“Spindrift Love is a young adult novel that centers on fifteen-year-old Jesse, whose first-person story captures the feel of being trapped in the restrictive world of Bourbon County, Kansas.

“Jesse longs for adventure, new experiences, and a different environment, but when a vagabond enters her life to offer her an escape into the outside world she covets and dreams of, Jesse discovers that sometimes dreams are illusions and invitations are better left unaccepted.

“Her upbringing in a ‘house filled with love’ has failed to prepare her for a world that doesn't operate in the same way.

“Evocative moments are captured in a moving manner that brings Jesse's conundrums to life: ‘To someone from a city I guess it would have been easy to feel lonely out there, but it never occurred to me. Sometimes I felt sad and I didn’t know for what. Maybe the empty space around me crept in a bit too close. Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention to notice that it wasn’t really empty.’

“Jocelyn Holst Bolster takes the time to capture the nature of Jesse's life experiences: ‘Now, I’m not trying to say that we lived so far out in the country that we didn’t even have a CD player. My uncle gave my parents one for Christmas before I was even born. But we only listened to music that was written to praise God or glorify His love. There’s some real good stuff that was written for the glory of God, but I just knew Sandy wasn’t talking about listening to that kind of music when she whispered that to me; I just knew Sandy was talking about the kind of music I was not supposed to listen to, the kind that, in my parent’s opinion, nobody was supposed to listen to, especially not good people like Sandy. The kind of music that may or may not have been written by the Devil himself. The kind of music I’d been straining to overhear since I found out it existed.’

“As she encounters other family relationships and begins to more deeply inspect her own life, Jesse's assessment of love and her place in the world changes. This doesn't differ from the typical coming-of-age story; but what does give added flavor is Bolster's capture of adult dilemmas that force Jesse to change not only herself, but the nature of her communications with her elders.

“From circumstances of luck to choices that challenge her life, Jesse receives the support and backdrop of a family she also struggles to find a place in. The religious and psychological mixes are especially satisfyingly depicted: ‘Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness, I quoted. What about the evil in me? How does God decide who suffers and who doesn’t? Why was that poor lady made to be beaten by that horrible man? How could that happen ten miles away while I’m here eating pie?’

“Young adults seeking coming-of-age stories centered on changing family relationships and the intersection of real-world issues with intergenerational struggles will find Spindrift Love a compelling, attractive choice.

“Bolster's creation of a young protagonist on the cusp of abandoning some (but not all) of her teachings shows how Jesse bridges past precedent with present-day evolution to not only forge ahead, but maintain the close connections that helped sculpt her psyche.

“Libraries looking for coming-of-age sagas rooted in changing family relationships and life experiences will find Spindrift Love is suitable not just for leisure reading, but young adult book discussion groups interested in transformative and inclusive experiences that ultimately embrace love and connection.”

—  D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Spindrift Love is a young adult coming-of-age novel by Jocelyn Holst Bolster. Fifteen-year-old Jesse grew up in an ultra-orthodox home with a minister for a father in rural Kansas. Devoid of distractions like rock music or television, Jesse spends her days admiring nature and its abundant beauty. But her humdrum life changes the day a young freight train hopper comes to live with her family. Past secrets are revealed, making Jesse question everything she had known to be true about her parents. Angry at her mother for perpetuating a lie throughout her life, Jesse leaves home and starts living with the friendly home care nurse, Sandy Topaz. When she meets Sandy's young nephew, Cody, Jesse discovers a kindred spirit. However, she soon learns that life has its share of brutality from which her parents had sheltered her.

“A moving and poignant tale about growing up and experiencing the ups and downs of life, Spindrift Love strikes a chord in your heart and may take some readers to a long-forgotten time of their youth. Jocelyn Holst Bolster captures the naivety of the adolescent years perfectly through the main protagonist. Jesse is an inquisitive and tenacious teenager who finds herself stuck with authoritarian parents. She lashes out after learning about their blatant hypocrisy and discovers that, despite her sheltered upbringing, her parents couldn't protect her from the harsh realities of the world. This is a wonderful story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.”

— Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

“The author takes us on a journey of discovering truths, family, and how complicated love can be. And it also shows us that love can be found in different ways. With its fantastic characterization and writing, Spindrift Love teaches readers about self-discovery and finding forgiveness even when the other person might not deserve it. The characters in this book are so well-written I had trouble remembering they weren’t real. These characters all have flaws that they try to work through. I love this book for that. I appreciate that the characters act in a way that feels real, not wise beyond their years like I see too often in YA. For example, when Jesse finds out that her parents hid something they shouldn't have, she feels genuinely like a fifteen-year-old and to be honest, not very mature. The author excels at creating this atmosphere. The small town is described so well especially the farms, barns, and vegetation, and since it’s summer in the book, I can feel the hot wind or drought-like air. If you are looking for a cozy small town coming of age story, this novel will be a great fit. With its atmosphere, characters, and concepts of self-discovery and self-love, this book feels like one to keep on your bookshelf long into your adulthood.”

—Independent Book Review