Made for Each Other?
Betsy Ray has always thought that she and the fascinating Joe Willard would make the perfect couple. Now, in her senior year... read full description
reviews
Oct 22, 2007
Carmen
rated it: 
Finally, love for Betsy! We've waited patiently and now we are rewarded with some romance between Betsy and the irresistable Joe Willard. Betsy Ray has always thought that she and the fascinating Joe Willard would make the perfect couple. Now, in her senior year at Deep Valley High School, it looks as though she'll get her wish. As soon as Joe returns from his summer job in North Dakota, he's on the Rays' porch with sweet words for Betsy. It's going to be a wonderful senior year!
The More...
The More...
Dec 16, 2009
Maisie
rated it:
So I read this book again yesterday, and it reminds me again of just how much I love this series. Lovelace manages to create a wonderful depiction of high school life in the early 1900s (much of it based on her own life), full of fun, friends, and adventure; you just wish you could have really been there to be a part of it.
ps -- I can't stand the newer covers - try and borrow an old copy from the library; they have the original Vera Neville illustrations...
ps -- I can't stand the newer covers - try and borrow an old copy from the library; they have the original Vera Neville illustrations...
Feb 01, 2010
Abigail
rated it: 
The eighth installment of Maud Hart Lovelace's wonderful Betsy~Tacy series, which follows the experiences of three girls growing up in Minnesota in the late nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries; and the fourth and final book dealing with their high school years, Betsy and Joe witnesses the long-expected commencement of a romance between Betsy Ray and Joe Willard. It also sees the poignant exit of a long-time member of "The Crowd," Tony Markham.
Senior year is always a t More...
Senior year is always a t More...
12 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Mar 11, 2010
Anne
rated it:
I guess it was a foregone conclusion that this one was going to be my favorite Betsy-Tacy book. It struck me while I was reading that Betsy and Joe are a lot like Anne and Gilbert from the Anne of Green Gables books, and this one is like Anne of the Island, I think, where they're both going with other people and then finally come to their senses and realize that they belong together. There's that wonderful academic rivalry throughout, with the essay competitions, and some truly lovely romantic
More...
Jan 29, 2010
Megatron
rated it:
This is the only one of the Betsy-Tacy books that I'll review, even though I've read all of them.
When I was a child, I loved the
books about Betsy and Tacy (and Tib) when they were children. However, I soon grew past those ones, and started reading the books where Betsy is older. And I really enjoy them.
I just really like reading about Betsy's life in particular, but also simply reading about how life would have been back then. Even though I usually don't like olde More...
When I was a child, I loved the
books about Betsy and Tacy (and Tib) when they were children. However, I soon grew past those ones, and started reading the books where Betsy is older. And I really enjoy them.
I just really like reading about Betsy's life in particular, but also simply reading about how life would have been back then. Even though I usually don't like olde More...
Aug 05, 2011
As always-I loved reading these books as a young girl and I love re-reading them. It's fun watching and seeing Betsy mature along with her friends Tacy and Tib. Ms. Lovelace is the type of author we still need today for young girls. She has a wonderfully descriptive. The reader really has a sense of the area around Deep Valley. She created a wonderful setting for young people making their way through high school and facing the same problems of young adults
today. I will be quickly moving More...
today. I will be quickly moving More...
Aug 16, 2010
Laurie
rated it:
I never read these as a kid, but I was recently talking to some people who said they were a mainstay of their growing up, like Little House or Anne of Green Gables.
I started here on the 8th book as it was in a give away pile in my laundry room. These books are really good, and I think I would have really liked them when younger, as much as I liked it now. The world of a teenager in 1910 is so interesting to see and Betsy's character is so full of life and determination to enjoy life More...
I started here on the 8th book as it was in a give away pile in my laundry room. These books are really good, and I think I would have really liked them when younger, as much as I liked it now. The world of a teenager in 1910 is so interesting to see and Betsy's character is so full of life and determination to enjoy life More...
Jan 15, 2012
Jess
rated it:
4.5 stars
BETSY RAY. Oh man, I love her but she was truly wearing her bad idea jeans in this book when it came to dealing with Tony. Which, I love him and choose to imagine a future where he and Margaret end up married some day. But this book definitely helped with what I was worried about with Betsy and Joe, which was that we weren't going to see enough of them together before they're together. I could have done without the misunderstanding with Tony, but I can live with it. Still, tho More...
