Strings Attached is a YA historical drama by Judy Blundell.
Seventeen-year-old Kit Corrigan went to New York City in 1950 to pursue her dream of being a dancer.
And to flee her messy family situation back home in Providence, Rhode Island. Not to mention her broken relationship with Billy – who enlisted in the army after their break-up.
It’s not easy in New York. Money isn’t flowing, even after she gets a part as a chorus girl in a Broadway show.
But then Nate Benedict, Billy’s father, comes around and offers help.
With strings.
He wants to offer her a nice apartment and a possibility at a better job – as long as Kit uses it to keep him informed on Billy, and does him favors when he asks.
Kit knows better than to trust Nate – he’s a lawyer involved with the mob – but a place of her own is so tempting. And seeing Billy again makes her heart hurt with yearning. But if she does it, will the favors ever end?
What would be like to be indebted to a man like Nate Benedict?
Strings Attached surprised me, I have to say.
There are a lot of frothy, soapy, fun books taking place in the 20s lately that I’ve enjoyed – and despite this one being in 1950 I still thought it might have that sort of tone.
Not at all.
Instead, we get a slow burn – initially what I thought was a little too slow, but it paid off – tension and a novel that is very mature.
Strings Attached solidly showed us glimpses of the past, fleshing out Kit’s character as well as the others and adding more depth to the story. For quite a while it felt low-key, but with time it deepened and became more suspenseful.
Really, Blundell creates a well-done character study here and superb period drama. It was far more serious than I initially expected – in a good way!
Twists and turns take place that I didn’t expect, and there’s a sense of growing up, of learning, and reconciliation that is strong and effective.
Strings Attached is very, very good. You should definitely read it!
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