Harcourt Children's Books (April 17, 2012) 288 pages
My Thoughts:
The Springsweet
Zora is still mourning the loss of her fiance, and just can't seem to let go. She debates simply picking a widower to marry as a way to somewhat force herself to move on, but she finally decides to move west to help her newly widowed aunt(Birdy) and baby cousin(Louella). She learns that she can find water underground, so she helps the struggling community find the best place for wells. Of course, there's a love triangle, too!
It was heartbreaking for me to read how much some of these people struggled! After one particular scene, I just sobbed! I'm the first to admit that I'm an extremely emotional person, and I was already having an emotional day, but it hurts to know that it was an all too true story for plenty of people. More than anything, The Springsweet gives you a glimpse of just how hard life could be in the west during those times.
There's just so many categories that this book could be put into, though. (YA, historical, romance, western). There's really only a VERY slight paranormal element, which is the ability to know where the water is underground. The whole story is surrounded by sadness, and a bit of darkness.
There's one scene that is very quickly added in the story at the end that I wish had been left out. I just think it added a bad note to an otherwise beautiful, albeit sad story.
I really liked The Springsweet
Clean Factor:
It was pretty clean. "D***" was used a few times in different ways, but that was it as far as profanity. God's name is used in vain(Thank G**, or something similar). There was some kissing. There was also a scene that I honestly don't know if it is implying premarital sex happens or not. I guess the reader is left to decide, and I'll go with the more conservative.
*I was provided an ARC through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for my honest opinion.






