Book Review: 🌟 Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein — Heartfelt Story of Sisters, Soccer, and Strength
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This is an easy book recommendation. Spectacular Things is heartfelt, emotional, and beautifully written.
If you enjoy character-driven stories that tug at your heart and remind you what family means, this is a perfect pick.
Quick Glance
This is a Book Recommendation if You Like:
- Broken Country — A woman is faced with decisions after her past and her present collide.
- The Paper Palace — A mother-of-two escapes to her summer cabin when feelings of the past come rushing in. Will she choose to move forward? Or embrace the past? Which is which?
- Dream State — This is a little slower than Spectacular Things, but Dream State will take you full circle as you surround yourself with nature, family, and choices that have lasting effects.
Vibe: Grief, Loss, Redemption, and Second Chances
Tropes: Sisterly love, Single-Motherhood,
Content Warnings: Death/Loss, Miscarriage
Spoiler-Free?: Yes
📖 About the Book
- Title: Spectacular Things
- Author: Beck Dorey-Stein
- Reese’s Book Club Pick: July 2025
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Family Drama
- Format Read: Kindle ebook
- My Rating: 4.5
- Goodreads Rating: 4.12
Summary
Spectacular Things follows two sisters, Mia and Cricket, as they navigate the ups and downs of life under the care of their single, selfless mother. Set against the backdrop of small-town life and the competitive world of soccer, this story captures the unbreakable bond between sisters and the sacrifices made for love and family.
💕 Why This Book is a Recommendation for Me
As one of the sister co-owners of CurrentlyBooked.com, this story struck a chord immediately. The relationship between Mia and Cricket felt so real — alternating moments of strength, frustration, and deep love.
Their mother’s unwavering dedication was both heartbreaking and inspiring. She gave up everything so her daughters could have better — a theme that will resonate with any parent (or child of one).
And on a personal note, living that “soccer mom” life myself, I loved how authentic the sports elements felt. The vocabulary, the practice grind, the team energy — it made the book even more relatable.
⚽ Themes That Shine Through
| Theme | Why It Resonates |
| Sisterhood | Mia and Cricket’s bond reminded me so much of my own with my sister. Their love and loyalty drive the story. |
| Single-Parenthood | Their mom’s sacrifices and quiet strength anchor the whole book. |
| Resilience & Sacrifice | Every character gives something up — dreams, time, comfort — for someone else. |
| LGBTQ+ Representation | Subtle but meaningful, adding emotional depth without feeling performative. |
| Soccer & Ambition | The sports aspect connects to real-world pressures on youth athletes and the families behind them. |
| Grief & Miscarriage | Heavy themes handled with compassion and honesty. |
💬 Favorite Takeaways
This story celebrates the everyday heroism of moms and sisters. Yeah…that hits the mark for me right now!
It balances emotional storytelling with realism — you feel like these could be your neighbors or teammates. Or even yourself.
The writing feels grounded yet poetic, capturing the inner lives of women beautifully. How we often feel inadequate, but have such a desire to serve those we love.
This book follows the lead characters over the span of many years, which I totally enjoy because I feel like you have the opportunity to see characters grow, develop, and change. We see the sisters mature, handle difficult situations, and mend relationships that need healing. It’s impressive and easy to see why this is a book recommendation!
✨ Why It’s a Perfect Book Recommendation for CurrentlyBooked.com
As a site run by two sisters, this book feels like it was made for us—it’s heartfelt, layered, and hits that sweet spot between laughter and tears. It connects deeply with our audience of women juggling careers, families, and the messy, beautiful chaos of personal growth.
Plus, it’s the definition of a relatable read—the kind of story that makes you text your sister or best friend at midnight like, “You HAVE to read this.”
Which character or moment from Spectacular Things stayed with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your take!
Where to Buy Spectacular Things
Available through your favorite retailers:
Every Bookshop.org purchase supports local bookstores—shop small and keep indie book culture alive.
Extra Links
If you enjoyed by Spectacular Things and want to explore a little more, here are a few places to check out:
Reese Witherspoon Book Club
Stay up to date with Reese’s Book Club picks! They’re typically winners!
Follow Currently Booked on Instagram
Join cozy book chats, find beautiful quotes, and find all the warm and fuzzy reads!
Magical Reads on Currently Booked
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah – A tender, quietly magical story about healing, mystery, and the unexpected ways people find their way back to one another.
For Heartfelt Story Lovers
Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins – A beautifully emotional story about love, loss, and finding light after heartbreak.