BETSY RAY. Oh man, I love her but she was truly wearing her bad idea jeans in this book when it came to dealing with Tony. Which, I love him and choose to imagine a future where he and Margaret end up married some day. But this book definitely helped with what I was worried about with Betsy and Joe, which was that we weren't going to see enough of them together before they're together. I could have done without the misunderstanding with Tony, but I can live with it. Still, tho More...
Sep 02, 2011
Lawrence
rated it:
I liked this book very much. It is the last of the Betsy "High School" books because the action takes place in The Crowd's senior year. During the year, Betsy becomes much more mature and reaches the edge of adulthood.
Betsy's relationship with Joe comes out into the open finally, but it is still not entirely smooth. I like the way that, all through these books, Mrs. Lovelace has described their frustrations, puzzlement, etc. as the two unknowingly orbit around each other More...
Betsy's relationship with Joe comes out into the open finally, but it is still not entirely smooth. I like the way that, all through these books, Mrs. Lovelace has described their frustrations, puzzlement, etc. as the two unknowingly orbit around each other More...
Feb 01, 2010
Heidi
rated it:
I love this book! Of course, I knew I would as soon as I met Joe, and that one of the books in the series had his name in the title. For much of the book I still found myself (like many others IN the book) thinking "about time!" and "perfect!" I was thrilled when things were going well, and angry when they weren't. I liked that both were at fault for the good and the bad. Of course, Betsy's immaturity and self-centeredness often had her putting more in the balance than Joe. S
More...
Aug 12, 2008
Shelley
rated it:
All of Shakespeare's heroines are essentially human. Somehow, it never fails to make me laugh. *g*
Lots of stuff going on in this one. I love Betsy and Joe. I'd forgotten how fantastic Joe is - he's right up there with Gilbert Blythe, in my mind. They are just so perfect together, and after four long years (for them *g*), it was wonderful seeing the start of their happy ending.
Tacy is quite interesting. I'd really love to see how other people read her and this storyline. More...
Lots of stuff going on in this one. I love Betsy and Joe. I'd forgotten how fantastic Joe is - he's right up there with Gilbert Blythe, in my mind. They are just so perfect together, and after four long years (for them *g*), it was wonderful seeing the start of their happy ending.
Tacy is quite interesting. I'd really love to see how other people read her and this storyline. More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 30, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I love that the girls eat!!! There is no anorexia, no eating disorders.
I think that this book covering Betsy’s senior year of high school is my favorite of the 4 high school Betsy-Tacy books, this despite the fact that I generally detest love triangles in novels. I especially loathe them when, as here, there is a lack of communication between the people involved. I know the mores and constraints of the time didn’t permit Betsy to do as I most would have liked, but I do feel communica More...
I think that this book covering Betsy’s senior year of high school is my favorite of the 4 high school Betsy-Tacy books, this despite the fact that I generally detest love triangles in novels. I especially loathe them when, as here, there is a lack of communication between the people involved. I know the mores and constraints of the time didn’t permit Betsy to do as I most would have liked, but I do feel communica More...
6 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2009
Melody
rated it:
Finally, it seems that Betsy and Joe will be together. This can't possibly be a spoiler, can it, given the title of the book? But the course of true love never did... you know.
Tony (who I adore) comes into his own as a character in this book. We get a glimpse of the boy hiding behind the lazily efficient coffee-maker, the sleepily joking clown. And I wish I didn't know about the real-life Tony, because my fictional Tony goes on to have a long and gloriously satisfying life.
More...
Tony (who I adore) comes into his own as a character in this book. We get a glimpse of the boy hiding behind the lazily efficient coffee-maker, the sleepily joking clown. And I wish I didn't know about the real-life Tony, because my fictional Tony goes on to have a long and gloriously satisfying life.
More...
11 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Oct 14, 2011
Audrey
rated it:
I liked this one. The whole ‘too proud to talk to each other’ is a little frustrating, but I guess without it where would the story be? And the nice reunion. It does make me kind of mad that there is such a gap between the end of this book and the next one. I don’t want to miss any of Betsy’s life! We miss out on the excitement of Julia’s marriage, and Betsy’s time in California, her triumph in writing that good story, and her time at college. Why, Maud? Why?
