C
Constant Reader
February 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
Quirky, Gentle Story with Characters to Care About
After reading The Keeper of Lost Things, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, and this book, my impression is that Ruth Hogan writes charming, gently sad books that are filled with regrets, kindness, romance, and hope. This is the story of Tilda (the adult) and Tilly (the little girl). The author introduces a supernatural quality to this book by giving Tilda the ability to see and communicate with dead people and animals. It’s not portrayed as being spooky or scary, but Tilda’s “gift” is just one more thing that makes her feel alone. Most of the story is set in Brighton in the off-season. The author created characters that I could care about. It is the characters that carry the story. The story is told in flashbacks through the eyes of Tillie, in journal entries by Tilda’s mother, and in the present through the eyes of Tilda. The chapters are clearly labeled, and the reader is never confused about the time or the narrator. I enjoyed reading this book and will read more books by Ruth Hogan as she writes them. My only complaint was the ending seemed abrupt.
M
Melissa Parcel
June 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
Another great book by Ruth Hogan
Ruth Hogan is becoming a must-read author for me. Her books are reminiscent of Jenny Colgan with a touch of Sarah Addison Allen's magical realism. I adored Tilly and her perceptions about life, but I also liked how Tilda discovered more about her past through the eyes of her mother. There are definitely some heartbreaking parts of this novel, but also some surprises because it's not easy to tell who is real, who is a ghost, or who is somewhere in between. I loved the mother and daughter theme and this book made me think about the choices we make for the sake of love and how those ultimately play out.
I often don't like books with children because I don't think they are portrayed accurately for their age, but Hogan hits the nail right on the head with Tilly absolutely perfectly. I anxiously await Hogan's next book!
Addictive story and wonderful characters
Ruth Hogan has done it again. Like The Keeper of Lost Things, her characters in this book are relatable, quirky and, well, just loveable.
Tilda’s childhood spent at Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is remembered as the happiest of her life. However on the death of her mum Tilda begins a journey to seek reasons for her flawed relationship with her mum and resolve unhappy past memories that have stayed with her into adulthood.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can honestly say it was “unputdownable”! I laughed, I cried and I wanted to flip straight back to the beginning and start all over again when I finished. A truly memorable and feel good read with a few plot surprises. Read this book.
This should be a short story not s novel. Too much rambling leaves reader guessing. Unclear about the dog. Almost stopped reading.
P
Pam Clark
August 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
Well written story with intriguing story line. Liked all the characters though Tilly's (young, 7, 8 or 9 year old Tilda) dialogue was sometimes too childish for my liking. Also, unless I missed it, never really understood why Tilly was sent off to boarding school. But worth reading. This is my second Ruth Hogan book.
