THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW is Julie Klassen's latest title. Julie is new to me author and what made me read and review this book was the setting and premise of the book, especially the time period. It is set in the early 1800's, no globalisation in your face, especially with the varied and distracting communication technologies.
THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW are five sisters, their mother - Mrs. Summer, and a not too grand, but quite modest, beautiful house by the sea on the Devonshire coast. One sister, Claire, is away and not much spoken of at the house. Sarah has taken it upon herself to run the house and finances post their father's demise. Emily and Viola - the twins so different in temperaments, nature and even looks. Lastly, the adventurous teenager Georgiana and their mamma, who is recovering from illness, mourning her husband and with him their once gentleman's family lifestyle and ways.
For a moment there, it will remind you of LITTLE WOMEN, especially with one of the twins a storyteller and socially efficient and most of them playing some musical instrument or other. Now, I haven't read LITTLE WOMEN but have seen the movie, hence the familiarity with the storyline. However, that's about it for the familiarity between the two.
To avoid the family splitting up by the sisters taking up positions away from home to financially sustain the family, they open their seaside house to guests. With the help of their mother's previously employed lady's maid, The Seaside Guest House is born; with most of the family pitching up for various roles to help run the guest house while living on the premises.
Soon the first guests arrive in Sidmouth's newly opened guest house by the sea, the family's now home. It is a change for the family in more ways then they want it to be however they forge on. While the family and their first guests settle in the girls and their mother are coming out of their mourning periods and getting on with life.
Will they succeed in making a success of their new circumstances or give up? I would suggest if you enjoy some good old fashion, non distracting historical story set in a seaside town in England do pick up a copy of The Sisters of Sea View soon.
What I enjoyed about this story is -
1: The Sisters find it in themselves courage, bravery and strength to carry forward and keep their family together without compromising their morals or family standing more than it was avoidable to do so.
2: The sisters keep an open mind and face tough things after living largely a sheltered life so far.
3: The romances in their life are independent of their family circumstances. They don't go out of their way or even look for husbands to improve their lives or social standings.
4: The friendships the family forms around town and with their first ever guests is full of warmth and moments of joy and happiness.
So if you are looking for a new historical to read, do pick up a copy of THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW.
Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .
When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.
Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.
Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.
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