What do you think?
Rate this book
Betsy-Tacy #10
Betsy's Wedding
Betsy returns from Europe to marry her true love Joe Willard—and learns that keeping house is more complicated than she'd expected! Betsy, Joe, and their wonderful circle of family and friends are back along with some new characters. WWI looms on the horizon, but this book ends happily with one more very special event back in Deep Valley, a fitting conclusion to this warm and wonderful series.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
14 people are currently reading
1,468 people want to read
About the author
Maud Hart Lovelace
46 books699 followersMaud Hart Lovelace was born on April 25, 1892, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was the middle of three children born to Thomas and Stella (Palmer) Hart. Her sister, Kathleen, was three years older, and her other sister, Helen, was six years younger. “That dear family" was the model for the fictional Ray family.
Maud’s birthplace was a small house on a hilly residential street several blocks above Mankato’s center business district. The street, Center Street, dead-ended at one of the town’s many hills. When Maud was a few months old, the Hart family moved two blocks up the street to 333 Center.
Shortly before Maud’s fifth birthday a “large merry Irish family" moved into the house directly across the street. Among its many children was a girl Maud’s age, Frances, nicknamed Bick, who was to be Maud’s best friend and the model for Tacy Kelly.
Tib’s character was based on another playmate, Marjorie (Midge) Gerlach, who lived nearby in a large house designed by her architect father. Maud, Bick, and Midge became lifelong friends. Maud once stated that the three couldn’t have been closer if they’d been sisters.
Maud’s birthplace was a small house on a hilly residential street several blocks above Mankato’s center business district. The street, Center Street, dead-ended at one of the town’s many hills. When Maud was a few months old, the Hart family moved two blocks up the street to 333 Center.
Shortly before Maud’s fifth birthday a “large merry Irish family" moved into the house directly across the street. Among its many children was a girl Maud’s age, Frances, nicknamed Bick, who was to be Maud’s best friend and the model for Tacy Kelly.
Tib’s character was based on another playmate, Marjorie (Midge) Gerlach, who lived nearby in a large house designed by her architect father. Maud, Bick, and Midge became lifelong friends. Maud once stated that the three couldn’t have been closer if they’d been sisters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
February 13, 2017
I can never decide which of the Betsy-Tacy books are my favorite. I think that's because I love them all (especially the ones from her highschool years on) equally. They are all so sweet and perfect and I love them. But Betsy's Wedding has a special place in my heart.
Why? Well, y'know. Betsy and Joe are (big spoilers ...) married in this one. They are adorable. Like, they must be the cutest couple ever! They get along so well, and even when they disagree, they manage to get through it together. It's a hard time for a young couple to get started in the world (yet another spoiler: WW1), but they get through it together. I only wish Lovelace had written just one more book! At the end, I mean, seriously?! Was there ever a worse cliffhanger in the history of books?!?!?! Yet another author I have to look up in Heaven (you know, assuming ... but I'm sure she's a Christian!) and yell at. And force to write a sequel. If one is allowed to write in Heaven ... but I'd assume you would be. :P
And we get to see the whole Crowd settled. Tacy (ohmygosh!!!), Cab (which was cute), Carney, Sam ... we even hear Tony mentioned, I think. And of course Tib. *giggles* That was possibly the cutest subplot ever. Oh, wow, am I glad He was suuuuch a stinker! No way was he husband-worthy material for Tib! But
Also, I was juuuust a wee bit disappointed that So yeah. Yet another reason we need an 11th Betsy-Tacy book.
I wonder if Lovelace just thought ten was a nice even number or ...? WELL SO IS TWELVE!!! I wouldn't complain at all. *is so sad*
But yep, this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I just can't get enough of it! :)
Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews
Why? Well, y'know. Betsy and Joe are (big spoilers ...) married in this one. They are adorable. Like, they must be the cutest couple ever! They get along so well, and even when they disagree, they manage to get through it together. It's a hard time for a young couple to get started in the world (yet another spoiler: WW1), but they get through it together. I only wish Lovelace had written just one more book! At the end, I mean, seriously?! Was there ever a worse cliffhanger in the history of books?!?!?! Yet another author I have to look up in Heaven (you know, assuming ... but I'm sure she's a Christian!) and yell at. And force to write a sequel. If one is allowed to write in Heaven ... but I'd assume you would be. :P
And we get to see the whole Crowd settled. Tacy (ohmygosh!!!), Cab (which was cute), Carney, Sam ... we even hear Tony mentioned, I think. And of course Tib. *giggles* That was possibly the cutest subplot ever. Oh, wow, am I glad He was suuuuch a stinker! No way was he husband-worthy material for Tib! But
Also, I was juuuust a wee bit disappointed that So yeah. Yet another reason we need an 11th Betsy-Tacy book.
I wonder if Lovelace just thought ten was a nice even number or ...? WELL SO IS TWELVE!!! I wouldn't complain at all. *is so sad*
But yep, this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I just can't get enough of it! :)
Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews
January 16, 2012
BETSY AND JOE AND BETSY AND JOE AND YES. THIS WAS THE BOOK I WANTED.
Maybe I will come back here later and write actual words. Or not. Because that's a pretty accurate reaction, honestly.
Maybe I will come back here later and write actual words. Or not. Because that's a pretty accurate reaction, honestly.
August 7, 2019
Just wonderful. I'm so glad to have read this series this year. So so glad.
June 22, 2017
I didn't want it to end.
June 1, 2017
I cannot think of any other fictional series that carries the main characters from childhood (five years old) to marriage and settled adulthood. There is something immensely satisfying about this progression, although Betsy-Tacy love and devotion being what it is, I think that most of Lovelace's fans will agree with me: I wish there were at least one more novel! We have to look to Lovelace's own life to know what happens next.
