"You understand, I think, that I've always had a Plan for my life. In order to carry it out, I had to rule out girls, and I didn't mind. Even last fall, although I liked you a lot, I wouldn't let you come into Plan. But I've been doing a lot of thinking, Betsy. That Plan has been twisted about to let you in. You're in it, now, that's all. I wouldn't like it without you. I wouldn't give a darn for my old Plan if you couldn't be in it."

I want to have other things to say, but I really think I need to let this stand on its own. That is all.

Oh boy, do I love this book! It is sooooo romantic in that high school swoony kind of way, and since I am a perpetual high school swoony kind of girl... I love Joe! I love Tony! I love all things Betsy-Tacy!!

Are you sick of me yet??

If you haven't read this series, you really should.

I just LOVE this series,
the books make me want to live in Deep Valley!
I really like Tony. In spite of his roughness,
he was very gentle inside.
And Joe! I'm so glad Joe loves Betsy! And Betsy loves Joe!
I was so excited, I could have screamed when Joe
sent Betsy a postcard. I simply LOVE this book!
Maud Hart Lovelace... is wonderful!

Edited:
This is a terrible review. Makes me laugh, but it's how I felt after reading.

Love the significance of the two picnics on the Big Hill. Also, "I like your hair straight" is one of the most romantic lines in all of literature.

07-27-2012 review:
I love how, in the fall, when Betsy asks Joe about his family, she finds herself "facing the stone wall of his reticence." But when they meet at Butternut Center, it all comes pouring out of him.
"He looked at her suddenly. 'I never told that to anyone before.'"

Previously read: 1-28-05
(how is this possible? maybe I forgot to record another re-read? maybe I've just been dipping into it now and then?)

One would think this would be "their" book, but it continues with the on and off again love story. They FINALLY "go" together but Betsy as usual can't make up her mind and lets Tony interfere. Sound familiar? But in the end they have their first kiss and it makes me long for the innocent sweet days of my era.
"Then he kissed her. Betsy didn't believe in letting boys kiss you. She thought it was silly to be letting first this boy and then that one kiss you when it didn't mean a thing. But it was wonderful when Joe Willard Kissed her. And it did mean a thing."
Remember Betsy was a graduating senior, 18 and had her first kiss.
That's the advice I give all my second graders now. What's the hurry?

Betsy and Joe have my heart. I’m talking Anne and Gilbert level obsessed. Words fail me when I attempt to explain why.

The last few pages of this novel, where Joe and Betsy discuss their future, left me absolutely captivated. In its simplicity, I found it to be one of the most romantic scenes I've ever read.

There's nothing quite like a slow burn romance that spans across multiple books (in this case, four) between characters who feel so familiar to the reader. It's like watching two old friends, whom you've always known were destined for each other, finally figure it out. For me, this kind of story is the ultimate reward in reading.

Just read these for the first time and loved them. I love, especially, that Maud used her high school diaries to write these books. I love Tacy's family, and the Crowd, and Tony in particular. Really sad that the chances of my kids having a high school experience similar to this is remote, with smart phones and facebook and tv and video games. I'm not opposed to any of those, but too much it makes it too easy to be entertained. Oh well. I'm looking forward to reading the final two books, though I'm not sure I will love them as much.

Each book is lovely. This one was always my favorite, though. I am a romantic at heart. I prefer these high school books to the juvenile books, but they are all charming.

Re-read: 12/01

Re-read: 2/08

Re-read: 4/11

Lovelace is a master at capturing and portraying the complete spectrum of emotions that one experiences in their senior year of high-school ,while still keeping her characters relateable and true to themselves, excellent.

The eighth installment of Maud Hart Lovelace's wonderful Betsy~Tacy series, which follows the experiences of three girls growing up in Minnesota in the late nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries; and the fourth and final book dealing with their high school years, Betsy and Joe witnesses the long-expected commencement of a romance between Betsy Ray and Joe Willard. It also sees the poignant exit of a long-time member of "The Crowd," Tony Markham.

Senior year is always a time of changes, and Betsy, Tacy and Tib find that their final year at Deep Valley High School is no exception. Tacy, long the only girl in the Crowd with no interest in the opposite sex, finds herself with a most unexpected suitor! And Betsy, always of the belief that she can be friends with everybody, comes to the realization that she will have to make a choice: continue to string Tony along (albeit with the best of intentions), or tell him the truth about her feelings for Joe.

Having never been involved in a love triangle myself, I have no way of knowing how I myself would behave (I suspect that I would opt for the brutal honesty that Betsy eschews), but as always, Lovelace makes me identify with her heroine, understand her choices, and sympathize with her feelings. I enjoyed this final high school adventures immensely, and look forward to accompanying the lovable Betsy out into the "Great World."

you should read the besty-tacy series. it is wonderful. Set back in the 1900's( i think) its about the life af an average girl, from age 6 to marriage. they're very sweet, and i love them. (i have the whole set if your heart desires to read it)