecessary. The author could have chosen other words that would have been less offensive. The book does deal with fornication, abortion and drinking. I was hoping that the young man involved with Carrie had been made accountable for his actions. I was hoping that Carrie's boyfriend would face charges or at the very least be expelled from college. I won't say more because I don't want to give away the story. 
The book is a good story for everyone but especially young people. There are temptations out there and in Carrie's case she made the choice to follow her boyfriend into an environment that she knew could lead to something she may not be able to control. It is sad that her father and brother never comforted her or showed her any compassion. I am looking forward to the next book that follows Carrie as she continues her journey."
The blogs address: http://deana0326.blogspot.com/

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