Book by: Cathy Gohlke
Oh. My.
I loved everything about this dual-time story by Cathy Gohlke.
The story takes place in the 1910s and in 1935, between the Atlantic provinces of Canada and Connecticut, USA (how refreshing to have a Canadian setting!). Addie, Dot, Ruth and Susannah meet at a school for young ladies and form an instant friendship. The story follows the early years of forming this friendship and the vows they make to each other. Then love, war, and catastrophe will challenge those vows, demonstrating the complexities that friendship and love bring.
This story takes place just before the Great War – a time when German Americans were under suspicion – and during the war when Halifax experienced the worst home-front maritime disaster in 1917. These disasters play a pivotal role in challenging the vows once made between friends.
Seventeen years later, a young woman will bring the friends together, challenging everything they once believed about themselves and each other.
It’s a brilliant story, full of heartaches, joys, and reflective moments.
Readers will fall in love with the characters, and even dislike Mean Margaret. Descriptions pull the reader into the story world, making it easy to picture the winter festival on the Meyer’s property and Halifax’s Harbour.
Fans of Anne of Green Gables will especially love the references to LM Montgomery.
I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.