📕 Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ 📕

Title: Spectacular Things
Author: Beck Dorey-Stein
Publisher: The Dial Press (Random House)
Format: 📖
Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for this ARC and for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

My friend @sonakh716 recommended this book to me and told me she thought I would love it, “it has all the things you enjoy—soccer, mom loss, motherhood”. I immediately requested it on NetGally and got it before it was released (I couldn’t read it before it came out, but am so excited about finishing it this week!). Wow to quote Mia from the book “What a gift”. This book made me cry multiple times and I highlighted everything! The book shows the depths of grief of a mother, the bonds of sisterhood, and most importantly the drive and persistence it takes to become a professional soccer player! 

My son plays travel soccer, and at 10, has proclaimed that he one day wants to be a professional soccer player. So it was only fitting that I started this book last weekend at his soccer tournament. I was instantly transported to my soccer playing days and this book roped me in and left me with a hug.

Likes:
⚽️Liz’s (mother in the novel) story and progression into motherhood

⚽️Mia and Cricket’s relationship and how deep the love of a sibling can change the trajectory of your life

⚽️ALLLL of the soccer talk! I idolized the ‘99 USWNT and joined my high school soccer team the fall after they won the World Cup. It was the most iconic womens game of my life!

❓QOTD: Did you play a competitive sport in highschool/or do you have a close relationship with your sibling(s)?

Themes: soccer, infertility, parental loss, groom of a minor, motherhood

#ARCreview #womenssoccer #storiesofloss #siblingstories

⚽️ What a beautiful book about family and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Thank you to @thedialpress for my #gifted peek at this. It’s out now!

⚽️ This is a story of grief, of sisterhood and an unrelenting pursuit for greatness. It also makes you think about the roles we all play in our families. I found myself wondering if I chose my role or if it was assigned and if that’s good or bad. The answer is likely all of the above.

⚽️ This is, at its heart, a family drama, but there is a lot of soccer. If you thought Carrie Soto had too much tennis, then this one may have too much soccer for you. If you loved Carrie Soto— you should def pick this up! There are also some pretty specific triggers so if you have some— definitely check!

Reading this book was like a hug enveloping and comforting the reader after walking home in the rain. Nothing short of incredible. Typically in any book I read, I have a handful of points of how it could be improved. Right now, I have perhaps one (Sloane getting off a little too easy, too quickly). But the core family dynamic was so vivid and believable and so beautifully imperfect. The story bleeds authenticity. I would love to cry to anything this author writes next. Thank you, thank you to the publisher for reaching out about this book! It easily lands in the top three podium for my 2025 reads so far, even though I thought I'd never care about a soccer story.

I really enjoyed this book. At its core, it’s about family, sisterhood, love, sacrifice and ambition. I love how the author portrayed the Lowe family authentically. Yes they loved and supported each other but family is also messy, angry, selfish and resentful at times. I found myself getting angry and Liz and Cricket and wanting Mia to fight for more for herself.

I liked Cricket’s soccer journey as well. Seeing what a person has to fight through and sacrifice to make it to an elite sports level was interesting and realistic. I enjoyed her relationship with Sloane and the dynamic it brought to the story.

Mia and Oliver were another bright spot in those novel for me. I thought their relationship was admirable and loved how he fit into the girls lives.

Both Mia and Cricket had major character growth over the course of the story and without spoilers, I loved how this ended for all involved.

Excellent read that I would highly recommend (4.5)

4.25⭐️ This was such a moving, emotional story highlighting the complex relationships between two sisters, Mia and Cricket. Cricket is an exceptional soccer player and I loved all the behind the scenes of the professional soccer world, the dedication and perseverance required to make it to that level, and the sacrifice it requires from the whole family. Mia is the oldest sister who is forced but also driven to support her sister at the expense of her own dreams along the way. I really loved exploring their complex relationship but also felt sad for both sisters. was such a compelling story and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy emotional, character driven books and who also love a sports theme. This was not 5 stars for me just because some parts were somewhat repetitive and a little drawn out and the narrative was fairly straightforward. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Thanks to the publisher, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

The first 60% of Spectacular Things was a fun, fast-paced story about sisterly love set against the bright lights of becoming a soccer star.

It reminded me of Ginny and Georgia, with Liz as the ultimate flawed but fierce mom. Despite everything, the love Mia and Cricket have for their mother is deep and unconditional.

Some may compare this to Carrie Soto Is Back, and I can see why. Both explore ambition, sports, and the complexities of family. But like Carrie Soto, I eventually lost interest in the overall concept. It wasn’t the writing or the strong family themes. I just found myself getting bored, as the book navigates its way in and out of Cricket's soccer world.

Still, there are parts that will absolutely make you cry. And even though the ending is revealed in the first chapter, you’ll be rooting for the sisters the entire time.

Spectacular Things is a beautifully written, emotionally honest novel about two sisters grappling with love, loyalty, and ambition in a small coastal Maine town. Beck Dorey-Stein’s storytelling is immersive and layered, striking a strong balance between internal character development and external tension.

