In a League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 352 pages
Published: August 2024

In a League of Her Own is my second read by author Kaia Alderson. I really enjoyed Sister in Arms, and highly anticipated her sophomoric, historical fiction novel. In this story, we learn about Effa Manley, a Black business-minded woman who wanted more for herself than to be someone’s wife or mother. In this, I could relate. The book synopsis teases that she becomes a pivotal figure in the male-dominated industry of baseball and, to date, the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Effa Manley the person seems larger than life, but this dramatized retelling of her life fell short for me. 

While the writing is solid, the structure of the novel didn’t flow very well, and I think the reader should have walked away with an appreciation of Manley’s glass-breaking efforts. However, she was presented in a disappointing way. The relationship with her husband was odd, and I’m not sure what value it added to this story. The main character seemed a little self-absorbed and more focused on her name, pride, and reputation than the good of the community. 

I also thought the book would be more focused on her career in the baseball industry, but two-thirds of the story focused on her career in fashion and local civil rights. So, the title almost seems to be a misnomer. Additionally, because the author took so many liberties with the story, additional research is required to determine which parts are fictional and which are historical. 

Recommendation: I did enjoy picking up on some of the cross-over characters from Sisters in Arms, and I do want to know more about Manley’s real life, but perhaps because my expectations were high, this one was a bit of a letdown for me. I think if you know what you’re getting before reading this, it could be a more enjoyable read. I am hopeful this review helps with that. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.