Reviewer: Terry
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
When footloose and fancy-free Jessica, a thirty-something writer, decides to follow her journalistic instincts and trace the story of a young girl for her weekly column in a Dublin newspaper, she unwittingly embarks on a journey into Northern Ireland’s tragic past.
With her love of all things vintage, Jessica Jane Baré is known as Second-hand Jane to her friends. Hailing from New Zealand, these days she’s finding the grass is greener in Dublin and not just because of all the rain. In fact, life would be sweet if it weren’t for the reason she left home in the first place–her meddling mother. Marian views Jess’s life in Dublin as nothing more than a stop-gap until she meets Mr Right and he’s taking his time. Things look set to change, however, when Jess meets the delectable Nick, who ticks all of Marian’s boxes.
In the meantime, Jess’s latest second-hand collectible–a children’s book—gives her an idea for her column. Deciding to track down the girl whose name is scribbled inside the cover of that book, she uncovers more than she ever expected. “Amy was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the girl’s taciturn brother, Owen, informs her. Intrigued, Jess travels to the family pig farm in County Down and listens to Amy’s poignant tale unfold through Owen. With a little help from a rather cute runt of the litter she names Wilbur, Jess is about to help put the past to rest and learn that appearances can be deceptive.
Then Marian announces she is coming to Dublin to sort her daughter’s increasingly tangled love life out and Jess’s chance of a happy ending like those in the story books she collects looks about as likely as Wilbur flying.
Review:
Oh what a unique and amazing love story this one turned out to be! I am seriously in love with the whole story! I love that Jessica has such a unique quality about her. In a world where everyone competes to be the same, we all need someone like her! And I identify with her love for gently used old things!
This book not only tells an amazing love story, but also the story of a tragedy that lives on in those left behind. But not only that the author is amazing with her humor and writes that side very well!
I love all the characters in this book and think that they were all developed very well. I also enjoy the time during which her Mum visits and that they both had a chance to grow and change their relationship.
And who could not fall in love with dear Wilbur! What a fantastic story this turned out to be! I highly recommend this one!