One of the things that I truly appreciated about this novel was the focus on Tib - and her two unsuccessful romances before she meets the 'right' one. The love, mutual respect and devotion of the Betsy-Joe marriage is such a great example to all of us. Somehow this book - indeed, the entire series - manages to be both realistic about life's challenges and sorrows, and yet also so full of human nature at its very best. An example which comes to mind is Betsy's reaction to having Joe's Aunt Ruth come to live with them during their first year of marriage. Her initial resentment and inner resistance gradually gives way, and she has the reward of knowing that she has not only done the right thing - but she has gained from it in ways that she couldn't have imagined.
I had to have a good cry after finishing this beloved book. What an absolute delight to read the entire series again after so many years.
One of the things that I truly appreciated about this novel was the focus on Tib - and her two unsuccessful romances before she meets the 'right' one. The love, mutual respect and devotion of the Betsy-Joe marriage is such a great example to all of us. Somehow this book - indeed, the entire series - manages to be both realistic about life's challenges and sorrows, and yet also so full of human nature at its very best. An example which comes to mind is Betsy's reaction to having Joe's Aunt Ruth come to live with them during their first year of marriage. Her initial resentment and inner resistance gradually gives way, and she has the reward of knowing that she has not only done the right thing - but she has gained from it in ways that she couldn't have imagined.
I had to have a good cry after finishing this beloved book. What an absolute delight to read the entire series again after so many years.
December 13, 2019
The tenth and final book in Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy~Tacy series - thank goodness for the three related Deep Valley books, as I don't think I'm ready for my reading experience to be over! - Betsy's Wedding picks up just where the previous installment,
Betsy and the Great World
, left off. When Betsy's ship docks in New York, her estranged sweetheart, Joe Willard, is waiting for her, and the two are soon engaged. Settling near the Rays in Minneapolis (of course!), once they are married, Betsy and Joe begin their life as newlyweds.
Delightful, charming, heartwarming: Betsy's Wedding was an almost completely unalloyed pleasure to read! Joe was an admirable husband, and Betsy a devoted wife. Even their trials and tribulations - Betsy's struggle to master the art of cooking (oh, that meat-pie!), and Joe's determination to earn a decent living (what a schedule!) - proved entertaining. I appreciated that, good-hearted as she may have been, Betsy was no paragon, and really had to struggle to accept the fact that Joe's Aunt Ruth would be coming to live with them. I could have lived without her belief that Joe should have the final word in all decisions ("One person in a family has to have the final word. I want it to be Joe, always."), but that was one of the only irritants in an otherwise engaging narrative.
I also liked the way that Lovelace handled the issue of World War I, and the patriotic feelings of German-Americans like Tib. So many children's books from or about that period tend towards jingoism, that it was a pleasure to read an account in which the common bonds of American citizenship are paramount. As Tib explains to Betsy, at one point: "Of course I love the German people. But you must remember that Grosspapa Hornik was a Forty-eighter," highlighting the fact that those qualities which led many immigrants to leave Germany and Austria in the first place, would make them loyal Americans as well.
From Tacy's babies to Margaret's beaus, company dinners at home to dancing out, this book was just so much fun to read! I even know what the Violent Study Club is, now! Truly, a fitting end to a lovely series!
Delightful, charming, heartwarming: Betsy's Wedding was an almost completely unalloyed pleasure to read! Joe was an admirable husband, and Betsy a devoted wife. Even their trials and tribulations - Betsy's struggle to master the art of cooking (oh, that meat-pie!), and Joe's determination to earn a decent living (what a schedule!) - proved entertaining. I appreciated that, good-hearted as she may have been, Betsy was no paragon, and really had to struggle to accept the fact that Joe's Aunt Ruth would be coming to live with them. I could have lived without her belief that Joe should have the final word in all decisions ("One person in a family has to have the final word. I want it to be Joe, always."), but that was one of the only irritants in an otherwise engaging narrative.
I also liked the way that Lovelace handled the issue of World War I, and the patriotic feelings of German-Americans like Tib. So many children's books from or about that period tend towards jingoism, that it was a pleasure to read an account in which the common bonds of American citizenship are paramount. As Tib explains to Betsy, at one point: "Of course I love the German people. But you must remember that Grosspapa Hornik was a Forty-eighter," highlighting the fact that those qualities which led many immigrants to leave Germany and Austria in the first place, would make them loyal Americans as well.
From Tacy's babies to Margaret's beaus, company dinners at home to dancing out, this book was just so much fun to read! I even know what the Violent Study Club is, now! Truly, a fitting end to a lovely series!
March 13, 2010
So it wasn't as much like Anne's House of Dreams as I feared it would be. Really, Tacy is the one who gets the house of dreams, and the babies. Betsy and Joe are wonderful together, even though sometimes Betsy would say something about how she wanted Joe to have the final word in all things and I would be like, harumph. But then it would be all right, because until Joe felt that Betsy approved (like in the case of his Aunt Ruth coming to stay with them), everything was wrong between them. And they both continued to write, and make big plans, and Betsy learned how to cook (shades of Meg March!), though not how to sew. I was glad that Betsy was still Betsy, and that Tacy came into herself when she got married and had a home of her own, and Tib was still quirky and crazy. And I'm glad the book ended before Joe and all of the other men went off to the war, because frankly, I don't want to know what happens to them. I'm going to leave this series with Joe and Betsy dancing on the porch during Tib's wedding.
September 1, 2015
9/2015 stet
9/2012 Such a perfectly crafted book to end the series! There's just enough hearkening back, just enough tidying up, just enough looking forward. And I don't care what the rest of you say, Sally Day is a perfectly lovely child. Perfectly lovely.
12/2009 I meant to luxuriate in this, the last book of the Betsy-Tacy series. But I was drawn in as deeply as ever. Joe topples mountains and swims seas for Betsy's love, and Betsy is still making lists and trying to be a better person. I hope it's not a spoiler to say that Betsy gets married in this book, titled as it is. Her struggles as a young wife are endearing, especially that poor meat pie she tries so hard to make. She's still a little diffident for my taste, too dependent on the men in her life, even given the times- compare and contrast the earlier Jo March- but she's who she is and I love her in spite of her girlishness. The crowd dances through this book, and the sentimental, happy ending strikes just the right tone for the end of the series.
