This book surpassed my expectations. Beautifully written.Not what I was expecting in terms of the soccer themes but the author does a fantastic job describing the game without being boring and the story moved along at a good pace.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

I love this book. I love this book in ways I wasn't quite sure that I would, but I think this might be my favorite book of the year.

Its a love letter to soccer, to be sure, but its also a love letter to sisterhood. Its probably one of the most realistic depictions of sisters and of so-called unconventional families that I have read in quite some time. The relationships between sisters, between mother and daughters, are so raw and real that you can't help but get lost in them.

The sacrifices each of the Lowe women made, whether they were known sacrifices or not, are so real and human, and the reactions to the sacrifices, or just the decisions that they each made, were equally as visceral. Nothing about this book felt over the top (unless it needed to) or not grounded in reality. Mia sacrificing for her sister's talent, Liz sacrificing for her unborn child, Cricket sacrificing for her sister, all if it was so well done.

For a while, I wasn't sure I would like this book as much as I did because it seemed Dorey-Stein was setting this up as a very cut and dry story, an If/Then sort of thing. But I was totally wrong and I'm so very glad for that. Each sister learned something important, about themselves and about each other. They learned that the end goal can always change, and achieving greatness doesn't necessarily mean happiness. You can reach the top of the mountain, but then what?

I just loved this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

Spectacular Things is a story of a single mom and her two daughters as they navigate life and tragedy and their driving goal of the youngest daughter achieving soccer greatness.
I really didn’t read the synopsis of this book before diving in, and so I was hit immediately with the first couple chapters that start in the present before moving to the “beginning”. I was hooked from the beginning immediately moved to tears (I’m 41 weeks pregnant and it opens with some birth scares) at the situation facing sisters Mia and Cricket.

This story had so much heart, toughness, and love between imperfect family members. Definitely a five star read.

Also I’m not a very “sports” focused person, but I loved all the soccer training, strategy, and gameplay!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I loved this book. Stepping out of my usual genre, I needed this reset. Great writing.

Thoughtful and quietly moving. This novel explores ambition, burnout, and finding meaning in the mundane. The voice was authentic, and while the plot was understated, the emotional resonance was deep. A gentle, contemplative read.

Man the characters in this book really go through it. There are a good amount of realities for these women and it’s refreshing to read a book where people really go through it but still come out the end relatively unscathed. I thought this was a deep, though provoking book and I think it would be a popular discussion novel. I will probably suggest this as a book for my local library to feature as I feel like a lot can be learned. Overall a good story, but probably not something I’d read again.

I really enjoyed this story! I liked how it was written in 2028 and then went backwards through their whole life and then back to the present day. Seeing everything that happened and how it would impact the present day was very interesting to see. I was very pleased with this book!

5 stars. Be still my heart.. absolutely stunning. SPECTACULAR THINGS is a heart touching, character-driven novel about two sisters, love, ambition and sacrifice. This book sets itself apart from others and what an emotional journey it was. The impossibility of the choice the girls are faced with felt true to life and pulled at my heartstrings throughout the story. This was such an inspiring read I didn’t want it to end. And I loved Beck Dorey-Stein’s incredible writing style, and in the creative way she brought it all together. So perfect. A top pick of the year for me! ❥ Pub. 7/1/25

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing !!!

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein is a fast, heartfelt, and engaging read. I especially loved the short chapters—they made it easy to fly through the book. It’s perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls or Boy Meets World, with its strong sisterhood/sibling core and cozy, small-town New England setting. The story feels very modern and while at times a bit predictable, it totally works and delivers a fun, empowering experience.... especially for female readers. The writing is simple and accessible. I wasn’t expecting anything too deep or scholarly and that matched the vibe of the book well.

One critique (without giving major spoilers): I do wish the storyline involving the father had been explored more deeply—his actions seemed brushed off too quickly without real consequence. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment. A warm, relatable, and entertaining read that blends humor, emotion and a lot of heart.

Why settle for ordinary things if you can get “Spectacular Things” (@beckdoreystein’s version)?

Two sisters, Mia and Cricket Lowe, grow up closely bound by love, loyalty, and shared hardship in a small Maine town. As daughters of a young single mother with a hidden past, they fall naturally into their roles: Mia, the responsible and academically driven protector; Cricket, the vibrant and gifted soccer star. However, as they come of age, their diverging dreams begin to pull them apart, forcing them to confront how much they’re willing to sacrifice for each other.

With emotional depth, sharp insight, and (very) rich characterization, this novel explores the complexities of ambition, family legacy, and, above all, the enduring bond of sisterhood.

A remarkably touching read, perfect for sports fans or general fiction readers, I’d say it absolutely earns a place on your summer reading list!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random Publishing House for the ARC, and the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of its July 1st release.

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein is a novel that is essentially about a mother and two sisters who sacrifice for each other, each in their own way. The novel opens in 2028 with Mia, the older daughter, getting ready to give birth in Maine, while her younger sister Cricket is across the country as part of the US Women’s soccer team playing in the Olympics. The story then reverts to 1989 and moves forward from there which is how we learn about each character.

