Playing by Heart

Can I give this ten stars?
This book was like a breath of fresh air...new scenery, new time period, new subject. For once the man tries unsuccessfully to get the attention of the woman who really doesn't care if she ends up a spinster or not. Actually, that's her plan, until life–in the form of the sudden death of her brother-in-law–interferes.
Lulu intends to do her father proud and become the first woman from Oklahoma to obtain a doctorate. After her sister's husband dies suddenly, though, she answers her sister's plea and goes to live with her in the town she grew up, where she was known as Fruity Lu because of her flighty, fun loving ways before her mother's death broke her heart and ignited her ambition. Her siblings see it as natural for her to help out, not conceiving of the bravery it will take for her to prove herself in the small town. And, added to that, her sister's finances require her to get a job; the only one available is one teaching at the local high school. Music is bad enough, but–girls' basketball??
The family aspect is huge in this story. The depth of the Christian lesson is also wonderful. What's a girl to do when it looks like she must give up her greatest hopes and dreams and future?
Loved it!