Emily Critchley did a great job at immersing the reader in the 30s time period. Gilly is an interesting character and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through her journey. This was a great, enchanting read.

In the present, Gillian Larking receives a letter from a person claiming to be related to someone she used to know. In 1938, Gillian Larking is assigned a new roommate, Violet Claybourne. The two become friends, and Violet seems to be adventurous and brave while Gillian appears to be more cautious. When the Christmas holiday approaches, Violet invites Gilly to come and spend the time at Thornleigh Hall and Gilly can't believe she will get to meet the amazing sisters that Violet speaks about so often. What at first seems like a perfect holiday, quickly turns into something far more sinister. Gilly is surprised at how dilapidated Thornleigh is and while on the surface Violet's sisters, Emmeline and Laura, seem to be glamourous and sophisticated, Gilly soon sees that this is a facade. When a tragedy happens, Gilly is caught between her friendship with Violet and her desire to be accepted by Emmeline and Laura who will sacrifice anything to keep the family secrets. When the novel returns to the present, the secrets from that long ago Christmas come back with a vengeance and Gilly once again has to make a choice to protect the Claybourne secrets.

I have never read this author before but Critchely's prose paints a vivid picture of 1930s England, immersing readers in a world of rigid class structures.

The story developed slowly in some places but ultimately it was worth it to see the characters and plot develop. I have never understood how parents can stomach sending their kids to boarding schools. It seems so heartbreaking.

This story is evocative and beautifully done.

This was a good and enchanting read. I really enjoyed all of the characters and settings. One could absolutely get lost in this book.