Review: Nice for a rainy day!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 7, 2014
I enjoyed this book on a rainy Saturday partly because it is part of a trilogy of which I had already read book 1.  (I recommend doing that.)  The story is filled with good historical details of the late l880's which makes the story have a totally different slant to romances of this day and age.  The character of Lydia is very well drawn:  she is very beautiful, totally "respectable" (an important word in those days), and given to spontaneous acts which make her totally endearing.  She is part of a very respected and traditional family who have the "reputation" in the community for charity and good works.  The new school is the central view of the work.  Now you may have gotten the idea from the title that this is a passionate romance. . .anything but!  Lydia's passion is unknown even to her until her very eccentric aunt locks her into the job of teaching the school.  Like any fiery, young woman forced to give up her everyday life of sleeping late, visiting the neighbors, and shopping to teach children all day, Lydia rebels.  Her respect for her aunt would be a good lesson to the youth of our day in many respects, however.  In the new school building, Lydia finds out a lot about herself and what she can really do which leads to a very interesting plot that takes the reader through the snow and Thanksgiving celebrations, to a very important picnic by the pond.  The trip is amazing and emotionally evocative.  Not only does Lydia learn a lesson but so do many other ancillary characters, and possibly the reader!