Book Review: Lasso Me a Mom by Stephanie Jackson
There’s nothing like the Christmas season to dive into a heartwarming story. Those winter months are where I’m looking for a sweet story that pulls on my emotions. Lasso Me a Mom by Stephanie Jackson is such a read.
Nikki Turner has it all: she is an honor student, has a popular boyfriend and is a star dancer. However; never is there a time that a smile crosses her face. With a constant frown and a sharp tongue, she doesn’t let anyone get a rise out of her, especially her teacher Cassie McGregor.
When it is revealed that Nikki is homeless and in the foster care system, Cassie, who is a certified foster mother, is chosen to be her temporary guardian, an agreement they both object from the start. As their animosity begins to deplete, Nikki and Cassie realize that what they’ve always wanted just might bring them closer.
Although on TV a similar theme is playing out on the TNT show “Major Crimes,” a lovable but rejected teen paired with an adult that appears an odd fit still isn’t one often explored, and I liked the way Nikki and Cassie interact. They have a not-so-great history, but their positive progression to a great fit is well done.
I would like to see the onion layers, so to speak, peeled back even more when it comes to character development and dialogue. This is a dialgoue-driven book, and I’d enjoy experiencing the character sensing things through dialogue beats instead of just tags. My sense is that in future works, these things will be as natural of a progression as Nikki and Cassie were. The author lists Denise Hunter and Colleen Coble as inspirations, and those are top-notch authors to observe.
Lasso Me a Mom is an uplifting read full of heart. Check it out!
Purchase here
I received a .pdf from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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