A delightful afternoon spent reading this book. I was unsure when I first started reading it as it seemed to be just an average romance with nothing new in it. It picked up and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the torment Dr Case feels when she is torn between what she thinks are her feminist beliefs and the traditional life she genuinely craves and wants.
Louise (Dr Case) has what she wants, she's a writer/researcher and a University lecturer. She has also inherited a wonderful country cottage from her Aunt. Caught up in a relationship with a married man - this is the bit that I was confused with at the start, she's quite happy playing second best to Miriam (who is also her friend) with Toby. Then Rose arrives in her old van, parks up in Louise's orchard and Louise's life changes.
Bit by bit her life changes and unravels around her with Louise feeling like she has little control over anything. Rose is there every step of the way though engineering some of the changes to help Louise realise what it is she really wants.
You can't take this book too seriously and you shouldn't find yourself thinking about how she's gone back on her beliefs - it's fiction after all. Lots of lessons learned in this plot and a chance to think about your own life - have you got what you really want? A good plot, midly irritating at times how she does manage to fall so nicely on her feet but otherwise an entertaining read.
The length is just right and you are given a chance to get to know all of the characters through Gregory's wonderful descriptive prose. The plot includes references to the Suffragette movement and DH Lawrence, so a good mix of literature and social politics. As mentioned, the relationship between Louise, Toby and Miriam was confusing but became understandable after a few chapters.
Set over 11 days, each chapter is a different day, with an epilogue at the end to tie up the loose ends. You do need to suspend belief for part of it but it is fiction and isn't likely to happen this way so enjoy it.
