If you want a book full of emotion, heart, and grit, then this is absolutely the novel for you! I was immediately drawn in to Mia and Cricket and the details of the sisterhood. As an only child, sibling interactions to me are very fascinating. My heart went out to Mia early on having to become a second caregiver to her sister. While I don't believe that their mother was "bad", I became annoyed very early on at how she essentially chose one child over the other. I was cheering for both sisters in different ways and praying that they could find their way back to one another. This novel was beautifully written and the author clearly put her heart and soul in to it. If you want a true character driven novel that packs a punch, then this book is for you!

I always love a book with a good small town feel. We meet two sisters who have very different personalities and are going down different paths. As someone who didn’t have a sister growing up, I imagine this is how sisters can grow apart, but also come together when they need eachother the most.

This was okay for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters which made me indifferent to the story, if I’m being honest.

I had a harder time with this book. I think it was just the timing, and I will be re-reading this and giving it another chance!

I was really drawn to the powerful bond between Mia and Cricket—their closeness, the roles they fall into, and the sacrifices they make for each other and their dreams. This book is a beautifully nuanced portrait of sisterhood, ambition, and the complicated legacies families carry. Set in a small Maine town, the story explores love, loyalty, and the tough choices we face growing up. It’s tender, insightful, and utterly captivating.

With women's sports becoming more popular and soccer, in particular gaining in popularity, this book was interesting to read and learn about the life of a professional soccer player and all they go through to stay in shape, train and compete.

As if that weren't enough, this novel adds in the element of a soccer player who becomes pregnant when she wasn't ready but becomes a mom and raises daughters to follow in her footsteps. There's a lot going on here with a small town, a found family and training for world cup soccer!

I really appreciated a lot of aspects of this book. The writing was beautiful, and the sister relationship was complex and well developed. I thought the plot moved along at a really steady pace and it didn't lag! I did wish that the story would've extended more into Mia and Cricket's life after the kidney transplant to see their relationship heal a bit more over time. I also loved the Maine setting. I know the novel was centered around soccer, but I did get a bit bored of the amount of soccer content in the novel. That would be my only criticism, otherwise I thought it was really well done.

I gave this book 4 1/2 stars. I loved the sisters and their relationship. Always love sports stories and this one focuses on all the highs and lows. Loved that's it started in present and went backwards. Thanks for the ARC

A Reese's Book Club pick, and I can see why! I think this story would work so well as a limited series, because there are plenty of big feelings, complex relationships, and with an elite sports background, it would be super interesting and work in that format. That said, this didn't speak to me the way Carrie Soto did (a comparison many are making). It was fine, but with Carrie Soto I was super engaged with the characters and in this story, I felt like more of an observer – no major strong feelings, it was just fine.

I truly devoured this beautiful story about two sisters, set against the backdrop of women’s soccer. It was heartfelt, engaging, and kept me hooked from start to finish. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!

At the start of this book, I was invested. A story about sister relationships, sports, hard work and sacrifices, heartbreak and love...this book had it all. At the start, I felt a kinship to the characters and their stories....especially Mia, as the first born daughter. The author did such a good job writing about the intricacies of these relationships that I could feel m self relating numerous times because of my own personal experiences. I also appreciated the short chapters and how the book was organized. I rated this a 4 star book on my Goodreads and other socials.

Spectacular Things is a moving and layered exploration of sisterhood, ambition, and sacrifice. Beck Dorey-Stein captures the complicated bond between Mia and Cricket—their fierce loyalty to one another, but also the unspoken tension that comes from carrying very different roles within their family. The novel shines in its emotional honesty, showing how love can be both a source of strength and a heavy burden.

The small-town Maine setting and glimpses into their mother’s past give the story depth, while Cricket’s pursuit of soccer stardom adds urgency and momentum. At times the pacing lingers, and a few storylines could have been tightened, but overall this is a heartfelt, beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page.

A tender and thoughtful read—highly recommended for anyone who enjoys character-driven family dramas with emotional resonance.

