As a new Texan officially this year I always make it a habit to read books set in Texas or about Texas. I enjoyed this book and the way that Jane Little Botkin brought me into the story. I was reading through it and was surprised when I got to the end. That’s how well the story pulled me away from reality. Great work!

I venture that if you have ever been involved with beauty pageants or are from Texas you will appreciate this book more than I did. I am a New Yorker and only watched The Miss America Pageant until I was probably 10. So you are probably wondering why did I request this book to read - well the synopsis of the book stated "The Pink Dress awakens nostalgia for the 1960s and 1970s, the era’s conflicts and growth pains." As I grew up in the 70's, this is what intrigued me and I ended up disappointed. This book primarily focuses on the author's recollection of her time as a beauty queen contestant. There is much information on the history of El Paso and behind the scenes for those who like that sort of stuff on pageants - it just wasn't for me. Does include the author's personal collection of pictures which I always enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishe

This was just ok. It wasn’t really what I was expecting.

There’s a lot of history in here, some of which is not really necessary. I didn’t want or need a history of El Paso. With all talk about all the lawlessness and rebellion in that history, it seemed out of place compared to how tame the author seemed. There’s politics and war in here as well, but that seemed much more appropriate.

The pageant stuff was interesting and a lot of fun, I could have read an entire book on that. Oh, wait that’s what I was trying to do.

I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in the pageant world.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

This book is so much more than a recounting of a beauty pageant. It's a window into a fascinating place and time. There is family heartbreak, coming of age, a reflection of Vietnam era Texas/American life and the demands on American women of the time. Any women who lived through that era will relate to the author's experiences, and younger women will learn about the trials their mothers and grandmothers lived through. All told with humor and pathos. You won't regret reading this!

I think the author nails it when, at the beginning of the book, she talks about how families used to sit around and watch pageants together. I remember watching with my family and begging to stay up late to see who would win. So, those of us old enough will relate to the excitement we'd have each year.
It's a revelation to get a look behind the scenes at these earlier pageants and the juxtaposition of current events (Viet Nam) with the big hair of Texas pageants. The mixed feelings of the author come through--not obviously--but they are there. Mostly it is a story of a young woman from a troubled home who lacks the gumption to really rebel. All of this is colored by the fact that she is much older now and these are her memories of the time.
Not exactly what I expected, but an honest accounting of one would-be beauty queen's experiences.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this memoir. I enjoyed it.