9/2012 Such a perfectly crafted book to end the series! There's just enough hearkening back, just enough tidying up, just enough looking forward. And I don't care what the rest of you say, Sally Day is a perfectly lovely child. Perfectly lovely.
12/2009 I meant to luxuriate in this, the last book of the Betsy-Tacy series. But I was drawn in as deeply as ever. Joe topples mountains and swims seas for Betsy's love, and Betsy is still making lists and trying to be a better person. I hope it's not a spoiler to say that Betsy gets married in this book, titled as it is. Her struggles as a young wife are endearing, especially that poor meat pie she tries so hard to make. She's still a little diffident for my taste, too dependent on the men in her life, even given the times- compare and contrast the earlier Jo March- but she's who she is and I love her in spite of her girlishness. The crowd dances through this book, and the sentimental, happy ending strikes just the right tone for the end of the series.
September 16, 2024
I first read this book circa 1978 and weirdly enough didn't read the rest of the series till much later.
If you have not read the others in the series, start at the very least with Heaven to Betsy, the first of the high school books, and better still start all the way back with Betsy-Tacy, the very first book.
If you have not read the others in the series, start at the very least with Heaven to Betsy, the first of the high school books, and better still start all the way back with Betsy-Tacy, the very first book.
October 22, 2007
Lovelace ends the stories of Betsy's childhood with a warmly written story about the triumphs and misadventures of being a wife. The story continues to shows Betsy's faithfulness to her family, friends, and now her husband, while giving a glimpse of life in the World War I era. Betsy's Wedding is a young adult book with charm, period grace and accuracy (Betsy is very concerned about learning to cook for her wonderful groom Joe) but also prescient in its concerns for her budding career as a writer (a la Jo in "Little Women").
Betsy and Joe are not only great friends; they are also very much in love. Betsy supports her husband through his blue moods and silences, while Joe supports Betsy's writing at every opportunity. Most couples would do well to emulate their example of treating each other with kindness, consideration and respect.
One thing that always impressed me about this book is how Betsy manages to defer to Joe during times of crisis without losing her identity. In other words, she's more interested in making the relationship work than in getting her own way all the time. Joe also shows the same respect to Betsy when he knows something is important to her. Theirs is a truly beautiful relationship, one that mirrored Maud Hart Lovelace's marriage to her husband, Delos. She once wrote to a fan, "Delos and I found that marrying each other was the perfect solution to life." You can tell she meant it after reading this book.
The Betsy-Tacy books were highly autobiographical and Lovelace perfectly captures the innocence and magic of childhood. If you read this book and love it, please read the series. It will be books that you will never forget as long as you live. I also recommend the "Betsy-Tacy Companion" which is an amazing book that disects each book and compares it to it's real-life counterparts, including pictures of the "real" Betsy, Tacy, Tib and all the gang.
I had the pleasure of visiting "Deep Valley" (aka Mankato, Minnesota) for a Betsy-Tacy convention back in 1996. It was incredible to step back in time and enter Betsy's world. We toured the city and I was actually able to step foot in "Tacy's" bedroom and sit on the famous bench at the top of the big hill. It was truly a life-altering experience. I have to thank my sister, Julie for introducting these books to me and changing my life.
It's obvious how much these books mean to me. My first born child was named Tacy Kelly Maloy. Please read and enjoy. They are a treasure!
Betsy and Joe are not only great friends; they are also very much in love. Betsy supports her husband through his blue moods and silences, while Joe supports Betsy's writing at every opportunity. Most couples would do well to emulate their example of treating each other with kindness, consideration and respect.
One thing that always impressed me about this book is how Betsy manages to defer to Joe during times of crisis without losing her identity. In other words, she's more interested in making the relationship work than in getting her own way all the time. Joe also shows the same respect to Betsy when he knows something is important to her. Theirs is a truly beautiful relationship, one that mirrored Maud Hart Lovelace's marriage to her husband, Delos. She once wrote to a fan, "Delos and I found that marrying each other was the perfect solution to life." You can tell she meant it after reading this book.
The Betsy-Tacy books were highly autobiographical and Lovelace perfectly captures the innocence and magic of childhood. If you read this book and love it, please read the series. It will be books that you will never forget as long as you live. I also recommend the "Betsy-Tacy Companion" which is an amazing book that disects each book and compares it to it's real-life counterparts, including pictures of the "real" Betsy, Tacy, Tib and all the gang.
I had the pleasure of visiting "Deep Valley" (aka Mankato, Minnesota) for a Betsy-Tacy convention back in 1996. It was incredible to step back in time and enter Betsy's world. We toured the city and I was actually able to step foot in "Tacy's" bedroom and sit on the famous bench at the top of the big hill. It was truly a life-altering experience. I have to thank my sister, Julie for introducting these books to me and changing my life.
It's obvious how much these books mean to me. My first born child was named Tacy Kelly Maloy. Please read and enjoy. They are a treasure!
October 24, 2011
This book is a triumphant finale to Miss Lovelace's series on Betsy (and Tacy and Tib). From the beginning when Betsy and Joe meet at the dock to the very end with its sweet valedictory to Hill Street, the book is a perfect whole. Betsy at last finds a reality that grounds her affectionate and enthusiastic nature. Miss Lovelace describes very well Betsy's observant intelligence as she both learns to cook, for example, and closely examines the "first apartment's" elm tree through the seasons. In this book, Betsy does not write; instead, she uses her time in simply living and, as I recollect, at least begins to turn to writing what she knows best --- her own life. I also appreciated the realistic portrayal of Betsy's reluctance to take in Aunt Ruth whom she at first regards as an intruder into the closed world of a new marriage. Betsy works this out well by self examination in the tradition of Carney on the hill at Vassar.
I feel that this book closes an entire volume on Betsy's life. Yet, I do not feel that I need to read another volume: The portrayal of Betsy is so strong in this last book that the reader can extrapolate her future with satisfaction on his/her own.