Spectacular Things was a wonderful summer read—just enough substance to keep me interested, but it moved quickly enough to feel easy to read. At its heart, it’s a story about two sisters and their mom in small town Maine, bound by soccer and familial obligation. It’s a coming-of-age story that asks questions on how far you'll go for your loved ones and whether we’re all destined to become our parents. It’s definitely a tearjerker! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I enjoyed the story but thought it was kind of elementary. Lots of telling instead of showing. I also was nitpicking about some inconsistencies in the plot that I picked up on I think bc of medical/pediatric knowledge - you don’t develop CKD immediately after an AKI like that, 4 year old Mia was portrayed as way too developmentally advanced for a 4 year old, etc. I wanted more and thought some parts were half baked - more soccer action, more tension with relationships. But at face value it was entertaining!

spectacular things was a story of dichotomies. through mia and cricket we experience love and grief, big wins and big losses. their bond is filled with ambition and sacrifice in the pursuit of their highest potential in honour of the mother they grieve. this was such a beautiful book. it's one that is outside of my usual genres, though i enjoyed following these sisters through life's ups and downs. i related to them, i've experienced them, i feel for them.

thank you to NetGalley and and Random House / Dial Press for the e-arc!

Mia and Cricket grew up emulating their single mother's love for soccer. Trained to be the best they could be, Mia is asked to take on a support role for her younger sister when Cricket shows potential to make it to the National team and beyond. Mia dutifully obeys and becomes a second caretaker for Cricket. When tragedy strikes, Mia puts her life on hold to take care of Cricket and make sure that her soccer dreams are not dashed. Pushed even more to succeed in soccer for her mother, Cricket puts all of her energy into the game, determined to be the best goalkeeper, no matter the cost. As Mia settles into her life as caretaker, she builds a career and finds love, but is afraid to upset Cricket's progress as she climbs closer to her goal. When both sisters are finally in a good place, Mia turns the tables and needs to ask Cricket for a life-changing favor.

Spectacular Things is an emotional story of the complex emotional bond of sisterhood. Masterfully told, the story begins with the turning point in Mia and Cricket's relationship and then vaults back in time to help understand the depth and intricacies of their relationship. Mia, Cricket and their mother, Liz are all deeply developed and realistic characters. I could feel their emotional toll as they dealt with sacrifice, grief, and what success should look like at different points in their life. Liz's strength and determination in the face of adversity was passed down to both Mia and Cricket along with her undying love for soccer. Mia and Cricket had very different childhood experiences, Mia took on the role of a caretaker very early, believing sacrifice was how she showed love and was loved. Cricket was very well cared for and believed excelling at soccer was her destiny and would protect and elevate her mother's memory. Weaving together a rollercoaster of life events, Spectacular Things tells an amazing story of relationships, family bonds and what we are willing to do for love.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

A beautiful story that any older sister to a younger sister can relate to. Older sister just step up and do what needs to be done.
I loved all of the soccer and USWNT details.
Even with all of the unknowns I still felt like I knew how things would end, for the entire family.

Two sisters with very different life paths grapple with an unimaginable circumstance whole navigating life without their mother. Mia is the epitome of the classic older sibling who begrudgingly accepts her sister, "Cricket" into the carefully constructed world her and her my other create. While Mia became a mother which seemed to be the only role her life had ever known, Cricket dominates the soccer world. Mia's story is one that really felt relatable on a personal level for me. Mia's entire life is comprised of sacrifice and caretaking while Cricket is afforded the opportunity to chase her dreams, but chasing those dreams comes at a lonely cost. In a pivotal moment, Mia's life depends on Cricket which changes the trajectory of life as they know it.

This book is heartbreakingly beautiful as it navigates themes of grief, love, loss, competition and growth.

I really loved this story. At its heart, this is a story about two sisters but it is also a story about family as a whole - both found and the one you’re born into. It’s also about love, ambition, and sacrifice. This is definitely a slow plot but I never once felt like the pacing was slow and honestly had a hard time putting it down at times. You’ll feel every victory and heartbreak with these sisters. The addition of soccer as a heavy theme throughout I also loved! Would definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I would have never guessed this book was what it was. I read it in one sitting. The story is very captivating and will keep you turning pages.