A sweet and lighthearted story of two women's redemption. For one, in her youth, unburdened by a lifetime of regrets but still deeply regretful of her choices. For the other, seeking to right her wrongs and reconnect with the parts of her she'd put aside for over 40 years before the end. 

The descriptions of their travels through England were beautiful. I've added so many places to my travel list now. The book really is also a love letter to books, specifically to Victorian-era English books. I always enjoy that about Katherine Reay's work. While I'm reading her books, I also feel like I'm hanging out with someone who loves the written word even more than I do. It inspires me as a reader and writer. 

The romance, a subplot in the story but a driving motivation for our main character, is sweet and genuine. The romance between a couple of the side characters -around the last third of the book- is just plain adorable.  I want more of them and their background. 

The storyline of the main character, Lucy, wanting to meet her dad after 20 years, hoping that seeing him and having answers from him would liberate her in some way, was so well done. I will say, for those who have strained relationships with their dads, this could be slightly triggering but also, very healing.

I love that when she did meet him, it wasn't a cliche. He hadn't magically changed. He was everything her mom expected him to be. It was realistic. But that did not take away from the message that people can change. It wasn't his having changed that would liberate Lucy and let her know she could, too.  Meeting him showed her he was making choices, and she could make different ones.

I love how the writer managed and closed this story. Not forcing an unrealistic reconciliation but still enveloping it in plenty of forgiveness and acceptance while allowing Lucy to maintain healthy boundaries.

Lovely story✨