I simply devoured this book in two days. I had come across it in the local bookshop a few weeks ago and reserved it from my wonderful library. It's by a BC author and this is her first adult novel - I hope there are more!
38 year old Gloria returns to her family farm in a Mennonite community in the Fraser Valley for the first time in 20 years. Her daughter, Julia :), accompanies her. Her parents are still very much members of the church and Gloria and Julia have to watch their language!! The family home has no internet connection, no dvd player and just a black and white television. Infact, time has stood still totally stood still there.
The book includes many snippets of hymns and songs that I used to sing in church which really made me smile! Gloria is reunited with one of her childhood best friends, Desiree, who is now married to Gloria's teenage sweetheart, Gabe. Their daughter Maxi befriends Julia. Let's just say that Gloria has to deal with demons of the past. I don't want to give too much away as there is a big story which will tug at your heartstrings! The characters were so vivid - Gloria's parents reminded me a lot of my own. Her Mother is always cooking and has a waste not want not ethic and her father is a strong silent type, always at work on the farm - both with hearts of gold. The childhood friendship between Gloria, Des and, another friend, Kate is told in flashbacks and really draws the reader in with tales of Sunday School nativity play mishaps, church gossip and teenage romances.
Another wonderful read which I highly recommend!
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