It’s 1938, and Ann Brooks has big dreams of her new life as a Seattle College coed. She’s left the old-fashioned ways of her small country town behind to pursue higher education and a teaching career.
But not everyone is ready for change.
Society still preaches that a woman’s place is in the home. Some refuse to see Ann as an equal deserving of an education — let alone a career — and Ann's friends think school is simply a springboard to pursue a marriage of wealth and convenience.
When Ann meets Paul, an aspiring journalist with strong ideas of his own, she learns an unexpected lesson in courage and discovers what it really means to live her dreams.
Will Ann give up everything she thought she wanted for love? Or can she have it all?
Dawn Klinge is a Pacific Northwest native who loves a rainy day, a hot cup of coffee, and a good book to get lost in. This wife and mom to two young adults is often inspired by true personal and historical accounts. Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Sorrento Girl is her debut novel, the first in the Historic Hotels Collection.
A story of budding womanhood and learning which dreams are worth fighting for. This is a fascinating look at the challenges of young American women during the late 1930s and into WWII. Though set in a tense historic setting, the story is driven by the characters and their own experiences as they grapple with balancing love and ambition. I really enjoyed watching the character Ann learn to stand up for what she believes in, even though it costs her. Sorrento Girl really hits its stride and shines through the last half of the book, as uncertainty muddies up what had been a straight forward plot. The only disappointment for me was that I did not get to “meet” a famous historical person along with Ann, or witness what a 1930s protest looked like as they stood up for women who were losing their jobs. The scenes at the jazz clubs and the setting of the Sorrento Hotel captivated me, as did what seems like constant Seattle rain!
I received an ARC of this book. (For TLDR summary review, just read the first two paragraphs. It’s all details after that.)
This is not the genre I usually read, so I’m not totally sure how to rate this. I’ll just describe as best I can what I liked and didn’t like about it, and let those of you who do read this kind of book decide whether I’ve rated it as it deserves. If you’re not sure, read the back cover and the sample preview. If that catches your interest, you’ll enjoy the rest of the book. It only gets better.
By the end of the story, I cared about the characters and wanted things to work out well for them. Sorrento Girl is a sweet and charming story of a woman finding… no, not finding, because she rejects the place that is handed to her – carving out her place in the world of 1930s Seattle. At the core of it is a PG romance that is essential to the story but isn’t the whole story. It’s the story of a complete woman, not just of a romance. The ending made me happy – so for all those reasons it gets four stars. (I save my five-star reviews for exceptional ‘I will read this one multiple times and enjoy it every time’ kind of books. Four stars is an enjoyable one-time read.)
I normally read Fantasy, sometimes Sci-Fi or Thrillers and the occasional Mystery. The books I enjoy revolve around action. The plots are action-centered, and every scene has to move that forward in some dynamic way. This is not an action-focused novel, clearly. I knew that going in. But because of what I’m used to, the pacing felt off to me, and it took me a while to get into it. There is no strong hook in the opening page. At least not the kind I’m used to. Maybe the references to Amelia Earhart work as a hook in this genre. She summarizes or completely skips over things I thought were significant, and dwells on things I found mundane. The language is more passive and descriptive than active. But those style differences are probably common to this genre, and I’m just not used to them.
It wasn’t until about half way through the book that I managed to adjust my brain to the fact that this book is about relationships. Something doesn’t “happen” in every scene to move the action forward, but there are always interactions between people that move the relationships forward. The character development is the most important thing. So with that in mind -
I wanted to strangle Ann a few times – for all her talk about being a strong woman and following her own dreams, she doesn’t act that way all the time. She thinks about speaking out, she decides that she should, and then she makes excuses for herself and doesn’t follow through. She rarely vocalizes her objections, and when she does she folds the moment she meets resistance.