I really enjoyed both the character development and the storyline. Each main character is realistic and flawed. The reader becomes part of the journey of each arc. As someone who is definitely not an athlete, it was enlightening to learn how much work, grit, focus and sacrifice goes into the success of a top athlete with extraordinary talent. There were several touching moments as well as humorous moments. This was my first read of the author and I look forward to reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and The Dial Press for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Mia and cricket are the daughters of a single mom. Their mom is forced to work two jobs to support the family. Mia as the older child is expected to hold down the fort at home while Cricket practices soccer.

Overall I enjoyed this family drama. At times I thought the story was a little long winded. I was ready to get to the end. If you like a slow burn family drama you will enjoy this one.

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for sending me a copy of Spectacular Things to read and review! I was super excited to read and review this book set here in Maine!

Spectacular Things is the story of sisters Mia and Cricket Lowe, raised in Maine by their young mother to believe they could become the soccer star their mother never had the chance to be. But when Cricket’s natural talent makes it obvious that her path to fame may be the single path written in the stars, Mia’s dreams take a backseat as she takes on more responsibility to keep their home afloat. And just as Cricket finds herself on the steps of glory, she is forced to learn how much she is willing to sacrifice for a sister and mom who gave it all up for her.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts in the present day and then quickly goes back to the beginning of the Lowe women’s stories, allowing the reader to understand the full scope of the sisters and the legacy their mother gave up in order to give them a chance. I am a big fan of sports stories, so I loved reading about what it takes to become an elite athlete, and found myself both hopeful for Cricket’s career and frustrated by her lack of observation of what so many gave up for her to succeed.

And of course, I always love a book set in Maine. While the author does not specify the exact location, I’m pretty sure this book is set by Willard Beach, and as a Maine reader, it is always fun to recognize the landmarks and know you are envisioning pieces of the story exactly as they should be.

Spectacular Things releases next week on July 1! A lovely family story that will warm your heart, break it, and then warm it once again.

4.5/5 ⭐️

This is a very good heartfelt read and I can see this book have numerous opinions about different things. There is a lot of heart ache and break in this read. I have 2 sisters and after reading this, I just want to go to them and hug them! I am needing a lifetime movie… 😉😉

I often struggle with sister stories as I do not have a sister. I find myself being super judgmental. Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein felt different. The story was good but not great. I think it lacked a drive for me to keep picking it up and yet I finished it so I guess it was good enough.

Mia and Cricket are sisters who have not always had anyone else to rely on growing. Their single mother is a bit flaky and was disowned by her family when she fell pregnant as a teen with Mia. While she did her best, her death while Mia is a student at Yale causes a shift in their relationship.

Mia must give up all her plans to come home and be a mother to Cricket, who is coming in to her own as a soccer phenom. Then Mia comes to Cricket with her own life changing request. She needs Cricket to give her a kidney, therefore ending her soccer career, or she will need dialysis every day and most likely die.

While the sister dynamic here is an interesting story line and all of the characters are likable despite some poor decision making, the story just seems a bit much the whole time. Lots of very dramatic story lines are going on all at once and there is SO MUCH SOCCER! As someone who spend my career working in professional and college sports, I can appreciate the impact highly competitive sports can have on a life, but this was too much for a novel. Outside of soccer, there were really only the two romances, and they both seemed forced and overly dramatic.

It was a fun read, especially if you really, really like soccer, but not a must read.

What a compelling story! It had me balling at the end😭 I love the exploration of complex sibling relationships. Mia and Cricket were raised by their single mother in the same house; but their children hood couldn’t be anymore different. Mia has to step up as the oldest and help around the house and take care of her younger sister Cricket. Her mom is working two jobs. These sacrifices are made to support Crickets soccer career. The big question then becomes what is too much to give?

The structure of this book was unique. The story starts at the climax. Then we follow 3 different timelines in the Lowe sisters story. I was also impressed by Beck Dorey-Stein writing! I could not put this story down!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A nice, albeit predictable read. Spectacular Things has some strong moments—especially the well-written exploration of sisterhood and the emotional undercurrents of growing up and apart. Beck Dorey-Stein does a solid job with character voice, and there’s an authenticity in the relationship dynamics that I appreciated.

That said, the book leans heavily into soccer—at times, overly so. The level of detail felt excessive and occasionally pulled focus from the emotional arc. While I’ve enjoyed Dorey-Stein’s past work, this one didn’t quite land the same way for me.

Still, fans of coming-of-age stories with sports backdrops and complex female relationships may find this worth picking up.

Oh my God, this book struck so many heartstrings the whole time. I cried sad tears, happy tears, and found myself claughing too. (iykyk) The complicated relationship between the Lowes sisters and their mother Liz just shows so much love and realness, I felt like I was right there with them. I would easily recommend this to a friend, a coworker, even my own mother to read.

I haven’t personally resonated with a book and its characters like this one in such a long time. The way the author wrote about the emotional complexities between sisters and their mother was both utterly beautiful and heartbreaking at times. It was real and raw, and so so accurate. Growing up as a D1 athlete, the author seemed to write about soccer in such an accurate way. I was constantly nodding my head in agreement with the grueling descriptions of what it takes to work day in and day out to accomplish a goal.

There is so much in this book that will resonate with many readers. It will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.