3.5 ⭐️
ughhh this could’ve been so good if it wasn’t for the love triangle

These books are the cutest.
I wish I had known about these books and read up to this one, but I jumped in the middle of the series. Yet I can fully comprehend the amazingness of these books.
Betsy is so real. She has to be one of the most relatable characters written. I have such respect for her when she desperately tried to cling on the her friendship with Tony while pretending she didn't notice he was wanting more in their relationship. Modern authors just don't write characters like her anymore.
All of the characters were amazing. There are a lot of them, but they each have a distinguishing trait or characteristic that makes them their own character. And they are all adorable. Joe, however, was the very stereotypical early 1900s love interest, with a temper, emotional sensibility, and some red-flag energy. I didn't get the vibes from him, but he pulled through at the VERY end. I was a Tony-Betsy fan through and through.
I loved how the book portrayed Betsy coming to terms with the fact that she was growing up and she was having many lasts. It was so real. It perfectly communicated what it feels like to be graduating, though I am not yet graduated. How are books so old still so relatable after over 75 years later?
Maud Hart Lovelace is a pioneer of her time. She based these stories on her own life but wrote them in such a way that anyone can connect and relate to some aspect of her books. I absolutely need the rest of this series.

Betsy's final year in high school is an eventful one. For once, I enjoyed a romantic triangle storyline, mainly because this one is so believable and relatable. Maud Hart Lovelace proves that early 20th century teens communicated pretty much the same way that 21st century teens do - albeit in a simpler manner.

Finally, love for Betsy! We've waited patiently and now we are rewarded with some romance between Betsy and the irresistable Joe Willard. Betsy Ray has always thought that she and the fascinating Joe Willard would make the perfect couple. Now, in her senior year at Deep Valley High School, it looks as though she'll get her wish. As soon as Joe returns from his summer job in North Dakota, he's on the Rays' porch with sweet words for Betsy. It's going to be a wonderful senior year!

Then Tony Markham, Betsy's longtime chum, comes calling -- and his intentions are definitely romantic. Betsy is torn. She really cares for Joe, but she doesn't want to hurt Tony. She has to figure out a way to follow her heart without ruining her friendship with Tony.

Betsy and Joe finally come together . . . and even then things don't always go smoothly! Full of tendeness and humor. Deep Valley at its best.

The Betsy-Tacy books were highly autobiographical and Lovelace perfectly captures the innocence and magic of childhood. If you read this book and love it, please read the series. It will be books that you will never forget as long as you live. I also recommend the "Betsy-Tacy Companion" which is an amazing book that disects each book and compares it to it's real-life counterparts, including pictures of the "real" Betsy, Tacy, Tib and all the gang.

I had the pleasure of visiting "Deep Valley" (aka Mankato, Minnesota) for a Betsy-Tacy convention back in 1996. It was incredible to step back in time and enter Betsy's world. We toured the city and I was actually able to step foot in "Tacy's" bedroom and sit on the famous bench at the top of the big hill. It was truly a life-altering experience. I have to thank my sister, Julie for introducting these books to me and changing my life.

It's obvious how much these books mean to me. My first born child was named Tacy Kelly Maloy. Please read and enjoy. They are a treasure!

Edit 9/16/19 Well, I never got around to writing a proper review for this book (which will still stand as my review for the whole series) like I said I would 4 years ago, so I figure now, since I’ve just re-read it once again, is a good time to finally do so.

I’m sure I’ve read someone else having written this in a review already, but reading these books is like coming back to an old friend. I’m always somewhat subconsciously nervous that my tastes have changed or it just won’t be the same anymore, but my fears are always proven so wrong because I think I actually love these books more each time I read them. I relate to Betsy so much more than any other fictional character I’ve read (even though we are actually still quite different in many ways) it almost feels as if she’s an extension of myself. And I love Joe so much that each time I get to this installment in the series I can’t help but physically and audibly react to his involvement in Betsy’s life. The other characters are all so warm and I find myself getting sucked in to the life of Deep Valley and the Crowd so easily and so vividly I don’t just wish I was there, I feel like I am. These books shaped my life and my personality so much when I was younger and continue to be so important to me and I just love them so much it really is hard to explain how and why. But I feel as if I really know these characters, and I root for them in their ups and downs, and I’m already so looking forward to reading them again when enough time has passed.


Edit 10/18/15 I just realized how ridiculously sad and pathetic my old review for this is. Will definitely be writing an updated one when I finish re-reading this for the millionth time.

-- Old review --
This is the only one of the Betsy-Tacy books that I'll review, even though I've read all of them.

When I was a child, I loved the
books about Betsy and Tacy (and Tib) when they were children. However, I soon grew past those ones, and started reading the books where Betsy is older. And I really enjoy them.

I just really like reading about Betsy's life in particular, but also simply reading about how life would have been back then. Even though I usually don't like older books (except for historical fiction, like ones set during the reveloutionary war for example) I really do like these ones. And writing this is making me want to read them again! Which I will, as soon as I finish my library books. =)

Ahhh. Amazing read. Go read it...now.

Their romance is so quaint and provincial, but for some reason, they are so perfect for each other without being "spoony." It's just right. They are a perfect match, especially intellectually, which makes the dialogue come to life.

Joe finally gets to be more than just a sideline character, and I loved it! Poor Betsy didn't do a great job handling things though... But all's well that ends well when you are dealing with young love. ;)

Lest you think that life is smooth sailing for Betsy just because Joe has second billing in the title, think again! It's senior year for our friends and Betsy once again begins the school year deciding how things will be. And then we get to read about how those things don't quite come to pass.

So I read this book again yesterday, and it reminds me again of just how much I love this series. Lovelace manages to create a wonderful depiction of high school life in the early 1900s (much of it based on her own life), full of fun, friends, and adventure; you just wish you could have really been there to be a part of it.

ps -- I can't stand the newer covers - try and borrow an old copy from the library; they have the original Vera Neville illustrations...

I have many many thoughts about this book and I don't really know what any of them are aside from unreasonable sadness.

i might be a little in love with all the deep valley boys at this point tbh. also TACY?!??!??!!?????

It took me a while to find this one, but I finally read during my senior year two years ago. The title was promising-Betsy and Joe. Joe, not Tony. Not that I have a problem with Tony; he's cool and all, but we all know Betsy and Joe have always liked each other. They're just like Anne and Gilbert Blythe: they are meant for each other, but it takes a while for it to actually happen. Like the previous high school books, Betsy's world is centered around school, friends, boys, parties, the Essay contest, and graduation. I really wish I was part of Betsy's crowd of friends; they know how to have a good time. Anyways, I think this is a good way to close up Betsy's school years and send her off into the Great World (with Joe).