Review of The Big Door Prize by M.O. Walsh

 

Walsh, M.O.  The Big Door Prize.  Putnam, 2020.

 

A new machine has made an appearance at Johnson’s Grocery Store in Deerfield, Louisiana, and lots of people are standing in line to use it. For only $2 and a mouth swab, users receive a blue slip of paper with their life station printed on it.  After reading their results, citizens of the town are buying new clothes and supplies to change what has long been their jobs.  Suddenly, the mayor of Deerfield thinks he should be a cowboy; the school principal wants to retire and become a carpenter; a local musician wants to be a magician; and a high school student thinks he is going to be a major-league pitcher.  It seems like the whole town has gone crazy!

 

Douglas Hubbard, the history teacher at Deerfield Catholic, and his wife, Cherilyn, were high school sweethearts and have been happily married for years.  However, after Cherilyn uses the DNAMIX machine, she thinks she is “royalty” and is no longer content to be just a housewife and make crafts in her kitchen.  On a whim, Douglas buys a trombone and starts taking lessons, but not because the machine gave him the idea.  In fact, the machine told him he was a “whistler” and a “teacher”, which is disappointing to him.  Douglas doesn’t know why Cherilyn is suddenly acting strangely, but he also doesn’t know that she used the machine.

 

Deuce Newman, the town photographer, has had a crush on Cherilyn ever since high school and is still mad that she married Douglas instead of him.  He is hoping to change that result because the DNAMIX machine tells him that he is “royalty”, just like Cherilyn. 

 

There are more subplots involving revenge, a possible school shooting, a gang rape, a Catholic priest, a free taxi driver, a local band, and Cherilyn’s mom, who has the beginnings of dementia.

 

The Big Door Prize is M.O. Walsh’s second novel, and it is humorous and delightful.  It has an old-town nostalgia feel similar to books written by Fannie Flagg.  The book is character-driven, filled with quirky and charming characters and multiple subplots that mesh finely together at the end.

 

Each chapter of the book begins with a cute, engaging title that foreshadows what will occur within that chapter.  The novel is well-paced and the action will keep readers turning the pages.  The book raises an interesting question of what a person would do differently in his life if he has a choice and a second chance.

 

The Big Door Prize received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist.  Give this book to readers who enjoy humorous fiction, books with intriguing characters, and fans of Louisiana novels.  I recommend it for public libraries and give it four out of five fleur de lis!

 

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for allowing me to read and review this book!

Review of One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Stayman-London, Kate.  One to Watch.  Dial, 2020.

 

Bea Schumacher is a plus-sized blogger and fashion influencer.  She has over a half million followers on Instagram, and  fell in love with Paris when she spent a summer abroad there during her junior year in college.  On her blog, OMBea.com, she calls out Main Squeeze, a reality romance television show similar to The Bachelorette.  She points out that they never have any size diversity on their show, and only feature thin women.
 
After reading Bea’s blog, Lauren Mathers, the new executive producer of Main Squeeze, asks Bea to meet her.  During their meeting, Lauren asks Bea to be the next “main squeeze”, or star, of the show.  Bea is just getting over a longtime crush on her best friend, Ray, and hesitates at first, but eventually agrees.  She tells Lauren she will only go on the show to advance her career and will not fall in love.
 
When Bea arrives in California, she is thrilled to meet her stylist, Allison Sommers, who is also plus-size.  Allison will be in charge of dressing Bea for the episodes of the show.  When the twenty-five male contestants are introduced to Bea on the opening episode, it is clear from the men’s expressions and words that they were not aware that this season’s star would be a large woman.
 
While some of the contestants clearly like Bea, others humiliate her, and some are obviously only on the show to get television exposure.  Bea goes through several episodes of the show, ending each with the “Kiss Off” ceremony, where she says goodbye to one of the men.  With the conclusion of the show looming, a surprise contestant is thrown into the mix, and Bea is forced to reexamine her feelings for the men who are left and how her final decision will affect her future.
 
One to Watch is the debut novel for the author, and she does not disappoint.  She has turned the set of the Main Squeeze into a global event, having episodes set in Marrakesh, France, Malibu, New York City and contestants’ homes in the United States.  Her knowledge of fashion shines, and there are intricate descriptions of the clothing that Allison chooses for Bea to wear.  Interwoven in the story is show commentary through blogs, group texts, social media messages, magazine articles, and tweets, which added an interesting touch.
 
Bea is engaging and classy.  Even though she seems to be secure in her own skin, there are times when she still has some self-esteem issues.  Her family is loving and supportive and wants the best for her, whatever that may be.  In the novel, the author is able to deftly emphasize the double standard that exists in size diversity between men and women and how society responds to that issue.
 
One to Watch is a fun read with a relatable and important message.  Hand this novel to fans of reality tv, and romance novels.  I recommend it for public libraries and give it four out of five fleur de lis.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Books for allowing me to read and review this book.