Sophie’s family has never taken her seriously. They scoff at her sewing and baking skills and are constantly taking advantage of her, even forcing Sophie to take care of “evil Uncle Eric” while his housekeeper is on vacation in the hopes that the family will be included in his will. When Sophie’s best friend invites Sophie across the pond to New York, she jumps at the chance to get away. While enjoying New York, Sophie meets Matilda, a feisty older lady who invites Sophie to Connecticut for Thanksgiving with her family. Unfortunately, Matilda’s grandson, the gorgeous and rich Luke, will be there. If only Luke didn’t think that Sophie was out to swindle Matilda.
This book was light and fluffy and made for an enjoyable read on a weekend afternoon. It is a typical story – girl meets boy, there are many misunderstandings, they get together, there are more misunderstandings, boy realizes he was wrong all this time, and they end up happily ever after.
I know that misunderstandings as the main conflict in novels is a common trope but sometimes they drive me crazy! Why can’t Luke just ask Sophie the one question that would clear up everything? Why can’t Sophie just suck it up and confront him? Obviously, there wouldn’t be a story without the misunderstandings but an outsider looking in, sometimes you just want to yell at the characters.
I loved the setting of this book. There is a brief period where Sophie is in New York, but otherwise, this book takes place in the English countryside. I don’t know where Cornwall is, but it sounds lovely. There are descriptions of ivy-covered cottages and bed and breakfasts and streets only big enough for one lane. It sounded so quaint and charming. The author really sold the setting here.
This book did seem a bit dated at parts – there are references to celebrities that are not really in the spotlight anymore. It wasn’t that noticeable but sometimes the author would throw out a celebrity’s name and I would think, wow I haven’t heard that name in years. There is a lot of random sexism as well. I looked up when this book was published and it was published in 2010 so not quite 10 years ago.
I did kind of want more resolution with Sophie’s family. Do they ever start to take her seriously? Do they ever realize all the things she does for them? What happens to them after the novel is finished?
This was a cute book, the first one I’ve read by this author. I might pick something else up by her, depending on what I am in the mood to read.
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