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Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite
Blood sisters and the closest of friends through high school, Anna and Lucinda embark on a nearly unheard of adventure from a secure life in Chicago to the wild, wild west of Arizona in Broken Dreams by Nancy Pennick. In 1927, young ladies just didn’t do that. Lucinda’s enthusiasm to become a Harvey Girl rubs off on Anna, who leaves a heart-broken suitor behind to venture out into the world. Lucinda proclaims that her destiny is to find a rich cowboy for each of them. Because her wealthy, spoiled friend is so enamored with the current fashions and trends of city life, Anna anticipates an interesting introduction to living in the “wild.” Lucinda’s initial reaction does not disappoint, but she soon adapts to living with the novelty of an outhouse.
The girls find comfort in their host family, the Johanssons, but Lucinda pays more attention to cowboy shopping than to her job on the ranch; which results in her immediate infatuation with the first available young man she meets. Daniel lives on a neighboring ranch and is of the social status Lucinda desires. Unfortunately she reads more into the “romance” than exists. Her rage over his inability to return her affections brings out the worst in Lucinda and things do not improve when Lucinda discovers that Daniel’s passion is directed to Anna. A friendship is tested and decisions must be made.
Nancy Pennick has created a sweet tale of innocence that reflects an age gone by. Broken Dreams (a Waiting for Dusk novel) exhibits the insecurities and naivetés of young women in the early part of the 20th century. This is a rare find in today's YA trend of paranormal related plots. Refreshing.
