This book was such a delightful treat! I’ve been waiting to read a Katherine Reay book for such a long time now; but with the endless other books that I’ve committed to, it just didn’t seem likely.

I am beyond impressed with her writing. From the first page I knew that I’d found a gem.

When I read a book I’m looking for that story that is an immersive experience. I like to be able to feel like I’m in the book–as weird as that sounds. And that wasn’t a challenge at all with this one.

For Caroline Payne and her family, the truth is a tricky thing. Her great-aunt’s past is called into question when one of Caroline’s old school friends–and former crush–Mat, decides to write about her aunt, and her German lover during the time of WWII. But, not all is as it seems.

We get old letters and flashbacks into the life of Caroline’s great-aunt (also Caroline) and what she was actually dealing with during this period.

Besides getting those dramatic peeks, I would say that the effect that her sordid history have on the present Caroline and her family is the most heart-wrenching part of this story. To see the pain that her entire family has been in since WWII–all because of what they suspect happened–it’s just awful.

By the end of the story I was sad, hopeful, and encouraged by the lives of these characters and the promise of what the future would hold.

I can’t wait to read more from this author–I’m so glad that she already has so many other books published!