I do not have the feeling that the book closes a volume on Joe's life. Joe remains essentially the same achieving, productive, intelligent, determined, etc., person that he seems to have been throughout his life. Nonetheless, the book reveals previously undisclosed sides to his person. One is the certain humorous, teasing quality that Betsy evokes. Here, the freedom to tease reveals his complete confidence in his feelings for her and in her. Another is his affection and sense of loyalty and gratitude to his past which is revealed in just the few pages regarding Aunt Ruth's migration to Minneapolis. His desire to invite Aunt Ruth into his and Betsy's home, of course, sets off the first faint discord in the new marriage. Here, his sadness and conflict are well depicted, albeit briefly, until the coherence of his and Betsy's values open up the future.
This book presents Miss Lovelace's writing at its best. She can depict adult love as grounded and growing. She is able to portray happiness without the baggage of melodrama. Sometimes, she can bring tears as in her many descriptions of Betsy and Joe's courteous tenderness. The environment --- apartment and house, for example --- are well described and become characters that motivate and complement action. This is a very fine book.
P.s. Ms. Lovelace also wrote adult fiction. Has anyone read any of it? For example, "The Black Angels" or "Early Candlelight" as referenced in the list in my copy of "Betsy's Wedding"?
I feel that this book closes an entire volume on Betsy's life. Yet, I do not feel that I need to read another volume: The portrayal of Betsy is so strong in this last book that the reader can extrapolate her future with satisfaction on his/her own.
I do not have the feeling that the book closes a volume on Joe's life. Joe remains essentially the same achieving, productive, intelligent, determined, etc., person that he seems to have been throughout his life. Nonetheless, the book reveals previously undisclosed sides to his person. One is the certain humorous, teasing quality that Betsy evokes. Here, the freedom to tease reveals his complete confidence in his feelings for her and in her. Another is his affection and sense of loyalty and gratitude to his past which is revealed in just the few pages regarding Aunt Ruth's migration to Minneapolis. His desire to invite Aunt Ruth into his and Betsy's home, of course, sets off the first faint discord in the new marriage. Here, his sadness and conflict are well depicted, albeit briefly, until the coherence of his and Betsy's values open up the future.
This book presents Miss Lovelace's writing at its best. She can depict adult love as grounded and growing. She is able to portray happiness without the baggage of melodrama. Sometimes, she can bring tears as in her many descriptions of Betsy and Joe's courteous tenderness. The environment --- apartment and house, for example --- are well described and become characters that motivate and complement action. This is a very fine book.
P.s. Ms. Lovelace also wrote adult fiction. Has anyone read any of it? For example, "The Black Angels" or "Early Candlelight" as referenced in the list in my copy of "Betsy's Wedding"?
March 4, 2022
A terrific ending to the series. I couldn't help but applaud Betsy for her growth in compassion for others. The chapter in which she and Joe have to make a difficult decision about caring for his aunt was stellar, showing that after the honeymoon phase is over, the hard work of self-giving love begins. They both "pass the test!" I loved the glimpses of their new life together that included reading aloud together and critiquing each other's writing. A very sweet book.
August 3, 2019
The sweetness of a new marriage of two soulmates, surrounded by dear old friends and new kindred spirits. Followed by the bitterness of beloved young men marching off to war. Followed by my cry of “Why, oh WHY, did the author choose to end this lovely and heart-warming series on such a sad note in a minor key?”
I just need ONE MORE book in the Betsy-Tacy series. Because I love Joe, you see, and I need to know that he and all his friends are coming home from the battlefield in one piece.
Tib dropped her head forlornly on Betsy’s shoulder. “Liebchen,” she said, “you’re lucky to have a husband like Joe.”
“I know it,” Betsy answered soberly. “He really loves me.”
“Ja, and he respects you. He confides in you, listens to your opinions, asks your advice. He thinks your work [as a writer] is important. He thinks you are important–as a human being, not just as a girl.”
Betsy hugged her, wanting to cry.
Maybe adding another book to the series would have made it even more sad. Maybe Joe comes home from the Great War a different person, broken and shell-shocked and bitter. Probably so. But this is a work of fiction, and I would have loved a happily-ever-after for Joe and Betsy. *sniffle*
I just need ONE MORE book in the Betsy-Tacy series. Because I love Joe, you see, and I need to know that he and all his friends are coming home from the battlefield in one piece.
Tib dropped her head forlornly on Betsy’s shoulder. “Liebchen,” she said, “you’re lucky to have a husband like Joe.”
“I know it,” Betsy answered soberly. “He really loves me.”
“Ja, and he respects you. He confides in you, listens to your opinions, asks your advice. He thinks your work [as a writer] is important. He thinks you are important–as a human being, not just as a girl.”
Betsy hugged her, wanting to cry.
Maybe adding another book to the series would have made it even more sad. Maybe Joe comes home from the Great War a different person, broken and shell-shocked and bitter. Probably so. But this is a work of fiction, and I would have loved a happily-ever-after for Joe and Betsy. *sniffle*
September 4, 2008
8/08: I love this book. It's the little details about the start of their marriage that just ring so true. I also love seeing Margaret all grown up - she became one of my favorite characters in this series. I would have loved to seen Betsy's Bettina written, though - I want more Betsy-Tacy!
The "where did they go?" section at the end was awesome and fascinating. Some of the changes Maud made were very interesting - like Bick didn't marry Charley until 1920, which was ten years after high school and three years *after* Maud and Delos and Midge and Charles. Marked contrast to the books, where Tacy got married a handful of years out of high school, several years before Betsy, who was married a few years before Tib. I really need to track down Companions to this series and read more of the real events!
The "where did they go?" section at the end was awesome and fascinating. Some of the changes Maud made were very interesting - like Bick didn't marry Charley until 1920, which was ten years after high school and three years *after* Maud and Delos and Midge and Charles. Marked contrast to the books, where Tacy got married a handful of years out of high school, several years before Betsy, who was married a few years before Tib. I really need to track down Companions to this series and read more of the real events!
