A review by kailey_luminouslibro
The Hermit of Far End by Margaret Pedler

5.0

Sara is left alone when her adopted uncle dies, but she befriends his cousin, Elizabeth, and her son, Tim. Tim promptly falls in love with Sara, but she feels only friendship for him. So she goes away to make her own way in life in a small seaside town where she rents rooms in the household of the local doctor. She learns that there is a wealthy man, Garth Trent, living in a big house on the cliffs who lives the life of a hermit, never entering into the social events of the neighborhood. Curious, she walks by the estate and hears beautiful violin music coming from the house. She takes shelter in his house during a thunderstorm, and a strange friendship begins. He invites her to play duets with him, and is delighted to discover that she is an accomplished pianist. They plan a trip to a local island for a picnic, and Sara gradually encourages Garth to attend social gatherings among her friends. But the secrets of his past are haunting him, and somehow Elizabeth and Tim are connected to this dark secret that keeps Garth away from all social connection. When the war comes, all their plans are thrown into confusion, and Sara must face her worst fears.

I loved this passionate book! It's full of drama and adventure, and I stayed up way past my bedtime reading in fascination. The writing is really vivid, and everyone's emotions are so tense and fierce all the time. There are car chases, storms, bombs, and quiet sacrifices in the face of danger. There is also the constant mystery of Garth's past that is always being hinted at but never explained, until it finally blows up in their faces.

I especially liked that the romance is full of obstacles and difficulties. It's a clean romance, and both Garth and Sara have a very high sense of honor that guides all their decisions. In fact, their high integrity keeps them apart for a long time, as they are both willing to sacrifice anything to protect the other person. I really loved the intensity of their connection!

All the supporting characters are excellent as well. Every single character is complex and compelling, and it was fascinating to see how they influence each other through the story. I really liked that the writing takes the time to analyze each person's personality, so that you get to know them on a deep level, and then their actions and dialogue take on a deeper meaning.