An enchanting novel about realising that journeys of discovery don't always have to be to far-flung places
Rowan has always cherished an ambition to travel. She didn't just leave the small Scottish town where she grew up; she fled from it as fast as she could. Now she's become expert at metropolitan living; she could walk by a million faces and not notice any of them. And her dream is almost within her grasp.
When Rowan does start packing her bags, she has to find room for one very unexpected item. And she's headed not for exotic distant shores but back to Scotland. There, she feels at first like nothing more than a source of good gossip. But as she discovers that no one is quite who she thought they were, Rowan begins to see that home could be where she'll find what she was looking for after all...
You'll love this enchanting, touchy-feely fairy tale of small-town Scottish life - Options
This is something very special indeed. A delightful read, equally enjoyed by my teenage and middle-aged reader. Dewar wrote GIVING UP ON ORDINARY, which was a joy, but this is better and deserves to increase her sales. It is astute, poignant and addictive, with shades of Kate Atkinson, and is full of lovely observations on human nature. She cares for her characters and so do we. Highly recommended - Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller
Dewar's gift is to pull you into the minutiae of her people's lives. She takes you on a journey with them, a voyage you are happy to share in. Few writers are so good at making the reader empathise... Rowan is a delight - Scotland on Sunday
This is something very special indeed. A delightful read... astute, poignant and addictive, with shades of Kate Atkinson - Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller
A breathless sneeze of a book... Refreshing and powerfully adept... Dewar has easily lived up to her enormous reputation - Irish News
Isla Dewar is the author of many acclaimed novels including Keeping up with Magda, Dancing in a Distant Place, Secrets of a Family Album and Women Talking Dirty. Women Talking Dirty was made into a film starring Eileen Atkins, Helen Bonham Carter, Gina McKee and James Nesbitt.
Isla lives in Fife with her cartoonist husband.