This is a re-read for me, but it's been several years. The pinnacle of a comfy, cozy read, and exactly what I needed over this freezing cold weekend. Also, incidentally, very interesting to read this as an "adult" and consider it within broader historical contexts (at one point they mention visiting an abandoned reservation as like a fun thing to do?? yikes). Also, I'd forgotten how religious these books could be, and how they glorify the woman's place in the home (to a very certain extent; Carney is going to Vassar, but still). 5/5 for being a book that's special to me.

I absolutely LOVE this book. I know it's not technically a Betsy-Tacy book, but I read them chronologically, which means this is #10/13 in the deep valley time line. favorite so far. I love the old characters, the new characters, the growth, AH! just everything - I love everything about this book!

A fun addition to the classic Betsy-Tacy series, a deeper look into one of the girl's high-school chums, a treat for all those who love the adventures of Betsy, Tacy and Tib. Carney is a delight of a character, so straightforward and honest as compared to Betsy's extreme romanticism it makes for a nice change in perspective. And the whirlwind presence of Sam Hutchinson is fantastic.

8/2015

I've never identified with Carney particularly. She's so reserved, so prim, so proper and I have never been any of those things. And yet. Her fears, her hopes, her motivations- all pretty recognizable to me.

Part of the problem with having Lovelace's books filed under "comfort reading" in my head is that I forget what a good writer she is, how she sees so keenly into people. Coming here for sweetness and finding only magnifying mirrors is more than a little disconcerting.

Several passages leapt out at me this time, none more striking than the trip to Orono Falls.

9/2012

I love this book more each time I read it. I like seeing Betsy through Carney's eyes, and I think Lovelace was very successful at showing us what the whole world looked like through Carney's eyes. Sam is one of my favorite characters in the whole Betsy-Tacy series. I like seeing how the childhood love of Carney and Larry plays out here. All the characters are whole and round and real, the situations believable, and the elopement of Bobbie a classic. Beautifully done.

I really enjoyed getting to know Carney and loved seeing the women going to college. The house party was fun and having some of the old gang from the Betsy-Tacy books in the story was great. Of course, it’s always wonderful to see Betsy and Joe.

The Deep Valley books are my favorite books ever. I'm shocked they have so few ratings on Goodreads.

I love how Maud Hart Lovelace takes us through Betsy's life, and how the books age as the main characters age. I find this series so wholesome, so self-introspective, so informative and educational about life and self. They address very essential issues such as identity, life goals, relationships, friendships, family... I really am so impressed by this series and relate to it so deeply. I wish to write a series as good as this one day too.

I reread these every year, especially Emily of Deep Valley and Carney's House Party

I loved the Betsy-Tacy books as a girl and it was a treat to revisit Deep Valley again!

EVERYONE DESERVES THEIR OWN BABY HIPPO!!!

betsy-tacy

I enjoyed reading the Betsy-Tacy series but only recently found out there were subsequent books set in Deep Valley involving many of the same characters. I liked Carney's character from the times she was mentioned with Betsy's crowd. Whereas Betsy tends to be imaginative and romantic, Carney takes an analytical approach to solving her problems and romances. This story, set in the summer, follows Carney as she hosts a house party for her school friends with a variety of activities and plans to keep everyone busy. Romance comes in a few unexpected ways but doesn't quite take center stage as the relationships and interactions between the girls does. This is a great addition to the already quaint Betsy-Tacy series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story by the author of the Betsy-Tacy books. Carney is a friend of Betsy's who returns home to Minnesota for the summer after 2 years of college, and her long-distance boyfriend (who moved to CA four years before) comes to visit... will she end up with him? Or with the new guy in town? I love reading about life in this "simpler", more innocent time period (almost 100 years ago). This is great "escape" reading that brings me back to the days when my sister and I devoured these books (around age 10).

1.5*