I had the chance to read this upcoming book review this week by a debut author who carries us back into our teenage years kicking and screaming.
Written especially for women who enjoy music, baseball, had crushes and unrequited love, and are still struggling to figure out what they’re supposed to do in life. Sounds familiar in so many ways. Read on for my review.
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (April 16, 2024)
ISBN-13: 978-0593715413
OVERVIEW:
In New York City, newly single Caroline is stumbling her way through the recent implosion of her life. After a surprise breakup leaves her with no job, no apartment, and no backup plan, she’s unsure of what to do next. That is, until Caroline’s father, Leo, injures himself in a bad fall and asks her to move home to the Jersey Shore suburb she’d always been desperate to escape. But Leo doesn’t want his daughter to be his caretaker; he needs her to replace him as third baseman in his local men’s softball league. This isn’t just any season, Leo claims. This is the year they have a real shot at the World Series, the pride and joy of Glen Brook, New Jersey.
Caroline agrees to move home, concerned that Leo is hiding a more serious health condition than he’s willing to admit. As the first female player in a league full of old-school men, she’s up against more than a few challenges. And when a night gone wrong lands her in the path of her hometown crush—and first love—Caroline struggles to reconcile the life she thought she’d have with the life she might actually want.
Sharply observed and full of humor and heart, Welcome Home, Caroline Kline is a touching tribute to the many unconventional paths that victory, and recovery, can take.
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss Review
This book has a lot of cool concepts to it, some of which are probably very familiar in our own lives. Taking care of our parents in one manner or another is something many of us are doing now or will be juggling in our lifetime.
The female lead has taken so many hits to her life and ego, and now she finds herself moving back home to help her father out after a serious diagnosis. Centered around baseball and the ridiculous way men focus on and treat women in the sport is a huge focus.
It adds more pressure to her character along with her other perceived failures, including drunk driving and meeting her long-term crush again. While this book is definitely not written in the romance slant but more of a women’s fiction, we are taken back into time and relive many of her instances of how he was the one who got away.
In some spots, it was very difficult to read this book because it seemed like Caroline was constantly going backward. Making bad choices, especially when it came to growing a potential relationship. I lost respect for her because of her stupid choices, but on the other hand, would cheer her on the way she handled the men on the softball team and how she finally pulled it together.
The author has a wonderful way of writing and telling her story. It’s imaginative and deeply insightful, but I wish it would’ve had more of a romantic slant that we got to enjoy for longer than a few minutes.
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline is about family support, empowerment of women, finding yourself, and being free to be who you should be. It’s witty, full of attitude and sass, insightful, and a little sad, but overall a really good second chance story.
4 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.