I won this book in a giveaway by the Facebook site Paper Lantern Writers. Being a true book nerd, when I saw the book was inscribed by the author, I was so thrilled! It’s the little things in life, really.

In 1895, high society began escaping the summer heat by heading to Newport, Rhode Island. Inhabited by the Vanderbilts and Astors, it simply was the place to be. Each of the families of high society built a summer “cottage”, mini-mansion. To keep things running smoothly, servants were necessary. Some servants were local and others were long time employees of the family that traveled with them. One summer day two new servants arrived at the Worthington family’s cottage, The Beeches. Ginevra Costa and her father, Felice, arrived from Italy. Mr. Worthington had paid for the Costas to come to America. Mr. Felice was to make violins and teach Mr. Worthington’s son to play the violin. When it was discovered that Ginevra could sew, she was appointed to the job of seamstress.

Mr. Worthington’s daughter Pearl was fascinated by the newcomers. She believed that Ginevra was close to her age and decided to make a friend. Pearl’s mother forbade the friendship citing societal conventions. Out of sight of her mother, Pearl struck up the friendship. She helped Ginevra learn to read and write in English. The girls would meet under the beech trees to share secrets. A long and boring summer suddenly became fun. Soon the summer was over and the friendship was paused. Pearl returned to New York and Ginevra stayed at The Beeches. As the next summer arrived, the girls continued that wonderful friendship. Told from the perspectives of Pearl and Ginevra, the story is about coming of age. In the gilded age, there are vast differences between the classes. Each summer Ginevra wonders if her dear friend will change. One summer Pearl returns with a new, haughty attitude. Ginevra is reminded of her place in the world as a servant. After being close friends, this is a bitter pill for Ginevra to swallow. Pearl realizes that this new behavior is ridiculous and returns to her warm and kind self.

Pearl’s mother constantly pushes to improve her family’s social standing. The Worthingtons are members of high society yet it never seems to be enough. Pearl is wise to her mother’s machinations and tries to avoid her at all costs. Unfortunately the custom of coming out must be observed. As Pearl has her coming out party, will her mother succeed in her plans? Pearl doesn’t want to be trapped by the conventions of society. Can she maintain her friendship with Ginevra? What will become of them once Pearl marries?

This trip into the gilded age is wonderfully distracting. It is amazing to read of the social conventions of the day and one girl challenging them with an unusual friendship. Can friendship overcome class differences? Donna Russo Morin gives us access to the cream of society and the lives of those below the stairs. This look at the gilded age culminates with a test of loyalty and friendship far beyond the ordinary. Pearl and Ginevra are wonderfully complex women trying to navigate life in their own ways. This is a book you do not want to miss. Donna Russo Morin has a wonderful way of immersing you into the time period and story. Her next book, Gilded Dreams is one to watch for!

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Additional Thoughts: This is one of those books. The ones you read and then hate to put down. The characters are so vibrant that you feel they are alive and want to meet them. You want to continue following the characters. I have been reading so many WWII books that I sometimes forget about other historic periods. This book was rich in details with such a fantastic and satisfying ending. I can’t bring myself to give it away, I really want others to love this story as much as I do.