Wild Swans

by Jessica Spotswood

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I was very intrigued by the description of Wild Swans, even though it wasn't my usual thing. But I do love this author, so I gave it a try. I'm so glad that I did! I really enjoyed this one. I was immediately drawn into Ivy's life. The women in her family have a history of doing great things, and then meeting tragedy. Ivy simultaneous feels like she isn't good enough to hold the Milbourn name and feels relief at being nothing like her mother, whom she hasn't seen in 15 years. But then her mother returns, and maybe things aren't exactly how Ivy thought they were.

Wild Swans is all about figuring out who you are and what you want, with a side of dysfunctional family. Ivy has no talent like her mother, grandmother, great-gandmother, etc. She's trying to find it to please her grandfather and rid herself of this sense of mediocrity, but it's not working. Then her mother's return throws her chill summer plans into chaos, and causes Ivy to try even harder to win her grandfather's approval. I really believed Ivy's struggle. She wants to fit into her family, but she also doesn't want to fall into the same patterns. She knows her grandfather is overbearing at times, but she doesn't want to agree with the woman who abandoned her. It's a very trying ten days.

Wild Swans also has a lot of friendship! Ivy's best friends are Alex, the boy she grew up with, and Claire who is an awesome feminist and voice of reason. There's lots of scenes of Ivy interacting with both of them, although in very different ways. I love that Ivy was able to be friends with a boy for so long without it turning into something romantic. The author shows that it's okay to not have feelings for someone just because they have feelings for you and it's expected. Ivy's relationship with Alex is strained and I liked seeing how Ivy stood up for herself and wouldn't compromise on her feelings. And I just all around loved Claire, even though at times she felt almost like a caricature rather than a real person. But she was always there for Ivy and that's the most important part.

I really enjoyed Wild Swans. I do wish there had been an epilogue to check up on how Ivy, her mother, grandfather, and sisters were doing. The big drama happens, and then it just ends. It does end on a happy note, but I feel like there could have been more there. I want to know what happens next!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.