But of course that’s how it has to be – if she were a fully independent, strong, and capable woman from the first page there would be no development. She needed something to overcome. She is a woman of her time and culture, as much as she wants to struggle against it, so she lets herself slide into a crisis and then has to work twice as hard to dig herself out of it. I’ve already said the ending made me happy, so you know she doesn’t stay the same. She struck me as a realistic person, one who grows and develops, not just a one-dimensional piece of a person.
Rather than action with a side of romance, this is a romance with a side of history. I really felt the culture of 1930s Seattle come through in the writing. The descriptions of Jazz nightclubs and giant intimidating contraptions at the hairdresser added flavor, and I learned a bit about cultural events of the time, especially about unfair work policies about married women, and a college student’s perspective of the beginning of World War 2.
It’s a lovely story. If you enjoy historical fiction, I would recommend you give this one a try.
I just accidentally read a Christian historical fiction romance novel and I’m not even mad about it because it was so refreshing to read such a wholesome story. Being in Seattle, I’m familiar with the city and its quirky history. Reading this, I felt like I was there with the characters in the late 1930s America version. And while I do feel like everything went fairly whirlwind with certain aspects of the storyline, I appreciated that the author ensured palatable feminism was delivered throughout the book. I finished this book in one sitting because I was cheering on the main character to choose a non obvious path and was not disappointed when the hours flew by.
If you want an adorable distraction of a book that can be passed around to both your mom and daughter, this book is it.
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for the review, but this how I truly felt about it regardless.**
The highlight of this read for me was the Seattle setting and historical places that are still around to this day--many of which I've been to! That was great!
I did feel like this read as a second draft--definitely not a final. It was overwritten and repetitive, and had a number of typos/grammatical errors. Tightening up the writing would've allowed for elements of the plot to be fleshed out, including the potential conversion from Protestant to Catholic as well as one character's physical recovery (especially in one significant health area). Both felt rushed given their significance to both the characters and plot, and they didn't resolve to my satisfaction, anyway.
Looks like I own the other two books in the series. I might pick them up and see what progress has been made, as the topics are certainly interesting; we'll see how I get on.
A wonderful book that starts in the 30's - 40's. This is a love story, but, it's than that - many friendships along the way. I liked the characters get of Anna and her love and admiration for her Aunt Rose, who was more a mother figure to Ann. I just enjoyed the whole book.
Era of 1938 with big dreams to live in a busy city and be going to college. Others thinking it was a waste of education only to getting married. She has dreams and determination to forge a way for woman. Meeting a journalist, what will be the outcome. Good story of woman becoming independent.
I really enjoyed this book. I like the wholesome historical romance that I would not be afraid for my kids to be reading over my shoulder. I cannot wait for the second in the series to come out.
In Dawn Klinge’s Sorrento Girl, Ann Brooks leaves her small town of Wenatchee to attend college in Seattle. It takes place in 1938 when it still wasn’t that popular for women to pursue education for career purposes, but Ann has big dreams for her future. Dreams that don’t involve finding a husband like so many other female college-goers. And, of course, she has to cross paths with an aspiring journalist who tugs on her heartstrings. Will Ann be willing to give up her dreams of a career for love and marriage?
This is book 1 in The Historic Hotels Collection. I thought it was neat that Ann and her roommates lived at a hotel while going to school. My first read by this author, and I certainly wouldn't mind reading more by her!
The reader walks right into 1930 Seattle college life in this book. Everything is described in incredible detail, clearly the author's strength. She had to have done a spectacular amount of research to immerse us so completely in that world. This was a clean, pleasant, meandering, feel-good story with sweet romance, change and growth in the characters, plot twist, and a happy ending. I would have liked to see more polished writing (such as less use of the passive voice and more of a grab at the beginning) and I personally prefer books where God has a larger role and where I connect more with the characters and their struggles.
