The Sweetheart: A Novel

The Sweetheart is a sweetheart of a debut book

Angelina Mirabella will be a force to be reckoned with in the literary community with this great debut novel to introduce her. She already has a fan here. I really thought this was an autobiography of a real 1950s era woman wrestler with such detail. Then I snuck a peek at Ms. Mirabella's biography. Being an avid fan of women's wrestling and love that era, I see she did extensive research into many of the books and sources I've also read and saw. With this she tells a story of Leonie, a teenager at a crossroads with what to do with her life. Afraid she's confined to being a waitress and caring for her unhappy widowed father, she happens on the opportunity to try out as wrestler. Much to the surprise and misgivings of her father, friends and herself. She takes on the challenge moving to Florida to train. There she realizes despite the challenges and excitement, the ugly side, homesickness poor pay, petty jealousy and the 1950s attitude towards any woman not wanting to settle down as a homemaker or acceptable career for the time. But Leonie is hard headed with a softheart and perseverance. Hard knocks, rivalries and romance tell her exciting ride into the unknown with a very descriptive narrative detailing her training, matches, adventures and relationships. A very unique narrative it is as Leonie, now Gwen Davies describes her sojourn talking to both herself and you. You'll laugh, cry, root for her, be disappointed but you'll love this character both shy and full of verve. Again, I have to applaud Angelina Mirabella,s research as fans like me recognize the characters as a fictionalized account culled from a variety of real wrestlers and events, I suspect. If strong but sensitive women are your preference, you have to read this debut novel. A good clean book as well. I'm now anxious for Angelina Mirabella's next book. Read more