The Seaside Homecoming (On Devonshire Shores)
This is the third book in Klassen’s On Devonshire Shores series. Claire Summers has been in disgrace for years, banished from her home and immediate family, and serving as an unpaid companion for her unpleasant, elderly aunt in Scotland. When her aunt dies, she takes a position as partner in managing a boarding house in Devon. It is in the same town as a seaside boarding home owned by her mother and several sisters. The family apparently has seen better days but, due to an entail, has lost their original home. Claire is hoping to re-establish some contact with them despite her disgrace. In a moment of uncharacteristic recklessness, she had ruined herself and changed her family’s life forever. Redemption seems almost impossible.
I loved this story, and will definitely read the other novels in the series. Characters are multi-layered and change and grow throughout the book. There is a moral tone, but it is not preachy. The historical research is obvious throughout the narrative, and adds texture and veracity. Dialogue is usually simple but slightly formal, with no jarring attempts at regional or national accents. A diversity theme is skillfully woven in, and seems true to the history of the times. Each chapter begins with a well-chosen epigraph. I did have a little trouble in the beginning chapters figuring out who all the people were and their relationships, but that always happens to me when coming in late to a series. I did scratch my head over how in the world Claire could have been so foolish in the first place, but of course without that one out-of-character mistake, there would have been no story. Highly recommended.
