Judge a book by it's cover on this one! I just love it! The old English cottage filled with blooming gardens and a 'Come on in " open gate...it's the prettiest cover I've seen in a long time and it reflects the story well.
The main characters are Charlotte and her estranged daughter Rosalind, although (spoiler alert) they don't estranged for long, which I'm happy about because it wouldn't be the same without their mother-daughter relationship. The two of them are brought together after Charlotte's mini-breakdown and stay at the titled cottage on Orchard Lane, England, during the 1880's.
The lesser characters are just as charming. There is Mr.Pearce-the humble book store owner, Mrs. Hooper the town Busybody, Mrs. Deamer-a charmer who makes the perfect friend for Charlotte, and Coral-the meek but growing family cook. Together they make a great little ensemble of characters in this small English haven.
The story flows along in authentic Olde English tone ('by the by' and a 'cuppa' tea while playing 'draughts') with some low level drama. It's the perfect escape that leaves you feeling happy and charmed, with nothing grisly or scandalous. It's a sensible story for all ages.
I haven't read any other books by Lawana Blackwell, but this one makes me want to check out more. Perfect setting, great characters, and worth the time to read!
