Lula Arnsby can’t wait for graduation, when she can finally be rid of the bully Barton Oleson.At the Spearfish Normal School, Lula is ready to begin a whole new chapter of her life by finishing her studies to become a teacher. Her life seems over when Barton, the one man she couldn’t wait to be rid of, strides into her class as the new teacher’s assistant. She wants nothing to do with the … do with the handsome prankster.
But his aim isn’t to torment her anymore. He got what he deserved after antagonizing Lula one too many times. He wants to be noticed by the pixie-haired beauty – without his normal tricks. He’s spent the last two years making sure she thinks of him every day, but he’s running out of time to win her heart – and her trust. Only one school year until she will be a teacher … and out of his reach. Is it enough time to make up for two years of hurt? Can Lula forgive all that he’s done?
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I have enjoyed every book I’ve read (and or listened to) by Kari Trumbo! Her stories pull me in and keep my attention right from the very beginning. Not only can I easily picture what’s happening as if I were watching it on the screen, but I feel what the characters are feeling. Reading this book was a fully immersive experience!
For this story, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook on my daily commute to and from work, or at least that is how it started. But honestly, I was too wrapped up in the story to stop listening, so I put on my headphones and enjoyed listening while catching up with my household chores. Its the first time I can honestly say that the chores got done too quickly!
While I have read other books from Kari Trumbo, this is the first book in the Seven Brides of South Dakota series that I have read. I quickly added the others to my TBR in hopes of reading them soon! I do not know if all of the books can be stand-alone, but if you jump in with this one, you will be just fine!
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
This story line was a tough one for me because I was bullied in high school and not because someone had a crush on me but because I was someone who was easy to pick on. Barton does change and become more mature and responsible. Although he still has juvenile tendencies to get over like leaving Lula behind when she fell in the river because he was mad at her; she could have been seriously hurt or gotten ill walking back in the rain. It was interesting to read about school to train teachers back then and how most schools allowed married men, but not women, so women had to choose career or family, but not both.
He’s impossible… She’s rattled…
Out of the 4 books that I’ve read in the Seven Brides Of South Dakota series, I missed book #4, I think that Sparks In Spearfish was the one that I connected with the least. Not that I didn’t enjoy the audiobook, because I did, but, this where this Millennial starts to feel a little old, both characters came across as two very immature hormonal kids in need of some serious growing up.
I really did like Lula even though she’s a bit self absorbed and naive. However, my 21st Century must be coming through because I spent more time mad at Barton’s lousy behavior and ridiculous expectations than I did actually liking him. But, I did enjoy the audiobook. I wanted to see the two get together, maybe because they kinda deserved each other, and I was glad when they finally got their happy ending.
While Kari Trumbo kinda missed me with the characters, I absolutely loved the Normal (teacher) school background, and I enjoyed checking back in with the Arnsby sisters and finding out what they’re up to.
I’ve really been getting frequent flier miles with audiobooks this summer and Sparks In Spearfish was another good experience production-wise. The narrator did a great job bringing author Kari Trumbo’s story to life. I’m definitely looking forward to listening to the next Seven Brides Of South Dakota novel.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I was so excited when I saw this story on Audible! Having listened to the series and loved every one, I knew Lula’s story would be fantastic and it was…. I had already read the book but there is just something about hearing it and with Meghan Kelly’s voice I felt like I was visiting old friends!
Lula was the first in the Arnsby family to go off to school. She’d always wanted to be a teacher and even though teachers could not marry, she didn’t care but she had vowed never to marry anyway. Especially since Barton Oleson had plagged her at school, always doing something. Putting butter in her hair was one she’d never forget. But much to her surprise, Barton shows up as the new teaching asst in her class! She did not think she could endure it!
Bart had only bullied Lula to get her attention. Now he had to try to make up and let her know he was serious about her.. But could she ever forgive him?
Kari Trumbo shows her extraordinary storytelling abilities with every story she writes but I especially adore this series. I cannot wait for the next one!
This is another beautiful story about another of the seven sisters in this series.
It must have been really terrible for Lula to have all the unwanted attention and teasing from Barton while in school and now, in this story, she is studying to become a teacher but Barton beat her to it and he has become a Teacher’s Aid at her school.
The story shows clearly how when a man matures and finds himself in love, how his way of handling things changes. He has now become a caring, loving person but still Lula doesn’t trust him at all and he really has to work hard to get her to change her mind.
The book is written with so much emotion and so many life changes in it that I was glued to the pages and couldn’t help but read well into the night.
It is totally entertaining and that is something I value highly in a good story and am happy to recommend it.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of a revision of this book and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
This author always puts out a good book and this is no exception.
Another Awesome Book!
I loved the turmoil in this book! From hatred to love, many of us have understood this very common struggle!! The resolution was wonderful and the time with her sisters was especially meaningful!!