Playing By Heart

By: Anne Mateer

I loved this book by Anne Mateer. Set during the turn-of-the-century, Lula Bowman has continued on with her education, working toward her masters degree in Mathematics. Everyone calls her Fruity Lu, except for her father who understands her. But when her brother-in-law dies, can Lula give all this up and come home to care for her sister and her children?

Lula comes home to care for her sister, Jewel. But she decides to only return long enough to help her back on her feet and then return to her graduate studies and teaching position. While she is helping her sister, Lula teaches music at the local school and takes on the coaching duties for the girls basketball team. Shes never played before, but how hard could it be? As Lula plays the piano for Sunday services, can she let the music calm her heart?

Chet Vaughn teaches math and coaches the boys basketball team. Every time a single lady comes to teach, she leaves married. He really hopes the next music teacher is an old lady and one that hasnt set her cap for him. But he cant refuse Lulas request for help learning basketball, especially since she has offered to tutor his geometry students who are having a hard time grasping the concepts. How many different ways can you teach one subject?

Lula and Chet are searching for peace and love but they dont know where to look for it. Principal Gray says God must have sent Lula to fill the teaching spot. How can that be when all she can do is count down the days till she returns to her studies? Chets brother went to fight in the war to take the place of their father who deserted. Chets mother thinks he is the coward for staying at home and not going to fight. Hes there to take care of her but she doesnt see it. How can he have peace knowing what his mother thinks of him? Is this where God would have him be, helping the boys in town having a hard time?

Fighting against the stigma of the times, each fighting for what they believed in, can Lula and Chet see God working in their lives? Once you are where He has placed you, your heart is filled with peace and love. Will Lula and Chet find that for themselves, or will they continue on their own paths, forgoing what God has in mind for them? Pick up this great book today and read their stories. You will be encouraged and lifted up.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Playing by Heart is a charming tale, rich in history! Written from dual points of view, Anne Mateer expertly shares this story through both Lulas and Chets perspective. I really enjoyed these endearing characters and this unique way of storytelling.

I always love finding interesting facts in fiction and adored the history of this story, especially the bits from Annes own family. With her beautiful writing voice, Anne Mateer plucked my heartstrings and struck a perfect chord with Playing by Heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Anne Mateer but I do not plan for it to be my last. Playing by Heart is a sweet, endearing and enjoyable story. I love historical fiction and you can tell Anne does her research. Also I like that the story was inspired and based in part by both of Anne Mateers grandmothers. Loved the characters.



Lula Bowman determined to change the opinion that her home town of Dunn, Oklahoma has of her, she has finally achieved her dreams to be a teacher and has won a scholarship to continue her education in mathematics. When she receives a phone call from her sister Jewel her dreams change and she rushes home to help her. The position she is offered in Dunn is a combination music teacher and the girls basketball coach. She knows nothing about basketball.

Chet Vaughan is the boys basketball coach. He is trying to win his family's approval for his career choice. He is strong, very handsome and has his own dreams. He is a godly man and wants to help the boys on his team.

When Chet and Lula meet will they be a match for each other? Lula has no intention of getting involved with a home town boy and plans to go back to her teaching job and scholarship after helping her family.

When Lula turns to Chet to help her learn about basketball so she can coach her team, will she change her mind about the home town boy and her life there? The more they are together the more the romance grows. A must read to see how the story of Lula and Chet end. I recommend this book.



I received a free copy of this book from bookfun.org for my honest opinion and review.

Playing by Heart is an amazing historical romance. It describes family life, loss and grief, and females in higher education back in WWI era. It also describes basketball back at that time. I enjoyed the back and forth conversations between the two primary characters. It was lively, fun, romantic and very real to life. I look forward to continuing to read this author's works.

I reeived this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've been reading quite a few books from new-to-me authors lately and Playing By Heart is one of them. I've heard a lot of great things about Anne Mateer's book and I'm glad to say that they were all true.

I absolutely loved the duel perspectives Anne Mateer used in this book. Events and situations are seen from both Lula's and Chet's viewpoints. After the first few pages the switches were easy to follow and in my opinion made a big difference in how far I was immersed into the lives of the main characters.

I think what really tugged at me in this story was the way that Lula and Chet dealt with the, at times, unreasonable and painful expectations from family. Sometimes the people that hurt us the most are those we are closest to, they are also the people that we most fear disappointing. The other thing that caught me was how God's plans and our plans are often not quite the same. He takes us in directions we never expected but where we are truly Supposed to be.

As a person who isn't into sports but loves history I really liked learning about the early years and trials of girls basketball. Set against the backdrop of WWI made it even more interesting. A detailed, fun, and thoughtful historical novel.

Playing By Heart was my first Anne Mateer book but, believe me, it won't be my last.

(I received a copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.)