What starts as a story of a small-town girl who moves to the city and then comes home again, quickly became a much larger story about the island of Mure, its people, and the changes that are about to come. Mure is an island – very remote – and very set in its ways. Life has slowed down and fallen behind what most of us would consider modern, but Mure doesn’t really care. The people, for the most part, like it that way.

But change is on its way in the form of a rich American. And the small-town girl that’s just returned home – her job is to convince the island that this change is the best thing for everyone. To add a layer of romance, Flora is in love with her boss and is hoping this job will somehow bring them closer together. Her boss is a little different, and I enjoyed some of his unique outlooks on how things worked.

As Flora begins to settle in to life on the island, she discovers a new joy – the joy of sharing good food with friends and family. Her perspective begins to shift and her priorities realign. It was wonderful going on this journey with her and discovering what life on a remote island might really be like. Following the lives and the residents and watching as they go about their lives and adjust to times may not sound like the most exciting story – but it is far more than I expected and I loved every page.