i think maybe “don’t judge a book by its cover” was said because of this book right here. this is a soccer fiction. it was sweet and i did enjoy how it was written.

really enjoyed this book and the journey of the main character and all that they went through. It kept me on my toes and what would happen in the story.

Emotional story of two sisters who must re evaluate their live goals when a medical crisis arises. Heavily focuses on soccer which I don't know much about but still enjoyed learning. A lot of trigger warning for sensitive subjects.

I was mad at a lot of characters in this book. I didn't agree with most of their decisions. It was a captivating story and I read it quickly, but it didn't quite leave me with a happy fuzzy feeling at the end.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Could you make these decisions? A teenager makes the decision to give up what she loves and becomes a mother, the daughter then gives up what she loves to take care of the sister, can the sister make the same decision? I asked myself as I read this book could I make this decision? I asked myself this question three different times? This was a book that makes you think, you get involved, you fall in love with the characters, you feel their love, their pain, their sorrow, their happiness. I Give very few five star reviews but this book deserves one. As I end my reviews I always say read the book, this one definitely read the book!!! Thank you Becky Dorey-Sten for a book well done.

I absolutely loved this story! I fell in love with all of the characters and their relationships with each other. I thought the author did a wonderful job with the character development. I loved the family dynamic between Mia and cricket and the love shown throughout the novel. This story truly shows the importance of family and perseverance amongst adversity. This was truly heart warming and a wonderful read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I rounded up from 3.5 stars. I liked this novel and felt connected with the characters. I like the timeline changes in how it presented the story. I would recommend this novel to our book club patrons, and younger patrons interested in female focused literature and lovers of competitive, sports books. Definitely showcases the drive needed and dedication to attain life-long goals and what it means to finally achieve the dream.

I really loved this book - the family drama, the sisterly bond, the great big decision Cricket had to make… all the things I like best in a story. Unfortunately there was a little too much emphasis on soccer which sounds like it has worked for many many readers but sadly I am not a soccer fan and the constant soccer chat bored me a little. I gave this 3 stars… all the stars for the actual family storyline and negative two for the soccer!!

The Carrie Soto of soccer and the endless pursuit to be the best, no matter the cost. I didn't dislike the soccer element, but there was So. Much. Soccer. On the upside, we get ambitious witches out of it ;)
I thought the relationships between Liz, Mia, Cricket, and later, Oliver, were well realized, but the story became repetitive and I found myself reading to read rather than feeling compelled to.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A tale of sisterhood and growing up too quickly. This story tells us the story of sisters Mia and Cricket. It’s a beautiful story of the love between sisters, and sacrifices made. I was a little disappointed in the lack of communication as the story built towards the end. I was completely engrossed and finished it within 1 day thanks to a long travel day. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

4.75 stars (rounded up)

This book is aptly titled because it itself is a spectacular thing.

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein is a story about ordinary life told in an extraordinary way. We follow the lives of the Lowe sisters, Mia and Cricket, who each have to figure out how to navigate their lives around an instinctual drive for soccer stardom and living up to the legacy of their larger-than-life mother.

Mia is what makes this book, and I will not accept any arguments. Although at times her goodness can border on unbelievable, Mia's sacrificing nature and the love she shows for her family is so touching and heart-wrenching that she overshadows all other characters. She inspires readers to aspire to be better versions of themselves. She is the reason everyone else's story is possible.

The only thing that held me up from giving a full 5 star rating is... Cricket. She is flawed, which does make the story relatable, but there are enough aspects of her attitude, behavior, and mindset that just made it difficult to root for her storyline.

Regardless, this is a spectacular book. The author's ability to take what's commonplace and transform them into something worth telling is incredible. That in and of itself makes this book worth picking up, and will keep you hooked until the end.

Very special thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Spectacular Things is available everywhere now.

Mia reminded me of my daughter and I adore this book very much. This is right up my alley in terms of a Lit-fic. Cricket was legit too. I’m glad I was selected for this book thank you.

