It's only recently that I came to hear about this Scottish author who wrote light romantic novels in the past. And, though I came across this second Amberwell/Ayrton family book and the one before it labeled as "historical fiction," that isn't what they are. In her day, Stevenson was writing about contemporary times. Fiction doesn't turn into historical fiction simply because it gets old, as all stories eventually do.

Anyhow! For the most part, I found this to be easy, mildly humorous, quite enjoyable reading with satisfying dashes of old-fashioned quirkiness.

The only thing that kept this novel and its predecessor from being thoroughly enjoyable for me were the racially/culturally dismissive or ignorant comments and expressions. They're mostly brief but higher in number in this book than in the previous one, I think. No, it doesn't seem the comments are meant to be malicious, but that doesn't erase the ignorance. (And I don't subscribe to reasonings that paint "people" in the past with one broad brush, saying, "Well, older books are like that—that's just how 'people' thought and spoke back then," because not everyone in the past was the same, thinking or saying all the same stuff. No more than everyone today thinks or says all the same stuff.)

Granted, I do take the lightness, humor, and quirkiness of this novel into account. Not everything in a book like this is meant to be taken seriously, of course. But when dismissive or uncomplimentary comments related to Black people, Romani people, Chinese people, and others pass by in multiple scenes, and none of the characters bat an eye, it isn't just a "quirky" aspect of the book.

The novel isn't chock-full of that, however. The reason I pause to even point out stuff like this concerning vintage fiction isn't to criticize authors of the past but to make present-day authors and readers more aware of how issues like this affect the reading experience for different people. If you're a writer, it's particularly worth it to look into your level of cultural competence concerning people who are different from you. You may not even realize how the expressions you use or something else you've written about different people will sound to them.

Again, aside from that issue, I enjoyed the overall story here quite a bit, and it was a pleasure revisiting several of the characters from Book One. I plan on reading the third and last book in the series fairly sooner than later. ( )

Very recommended. Best to have read Amberwell first so as to know who all the family members are and why they behave the way they do, but Amberwell is not quite as much a comfort read as this one. Highly domestic and full of really, really loveable people.
Nell Ayrton has been running her brother's household for years while he's been off in World War II. In this book he (Roger) is able to come home regularly on leave, which gives him time to develop his plans for a boys' school. He and his sister share a deep fondness for their family home, but they both are beginning to wonder what else life holds for them. Roger is a grieving widower with a young son, and Nell is a homebody who has truly found her niche in taking care of the family estate. Yet they are both aware of new/old relationships that add lovely new dimensions to life. Many endearing side characters.
D.E. Stevenson at her best. ( )

Set in the late 40s, this is about the Ayrtons’ romantic prospects and about Roger’s efforts to turn a neighbouring property into a school, so that his son may attend somewhere that’s close to home.

This doesn’t have quite the same charm or insight as Amberwell. And from a contemporary perspective, a few minor characters who I suspect are meant to be funny just come across as Stevenson being prejudiced about outsiders.

But then I was surprised by how understanding and accepting the narrative -- and the characters -- are of someone who, having been in an abusive relationship, isn’t ready, and might never be ready, to marry again. I wasn’t expecting that level of nuance and understanding from 1956.

The leaves were beginning to fall. They fell reluctantly. They hovered in the air and drifted slowly sideways to the damp ground. You would wonder why, having survived days of wind and rain, they should detach themselves now, at this moment of peace. Did they part with the twigs voluntarily? Did they say, “Goodbye, we clung to you when the wind raged, but now our time has come?” Gently and slowly they drifted to the ground making a carpet of brown and gold upon the grass. ( )

While not as good as the first book, Amberwell, this is a well-written sequel worth reading.

We are now post-WWII, and the inhabitants of Amberwell as well as the neighbors are getting on with life and its challenges. Most of the intertwining plots are resolved by the end with no major crises. Can be read out of order but I'd recommend you read the first book prior to this one. ( )

I liked this book so much that I deeply regret that Amberwell/ Summerhills is not a trilogy! I want to read more about the Ayrtons, their friends, and their village. ( )