I am a HUGE fan of Leila Meacham’s book, Roses, so I had high hopes for Tumbleweeds.
Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.
Although it definitely was not as good as Roses (not a ton of books are, besides Gone With the Wind and Thorn Birds in my opinion), it was a really great story that spanned decades and really made me care about the characters.
Tumbleweeds the story of a girl named Cathy, who at 11 years old, has to move from California to small town Kersey, Texas to live with her grandmother when her parents die in a car accident. She is quickly taken under “protection” by the two town golden boys, football heroes, and “leaders of the 6th grade”. Through their high school and adult years, they suffer love, loss, and tragedy that tears them apart.
I love long, sweeping novels like this. Especially ones that take place in the South and center around a love story. Unfortunately…I was not entirely thrilled with the love part of this story. It was pretty great until the last third of the book, where I found myself getting frustrated with the tragic circumstances involving the three main characters.
You know those stories where everything could be fixed if one person would just SPEAK UP (I’m looking at YOU, Scarlett…why can’t you or Rhett just say how you feel) ? This was kind of like that, and at times it irritated me. There was also a twist thrown in at the end that I wasn’t entirely crazy about, and found myself thinking it would have been a better book without it.
Regardless, it was a well written, easy to read book with characters you’ll care about. I’d recommend it.
If you read it, I’d REALLY love your thoughts as well.
Be sure to check out the rest of my July recommendations too. Happy reading!!
I just finished reading tumbleweed and was excited to hear what you thought about it. I loved it right up until the end. I didn’t care for the last twist either. I loved the writing and the story line but was so disappointed with the outcome of their lives. It was so frustrating that noone spoke up!! I tried to listen to roses on an audio book and could not get into it. I think it was because the narrator kept doing the accents. I will have to try the book version.
ohh I’m pinning this to my books so I can remember to pick it up soon. Thanks I always love your book suggestions.