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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh, this book.
I rarely read historical fiction - I struggle with the blurred boundaries between what is real and what is fictionalized. But here I am, having read this on a bit of a whim, with five stars, a full heart, and more than just a few tears.
Young Beatrix is sent across the sea from London to an American family she has never met, just to keep her safe during WWII. Her family left behind is paralyzed, having sacrificed more than they realized and grieving for a childhood they did not see. But in Boston, there is something gained, not something lost, as Beatrix finds herself a part of another family who sees her in ways her parents at home don’t. These relationships are the foundation of this book - between children and parents, between siblings, between partners.
The war ends and Beatrix eventually returns to London and we watch over the years how that critical time during WWII affects not only her sense of identity but all of the other members of her families. It’s a beautiful novel about how we become who we are and the many people along the way who shape us.
The best moments of the book are the small interactions between characters and the details that are so everyday that they feel real to the reader. These characters felt real to me.
This is a love story, yes. But it’s not romantic love. It’s a story about found family, about connection, about loss. A very, very good read.
Thank you to Celadon books for the advance copy of this book.
I rarely read historical fiction - I struggle with the blurred boundaries between what is real and what is fictionalized. But here I am, having read this on a bit of a whim, with five stars, a full heart, and more than just a few tears.
Young Beatrix is sent across the sea from London to an American family she has never met, just to keep her safe during WWII. Her family left behind is paralyzed, having sacrificed more than they realized and grieving for a childhood they did not see. But in Boston, there is something gained, not something lost, as Beatrix finds herself a part of another family who sees her in ways her parents at home don’t. These relationships are the foundation of this book - between children and parents, between siblings, between partners.
The war ends and Beatrix eventually returns to London and we watch over the years how that critical time during WWII affects not only her sense of identity but all of the other members of her families. It’s a beautiful novel about how we become who we are and the many people along the way who shape us.
The best moments of the book are the small interactions between characters and the details that are so everyday that they feel real to the reader. These characters felt real to me.
This is a love story, yes. But it’s not romantic love. It’s a story about found family, about connection, about loss. A very, very good read.
Thank you to Celadon books for the advance copy of this book.
This isn't a book filled with a deep plot or intense story line, but it is endearing in that it tells a tale that most everyone can relate to about how life unfolds. You start with dreams and hope and energy and then life sort of happens, some good, some bad, and you come to realize, at some point in your life that you are where you need to be, and there is contentment. It was a good read in that it had lots of great character development and a good amount of relatable feels.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to be honest, I wanted to like it. However the way this book was written really made it hard to read. I didn’t love the unconventional dialogue, and I honestly found it boring. I am usually one who loves historical fiction but the way the author chose to write this made the story bland.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated