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ANNE OF A DIFFERENT ISLAND
Virginia Kantra
Berkley Publishing
January 20, 2026
368 pages
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This is the story of Anne (with an E) who grew up on Mackinac Island. Now she is an English teacher in Chicago but seems to be at a crossroads in her life. While she wanted to be like the famous Anne of Green Gables, she always felt she wasn’t “enough”. A young woman lacking self-confidence, always questioning herself about how she appeared to other people.
I’m not sure if the intent of the author was to retell Anne of Green Gables in a different era and setting, or if she was trying to write a romance novel. As a
retelling, the story fell flat, though there were a few similarities. As a romance, it was too cheesy for me.
I didn’t hate it, it was a quick read and entertaining most times. Sometimes it got a little too silly. And, a few times I was just frustrated with the main characters. They kept getting their own way. In general, I kept getting distracted as I was reading it so it didn’t totally hold my attention.
There is a good lesson in the book: sometimes the thing you’ve spent time looking for is right in front of you.
If I were to recommend it, I’d say it would be fine to read on the beach or an airplane……where there’s always something going on around you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Reader’s Copy.
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