"Don't Put the Boats Away is an impeccably researched and simultaneously heartfelt novel about what it was like to be a woman and a scientist in the wake of the Second World War. The world needs more novels like this."
Louisa Hall, The Carriage House, Speak, and Trinity
“Reading Don’t Put the Boats Away is like being enveloped in a family, a real family bound by love and loss, music and science. It’s a testament to the danger of secrets and the hope we place in future generations. I enjoyed it thoroughly.”
Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, Eden and The Nine
"Don't Put the Boats Away is a richly detailed family saga of the Suttons' post-WWII lives--and a wonderful sequel to Ames Sheldon's first novel Eleanor's Wars. Ames's knack for period authenticity is paired with a keen portrayal of the inner lives of major characters that transcend common narratives of '50s, '60s, '70s America. Complex relationships, dedication to music, science, and family loyalty, and the haunting legacy of war even on privileged families make this a compelling read."
Barbara Stark-Nemon, Even in Darkness and Hard Cider
“Don’t Put the Boats Away” is chock-full of well-researched historical details about political events, medical advancements, and even food trends of the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, and it also offers important commentary on professional opportunities for women during these decades. Overall, it’s a touching tale that examines the ways in which grief, regret, and unmet expectations can reverberate through generations.”
Kirkus Reviews
“Don’t Put the Boats Away is a timeless portrait of life’s loves and losses… the novel has raw and dark undertones… Sheldon explores the furtive topics of mental illness and social conflicts with modern clarity… Her characters are empathetically real.”
minnesotamonthly.com