Adrienne Young – Ruff Drafts

***** 5- stars

Emery and August grew up on the island of Saoirse along with Lily and Dutch. August’s family owned the orchard that was central to the island’s economy. When a fire breaks out and nearly destroys it and Lily is murdered after the high school graduation party, the island residents including August’s uncle, the police chief, accuse him of killing her.

When the story opens, August is returning to the island with his mother’s ashes after they left fourteen years ago. He mentions that he did something terrible, and we wonder if he really did kill Lily. As he meets up again with Emery, his high school sweetheart who is now seeing Dutch, old feelings reunite, but things have changed. Emery can no longer trust him, although she still loves him.

As the book progresses, we learn of the supernatural elements on the island and how Emery’s grandmother and Lily’s grandmother practice witchcraft.

I enjoyed this book after reading an advanced reader’s copy of The Unmaking of June Farrow, also by this author that I found even better. If you like mysteries with supernatural elements, you’ll enjoy both these books.

*Note: This book was an advanced reader’s copy from Net Galley. It will be published on October 17, 2023, and is available for pre-order on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Unmaking-June-Farrow-Novel-ebook/dp/B0BP67CX8Y

****5 stars

Mystery, romance, time-travel. This book has it all. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. I loved it and couldn’t stop reading. I was sorry when I finished. Although I found a few of the time-travel elements regarding the years and events confusing, the characters were well-depicted, and the writing was excellent.

Abandoned by her mother at seven-months old, June Farrow is raised by her grandmother. When she’s an adult, she learns that the women in her family all go mad. After her grandmother dies, having exhibited the strange behavior that signals the Farrow women’s mental illness, she receives a letter her grandmother sent before her death. In the letter is a photo of her mother and father, but the year it was taken is 1912. Thus follows June’s journey back through time via a red door, the opportunity to learn what really happened to her mother, and the chance to choose her own destiny.

There are many twists along the way. A wonderful read. This was my first by this author, and I hope to read many more.