I’m not sure where to start with this book. I enjoyed reading it, although, it was a bit of a slow-starter, for me. When I read Augusta’s word obsession at the beginning, despite being an avid fan of words, I thought I was going to find it a hard read. However, before long, I was completely invested in Augusta’s and Julia’s stories. A lot of my interest came from longing to know what happened to Julia at the beach that would scar her so badly for the rest of her life. I like the way the author drew this out through the book, with it being the one thing Julia wouldn’t speak to her sister about.

I have to admit I wasn’t sure about the two narrators and their, seemingly, different lives and different paths. I didn’t see how they would be connected, even when it became obvious Parfait was living at La Higuera where Augusta and her parents holidayed. It was obvious from this point that Augusta and Parfait would meet at La Higuera. I did find it a bit of a stretch in terms of believability that Augusta would meet someone who embodied the gypsy man in the pedlar van from the poem she loved as a child. It seemed an even bigger stretch that he would come from Burundi, the country Augusta had chosen as her favourite at age seven and then become obsessed about ever since. Then, when we learn who he was, in terms of Julia and what happened, the chance of he and Augusta meeting seems most unbelievable.

That said, I loved the two Augusta and Parfait together. And, in some ways, Parfait was the other half of Augusta, and he replaced her twin sister as her other half. They both felt as though they were home with each other, and I liked that.

There is a lot of pain and loss in this novel, and parts of it are incredibly moving. Joanna Glen is a great storyteller. Mostly, though, we are left with hope. The ending is nice, if not unexpected. I liked it. I would have liked to read more about Augusta and Parfait as a couple. Reading her as happy made her shine.

Overall, a good read with a great mix of poignancy, intrigue, and brilliantly written characters.

People who like a good story with characters who can break your heart and put it back together again. This is also good for those who like mysteries. There is a lot of foreshadowing, and Julia's story is not unexpected. Shocking, but no unexpected. But the mystery of what happened on the beach is carried through almost until the end, and I like that.

Parfait. He is so damaged by everything he goes through, but he comes through the other side. After the most unimaginable horrors. And when he meets Augusta, they are perfect for one another.

I found the way the author tied up all the loose ends as though every single incident was connected to all the others a bit hard to take. I found the plot a little unbelievable towards the end.

Go live on a beach in Spain, in the sunshine, in a gypsy caravan with a beautifully toned man.

This is Joanna Glen's debut, and it's quite a way to start! The intricaciesof the plot are impressive, and I really like her style.

It's easy to read and doesn't take too much brain power. It is perfect for a holiday read.

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Created Jan 16, 2021 at 7:05am • Submit your own review...