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Charmed
, January 04, 2023
I was lucky enough to read this book before it was out, and am so glad it’s now available for anyone to read. We don’t have enough Depression-era historical fiction in my opinion, so this is a start to filling that gap (and there will be sequels! yay!).
It is full of fabulous characters. I love the way Ava and Claire play off one another, their opposing personalities constantly at odds, while at the same time they’re trying to love each other in their very different ways, trying to reconcile their strained relationship despite all the difficulties life has thrown at them. Claire, despite having more money than she knows what to do with, has her absolutely hellish mother-in-law and a string of heartbreaking miscarriages; Ava is just scraping by, her husband’s mine company bosses breathing down her family’s back and more children than she can adequately feed. It is marvellous watching Claire, particularly, begin to come into her own person as the story progresses.
The setting is also fantastic; I love local-to-the-author history worked into novels, and it’s done really well here. I had a strong sense of place.
Finally, I absolutely defy you to NOT fall in love with Dr Max. If you don’t, it will be pistols at dawn.
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