New Yorker Emily Wilson has just learned that her husband has been having an affair and that her marriage is over. To clear her mind, she decides to spend the month of March with her great-aunt Bee, who lives in Bainbridge Island, WA. Having visited often as a child, she feels the beauty and peacefulness of the island will help her not only research her next novel, but get her life back on track.
As Emily settles in to bed the first night, she discovers a red diary from the 1940s in the nightstand beside the bed. Not knowing the identity of the author (who is Esther?), she can hardly tear herself away from what she’s reading. Is the story that’s unfolding fact or fiction? Are these characters, with their dark secrets, members of her own family?
Sarah Jio’s debut novel is a winner. Her telling of a story within a story is beautifully done, and her writing is perfectly descriptive, not overly flowery. I especially loved Aunt Bee and her relationship with her best friend Evelyn. It's sweet and touching and will make you thankful for your own best friends!
While I'll admit there were aspects of the book that weren't entirely plausible, I'm still a sucker for a well-written book filled with love, self-discovery, suspense and extremely likable characters. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Jio and hope you'll add this novel to your must-read pile.
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