4.5 ⭐️s rounded up. I may be a sucker for anything with Kintsugi.

This wasn’t a fast moving, action filled or really mysterious book. But it was deep, thought provoking, painful and hopeful. May/Maeve wanted both to belong but settled for fitting in, hoped to make more of herself but gave so much of herself up in the process. The concept of valuing yourself and how hard that can be until someone else can show you they value you, or by their investment, gives you permission to do so - the decision to put the effort into that - was relatable and made you just hope and root for Maeve, feeling for her and all that was up against her.

I loved the friendship she had with Diana, which was flawed like any friendship, but built on mutual understanding and empathy. Loved the belonging and opportunity she had working for Mr Kessler, who took a chance on her, understanding discrimination and prejudice and seeing thru her facade, and the challenge and acceptance with Mr Winshaw. Ultimately the friendship and investment she received from both.

I also enjoyed the look at the class and ethnic divide that was going on in Boston in the 1930s. Both had so much prejudice in one breath but melted together in the next. That period of transition in history is so interesting.

The writing style was different with no chapters - I listened to the audiobook and I think that gave it extra value (I love listening to books narrated by Susan Bennett), but it was strange not having it broken up.