LGBTQ Romance
C
Constant Reader
February 17, 2022
Quirky, Gentle Story with Characters to Care About
After reading The Keeper of Lost Things, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, and this book, my impression is that Ruth Hogan writes charming, gently sad books that are filled with regrets, kindness, romance, and hope. This is the story of Tilda (the adult) and Tilly (the little girl). The author introduces a supernatural quality to this book by giving Tilda the ability to see and communicate with dead people and animals. It’s not portrayed as being spooky or scary, but Tilda’s “gift” is just one more thing that makes her feel alone. Most of the story is set in Brighton in the off-season. The author created characters that I could care about. It is the characters that carry the story. The story is told in flashbacks through the eyes of Tillie, in journal entries by Tilda’s mother, and in the present through the eyes of Tilda. The chapters are clearly labeled, and the reader is never confused about the time or the narrator. I enjoyed reading this book and will read more books by Ruth Hogan as she writes them. My only complaint was the ending seemed abrupt.
