I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. This isn't my usual kind of book. I'm mostly a non-fiction/self-help reader and writer - but on the advice of coaches I trust, I decided to step outside my usual. I admit that I didn't step out far at first (I read the first installment in a serial, basically a short story). My normal fiction bent goes more in the direction of thriller, fantasy and science fiction - which is exactly why I came here. I had to stretch. Perhaps part of my four star rating as opposed to five it because of that. I thought I'd take a foray into a book driven by an ordinary story of an ordinary person (not far different from people I know!). It was new for me.
By the time I was into Chapter 1, I thought I knew exactly where it was going. I saw Emily's dream as a young girl - she wanted to be a princess. Then she's off to England to work. I thought I saw where it was going to land, and I had a guess about a few pieces to expect on the way, but that's not where it went! What I had expected to be basically a predictable walk through an ordinary life until .... well, you can see what I was expecting. It was a very pleasant read. I felt like I got to know Emily and could relate to her story. I could imagine any number of my Filipino friends living Emily's life.
Why four stars and not five? To be honest, part of it might just be how far outside of my normal realm I am. I see that another reviewer has given it five stars - and I certainly could not disagree. I think it is a well-written book that connects the reader with the people. Anyone for whom this is the genre that particularly appeals to you would probably agree with the Stephanie Donaldson more than me. I thought it was a very solid book, with very solid characters, and a good, readable story. I admit that I was much more satisfied with how it ended than what I was expecting part way into the book (without giving away what about it I found most satisfying - since that would be a spoiler). For a stretch into a new area in my reading, I feel my friend gave me a very good recommendation, so now I pass that recommendation on to you!
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