What a fun and easy to read book. It was short, but well written. The plot was very believable, and I could imagine Ann going to school and the historical facts all seemed realistic. And while I could guess how the story would end, it was written in such a way as to want me to keep reading to see how it would get there. It was also fun to see the story being set in Seattle and read about many of the places I have been. I'm curious if the big white house on Queen Anne is a real house or just made up. How fun!
Ann wants to get a college degree, teach school, and be a wife. No problem, right? But in 1938 it just isn't done. This is a great story of a young lady determined to find her place in the world. Can she have it all? Read Sorrento Girl for yourself and find out.
Reading Sorrento Girl by Dawn Klinge was a peaceful escape for me during California's Shelter in Place order. Since all non-essential businesses are closed in CA at this time due to CLOVID-19, I found the historical references about the Spanish Flu interesting. The book takes place in 1938 during the Great Depression.
The collapse of the economy didn't stop the main character, Ann Brooks, from pursuing her desire to become a teacher. Using her inheritance from her grandparents, Ann is able to travel to Washington and pursue her dreams. Even though most women at Seatle College viewed education as a springboard for marriage, Ann knew she wanted both a career and a family.
I found myself relating to Ann's inner struggle to speak up for what she believes in and the calling God placed on her heart. Will Ann give up everything she thought she wanted for love? Or can she have both?
The relationships and characters in the book move the story along nicely. I normally read and review nonfiction, so I loved entering another time and place. I didn't want to put the book down. Dawn's description of the hotels, music, fashion, and culture helped me visualize Ann's surroundings and what it must have been like to live in the 1930s.
It's obvious Dawn did thorough research for this book. I loved seeing pictures of the real Sorrento Hotel Dawn posted on her FB page.
Dawn says in a recent blog post,
"My only reservation with writing a story set during the Great Depression was that I was concerned it might be, well, depressing. As I started to do my research, my preconceived notions of the time began unraveling. Yes, the 1930s were undoubtedly a difficult time in history, but they were far from joyless. Music, art, and literature were all thriving. Neighbors helped each other out. People showed an amazing amount of courage, resourcefulness, and strength. I wanted to show this in the way I told the story- and I believe I did."
During our current national crisis, sure to go down in history, it was reassuring to read how Ann pursued her dreams with courage, and strength.
I look forward to reading Dawn's future books in The Historic Hotels Collection.
Sorrento Girl is exactly the book that we need for these uncertain days we find ourselves in. It's an uplifting love story full of hope, resilience, and faith. The characters are so relatable that they feel like friends by the time the book is over. You'll find yourself cheering them on and sad when you have to part at the end. This is an excellent read for those who like historical fiction or romance. It's also great for folks who love Seattle- you'll love all the references to famous Seattle places! Ignatian spiritual practices and questions of faith are even explored in this book- so you know I loved it even more from that! I highly recommend. An excellent read to help calm and distract your stressed out minds right now. I was grateful to receive an ARC of this book to share my honest opinions, these opinions are all my own.
Ann has captured my heart. From her love of Amelia Earhart to the way she handled herself in trying not to let someone else's thoughtless decisions affect her courage and self worth, to her decision to pursue her degree/career in a time when that wasn't done by married women, I found a friend.
Hotel "dorm" life was certainly interesting, and I almost feel like I could find my way around town by the end of the story. I was disappointed, though not surprised when the girls snuck out one night, and I was glad they didn't seem to make a habit of breaking the rules.
This time just before WWII is unique, and not one I'm overly familiar with. There were enough 'current event' hints so I found the tension of knowing what's coming just around the corner enhanced the story nicely.
Ann's father, now, he's a keeper. I loved the way he encouraged her, and made her feel special, in such quiet, simple ways.
Bought my own copy this time, and chose to review it here.
