Cassie Bustamante

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Book Club Review: The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls (And August Book Pick!)

August 4, 2014 by Cassie 26 Comments

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Hope you all had a great weekend!  Today I am back with the book review from our July book,The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls.  (By the way, if you are new here, I participate in a blogger book club with my buddies, Carmel and Kirby– feel free to join us; just let me know if you are interested!)  And thanks to Carmel for making us this swanky button….

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When I read this description on the amazon page, I was intrigued: A lush, sexy, evocative debut novel of family secrets and girls’-school rituals, set in the 1930s South.  Here was my excuse to read a racy novel, right?
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Well, let me tell you that all of the sex in this book is totally inappropriate and made me a little uncomfortable.  The main character, Thea, was a young girl who was sheltered from the world, and then completely taken advantage of within her own family.  I don’t fault her- she was only 15 and only knew her father, uncle, brother, and cousin when it comes to the opposite sex.  However, what really bothered me was that she was then sent away as if anything that happened was her fault completely, and she honestly never in the novel acknowledges her situation for what it is…. rape.  For anyone who has read my story, you can understand how this piece of the novel, which is what it all sprouts from, really bothered me.  I felt so sorry for Thea- she was just totally lost.

Anyhow, her family sends her away to an all girl’s riding camp and school.  The school is run by Mr. & Mrs. Holmes, and early on it becomes clear that Mrs. Holmes and Thea’s mother have some sort of history.  When their history finally comes out, it’s very muddy and unresolved…. the biggest letdown of the book for me.  I kept waiting for more details on their friendship but none came.

At Yonahlossee, Thea heads into yet another inappropriate sexual relationship.  I won’t give anything away in case you decide to read it (though after my review you probably won’t!).  Again, I just felt sorry for her- her character seems to think she’s strong and knows what she is doing, and maybe the author even felt that way; but all I saw was a lost and misguided little girl.

Check out what my book club members, Kirby and Carmel, have to say about this novel.

I’ve already started the August book, Dark Places: A Novel by Gillian Flynn.  I can already tell this is going to be a good one!  Stay tuned for the review coming early September!  And in the meantime, feel free to read along with us!  The more the merrier!

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Comments

  1. michelle@decorandthedog says

    August 4, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Interesting. I think I’ll trust your judgment on this one. I really want to read Dark Places. It’s been on my list for awhile. I’m currently in the middle of two other books so I should probably finish at least one of those. But this is motivation!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 4, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      i think that is a smart move. 😉 what are you reading now?

      Reply
  2. Carmel says

    August 4, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Yes, she was so lost and how could she not be with no one to really ever talk to her about the real issues in life. Her parents just blew me away with the way they handled the whole thing. And yes, what in the world was the deal with her mom and Mrs. Holmes?!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 4, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      i know! i still want to know what was the deal there, but i suppose we will never know.

      Reply
  3. Kim@Reposhture says

    August 4, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Cassie- I had no idea and just read your story. You are an amazing woman. I will probably not read the book but I so appreciate your honesty and transparency about your past. Again, you are an amazingly strong vibrant woman and an excellent role model to us and your kiddos.
    K

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 4, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      thank you so much, kim! i really appreciate that! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says

    August 4, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    This is a great review. I will trust you on this one too – like Michelle. I think I will go paint something instead 🙂

    I hope you will like the next book better. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 4, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      yes, i think that is a good plan! so far i am loving it- i am about a third of the way through!

      Reply
  5. Kim@NewlyWoodwards says

    August 4, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    I loved Dark Places. Definitely dark, but couldn’t put it down.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 5, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      oh yay! i save reading for nighttime when i am pooped, so luckily i can put it down because i am about to pass out. 😉

      Reply
  6. shavonda@ahomefullofcolor says

    August 4, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    Hmmmm now im completely intrigued. Maybe ill have to give it a read.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 5, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      it was just sort of odd- let me know if you do read it!

      Reply
  7. kirby carespodi says

    August 5, 2014 at 5:50 am

    You know, this was just a weird book. I wanted to like it, but I couldn’t. I have started Dark Places, but I wish her name was something other than “Libby.”

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 5, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      yes, the name libby isn’t right for her- especially with the other names in the book- patty, diane, debbie, michelle??? libby doesn’t really fit.

      Reply
  8. Heidi @Decor &More says

    August 5, 2014 at 7:46 am

    Oo, think I’ll read along with you gals! Dark Places is on my list. Too bad about last months choice- I always feel like I’ve wasted my precious reading time when a book is a let-down.
    Xo Heidi

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 5, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      ooh yes please do! and yes, it was a let down- just made me sort of sad and worried about the author!

      Reply
  9. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    August 5, 2014 at 8:44 am

    Yeah, that one sounds like one to pass on! I haven’t read a Gillian Flynn book yet, but I think I need to!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 5, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      yes, don’t read it, but do read dark places- i am a third through and it’s great!

      Reply
  10. Gwen says

    August 5, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Nope. Probably won’t read that one! But I’ll be interested in the new one. I’m at a loss for good books right now!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 6, 2014 at 8:25 am

      so far so good!

      Reply
  11. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    August 6, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I just read your story. I hate that you had to endure that. Crushes my soul. You are such a strong and beautiful woman. Thank God you were able to fight your way to the surface and find yourself again! Thank you for having the courage to share your story.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 6, 2014 at 8:23 am

      thank you so much, shelley- i really appreciate it! XOXO

      Reply
  12. Paula@SweetPea says

    August 7, 2014 at 7:11 am

    By the title, this looks like a book that I would love. I’ll pass on it after reading your review.

    I just read your story and am so sorry that you had to go through that terrible experience. I admire you for sharing and I am sure that by doing so you have helped many other women.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:56 am

      thank you so much for taking the time to read and for your kind words! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Shawna says

    August 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    I just finished reading Dark Places last night – definitely a page turner! I had to stay up until I finished it last night. Looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks about it. Have you read Gone Girl? Another good one!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 11, 2014 at 7:41 am

      i finished it friday night and i loved it! i have not yet read gone girl, but it’s on my list! 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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