“Rilla of Ingleside” by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Rilla of Ingleside

(Anne of Green Gables Series, #8)

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Synopsis: 

Anne's children were almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one could resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can't think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse. But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside becomes endangered by a far-off war. Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen. She is swept into a drama that tests her courage and leaves her changed forever. 

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 9/10 hearts. This book is a heartbreaker. I’m pretty tough when it comes to war books, but I have to take breaks from this one because it is so raw and real. The agony is intense. I don’t know if I even tear up, but my heart is ripped to pieces. It’s beautiful. And terribly sad. And so, so real. Walter lives for me like no other character ever has. This book shows exactly what the Great War was for people. You sway back and forth, feeling the dread and terror. You know how it ends but you are broken anyhow. I can’t even describe it properly. I love this book, but it’s tough for me to read, as much as I love drama. And yet, it’s hilarious sometimes. Susan—especially when Cousin Sophia comes along—is even funnier than usual, commenting on princes and politics and powers. I don’t agree with a few little things, but I love this book so, so much.

Content: A few kisses, mild language, an instance where I’m not sure if God’s name is being used in vain or not, a mention of (lucky) stars, & a poetic but rather indecent phrase.

A Favourite Quote: “‘When we forget God—He remembers us.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Below her [window] was a big apple-tree, a great swelling cone of rosy blossom.... Beyond Rainbow Valley there was a cloudy shore of morning with little ripples of sunrise breaking over it. The far, cold beauty of a lingering star shone above it. Why, in this world of springtime loveliness, must hearts break?”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Cousin Sophia was in when the mail came and when she heard the news she hove a sigh up from the depths of her stomach, Mrs. Dr. dear, and said, ‘Ah yes, and they will get Petrograd next I have no doubt.’ I said to her, ‘My knowledge of geography is not so profound as I wish it was but I have an idea that it is quite a walk from Premysl to Petrograd.’ Cousin Sophia sighed again and said, ‘The Grand Duke Nicholas is not the man I took him to be.’ ‘Do not let him know that,’ said I. ‘It might hurt his feelings and he has likely enough to worry him as it is.’” 

Purchase this book: 

Canada | America

The ebook is free on Feedbooks. I do not recommend getting the first book off there because it's full of typos.