Review of The Great Dempseys

[Laney K]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Great Dempseys" by Brianna MacMahon.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Audrey is both excited and scared to start at a new school, Great Gray. Attended by the elite's children, Audrey is nervous that she will not fit in because she is there on a scholarship. However, she meets a group of accepting and kind friends and a supportive boyfriend, Bobby. He is the heir to the Dempsey fortune and is slated to take over the company, though he has wishes that do not align with his father's. The two have a strong attraction, though they are from two different worlds. Is their romance anything more than a high school fling? Are they even compatible, given their different backgrounds? The Great Dempseys by Brianna MacMahon tells their emotional story.

The character of Audrey was my favorite. Her apprehension when facing a new school was relatable. From the start, being a scholarship student in a school with predominantly rich students, she did not fit in. She also faced uncertainty about her future, as she did not know what she wanted to do when she graduated high school. These qualities would be relatable to many young people. In many ways, this book is an excellent coming-of-age novel as Audrey and Bobby grow throughout their high school years.

I also appreciated that MacMahon did not limit the novel to a short time span. The book starts in Audrey's second year of high school and goes beyond graduation. This allowed the characters to be well-developed as the reader can watch them grow up.

I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed. I thought that consolidating the last few years of Audrey's high school experience worked, but it might have been helpful if MacMahon had spent a little more time covering major events during this period. However, this is a minor issue and did not take away from my reading experience.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The plot moved along steadily, and the characters were dynamic and engaging. I could not help but root for Audrey. I also only spotted one minor error; the book was well-edited. My minor dislike was not enough to warrant taking off a star. I highly recommend this book to romance fans. Given the young age of the protagonists and the lack of explicit content, I think that teenagers and young adults might enjoy this book the most. However, I must give a warning that this book does touch on suicide and abuse. If you are sensitive to these topics, this might not be the book for you.

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The Great Dempseys
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[Naimah Agboluaje]

From the review, it seems that "The Great Dempseys" by Brianna MacMahon is a highly engaging and relatable coming-of-age novel. The main character, Audrey, facing her anxieties and challenges at a new school, is relatable and well-developed. The book covers a significant time span, allowing readers to witness the growth of the characters. Although the ending felt rushed, it did not detract from the overall reading experience. With dynamic characters and an intriguing romance, this book is rated 5 out of 5 stars. Recommended for romance fans, particularly teenagers and young adults. However, please note that the book touches on sensitive topics such as suicide and abuse. Captivating narrative, drew me in completely.

[Joe Alex 2]

From your review, The Great Dempseys sounds like a heartfelt coming-of-age story that explores love and personal growth. Audrey’s struggles with fitting in at an elite school and Bobby’s conflict with his family seem relatable and real. I appreciate that the story spans several years, allowing for solid character development. The rushed ending is a bit of a concern, but overall, it seems like a strong, engaging read. I’d be interested in checking it out, especially if you’re into romantic stories with deeper emotional layers.