Read
September 2, 2022IM GOING TO EXPLODE!!! I actually feel like I'm going to explode!!!! I've reverted back to my 12 year old self I haven't felt this mood in a couple years by this point but it hit me HARD reading this book. I'm going to scream what is going on. They're all married and going to war and not all of them will survive and I don't even know who will and AAAA? ??????? sob I don't even know I think I need sleep I'm almost 18 why am I like this.
Thank God the old Crowd showed up in this book I was actually going to commit a crime if the majority of them didn't. WHY was everyone in Minneapolis I missed something and I also miss Deep Valley don't read 5?6? books in a day like I do I lost count.
ALSO WHERE'S TONY I MISS HIM edit: I also just remembered Dave and that football dude and the other boys i completely forgot the names of. I also miss them
Thank God the old Crowd showed up in this book I was actually going to commit a crime if the majority of them didn't. WHY was everyone in Minneapolis I missed something and I also miss Deep Valley don't read 5?6? books in a day like I do I lost count.
ALSO WHERE'S TONY I MISS HIM edit: I also just remembered Dave and that football dude and the other boys i completely forgot the names of. I also miss them
August 31, 2007
Betsy comes home from Europe to a whirlwind marriage with her soulmate, Joe Willard, at long last. And they move into a cozy apartment, where Betsy Ray finally learns to cook, and they encourage one another with their writing, and send stories to magazines that sometimes even sell! Meanwhile Joe works at the newspaper, money's tight, Tacy's raising her son and Tib, as always, is flitting around to wherever the fun's at.
And in the end, Joe goes off to fight in World War I, promising that when he comes home they will continue to write together, and publish, and be the authors they always knew they would be.
(And since these stories are autobiographical, and since Maud and Delos Lovelace wrote many things together after the war, we can take comfort in knowing it's true.)
And in the end, Joe goes off to fight in World War I, promising that when he comes home they will continue to write together, and publish, and be the authors they always knew they would be.
(And since these stories are autobiographical, and since Maud and Delos Lovelace wrote many things together after the war, we can take comfort in knowing it's true.)
October 9, 2020
What a wonderful end to a delightful series. I thoroughly enjoyed Betsy’s first few years of marriage- something we rarely get to see girls’ lit heroines go through. Joe’s supportiveness of her writing was a nice touch, though I wish we’d seen more of her professional success.
Again, Lovelace can write nostalgia like no one I’ve ever read. When Betsy and Tacy were climbing the Big Hill, reminiscing over childhood, I felt a tightness in my own chest, as if I too were remembering our shared childhood.
There is an unfortunate mention of a great picture, The Birth of a Nation (gross). But overall the book and the series have aged well. I look forward to returning to this series again and again.
Again, Lovelace can write nostalgia like no one I’ve ever read. When Betsy and Tacy were climbing the Big Hill, reminiscing over childhood, I felt a tightness in my own chest, as if I too were remembering our shared childhood.
There is an unfortunate mention of a great picture, The Birth of a Nation (gross). But overall the book and the series have aged well. I look forward to returning to this series again and again.
February 9, 2021
When I finished this book I was crying happy tears. What a lovely ending to the series, having Betsy, Tacy, Tib, their families and friends all back together in Deep Valley. Just perfect.
I really enjoyed this final Betsy-Tacy novel.
The entire Betsy-Tacy series is absolutely wonderful, full of fun and kindness and humor and love. Love of family and friends permeates everything about these stories. I wish I'd read them when I was a child - and given my taste in books back then I'm kind of shocked I didn't - but in truth there's never a time that's too late to read the series. Maybe it's good that I had them waiting for me in 2020-2021, with the world so full of sadness and difficulties. Spending the past few months with these characters has been a balm to my soul.
Many more than 5 stars for the Betsy-Tacy series. I know I'll be reading all the books again someday and happily revisiting my beloved friends.
I really enjoyed this final Betsy-Tacy novel.
The entire Betsy-Tacy series is absolutely wonderful, full of fun and kindness and humor and love. Love of family and friends permeates everything about these stories. I wish I'd read them when I was a child - and given my taste in books back then I'm kind of shocked I didn't - but in truth there's never a time that's too late to read the series. Maybe it's good that I had them waiting for me in 2020-2021, with the world so full of sadness and difficulties. Spending the past few months with these characters has been a balm to my soul.
Many more than 5 stars for the Betsy-Tacy series. I know I'll be reading all the books again someday and happily revisiting my beloved friends.
July 3, 2017
And here we have it–the long-awaited grand finale to the Betsy-Tacy books! Betsy’s Wedding fulfilled all of my desires for happy endings and brought everything together wonderfully.
This book would probably be more appropriately titled Betsy’s Marriage, as the wedding takes place within the first couple of chapters. The only slightly unbelievable part of the entire story is that Betsy and Joe have been estranged for three years, and yet decide to get married within two weeks of being reunited. But still, more power to them! They settle down in Minneapolis, near Betsy’s family, and begin their life together, and it’s adorable and sweet and profound, just like the rest of the books.
One that that has been incredibly annoying is that all the forewords of these beautiful new editions are invariably written by a rabid feminist who insists that Lovelace was a rabid feminist as well (apparently because she wrote about girls who were happy and not very good at cooking), so hopefully you will excuse me while I address a few of the issues raised on this topic.
First off, the foreword of this book insists that Betsy is a wonderful example of a feminist because she always wanted to be a writer, not a housewife. And yet the entirety of Betsy’s Wedding is about Betsy being a housewife, and loving every moment of it. In fact, Betsy actually bemoans, on multiple occasions, the fact that she didn’t devote more time growing up to learning housewifely skills. At one point, Joe has been working for a lady named Mrs. Hawthorne, but has now been promoted to working for a major newspaper, owned by Mrs. Hawthorne’s husband.
Ah yes, she definitely sounds like a career woman, doesn’t she?
