Review of It's All in Your Mind
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It’s All in Your Mind by Ann Herrick has loads of 1950s appeal. Set on the cusp of the Vietnam Conflict and the “flower-power” movement, this novel has a sugary- sweet charm straight from a Frankie and Annette movie. I think many YA girls will find the chivalrous nature of the relationships surprising and will be wondering why their own boyfriends don’t act more like Joel and even Nolan when he’s not attention seeking. After all, there is something to be said for that pre-women’s lib time when boys still voluntarily opened doors and paid for dates. It was refreshing if not a little frustrating with Vija’s overly innocent attitude. I found myself wanting to shake her every time she believed Nolan’s shovels of . . . manure and each time she played doormat to Caprice.
There were some eye-roll moments, like when Vija (picture Sandy from Grease but with a Latvian accent) thought she was in love because Nolan won her a teddy bear at the fair, and modern girls will see the red flags of Nolan’s domineering jerkiness close to the novel’s beginning, but some of that, I’m certain, is by design. I was a little let down because there wasn’t a major blow-up moment when Vija has her epiphany about Nolan. After all, this guy has been telling her what to eat and asking her to dye her blonde hair, and I REALLY wanted Nolan and Joel to run into each other at the beach or for Vija to spot Nolan in all his philandering glory.
The novel was a bit slow-paced at times, much like the 1950s I suppose, but it’s an easy read with lots of historical references.
3.5 stars
It’s All in Your Mind by Ann Herrick has loads of 1950s appeal. Set on the cusp of the Vietnam Conflict and the “flower-power” movement, this novel has a sugary- sweet charm straight from a Frankie and Annette movie. I think many YA girls will find the chivalrous nature of the relationships surprising and will be wondering why their own boyfriends don’t act more like Joel and even Nolan when he’s not attention seeking. After all, there is something to be said for that pre-women’s lib time when boys still voluntarily opened doors and paid for dates. It was refreshing if not a little frustrating with Vija’s overly innocent attitude. I found myself wanting to shake her every time she believed Nolan’s shovels of . . . manure and each time she played doormat to Caprice.
There were some eye-roll moments, like when Vija (picture Sandy from Grease but with a Latvian accent) thought she was in love because Nolan won her a teddy bear at the fair, and modern girls will see the red flags of Nolan’s domineering jerkiness close to the novel’s beginning, but some of that, I’m certain, is by design. I was a little let down because there wasn’t a major blow-up moment when Vija has her epiphany about Nolan. After all, this guy has been telling her what to eat and asking her to dye her blonde hair, and I REALLY wanted Nolan and Joel to run into each other at the beach or for Vija to spot Nolan in all his philandering glory.
The novel was a bit slow-paced at times, much like the 1950s I suppose, but it’s an easy read with lots of historical references.
3.5 stars
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