Kendra, a 21 year old history major, comes to Cotswold, England to interview Isabel Macfarland, a famous artist on her 93rd birthday. “The cottage was as cozy and inviting as one of Tolkien’s hobbit holes.” Kendra feels a bond with Isabel who says, “We first borns are driven aren't we? We have to be. There is no one leaving bread crumbs for us on the trail ahead.”

Why did Isabel decide to tell her story after decades of secret keeping? Maybe Kendra was chosen because of her belief that…” information is only half of any story about people. Personal experience is the other part.” When the interview begins Isabel interjected,

“I’m not 93 and my name’s not Isabel.”

We are taken back to 1940s London. We meet Emmy, a 15 year old who dreams of designing bridal gowns and her younger sister, Julia, who’s 7, she depends on her sister for everything. Their mum never married and the girls have different dads. Julia’s father visits on occasion but Emmy’s is never mentioned. When Emmy meets Mrs. Crofton, a bridal shop owner, she gets a job and a promise to be introduced to Mrs. Crofton’s nephew, a fashion designer, Emmy thinks she is on her way. But the war has other ideas! Her mum sends Emmy and Julia out of England with all the evacuated children, crushing Emmy’s dreams.

Charlotte is the wonderful woman that opens up her home to the girls. “Thistle House is for people who love and care for one another. We respect one another in this house…We carry one another’s burdens…and hold one another’s hand when the way seems hopeless…”

Believe it or not the Emmy leaves to return to England to meet the fashion designer, Julia discovers her plan and demands to go with her. It was the 7th of September, the day the Blitz began, while Emmy was at her meeting and Julia was waiting at their flat and the girls became separated!

“Fear is worse than pain. Pain is centralized…Fear is heaviness…Fear is not only a leaden foe, but a liar as well.”

Please listen in on Kate and Sheila’s recap on Secrets of a Charmed Life by the tremendously talented Susan Meissner. Happy Reading dear listeners!

Books mentioned:

Dear Mrs. Bird

A Place to Hang the Moon

The Last Bookshop in London