A review by readingoverbreathing
Lady Rose and Mrs. Memmary by Ruby Ferguson

5.0

"But in real life things go like that. Our stories have no ending. We come into the light for a little while, and then we move away into the shadows and nobody sees us anymore."

I knew this was set in Scotland, but I had no idea it was set so close to home, right here on the shores of Fife. And thus, from the first few pages I was totally enraptured by Ferguson's lush descriptions of an area of which I am so familiar and so fond. Throughout the entire book, her writing is just gorgeous. It's simple, but it's so atmospheric, and the nostalgia she is able to foster is just so touching and so engrossing.

I usually am not a big fan of books that move in and out of past and present, but this was just so well done that I absolutely loved it. Rose's character practically peels from the page into such a vivid figure, a delightful and enchanting one.

I have to say I did totally see that twist coming, and anticipated the final ending, but I think both were incorporated so well that I honestly didn't mind. Again, this is such an enchanting book, and one that because of its setting now holds such a dear place in my heart. I hope to return to it again and again to indulge in its nostalgia, perhaps after I've finished uni and gone away from Fife the way

Spoiler

Rose was forced to.

Ruby Ferguson certainly recognizes the magic of Scotland, both its history and its landscape, here, and for that I love both her and this book.