Discover this emotional, heartbreaking coming-of-age story about love, loss and finding the courage to believe in yourself.
Fans of Jo Jo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks will love this story.
Struggling with old age, ninety-four-year-old, Toby Mitchell gives a moving account of his life.
Taken back to 1935 and against the backdrop of a small country town, Toby shares the bond he has with his older brother, Bill. When the tide of rejection sweeps across the tiny town because of their mother's illness, they gather the strength to push through those prejudice moments.
Their brotherhood is soon tested when they fall in love with the same girl, Hildy, a socialite from a wealthy prominent family. Even though she is from a different world, Hildy accepts the boys and is swept up into their simple way of life.
That is until one life-altering day changes everything. Devastating circumstances tear them apart.
Over the years, Toby's love for Hildy refuses to fade. The events of that awful day still haunt him. In desperation he flees the only home he has ever known.
As time passes, he soon discovers the new life is not what he hoped for and begins to question everything, including the love he still feels for Hildy.
Amid the darkness, Toby finds in his new world, he comes to realise the emotional journey was all worth it.
This beautiful story promises to take the reader on an emotional journey. Thompson reminds us that life is fragile and that every moment matters.
Goodreads Review. 5 Stars
I came across this book on Instagram and though it's taken me a bit to get to it, I'm glad I finally did. Thompson does a wonderful job describing the world in which Toby, the main character lives. The descriptions made it possible for me to be fully immersed in this story and were my favorite part of the book. The story is about Toby, an underprivileged teen who sees Hildy, a very privileged girl at a dance. He is instantly taken by her, but knows the divide in their social status makes her way out of his reach. Once they meet, the connection is instant for them both and they proceed to create a relationship despite what social etiquette demands. Love is found, some bad things happen and they are ripped apart. As Toby's life continues and he suffers in ways that make you wonder how much more can this guy take. Will he ever be happy? Will he ever see Hildy again? Will he just finish his life alone and sad?
If you are a fan of The Notebook, you will probably enjoy this book. It skims the lines of that type of forbidden love and will have you rooting for the sweet country boy, Toby as your heart aches for all that is unfair in this judgmental world we live in.