Dec 30, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I think these coming of age books - although set in 1910 - 1918 - are as relevant today to young people as ever. Beautiful, heart-warming stories based on the author's life and friends. I read them first in high school and am rediscovering them now. Joe is based on Maud's real - life huband, Delos Lovelace, whom she met in her twenties, but in these stories they went to high school together.
Jun 05, 2010
Marcy
rated it:
One would think this would be "their" book, but it continues with the on and off again love story. They FINALLY "go" together but Betsy as usual can't make up her mind and lets Tony interfere. Sound familiar? But in the end they have their first kiss and it makes me long for the innocent sweet days of my era.
"Then he kissed her. Betsy didn't believe in letting boys kiss you. She thought it was silly to be letting first this boy and then that one kiss you when it More...
"Then he kissed her. Betsy didn't believe in letting boys kiss you. She thought it was silly to be letting first this boy and then that one kiss you when it More...
Dec 31, 2011
Miriam
rated it:
The love story in this book is sweet and fairly realistic, with a bit of stubbornness and stupidity on both sides. The writing is solid, and the details add a lot to the story. It is interesting to contrast high school life back then, particularly all of the preparation and ceremonies that were part of graduation, with what it is like now.
Dec 11, 2009
Glorious.Clio
rated it:
Their romance is so quaint and provincial, but for some reason, they are so perfect for each other without being "spoony." It's just right. They are a perfect match, especially intellectually, which makes the dialogue come to life.
Jun 24, 2011
Susan
rated it:
The end of high school for Betsy and Joe. What will the future bring? This series represents a good read that can be recommended without fear of anything inappropriate for readers in the age 10-14 range.
Aug 05, 2011
Kerith
rated it:
I was desperately in need of a comfort read recently so I continued moving through Lovelace's Betsy stories. I particularly enjoy this one, portraying Betsy's (and loosely, Lovelace's) senior year in high school and her long-awaited romance with Joe Willard. Things don't always go as planned, of course, and when Betsy and Joe quarrel at Christmastime she is able to deal with her unhappiness in a manner worthy of her years (as she puts it). I also love how she retreats to the country during Easte
More...
Jan 28, 2010
Barbara Irene
rated it:
This is number 8 in the series of Betsy-Tacy books for children written by my favorite author Maud Hart Lovelace.
Aug 17, 2009
Jordan
rated it:
One of my all time favorite books - especially concerning first loves. A children's book I can still relate to.
Jun 15, 2011
Ro
rated it:
Is it possible that these books keep getting gloriously better?! I love how these characters make me laugh!
Sep 26, 2009
Megan
rated it:
I loved this book, it was set back in the 1950's. I thought it was very good!
Mar 01, 2010
LaSchelle
rated it:
A wonderful, wholesome book. A time when family and friends were so important. A great example of how to be a friend. A journey through Betsy's senior year in high school and all the ups and downs of life.
I really enjoyed the forward by Anna Quinlan. She points out how Betsy inspired her to be a writer.
A book for all ages youth, high school student and adults.
I wish I'd known about these before. Reminded me somewhat of Anne of Green Gables series. I can't w More...
I really enjoyed the forward by Anna Quinlan. She points out how Betsy inspired her to be a writer.
A book for all ages youth, high school student and adults.
I wish I'd known about these before. Reminded me somewhat of Anne of Green Gables series. I can't w More...
Dec 29, 2010
Bookworm1858
rated it:
This is my second favorite Betsy book (after Betsy's Wedding) because of the focus on Betsy and Joe. I was waiting for them to become a couple and in this, their senior year of high school, it seems like it might finally happen. But! Tony, a longtime friend seems to be interested in Betsy as well interfering with their budding romance. Like all of the Betsy books, this is loosely inspired by Maud Hart Lovelace's real-life and is another understanding entry in to the series!
Dec 17, 2009
Sab
rated it:
In which Betsy and Joe Willard "go together" for the first time, and laugh, and play, and write, and submit stories to magazines, and exchange copies of "As You Like It," inscribed, "we'll fleet the time carelessly as they did in the golden world." And in which Betsy wins the Essay Contest, at long last, and against Joe, of course, but Joe's so busting with pride he doesn't even feel the sting of losing. And after Commencement Day, what? After Commencement Day, the
