Sweet, Smart, and Unapologetically Herself — Vicky’s Victory by Nadine C. Keels
Big thanks to Nadine C. Keels for sending me an ARC — all opinions are my own!
Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Black Joy, 1950s Coming of Age
Pages: 116
Vicky’s Victory is a sweet, fun read set in the 1950s about Vicky, a smart and ambitious teen who wants to be a journalist. She’s juggling school, family, and her first crush while trying to prove she’s more than just “the brain” everyone knows. The story is full of nostalgic vibes — think malt shops and sock hops — but it also shines a light on Black joy and chasing your dreams. Nadine C. Keels nails that mix of heart, humor, and coming-of-age feels that made me really connect with Vicky’s journey.
I received an ARC copy of Vicky’s Victory from Nadine C. Keels, and this novella was genuinely enjoyable. Even though it was a quick read—just over 100 pages—it didn’t feel rushed or lacking in depth. In fact, it felt longer in the best way, like the story was given just enough room to breathe and come full circle by the final page.
The characters were as lovable as one could hope for. Vicky, the main narrator, easily became my favorite. Through her eyes, we get to experience many of her “firsts”: her first love, her first dances, and the emotional highs and lows of being a teenager. There’s something very sincere about her voice, and I found myself rooting for her the whole way through.
Another standout character for me was Willie—yes, the one with the beard! He added a fun, light energy to the story, but he also had meaningful character growth that gave him dimension beyond just being a love interest. Their chemistry was cute, and the ending, with Vicky and Willie ending up together, was cozy and satisfying. I only wish we had gotten to see a bit more of their happiness as a couple. That part felt a little too brief after the buildup.
The only reason this wasn’t a five-star read for me was the title. I kept wondering what exactly Vicky’s Victory referred to. Maybe it was meant to be symbolic or open-ended, but I couldn’t quite pin down what her “victory” actually was. It might just be a stylistic title choice, but it left me feeling like I missed something deeper that was never quite explained.
What really stood out, though, was the setting. I appreciated how the story portrayed a young Black teenage girl in the 1950s—a perspective that isn’t often represented in historical fiction. The language and atmosphere felt fitting for the time period without being overly stylized or stiff. It had a natural rhythm that kept things grounded.
At the beginning, the chapters did feel a bit too long, especially for a novella, but the pacing improved as the story went on. By the halfway point, I felt more connected to the flow, and the story moved more quickly, even though the chapters were still lengthy.
Overall, Vicky’s Victory was a charming and heartfelt novella that packed more story than I expected from its length. If you enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a coming-of-age angle and a soft romance, this one is worth adding to your list.
This book was an amazing novella read for the summer. It gave me summer fun vibes even though this book did take place during the school year. It was a nice introductory book The Malt Shop Milestones series. This was also a clean pg romance book with the cozy feels of hanging out with friends, going to school, and just being a young teenager. I look forward to reading book 2 of the series: Berta's Bounceback.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Ready to dive into the 1950s? Here it is!
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