Zoe is a single mother in London living life on the edge. It seems there is never enough money to go around and Jaz, the DJ father of Hari who is four, is rarely around and provides little support of any kind. To make matters worse, her definitely low-scale but almost affordable studio apartment is about to go upscale. Zoe can't afford the rent now. How can she afford it later?Jaz's sister, Surinder, comes to the rescue. Her friend is pregnant and needs someone to look after and run the bookshop on wheels that she owns. (Both characters are from the author's previous book, The Bookshop on the Corner, but the book really isn't about either of them.) Zoe, book lover that she is, would be perfect for the interim position. And there's a second job to provide housing - as an au pair to three children. All of this is on the shores of Loch Ness but maybe getting out of London is the best thing possible.
Scotland is everything Zoe could hope for. Fresh air, plenty of space for Hari to run around, beautiful surroundings. But Nina, the owner of the bookvan, isn't as welcoming as Zoe could have hoped for. And that genuine Scottish castle? Well, the laird is distant even to his own children, the children are more than a little wild (Zoe is their seventh au pair), and the castle is just a little bit creepy.
This book was a welcome summer break. I loved the setting and felt for the characters. And the ultimate message, that families come in all shapes and sizes, is one that can't be heard and read often enough. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to another "sequel."
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