I love a story Set in a historic period of time. The details of the fashion, the music, what’s new (like perming hair!), and the events of the day. it is pre-war time and the country feels the Great Depression, but life and hopes and determination move forward. ANN, the main character, is a young lady off to college in the big city of Seattle. She has big dreams. She faces challenges of cultural norms she wants to overcome. It is also a love story and who doesn’t love that ! And yet this story could be happening in our culture today. There are lessons to learn in this story, unexpected twists and the importance of supportive friends and courage. An enjoyable read to relax with and worthy of your time
I enjoyed Sorrento Girl so much. The author painted a strong sensory picture of Seattle and the time period in which Ann, the strong female protagonist of the story, is attending college. I love it when I can dive into a book and learn something about history at the same time and Sorrento Girl was a great read for this purpose. I had a hard time putting the book down because of the relationship/character development and ended up finishing it very quickly to find out what happened! Clean and Christian but not sappily so, this is my favorite kind of historical fiction.
This is a fantastic book! The details in the descriptions made me feel like I was there. While it is a well described historical fiction writing, it also has fun twists along the way. I highly recommend this book!
This book held my attention and made me want to keep reading. I loved the interesting facts about the time in history and enjoyed the story and the characters.
I was thrilled to be able to read that as an ARC. Ann is ready to begin college. It was a big step for her but also a bit step for women at that time. Will she finish and get her degree? How will attitudes change during this time?
I enjoyed the book. What we think as common today for women was not that was in the late 1930's. Ann works hard to follow her dreams.
This is the first book I have read by Dawn Klinge, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were relatable and the story-line was engaging. It had a couple of twists and turns, which made it a little suspenseful. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, and even those who don't!
Loved this book! During these times of uncertainty it was a wonderful distraction! It transported me back to a more lovely time and I felt like I was there. I could not put the book down. I highly recommend this book!
I really enjoyed the flow, pace, and variety of characters in this story from the hero and heroine, to the college students as well as the sweet family Ann helped after class. Learning about Seattle’s history and some of its landmarks added additional interest. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Dawn does a wonderful job grabbing your attention from the very beginning. I was extremely invested in all of the characters from the very start. I could not put the book down.
I also loved the Historical value Dawn brings to the story line and I could envision sitting in the lobby of the hotel in front of the roaring fire.
Lovely characters. Interesting story. Women's rights issues handled gently. Nice mix of politics, world affairs, transition to independence, couples issues, and love!
Sorrento Girl is a well-written historical fiction novel. Ms. Klinge’s book is set in Seattle, Washington in the late 1930s. The main character, Ann Brooks, is headed to Seattle to go to college. During this time period many women went to college to find a man to marry, but Ann was no ordinary woman. She meets Paul in her first semester and quickly the two get engaged. The story could end here but Ms. Klinge provides some twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sorrento Girl and love that it is part one of the historical hotel series.
A well constructed story that looks at the time between WW1 & WW2…
“Sorrento Girl” is book 1 in what is currently a 3 book series by author, Dawn Klinge. She’s a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest and it shows in the pastoral quality to some prose passages as well as her familiarity with the city life and descriptions. Klinge is deft at both.
I found her characters, dialogue and storytelling to be comfortable and not unreasonable with regards to time and place. There’s a gentle thread of faith that follows thru the story without being preachy. The language is clean, romantic content is confined to hugs, chaste kisses and hand holding; actual romance rather than sex.
This was a time of great change for men returning from WW1, women returning to “traditional” roles, the beginning of the suffragette movement, women entering higher education, rumblings from Hitler and Germany heading towards WW2.
Change and unrest are everywhere but the hotel Sorrento, in this story, has been part of the landscape for as long as Ann and her family and friends can remember. It provides jobs, shelter, memories and now it’s providing them many things while they look to get their college degrees: a dorm, place to eat, doorman, safety, companionship. The hotel has old stories, makes new memories and has a future yet to come.
This isn’t a fast paced read but it is adaptable and can be read in as few or as many chapters as you have time for. You won’t have trouble picking it back up and knowing what’s going on. It’s complicated enough to hold my interest but not so much I need a scorecard or to take notes. I like that📚