Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars
This book is like a mix of The Silent Patient and Bridgerton. For those of you who haven’t read/seen those references, this book is a thriller set in an insane asylum with a bit of 1800s courting drama.
The Analysis:
Charlotte Smith’s best friend in the world is her sister, Phoebe. Phoebe has occasional bouts of deep depression followed by manic spurts of reckless energy, and after a particularly embarrassing public incident followed by a screaming match, her parents ship her off to Goldengrove Asylum. Desperate for her sister to return, Charlotte decides that the only way to get Phoebe back is to get inside the asylum and break her out. Once there, Charlotte discovers that life inside Goldengrove is far from the peaceful image of a restorative estate painted by the prestigious family that owns it. To further complicate things, Charlotte is engaged to be married to a member of that same prestigious family...
I really loved this book. I was hooked right from the beginning and read all 368 pages in a single day. I’m not a huge fan of period pieces but the 1888 setting merely provides a rich, contextual background for the story. Charlotte’s journey of self discovery is inspiring without being cheesy. She learns not only how strong she can be, but also how to pursue what she wants for herself and her family. The book highlights the unbreakable bond between the Smith sisters and shows that women should not be underestimated. I can’t wait to dive into some of Greer Macallister’s other work but in the meantime, I will keep recommending this book!
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