Loved the format of the story telling and the shift from present to past back to present, the whole time I wanted to get back to the. Grinning. The middle dragged a bit but the characters and soccer aspect kept me interested!

i’m so fucking mad it too much so long to read this book because i absolutely loved it. more than i can put into words guys… i loved mia and cricket. i love how their story was told and just everything. i shouldn’t pick favorites, but i completely adored mia. her and oliver i smiled i laughed i smiled again. cricket and sloane. I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I couldn't put this book down! I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. The characters and storyline drew me in and I truly felt for the main characters, Mia and Cricket. I don't want to give anything away but I highly recommend this one. A must read!

"Spectacular Things" was an absolute dream! Thank you so much to Netgalley and The Dial Press for the early copy! Liz Lowe was a soccer phenom who had her whole career ahead of her. Enter her daughters Mia and Cricket. Mia, the responsible daughter who puts her dreams on hold to support her family. Cricket, the child prodigy who eats and breathes soccer. Seeing their stories intertwine and how much they loved each other and what they were willing to sacrifice pulled on my heart strings! This was such a touching read and it has quickly become one of my favorites!

Loved the footie backdrop, stayed for the sibling relationship. I coincidentally started Spectacular Things just as the Premier League was starting its new season, and this book just got me right in the mood. Not only that, but it hit me hard in the feels just within the first couple of chapters as we feel the crowd come alive at the 2028 Olympics. What Spectacular Things captures so well is the emotion and intensity of being in a stadium and how all-encompassing football can be. The sibling relationship between Cricket and Mia really brings this book home, and Spectacular Things does a wonderful job in exploring the sacrifices and journeys families take for one another. I loved Cricket and Mia, and I rooted for them all the way through.

Being a football fan myself, I loved everything about this, and I'm glad there's a book capturing women's football so well. But also, this book importantly highlights the impact of the pay-to-play system within the US and how it impacts the families of those wanting to play.

This was just a beautiful story of sisters and what they do for each other. I love the way the girls were written. They were so brave and true to themselves. It left me feeling very hopeful.

This book felt like it was written just for me. I love (and work in) sports, and I've never come across a novel quite like this before. It's got so much heart. It's got such real, complicated characters. It feels so true to my experience as someone who was 10 years old when Mia Hamm and co. won the '99 World Cup — and as a woman who has grown up in sports alongside the growth of women's sports. (I particularly loved the details like soccer articles in The Athletic — shoutout to my former colleague Meg Linehan! — and all of the other touches that showed the writer really understood what it would take to be an elite athlete in this era.

I loved this book. I think all mothers, daughters and sisters should read it.

THIS BOOK!! I absolutely love Corey-Stein's writing. Anyone who loves sports and/or stories of sibling relationships needs to read this. This book captivated me from the beginning and had me wanting more.

5 STARS
If you want to cry…this one is for you!

Easily one of the most memorable books I’ve ever read.

To what end will you go to help your loved ones reach their dreams?

From the very beginning, I knew this was going to be a five-star read. The Lowe sisters—Mia and Cricket—are a powerful example of love, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of loss and grief.
In the small town of Victory, Maine, we meet the “Lowe girls,” daughters of single mother Liz Lowe. Both are talented and full of potential, but as they grow older, life demands tough choices. Sacrifices must be made to support Cricket’s dream of becoming a soccer star. The weight of responsibility shifts, and Mia finds herself stepping into a caregiver role far too young, while Cricket pushes forward with relentless determination.

I absolutely fell in love with these girls. I rooted for them with everything I had and wanted nothing less than the futures they dreamed of.

I cried more times than I can count. I’ve recommended this book more times than I can count—and I’ll keep doing so. It’s an unforgettable story with memorable characters, emotional depth, and a heartfelt love for the game of soccer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House- Random House/ The Dial Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.