I truly enjoyed this book. It is set in the countryside, near the sea, in England. I am not sure of the timing, but I pictured the 30s. It has the feel "I Capture the Castle," which I need to reread. The book is mostly filled with innocent longing. It includes themes based on family, and friendship, and lasting bonds. Miscommunication is overcome through direct conversation, eventually. I loved it so much, I bought a copy for a dear friend. ( )

Although it moves along slowly, this tale of love and adventure set in Cornwall in 1929 is swoon worthy, especially the luscious ending, which I did not expect.

Lou is a 17 year old girl from a big, loving, rambunctious farm family on the Cornwall coast. On a little island across a causeway sits a grand but abandoned mansion. Lou has finished school, her older sister Alice is marrying the love of her life, a local boy, and Lou is feeling a bit lost, but longing for adventure, and a life different from that her sister has chosen. One day she slips across the causeway and begins to explore the island, and the deserted mansion. She becomes at home there, lighting a fire in the library, reading from the immense library, and one day, the owners return...

Lou ends up meeting the Cardews, Caitlin and Robert, brother and sister who keep up a lavish roaring 20s lifestyle. For the summer, she is pulled into their lives, developing a close friendship with Caitlin, and a teasing, bickering one with Robert. She meets all of their "friends," mostly young people who come to party at the mansion.

Meanwhile, she is living sometimes at home, with her big family, and wondering what will happen to her after the summer. She doesn't have a boyfriend to marry, as her sister does, and anyway, she dreams of becoming a writer, and does, in fact, have some writing ongoing.

Ultimately, this is a sweet coming-of-age story, with a bit of romance to boot. I was most taken with her interesting family: the Mom they called by her first name, Midge, the younger dramatic sister Freya, brother Tom, triplets!!!, and a baby! Her parents are so open and accepting, so willing to let her make her mistakes. I love these people. I'd like to know more about them.

I think my only criticism of the book is that the language feels a little too modern. Maybe that is because it is written for young people. It is definitely PG-13, and would be suitable for tweens and teens. The cover art is nice too, especially as it is continued throughout the book in each new chapter heading. ( )

I enjoyed reading this. I didn't realize it was a Young Adult novel until after I had finished it. I liked the characters - not just stereotypes, and her relationship with her sister, Alice, was nicely nuanced. ( )