Mia, the older sister, returns home to care for her younger sister Cricket after their mother's sudden passing. Cricket is on the cusp of Olympic-level swimming success, and her dreams now depend on Mia's sacrifice. What unfolds is not just a story about family obligation, but about the weight of secrets, the push and pull of identity, and the often blurry line between selflessness and self-erasure.

The characters are vividly drawn and flawed in a way that makes them feel real. The prose is sharp and thoughtful, with moments of humor and heartbreak throughout. Dorey-Stein doesn't rush the plot—this is a character-driven novel with a slow build that rewards patience. The emotional stakes are high, but grounded in relatable, everyday struggles.

This book is ideal for fans of contemporary literary fiction and readers who appreciate family dramas with emotional complexity. While not a plot-heavy thriller, the novel's strength lies in its depth and nuance. It's a strong choice for book clubs and anyone drawn to stories about the ties that bind—and sometimes strangle—us.

Recommended for: Readers of Ann Napolitano, Claire Lombardo, or Celeste Ng; fans of introspective, character-focused novels about family, loss, and resilience.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This was sent to me as a pre approved ARC. If it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t have requested it.

This novel is about sacrifice, sisters, and soccer. How much would you sacrifice for your sister?

There are several timeline jumps throughout this novel for us to have the full picture of the sisters relationship and how they grew up. The eldest daughter, Mia, is born to a mother who was said to have lots of potential and a bright future, had her too young but tried to give her everything. They were growing up together. What her and her mother had, while not perfect was perfect to them.

Cricket (a nickname, thank god), the second daughter, was quickly given everything. It’s not that Mia was forgotten when Cricket came along, but her passions and desires seemed to come first. She had the most potential that could go the furthest. Everything was done to ensure that Crickets love and passion for soccer was nourished, so she could play at an appropriate level. At the end of the day, Cricket really had two moms who would sacrifice everything for her.

I would say this was about the love sisters have for one another, as it is evident that they love each other very much. I wish readers had the chance to see what else Cricket did for Mia.

I think I would have liked to see Mia get mad at /have a fight with Cricket, or show a little bit of resentment towards her. You can still be close with and love your sibling, but resent the position you were put in because of them. I think if this element were in the book, it would seem real?

Thank you Random House #partner for my advanced reader copy of Spectacular Things! #randomhouse #thedialpress #SpectacularThings #BeckDoreyStein #reesesbookclub #RandomHousePublishingGroup

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐲-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟱★

SPECTACULAR! Beck Dorey-Stein, this book was absolutely spectacular! Oh how I fell in love with the Lowe sisters and their beautiful and messy family. This book will definitely be one of my top books of the year. It’s the type of book that you keep thinking about long after you finish reading it, and the type of book that you read just at the right time in your life.

This book starts off with a punch that lays the foundation for the rest of the book. From there on, Dorey-Stein does a wonderful job telling the story of Mia and Cricket, two sisters who have always been close, and are raised by a single mother. Mia is the responsible one and Cricket is the athletic one who has the same soccer talent her mother had, but never was able to put to use because she got pregnant at a young age. After tragedy strikes, Mia is determined to do whatever possible to help Cricket achieve her dream of becoming a soccer star. After giving up her entire life to help Cricket, when should Mia be able to ask for something in return?

This book has so much to offer and a review could never give it justice. It seriously broke my heart a few times but I hugged the book when I was finished and purchased a finished copy for my shelf because I wanted a copy to keep forever. I cannot recommend this one enough! Absolutely beautiful!

⚽️Two Sisters
⚽️Mother/Daughter Relationships
⚽️Coming of Age
⚽️Grief and Loss
⚽️Women’s Soccer
⚽️Character Driven
⚽️Thought Provoking
⚽️What Would You Sacrifice?
⚽️Perfect Book Club Pick

Posted on Goodreads on July 15, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around July 15, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on July 15, 2025
**-will post on designated date

Though a few years apart, sisters Mia and Cricket Lowe have always had a close bond. Being raised by a young, single mom, the trio came together to lift each other up. For older sister Mia, this always meant being the responsible one, ready to sacrifice her dreams for the sake of her family’s needs. For younger sister Cricket, this entailed living out the dream once envisioned for her mother- becoming a famous soccer sensation.

When the book opens we learn new mother, Mia has a medical emergency that can only be solved by her Cricket. But if Cricket does this for Mia, it means the end of the soccer career she was just starting to cultivate. A story that goes back and forth between the past and the present, we see the choices that led each woman to the paths they are on today, and how tragedy makes these strong women even stronger.

Spectacular Things is, at the risk of sounding redundant, spectacular. It’s a powerful story about family, sisterhood, and perseverance. While I didn’t always agree with the decisions that were made along the way (I’m looking at you, Crjcket), seeing the consequences of such decisions only made the characters more real and resonant. I highly recommend reading this one as it will no doubt be one of my favorite things from this year.