Later in the book, Betsy and Joe have their first real trouble when Joe’s aunt (who raised Joe) wants to come and live with them. Betsy is sad to see their happy honeymoon time broken up, and although she’s agreed, she knows that her heart is still in rebellion. And so, she goes to church to pray.
Betsy’s prayers help her to realize that by asking Joe to tell his aunt no, she is actually asking Joe to be less than himself–to do something that his conscience tells him would be wrong. But the point is, Betsy makes an important decision at this moment. It’s more than agreeing that Joe’s aunt can come stay. It’s acknowledging that she wants Joe to be the leader in their home. Betsy will always tell her thoughts and opinions and share her insight, and Joe will always listen, but she has decided that when it comes down to it, she wants Joe to have the final say, because she knows that a harmonious home exists when each person fills the role they were meant to play.
All this to say–I think that Betsy is a beautiful example of true femininity. She is intelligent, she has dreams, she is true to herself, she is independent, but she also embraces her role as a housewife, prioritizes her husband and household’s needs above her own, and in general tries to mature into a true woman–changing and shaping her character because that’s what maturity does: it changes us from selfish, self-absorbed, self-adulating children, into outward-focused, selfless adults.
The feminist of the foreword (Anne Quindlen, if you’re interested) insists that Betsy (and, consequently, Lovelace) was a feminist because she had dreams and aspirations. But I believe that that simply makes her a person. It is Betsy’s goodness and yearning to do what’s right that helps her to grow into a woman. Betsy becomes content and happy with her life when she is filling the role of a help meet–for Joe, for her parents, for her friends–because Betsy has learned that dreams are good and beautiful, but that no shame is to be found in simple loving service.
This book would probably be more appropriately titled Betsy’s Marriage, as the wedding takes place within the first couple of chapters. The only slightly unbelievable part of the entire story is that Betsy and Joe have been estranged for three years, and yet decide to get married within two weeks of being reunited. But still, more power to them! They settle down in Minneapolis, near Betsy’s family, and begin their life together, and it’s adorable and sweet and profound, just like the rest of the books.
One that that has been incredibly annoying is that all the forewords of these beautiful new editions are invariably written by a rabid feminist who insists that Lovelace was a rabid feminist as well (apparently because she wrote about girls who were happy and not very good at cooking), so hopefully you will excuse me while I address a few of the issues raised on this topic.
First off, the foreword of this book insists that Betsy is a wonderful example of a feminist because she always wanted to be a writer, not a housewife. And yet the entirety of Betsy’s Wedding is about Betsy being a housewife, and loving every moment of it. In fact, Betsy actually bemoans, on multiple occasions, the fact that she didn’t devote more time growing up to learning housewifely skills. At one point, Joe has been working for a lady named Mrs. Hawthorne, but has now been promoted to working for a major newspaper, owned by Mrs. Hawthorne’s husband.
After dinner, when Joe’s transfer to the Courier was being discussed, Mrs. Hawthorne turned to Betsy.
“It will be hard for me to fill Joe’s place,” she said. “Would you like to try? I know you write. You might enjoy working in a publicity office.”
Betsy was very pleased but her answer came promptly. “Oh, Mrs. Hawthorne, I know I’d love it! Joe has told me how delightful your office is. But, Mrs. Hawthorn, I already have a job.”
“You have?” She sounded surprised.
“Yes. And it’s important, and very hard. It’s learning how to keep house.”
Ah yes, she definitely sounds like a career woman, doesn’t she?
Later in the book, Betsy and Joe have their first real trouble when Joe’s aunt (who raised Joe) wants to come and live with them. Betsy is sad to see their happy honeymoon time broken up, and although she’s agreed, she knows that her heart is still in rebellion. And so, she goes to church to pray.
Betsy dug her head into her arms. “Help me, God! Please help me!” she prayed.
This was the first real problem of their marriage. Up to now, everything had been perfect. Her struggles with cooking, Joe’s low moods hadn’t mattered, really. This was different. This was a real disagreement.
Joe had decided it. “But I wanted him to. one person in a family has to have the final word. I want it to be Joe, always.”
Betsy’s prayers help her to realize that by asking Joe to tell his aunt no, she is actually asking Joe to be less than himself–to do something that his conscience tells him would be wrong. But the point is, Betsy makes an important decision at this moment. It’s more than agreeing that Joe’s aunt can come stay. It’s acknowledging that she wants Joe to be the leader in their home. Betsy will always tell her thoughts and opinions and share her insight, and Joe will always listen, but she has decided that when it comes down to it, she wants Joe to have the final say, because she knows that a harmonious home exists when each person fills the role they were meant to play.
All this to say–I think that Betsy is a beautiful example of true femininity. She is intelligent, she has dreams, she is true to herself, she is independent, but she also embraces her role as a housewife, prioritizes her husband and household’s needs above her own, and in general tries to mature into a true woman–changing and shaping her character because that’s what maturity does: it changes us from selfish, self-absorbed, self-adulating children, into outward-focused, selfless adults.
The feminist of the foreword (Anne Quindlen, if you’re interested) insists that Betsy (and, consequently, Lovelace) was a feminist because she had dreams and aspirations. But I believe that that simply makes her a person. It is Betsy’s goodness and yearning to do what’s right that helps her to grow into a woman. Betsy becomes content and happy with her life when she is filling the role of a help meet–for Joe, for her parents, for her friends–because Betsy has learned that dreams are good and beautiful, but that no shame is to be found in simple loving service.
November 9, 2019
Did anyone else find it super amusing that after five books’ worth of Betsy and Joe only sharing a couple of brief, tantalizing scenes, this book just opened with them meeting after years of silence and Joe saying, “Let’s get married next week”? It’s like Lovelace suddenly got tired of the slow build-up and fast-forwarded like nobody’s business.
