A thirteen year old Rachel seems to be a lot of bad news. So her foster care worker tells her. She’s been shuttled from one foster family to the next awful one, ever since her mother and brother unfortunately passed away in a car accident five years ago then. She’s running out of possible options. So when she gets caught shoplifting and is kicked out of her latest home, the last and only place left to send her is the resort for kids just like her: A farm in the middle of nowhere run by a disfigured woman named Amelia Walton. Whom she so ruefully nicknamed “Warty” because of course the strange lumps on her face and neck. Rachel settles into life at the farm, losing herself in her daily chores and Amelia’s endless trivia, trying to forget her past and the secrets she’s holding inside. When a letter arrives for her out of the blue, Rachel soon realizes you can’t hide from the future or the past.

This story was heart-hitting. It was very beautifully written and the characters were so thought out in a rough and gentle way. It was easy to get used to the characters in a short amount of time because of how nicely they were thought out and how much actual "character" they had. I think the author did a good job at managing the plot structure and the characters. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t given this book a try. This book is a solid 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This fictional novel, set in New Brunswick, Canada, follows teen Rachel as she’s kicked out of her latest foster home and sent to the last resort for troubled kids like her: a remote farm run by a “recluse” named Amelia Walton. While Rachel adjusts to her new surroundings, an unexpected letter arrives. Readers come along as Rachel navigates her new home and the future this letter may bring.

The book was slow-paced with Rachel going about the happenings of her daily life. I did feel like some events were rushed towards the end of the book. At times, they also seemed somewhat farfetched. However, I loved how, although this book was not action-packed, it remained unpredictable. This feel-good read emphasized the importance of patience, connection, and healing.

The setting of this book especially stood out to me. It really contributed to the overall themes of the book. Most of the book was set outdoors, and the beauty of New Brunswick and Canada, as a whole, was beautifully described. I also loved reading about the supporting characters. Each one had a complex background with their own struggles and triumphs. I look forward to reading the sequel and learning more about them.

The book was one of loss, forgiveness, togetherness, and eventually acceptance. This wonderful read will tug on your heartstrings. It's a tale that explores the meaning of home, family, and belonging. It’s the perfect heartwarming read to cozy up with this upcoming winter.

I rate this book 4.5 / 5 stars

When thirteen year old Rachel ends up in Amelia’s care after being with foster family after foster family. Rachel ends up with someone who actually cares about her and gets in a routine with her new life doing chores on the farm. But Rachel still has a secret and then suddenly something arrives that will change her future.

This book had such complex characters with layers that faced tough challenges but still kept going and it was really easy to care for them. The writing style was nice with the different point of views of some of the characters like Rachel and Amelia.

This book hooked me in from the start and made me want to know what would happen next with Rachel and her new family. I couldn’t put this book down and really enjoyed the ending.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming story to add to you TBR I highly recommend this one!