Anne of a Different Island is set on Mackinac Island, Michigan and is a modern nod to Anne of Green Gables.
Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance, Inspired by a Classic, Mackinac Island, Michigan
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My Summary:
Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance for a complimentary eARC of #AnneOfADifferentIsland upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Island Girl comes home…
Currently pursuing dreams of teaching and writing in Chicago, Anne grew up on Mackinac Island, Michigan and drew inspiration from her childhood literary heroine, Anne of Green Gables. Now, with the sudden death of her father, a disappointing decision by her boyfriend, and difficulty with the administration at her school, she returns to Mackinac Island for the summer. As much as she needs this time of reflection, she is unprepared to see her childhood crush. Is it time to rewrite her story with a happier ending?
My Thoughts:
Classics Inspired
Fans of Anne of Green Gables will appreciate nods to the classic. Mackinac Island in Michigan is a lovely contemporary setting. Our modern Anne has the same literary dreams and red hair, and the same charm, sincerity, and thoughtfulness as her literary heroine. Joe was modern Anne’s childhood crush, and is a solid guy and loyal friend upon Anne’s return. How will this childhood-friends-to-more trope play out as she works to understand and untangle her Chicago relationship and begins to imagine a brighter future?
Then and Now Timelines
I’m not an enthusiastic fan of ‘then and now’ timelines, but we need the ‘then’ timeline to appreciate nods to Anne of Green Gables and to set up the childhood crush romance trope. As with AoGG, I place Anne of a Different Island in the Women’s Fiction category rather than Romance because the focus is more on modern Anne finding her place and peace than on romance. Never fear! There is an eventual HEA!
Modern Themes
Along with nods to the classic, the author includes modern themes, such as banned books in classrooms. Overall, the driving theme is Anne’s return to the island she loves and renewing her dreams.
Recommending Anne of a Different Island:
Fans of stories inspired by the classics, AoGG enthusiasts, and visitors to Mackinac Island will find a great deal to appreciate in Anne of a Different Island.
Related: You might also enjoy other retellings by the author: Meg and Jo, Beth and Amy, The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Meet the Author of Anne of a Different Island, Virginia Kantra
New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra is the author of more than twenty novels. Her stories have earned numerous awards including two Romance Writers of America’s RITA (R) Awards, ten RITA nominations, and two National Readers’ Choice Awards. Carolina Dreaming, the fifth book in her Dare Island series, won the 2017 RITA (R) Award for Best Contemporary Romance – Midlength and was named one of BookPage’s Top Ten Romance Novels of 2016.
Virginia is married to her college sweetheart, a coffee shop owner who keeps her well supplied with caffeine and material. They make their home in North Carolina, where they raised three (mostly adult) children. She is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love. Her favorite thing to make for dinner? Reservations.
Her favorite thing to make for dinner? Reservations.
For excerpts and more, visit her at http://virginiakantra.com.
And on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaKantraBooks
QOTD:
Do you enjoy stories inspired by a classic?
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Some famous shoes to try and step into with a story like this.
For sure!
[…] 3.5 Stars. Contemporary Women’s Fiction. Inspired by a classic. Mackinac Island, Michigan. My review of Anne of a Different Island here. […]