Truthfully, I think that this book should have been titled Betsy and Joe rather than the eighth installment—because this is definitely where Betsy and Joe’s relationship comes to life and Joe actually feels like a fully-developed character. I know that Lovelace didn’t meet her husband (upon whom Joe is based) until after high school so the Betsy/Joe scenes in previous books were fictionalized whereas this book drew from Lovelace’s actual married life, and I think the difference really shows. Joe is so much more outspoken and sassy than any of the other books ever hinted, and watching him and Betsy learn their way through their first couple years of marriage is really sweet.
Like the rest of the series, Betsy’s Wedding is unfailingly pure and kindhearted, but I feel like in many ways it’s a step up from its predecessors because the changes that the characters encounter are so significant. My concerns stemming from Betsy and the Great World were addressed here—the book does a better job than the previous one at balancing the cute daily incidents with the bigger changes going on with World War I, and it even ends on a slightly ominous note (much to many readers’ chagrin). The only place where the book really backslides is in Betsy and Tacy’s determination to marry off Tib despite Tib being perfectly happy in her single existence—yes, I know that it was a different era, etc., but the fact that both Betsy and Tacy, who dreamed of seeing the world and having grand adventures, criticize Tib for just living her best life rather than settling down and being a housewife read as really sour to me.
Still, it’s a worthy ending to this series and, when one looks back on how the series began with Betsy and Tacy meeting as five-year-olds, concluding with the girls as married, responsible women (with Tacy even being a mother) is a pretty impressive feat. It might even be my favorite entry in the series, and that’s definitely not a bad way to go out.
Truthfully, I think that this book should have been titled Betsy and Joe rather than the eighth installment—because this is definitely where Betsy and Joe’s relationship comes to life and Joe actually feels like a fully-developed character. I know that Lovelace didn’t meet her husband (upon whom Joe is based) until after high school so the Betsy/Joe scenes in previous books were fictionalized whereas this book drew from Lovelace’s actual married life, and I think the difference really shows. Joe is so much more outspoken and sassy than any of the other books ever hinted, and watching him and Betsy learn their way through their first couple years of marriage is really sweet.
Like the rest of the series, Betsy’s Wedding is unfailingly pure and kindhearted, but I feel like in many ways it’s a step up from its predecessors because the changes that the characters encounter are so significant. My concerns stemming from Betsy and the Great World were addressed here—the book does a better job than the previous one at balancing the cute daily incidents with the bigger changes going on with World War I, and it even ends on a slightly ominous note (much to many readers’ chagrin). The only place where the book really backslides is in Betsy and Tacy’s determination to marry off Tib despite Tib being perfectly happy in her single existence—yes, I know that it was a different era, etc., but the fact that both Betsy and Tacy, who dreamed of seeing the world and having grand adventures, criticize Tib for just living her best life rather than settling down and being a housewife read as really sour to me.
Still, it’s a worthy ending to this series and, when one looks back on how the series began with Betsy and Tacy meeting as five-year-olds, concluding with the girls as married, responsible women (with Tacy even being a mother) is a pretty impressive feat. It might even be my favorite entry in the series, and that’s definitely not a bad way to go out.
August 31, 2016
Oh Betsy. This charming turn of the 20th century Minnesotan girl satisfied all my comfort reading desires: old-fashioned and Midwestern families; a childhood sweetheart-cum-adult lover; gobs of buttery, meaty, potatoey food porn; silk dresses, hair ribbons, and fur muffs; and most importantly, girls with ambition, girls who aspire to be more than a wife.
It is that last point that ended up marring the series for me. Throughout the ten books, we watch Betsy grow from age 5 to age 25. The one constant is her love for writing. She may be distracted by various beaux, but she returns to her writing again and again, aspiring to make her living by selling stories to the magazines. But in Betsy’s Wedding she largely abandons that goal and turns to wifely pursuits: darning and mending clothes; matchmaking her single and independent friend Tib against her interests; and preparing the best pot roast in the world for dear Joe, whose income supports the family. There are superficial references to Betsy’s writing but it’s all secondary. Betsy is now all about being a good wife.
It’s an incredible disappointment. Somewhat unexpected too considering the level of biographic influence on these novels. Maud Hart Lovelace’s own life inspired the series (a favorite part of reading them was the back matter which detailed the fictional characters’ real life names). It’s then surprising that Betsy is so enfeebled at the story’s end considering Maud herself found remarkable career success with these books.
I had fun reading these books and witnessing Betsy’s various scrapes with Tacy and Tib (Tib! who will always be my favorite no-nonsense German waif!) but they will not supersede the Little House or Anne of Green Gables books as my favorite old-timey comfort reads. Oh Betsy, how I wish I could have loved you like Anne and Laura.
It is that last point that ended up marring the series for me. Throughout the ten books, we watch Betsy grow from age 5 to age 25. The one constant is her love for writing. She may be distracted by various beaux, but she returns to her writing again and again, aspiring to make her living by selling stories to the magazines. But in Betsy’s Wedding she largely abandons that goal and turns to wifely pursuits: darning and mending clothes; matchmaking her single and independent friend Tib against her interests; and preparing the best pot roast in the world for dear Joe, whose income supports the family. There are superficial references to Betsy’s writing but it’s all secondary. Betsy is now all about being a good wife.
It’s an incredible disappointment. Somewhat unexpected too considering the level of biographic influence on these novels. Maud Hart Lovelace’s own life inspired the series (a favorite part of reading them was the back matter which detailed the fictional characters’ real life names). It’s then surprising that Betsy is so enfeebled at the story’s end considering Maud herself found remarkable career success with these books.
I had fun reading these books and witnessing Betsy’s various scrapes with Tacy and Tib (Tib! who will always be my favorite no-nonsense German waif!) but they will not supersede the Little House or Anne of Green Gables books as my favorite old-timey comfort reads. Oh Betsy, how I wish I could have loved you like Anne and Laura.
January 29, 2016
Betsy is coming home from her visit around the Great World (her father sent her to Europe in the hopes it would help expand her horizons and train her as a writer). All she can think about is Joe. And there he is, cane in hand, hair so blonde it's almost silver, meeting her at the boat.
