Book Review: Ride for Rights by Tara Chevrestt

 

 Be empowered by the story of two young women riding motorbikes across the U.S. in 1916! Based on real-life sisters.

In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone.

From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert.

Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

 

My Thoughts

Inspired by real suffragettes, Ride For Rights is the amazing story of two sisters who rode their motorbikes cross country to prove woman should have the right to vote and could assist in the war as dispatch riders. I loved the spunky personalities of the sisters and the way they stood up to adversity wherever they went, but it was the historical value of this story that really had me enthralled. Along their trip, the girls meets fictionalized versions of many historical figures. Angeline's diary entries also include tidbits of information of other events happening across the globe at that time. To keep things fun, there are a few comical mishaps like when they get arrested for being dressed as men. My favorite part is what happened when they were abducted in Utah, but you'll have to read it to find out what happens there. A great addition to the novel itself is the author's note at the end. It goes through the events in the book, separating fact from fiction. It gives you a little background info on the real Van Buren sisters who inspired the story. There is also a forward written by one of their descendents. I would ever have learned of these amazing women who fought for women's lib so many years ago if it wasn't for this entertaining read and I'm very grateful that this author has kept their memory alive in her work. Even though parts of the tale were enhanced for entertainment's sake, the fighting spirit of the women remains true. This book a wonderful inspiration to women everywhere.