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The beginning of the book was the best. Jane and her sisters Helen and Rosalie, along with their mother, leave London for Scotland when they find that their income is reduced. The story is told through the eyes of Jane, who is astounded at the way her mother slips comfortably into a middle class country life. Her sisters are not as happy. Helen, the oldest, is set upon always getting what she wants no matter what. And Rosalie is the indecisive sister, always being compared to the others and neve
...more
A charming novel with wonderful characters.
Anna and her daughters , Jane, Helen and Rosalie are left destitute after the sudden death of her Husband.
They have to leave their life in London and move back to Scotland.
Then Jane meets Ronnie who finds all the girls attractive but he can only marry one.
A lovely comfort read on a rather dreary wet day.
Beautifully written and entertaining.
Anna and her daughters , Jane, Helen and Rosalie are left destitute after the sudden death of her Husband.
They have to leave their life in London and move back to Scotland.
Then Jane meets Ronnie who finds all the girls attractive but he can only marry one.
A lovely comfort read on a rather dreary wet day.
Beautifully written and entertaining.
Mar 10, 2013
Katherine
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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own,
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I read this years ago but didn't remember much of it aside from the fact that I liked it a lot. Luckily, at some point, I'd picked up a copy when I saw it in a used bookstore. Recently I decided to revisit some of the books I have little memory of--other than a general sense of enjoyment-- and this seemed a likely choice. And it was. However it turns out I
LOVE
this book!
It's the story of three very different sisters, each poised on the brink of adulthood. Due to drastically reduced financi ...more
It's the story of three very different sisters, each poised on the brink of adulthood. Due to drastically reduced financi ...more
Anna has three daughters, Helen, Rosalie and Jane.
Jane has a problem. She has two lovely sisters, and they are both (recently) married. Jane, sadly (you will see why this is sad for Jane later in the book), is not.
Helen is the family beauty:
“Helen was late for our lunch appointment, but I had managed to reserve a table in the crowded restaurant and I was sitting waiting for her when she came in. She was as beautiful as ever, and her clothes were perfection, and as she made her way towards me bet ...more
Jane has a problem. She has two lovely sisters, and they are both (recently) married. Jane, sadly (you will see why this is sad for Jane later in the book), is not.
Helen is the family beauty:
“Helen was late for our lunch appointment, but I had managed to reserve a table in the crowded restaurant and I was sitting waiting for her when she came in. She was as beautiful as ever, and her clothes were perfection, and as she made her way towards me bet ...more
First half was easily a four star read. However, the second half felt very rushed and makes use of my least favorite ‘deus ex machina’ style resolution.
I read this immediately after finishing two of Stevenson’s very good WWII books, which may have hampered my engagement with this this one. As many other reviewers have written lovely plot summaries, I’ll just add some observations.
The book covers a long time span and jumps around a lot—even for Stevenson, who often moves the plot along with key moments quickly described “off camera.” Usually I think it’s clever; here it was more jarring.
The male love interest is a ninny—I’m sorry, but he acts ...more
The book covers a long time span and jumps around a lot—even for Stevenson, who often moves the plot along with key moments quickly described “off camera.” Usually I think it’s clever; here it was more jarring.
The male love interest is a ninny—I’m sorry, but he acts ...more
Like all of Stevenson's books, this one is a cozy read with just enough real life situations to keep it from being sappy. Anna's husband dies suddenly and she and her three teenage daughters are forced to move from their fashionable London apartment to a cottage in Scotland to adjust to their new financial circumstances. It is written from the youngest daughter's (Jane) perspective and recounts the joys and sorrows of the four women. I particularly enjoyed seeing how the mother comes alive as sh
...more
Narration by Candida Gubbins
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-01-22
Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd
I'm not quite halfway through and the annoying nasal quality of the narrator's voice is getting worse. Someone with blocked nasal passages really should not be recording an audio book--seriously, stop production until the cold or allergy is no longer apparent!
Narration by Candida Gubbins - Stuffy sinus problem particularly noticeable 1/4th to 3/4ths of the way through. Add ...more
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-01-22
Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd
I'm not quite halfway through and the annoying nasal quality of the narrator's voice is getting worse. Someone with blocked nasal passages really should not be recording an audio book--seriously, stop production until the cold or allergy is no longer apparent!
Narration by Candida Gubbins - Stuffy sinus problem particularly noticeable 1/4th to 3/4ths of the way through. Add ...more
Not quite 4 stars. Still a pleasure to read. Took my mind off yesterday's foot surgery and today's recuperation!
...more
Nov 07, 2017
Robyn Bray
marked it as to-read
Apr 28, 2025
Angela Stephens
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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