This Betsy-Tacy novel is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. In many ways Joe is the perfect husband. Adoring, ambitious, kind. But in other ways married life is not easy. Joe gets into dark moods. And when he is feeling blue he almost forgets that Betsy exists.
Betsy, as usual, has challenges of her own. She is so self-centered and self-absorbed that she forgets to open her heart to Joe's aunt when she needs her most. A visit to church sets her on the right path and Joe's aunt living with them while she is grieving the loss of her store ends up being one of the best thing that happens to the young couple.
Tacy has a baby and an attentive husband. But Tib. Poor Tib. Diminutive, professional, impatient, gorgeous, Tib is tired of young men thinking she is dumb and easy because she is blonde and petite. She goes through a lot of trials in this book, as Betsy and Tacy hold their breath watching.
Highly recommended.
This Betsy-Tacy novel is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. In many ways Joe is the perfect husband. Adoring, ambitious, kind. But in other ways married life is not easy. Joe gets into dark moods. And when he is feeling blue he almost forgets that Betsy exists.
Betsy, as usual, has challenges of her own. She is so self-centered and self-absorbed that she forgets to open her heart to Joe's aunt when she needs her most. A visit to church sets her on the right path and Joe's aunt living with them while she is grieving the loss of her store ends up being one of the best thing that happens to the young couple.
Tacy has a baby and an attentive husband. But Tib. Poor Tib. Diminutive, professional, impatient, gorgeous, Tib is tired of young men thinking she is dumb and easy because she is blonde and petite. She goes through a lot of trials in this book, as Betsy and Tacy hold their breath watching.
Highly recommended.
August 27, 2023
My least favorite of the Betsy-Tacy books, only worth it if you've read the whole rest of the series and can't bear to leave one unread.
I never thought of the Betsy-Tacy books as progressive - but at least Tacy was never boy crazy and at least Betsy always wanted a career but this one is really hard to swallow. She's a determined homemaker (despite a woeful lack of homemaking skills) and really sets everything aside for Joe and his dreams. It gets a bit better as they've been married longer and she gets a bit of time to write, but it's pretty rough going in parts.
Also - it's not truly fun of Lovelace to leave the book with Joe headed off to war. We know it's okay because the books are based on Maud's own life and her husband certainly wasn't killed in war, but the eve of WWI is not a bright moment to be leaving a young man in.
I never thought of the Betsy-Tacy books as progressive - but at least Tacy was never boy crazy and at least Betsy always wanted a career but this one is really hard to swallow. She's a determined homemaker (despite a woeful lack of homemaking skills) and really sets everything aside for Joe and his dreams. It gets a bit better as they've been married longer and she gets a bit of time to write, but it's pretty rough going in parts.
Also - it's not truly fun of Lovelace to leave the book with Joe headed off to war. We know it's okay because the books are based on Maud's own life and her husband certainly wasn't killed in war, but the eve of WWI is not a bright moment to be leaving a young man in.
January 23, 2010
"Joe sat up in bed, and Betsy told herself that she must never allow him to wear any pajamas but blue ones."
It's been less than a year since I last read this, but with Maud's writing that doesn't matter. This book only gets better and better for me and I continue to revel in the "rightness" of Betsy and Joe together.
3-3-09 review:
"After a while he went back to the bacon."
Chose to re-read this in honor of my sister's wedding. The older I get, the more I treasure it. It's inspiring and just plain fun to watch Betsy and Joe settle into married life. The other day someone was describing her ex-boyfriend and I almost shouted out, "You were dating a Rocky!"
Prior read: 2-20-06
It's been less than a year since I last read this, but with Maud's writing that doesn't matter. This book only gets better and better for me and I continue to revel in the "rightness" of Betsy and Joe together.
3-3-09 review:
"After a while he went back to the bacon."
Chose to re-read this in honor of my sister's wedding. The older I get, the more I treasure it. It's inspiring and just plain fun to watch Betsy and Joe settle into married life. The other day someone was describing her ex-boyfriend and I almost shouted out, "You were dating a Rocky!"
Prior read: 2-20-06
March 2, 2010
One of my favorite books EVER. If you haven't read any Betsy-Tacy, I advise you to start now. If you're not up for the "kid lit" that is the first 5 or 6 books, start with Heaven to Betsy and read on to the end. How I love Maud Hart Lovelace and would love to have been friends with her! Her semi-autobiographical character, Betsy, is one of the finest characters I have ever come across--a truly good person, loving, always wanting to be better and to be kind to others. Love Tacy too, of course, and Joe, and pretty much all the characters in all the books (except for Rocky and Phil Brandish of course).
March 10, 2012
in which betsy comes home from europe and marries jooooooooe!!
and they buy a cute little house.
and try to set up tib with a new york millionaire.
and join a writing group and sell their stories to magazines.
and aunt ruth moves in with them. (i love this part. i love how betsy didn't want it to happen but she knew that joe wouldn't be joe unless he took care of his aunt, and it all turned out ok!!)
and america goes to war. it is so interesting to me how different the attitude was towards worlds wars I & II compared to wars our country fights today.
i'm so sad that the series is done.
and they buy a cute little house.
and try to set up tib with a new york millionaire.
and join a writing group and sell their stories to magazines.
and aunt ruth moves in with them. (i love this part. i love how betsy didn't want it to happen but she knew that joe wouldn't be joe unless he took care of his aunt, and it all turned out ok!!)
and america goes to war. it is so interesting to me how different the attitude was towards worlds wars I & II compared to wars our country fights today.
i'm so sad that the series is done.
December 26, 2011
Sigh. Betsy and Joe will from now on definitely feature in my list of favourite fictional characters.
They are the best.
They are the best.
April 24, 2024
one of my favorites in the series as it explores the early days of marriage and shows a relationship blossom from high school love to a mature, devoted marital union. Feels like the last warm hug from a friend before saying goodbye for a little while!
January 8, 2025
Well, that was lazy and colorless and then very war-loving all at once... gave me war flashbacks to Rilla of Ingleside personally.
February 7, 2018
A great end to a beloved series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews