Jane Healey (2) (1986–)

What can I say about this book? I was lucky enough to receive the ARC and was very enthusiastic about it based on what the description read. I was expecting a ghost-y type gothic tale that would fill me with suspense, and perhaps also involve something going on with the animal exhibits (they come to life? they are haunted?). Sadly, it didn't deliver on any of these expectations, but sometimes it's a lesson to not have expectations and just see where the story takes you. All in all, it's very well written for a debut author and is really a great love story.… (meer)

I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Jane Healey for this e-arc copy for review.

This dual timeline story set in 1973 and 1997, told through the eyes of Ruth the mother and Maeve the daughter.

The past storyline focuses on a group of girls of which Ruth was one and their obsession with recreating the Ophelia paintings and becoming known at the time as The Ophelia Girls and there is a mystery as to what happened that summer which is gradually revealed as the story progresses.

The modern day storyline focuses on Maeve recoving from leukemia, them living in her grandfather's house which is crumbling alongside her parents marriage. Added to this we have Maeve's sexual awakening from an inappropriate source.

This book has quite a dark undertone that said I really loved it. I wanted to know what did happen in the summer of 1973 and also how the modern day storyline was going to play out. It was very well written I could almost see it as a tv drama. I would highly recommend it… (meer)