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!