Spectacular Things is a book about sisterhood, sacrifice, and lots of soccer. Reminded me of TJR and Carrie Soto! The charming cover might have you thinking this is a beac read, but it’s heavier and deeper than that. At times heartbreaking and heartwarming, I’m left wanting to read all of Beck Dorey-Stein’s books.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is the tale of two sisters. Mia is the older sister, the one who has been parentified into not only helping her mother with the household and finances, but eventually also being guardian to younger sister Cricket. Both sisters received the gift of being talented soccer players from their mother, who had to give up her college career, but Cricket is the one who really shines. When the story opens, Cricket is playing on the US National Team in the 2026 Olympics, and Mia is at home giving birth to her first child. But when the dust clears, Mia needs something from Cricket that she may not be able to give.

I enjoyed this, as a story about sisters. Soccer and their mother are the threads that keep them together throughout the story. We spend a lot of time focusing on Cricket's soccer career, but also a lot of time following Mia as she is forced to be an adult long before her time. The majority of the book is this back story, leading us into the future to the decision Cricket needs to make.

Where I have to nitpick a bit is the setting. There is much made of the book being set in Maine, but if you did a search and replace and changed it all to Delaware, or Rhode Island, I wouldn't know the difference. As someone who grew up in Maine, this book didn't have that "Maine" feel that I expect if a book goes through the trouble of pointing it out. And there was this weird scene surrounding Yaktrax, something that no one I knew when I lived in Maine owned, even those who spent all their time in the outdoors. Is it petty of me? Probably. But when you set a book in Maine, there are vibe expectations.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely ADORED this book. I could not put it down. Cricket and Mia's (and their mom's) story was so engaging, so beautiful, so stunning I could not stop reading it. It was an absolutely beautiful story of love, sisterhood, and sacrifice. Absolutely recommend!

Thank you again for the ARC!

I know many people are raving about thisbook but it was a DNF for me. I think the soccer storyline was not for me.

This book made me feel so many things all at once — the characters were real, flawed, and so complex, so human.
The story revolves around two sisters — Cricket, a rising soccer star, and Mia, the elder sister.
It was heart-wrenching, and nothing but life is portrayed in this book. Despite constantly being tested by the twists and turns of life, the way the two sisters maintained a positive outlook was truly admirable. Nothing stopped them — they just kept moving forward without looking back.
I really loved Mia’s character. She had to give up so much in her life, and even though fate was cruel to her time and again, she still moved forward with remarkable determination. Watching her learn to choose herself was so beautiful.
Cricket — even though there were times she really pissed me off — I could still understand where she was coming from. Giving up on something you've worked toward for decades can be overwhelming, and her fear of being nothing without her dream was painfully relatable.
All the side characters were equally well written. The relationships portrayed in this book were messy, complex — but also deeply real.
This story is a reminder that love can overpower anything.
It’s a story of sisters, of mothers and daughters — a story of resilience, of chasing dreams, and never giving up. A story of sacrifice, and above all, a story of love.

This is a beautiful story about sisterhood. Mia and Cricket Low are raised by a single mother who gave up her soccer career, but the two girls grew up playing soccer. Mia was an amazing soccer player, but gave it up to raise her sister Cricket, who then becomes a star player.

This book is heartbreaking, thought provoking and just has a lot of realistic plots to it. I think a lot of people might be able to relate to this book in certain ways.

The book was also easy to follow with the pacing and the writing was just beautiful.


<u>Tropes:</u>
⚽ Soccer
⚽ Timeline jumps
⚽ Sisterhood
⚽ Feminism/Women & Girls
⚽ Grief & Loss
⚽ Unplanned Pregnancy/Motherhood

Pros:
- Very character focused and I loved how there was so much character development

Cons:
- Don’t really have any

<I>Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and the author Beck Dorey-Stein for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!</I>

I never would have imagined loving a book about women’s soccer, but I absolutely adored this exceptional novel by Beck Corey-Stein. It’s the beautiful, heartwarming story about two sisters, their love for soccer, each other, and the memory of their mother who left them suddenly to take care of each other and to continue the dream that was once hers. It’s about dedication, sacrifice, sisterhood, motherhood, and above all love. Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press for the ARC of this “spectacular” book.

This book has many elements that resonate with me deeply as a daughter, mother, sister, and avid sports fan (albeit not big on soccer, but this book may have piqued a curiosity.) A beautiful tale of the Lowe family and their story weaved with grief, love, and loss.

A touching novel featuring complex family drama against a backdrop of women’s pro soccer. You definitely don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy this, but it really was the perfect setting to explore the sacrifices we make for our own goals, other’s goals, and what really matters - love for each other.

This was a beautifully written story with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC!

4.25 stars

Thank you to @netgalley for the arc.
This book was about Mia and Cricket Lowe. Two sisters that are being raised by a single mother.
They live in Maine, and their mom wants them to be soccer stars, as she was never able to complete that dream.
After their moms untimely death, the girls focus one one achieving the dream, while the other tries to keep things going at home.
This is a book about following your dreams, sacrifice and most importantly, the sister bond.