Rosebuds
Flora Middleton and Tally Ashby meet in 1947 as 10 year olds starting boarding school. The girls are polar opposites in looks--Tally is tall, blonde, and blue-eyed, while Flora is short, brown-haired, and freckled--and in background, with Tally being Lady Atalanta Ashby, daughter of an earl, and Flora, whose father was killed in the war, coming from a poor family. As the girls grow up, their friendship deepens, but their lives take very different paths. Tally's wealth gives her the freedom to do anything she wishes--finishing school, modeling--or nothing at all. Flora works hard to earn a living as a secretary. Tally has masses of male friends, but Flora only has eyes for one man, Tally's older brother, Nicholas. In the best tradition of Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Mayhew offers a warm, engaging romance set in post-World War II England. The realistic dialogue, appealing characters, careful "period" details, and straightforward plot add up to a winning combination for genre fans.Emily MeltonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved