Lynn
Written on Jul 25, 2018
The gentleman Rosalie Heart collects from the airport to drive to Raventhorn is a mystery. He's tall with a French accent and has come to visit Geoff who unfortunately isn't available to greet his guest. It doesn't take long to discover Marc Petersen now owns the only real home she's ever had, along with the taxi company she established and runs. With a threat of not only losing her home but her job, she's not happy to be playing host to the new owner. However, he soon becomes her protector as someone from the past comes back to settle a score and a mystery needs solving too.
Visiting to assess the run-down estate his father bought before his tragic death, Marc Petersen hopes his trip to Irlwick in the frozen North of Scotland is quick and uneventful. Only, as soon as he arrives, his plans have already gone to pot. Collected from the airport by a pretty, chatty young woman who is not only wearing pink but driving a pink coloured taxi, it's the beginning of what turns out to be a life-changing trip full of discovery.
I enjoyed the contrast between Rosalie's effervescent personality and Marc's resolute one. They appear as opposites but as events and presumptions from the past come to the surface, they find a common bond, mutual respect and love. The backdrop is the snowy Highlands with a warm community spirit supplied by an eclectic bunch of small-town folk. They provide a light-hearted contrast to the bumpy road the protagonists' developing relationship travels along.
Ms Laval has written a captivating and engaging novel full of humour. The narrative layered with light-hearted banter between the characters, the depiction of The Highlands, the local "crimes", and the folklore surrounding Raventhorn. The highlight and what I enjoyed the most was the mystery element and how the history of Raventhorn and Marc's Danish heritage are connected. I appreciated this even more because I'm familiar with the area and could easily relate them to descriptions of the places mentioned in Denmark.
To sum up, an entertaining novel laced with a hidden charm and an intriguing plot. A fabulous read for any time of the year.
***arc generously received courtesy of Choc Lit via NetGalley***