END OF AUGUST
Page Dinneny
Alcove Press
February 11, 2025
320 pages
This is a multi faceted story. Firstly, it’s about Aurora, a 15 year old girl who has moved to more towns that she can count because of her unsettled mother. But it’s also about the relationships of Aurora, her mother and her grandmother living in a 3 generation home in Indiana.
Aurora is an innocent girl with a sensible and mature mind set. My heart goes out to her because all she wants is a stable home life, friends and everything else a 15 year old should have. She wants to stay in Monroe. She has a contentious relationship with her mother. Aurora is the voice of reason. Her mother is mentally absent. It is a role reversal. And, she has a sweet relationship with her grandmother, even though Gran has her own issues. Sometimes it’s easier to get along with someone who is two generations away from you.
The setting plays a big part in the story. Monroe, Indiana is a small town, population 545 when I Googled. It has all the characteristics of a small town. Neighbours care for each other but everyone knows everyone’s business. Not always a good thing. But, it adds interest.
The story is a bit of a slow burn. While it was well written, I felt that the story dragged a bit at times. But it all leads up to a very dramatic ending.
Things worked out the way Aurora thought they might. She looks forward to her future with acceptance and hope.
My rating is 3.5 stars, upgraded to 4 stars.
And, totally irrelevant, I love the cover of the book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
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