Book Review: Stealing Home by Allison Pittman

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Synopsis from back of book: 

It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant.  Only one things stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol.

When Duke is whisked away to the one-horse town of Picksville, Missouri, to sober up in anonymity, he bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, who would rather hid herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the duke almost as much — until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville.  Then Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion.  Providence brings them together.  Tragedy threatens to tear them apart.  Will love be enough to bring them home?

My review:

This was an interesting read, particularly with it being written from the point of view of four different people.  While it took me some time to get used to it, I was able to get to know each person better than I would have if the story was told differently.  I did not like how the book ended but the story was well written.

I struggled with what to write for this review because the other reviews I had read were all very positive.  (I guess that is why I usually don’t read the reviews until after I’ve written mine.)  The story was well written and I got to know four people and their intertwining lives pretty well.  But I like to read stories with happy endings and this book did not end that way for me.

When I finished the book, I just sat there being sad and disappointed.  I felt cheated of my happy ending.  After some thinking about the story, I came to a conclusion.  Even though I really didn’t like the last part of the book (and I REALLY DIDN’T LIKE IT 🙁 ), the reason that I didn’t like it was because the author had made the story and the characters so real to me.  It was that well written.

What I enjoyed most about this book:  That I got to know the Duke, Ellie, Ned, and Morris in an intimate way.

What I didn’t like about this book: The last part of the book and the ending.  Even though it made me feel strong emotions, those are not the emotions I want to feel when I read.

My rating:  2 1/2 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others?  Maybe. This story did not work for me, but it did grab me and push me out of my comfort zone.  Too much realism bothered me.  It had romance, but it was not a “romantic” historical.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Allison Pittman, author website

-Loraine Nunley