5 stars ***** out of five
Historical Fiction

The title and the cover intrigued me .... The first thing I thought of was, this must be a story about playing music without the help of the music notes. What a delight to find it was so much more than that. Of course, after reading the note from the author at the end of the novel, it gained another depth. When I pick up a novel written by Anne Mateer, I know that beyond being entertained, I will find a kernel of truth to take away with me, and likely learn abit of what it was like to live in another time, in this case, the turn of the century, when basketball is in its early stages. So early, in fact, that Fruity Lu (an unfortunate nickname Lula Bowman is remembered by) had hardly heard of. Told with vivid imagery, I winced at times, chuckled at other times, but always felt connected with the characters. Check it out, no matter if you love sports or not, because after all, this is not a sports novel.

Thank you to Tim at Graf-Martin Communications Group and Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing House for the opportunity to read this amazing novel. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.
I apologize for not posting this sooner. I wrote the review right after reading it, but somehow missed posting. ( )

I am glad that Lula learns a very good lesson in this book. It is one that all people should follow. It is a hard one to remember but it needs to be done. This was well written and played out. I kept rooting for Lula and Chet. Loved the story. I received this from Bethany house for a fair and honest opinion. ( )

This review is from my sister MaKenzie who read this book for me, as I was quickly coming up on deadline:-)

MY GENERAL THOUGHTS: The way Playing by Heart is written was new and refreshing, as it was written in first person from both main characters. The characters were greatly made, well described, and realistic, I very much enjoyed reading about them. The plot was well written, though fairly predictable there were a few surprises that I enjoyed reading. Before I began reading this book, Rayleigh told me that in a survey type thing hosted by Bethany House, in which you answer questions to see which character you are from a certain selection of books, that she had been Lula from this book. As I read this book, I saw this to be very much true and enjoyed reading it all the more.

QUESTIONABLE CONTENT: There is not that much questionable content, however there is some kissing and mention of a character who gets beaten at home. The beating is not actually described, just mentioned. This book is also a slower read, as there is no major catastrophe.

RATING AND RECOMMENDATION: I give Playing by Heart 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance!

“I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own.”

You can read this review, as well as others, at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wordpress.com ( )

This book took me to a time period that I rarely read about in historical fiction. It is set in the Early 1900's during World War I.

Lula wants to study mathematics. This is an unusual endeavor that is frowned on by many in society. It is not a typical want for a young woman. She is expected to find a man to take care of her. Not to have a mind and desires of her own. She is in a graduate program teaching mathematics at a university when she receives news that change the course of her future.

Coming home to her grieving sister who has just been widowed was not supposed to stall her collegiate aspirations. She finds that she must put her dreams on hold to take care of her sister and young family. Teaching music and becoming a basketball coach provided a means to an end, but was not her chosen career.

I found it fascinating to learn a little about girls basketball in the early 20th century. The many rules and restrictions were entertaining and helped me be a more grateful that I live in this century. I loved that Lula was forging a new path for women in academia. What I loved more was her willingness to put aside her dreams and serve her sister, nieces, and nephews. She didn't come upon the decision lightly. She pondered and prayed. She sought the better part.

Chet is also staging and emotional and metal battle. His father deserted, leaving a stain on the family name that his mother wants him to redeem. He also sets aside his desires to take care of his mother, in spite of her negative attitude and constant reminders that he is not living up to her expectation.

Both Chet and Lula strive to help the students of their local high schools. As teachers they are in a position to mentor and help teens learn and grow. Both take this responsibility seriously. Their desire to serve the students is one of the factors that help them find common ground. The choices they made were not easy, but led to a heartwarming story.

I enjoyed reading Playing by Heart and look forward to reading more books by Anne Mateer. ( )

Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer Book Review

Book description from back of book:

Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But then a shocking phone call from her sister, Jewel, changes everything.

With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister, but the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Lula doesn't even consider those real subjects!

Determined to prove herself, Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys' coach, Chet, to learn the newfangled game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She's returning to college and her scholarship as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.

However, the more time she spends around Jewel's family, the girls' basketball team, music classes, and Chet, the more Lula comes to realize what she's given up in her single-minded pursuit of degree after degree. God is working on her heart, and her future is starting to look a lot different than she'd expected.

Leona's Review:

This was my first book I have read by Anne Mateer and it did not disappoint.

Lula Bowman has to put her dream of getting a graduate degree in mathematics on hold to help her sister who has lost her husband. The dream of Lula and her father is for Lula to get a graduate degree; her father had always encouraged Lula.

She returns to Dunn, Oklahoma and gets a job as a music teacher. There is no basketball coach for the girl's team and Lula becomes the coach for extra money. This is a new sport at the time and Lula has no clue of what to do. She uses her handbook, Spalding's Official Basket Ball Guide for Women, 1916-1917, on basketball and the coach, Chet Vaughn, of the boy's basketball team to help her.


We have a telephone and a Tin Lizzie owned by Chet but still a single woman cannot be alone with a man. The book is set during WWl when so many men are at war.


Playing by Heart is a Christian romance and God is called upon many times for help. Have some tissues handy because it is also a book that is emotional because there is death, illness, and a little boy's loss of his father for a few examples.

We also see hope, love, sacrifice, history and caring in this historical novel.

The chapters are in first person, one chapter by Lula and the next by Chet and so forth. It gives the reader the feelings of the main characters.

Lula is in Dunn to help her sister and Chet is there to be with his widowed mother while his brother is off to war.


I received a complimentary copy of Playing by Heart from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions are my own.
This would be a good book club read.
I give it a 5 start rating.

Anne Mateer may be reached at www.annemateer.com

Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com ( )