I liked this, but didn't love it. Sorry, B.T. Because I write in a completely different style to the one used here I sometimes find books that indulge in a heavy-handed approach to description a little slow. I loved the relationship between the grandmother and Sophia, those were my favourite bits. I only wish there'd been more of them. Sophia was such a precocious child with a hilarious temperament I longed for more from her. Perhaps if the book had been longer I may have got my wish. It was a mere 120 pages. While the descriptive prose were lovely, I felt there were too many of them and the relationship between Sophia and her grandmother was neglected a tad. The descriptive passages did, however, mean that the book was full of excellent imagery. I felt like I could see the island and breath the air. I would definitely recommend it.

I've been reading a few other things for the past few days (and still am), but decided to roll again anyway because I absolutely love it! I rolled 7 which took me to this space:

I've been meaning to read The Summer Book by Tove Jansson ever since BT gave it a glowing recommendation.

This is how my board looks now:

Lady Olivia Sherbourne has been in love with James Averill, her brother's solicitor and friend, for a decade, but the man is completely oblivious. She always thought she had time to make him notice her, make him fall in love, but that time is running out. James is on his way to Egypt. For two years. And Olivia finally takes off her gloves and decides to fight dirty.


This series certainly is hit-and-miss. I had in inkling I would particularly like this one, since I found Olivia to be too bratty and self-centered in the previous two books, but I thought that once she got her own book, her own story, she would grow on me.

Well, she didn't. She was a self-centered, spoiled brat for more than half her story, pushing and prodding, demanding to have it her own way, disregarding what others, namely the man she supposedly loved, might want and wish. And once she got it, she still wasn't satisfied. She truly reminded me of a spoiled child who, once she gets her toy, she doesn't want it anymore.
And, unlike the previous two novels, she didn't grow on me, because she didn't learn anything. She still got her way in the end without much suffering. She merely proved that all she needed was a fit and everything will be handed to her.
I would actually pity her hero, but I didn't much care for him either. He was bland a dull, without much character or agency, beyond catering to Olivia, her agenda, and her story. And I didn't buy his about face about her feelings either. It was too abrupt. It would've worked if he was infatuated from the start, but he actually noticed her only once she stopped flitting about him. Which makes him rather self-centered as well, come to think of it. He started pursuing her only once she stopped (at least outright) pursuing him.

In the end, I guess they pretty much deserved one another. And I didn't really buy the romance/love thing. They certainly worked better as friends with possible crushes on one another than lovers. But maybe that's just me and my general dislike of both of them.

I liked the supporting cast, though. Granted, they were relegated to the sidelines mostly, but it was still a pleasure seeing them and getting to know the new additions to the "family".

He was her first crush;
Now he’s her sworn enemy.
But when the Jersey Shore starts heating up
He may just become the one she can’t forget

Everyone knows about the bad blood between the Pierces and Sinclairs. Their families are supposed to hate each other, but Owen has been watching Maggie from afar for years. Whenever he can get down to the shore, he strolls the sand hoping for a chance meeting—and a repeat of the forbidden kiss they shared one fateful summer night.

If only he knew whether she felt the same way.

When Owen hears that Maggie’s in trouble, he doesn’t hesitate to step in. Maggie’s about to lose the family business, and she’s even mortgaged her beloved house on the Shore. She has no choice but to accept Owen’s help. But what’s he going to demand in return? 

A person can find anything if he takes the time, that is, if he can afford to look. And while he’s looking, he’s free, and he finds things he never expected.

This book is brilliant. It's the story of 6-year-old Sophia and her grandmother and the summer they spend together on an island - they go exploring, they play and cheat at cards, they pick their new neighbour's lock. Sophia and her gran are absolutely fab.

Every chapter is a different short story, full of warmth and allegorical depth. 

I think I will need to read Jansson's other books, too. 

“It’s funny about love,” Sophia said. “The more you love someone, the less he likes you back.”

“That’s very true,” Grandmother observed. “And so what do you do?”

“You go on loving,” said Sophia threateningly. “You love harder and harder.”

Her grandmother sighed and said nothing.