(Known as 'Until the Spring' in the US)

Kate goes to stay at an old house in Scotland. She's fragile and frightened, and the Munro family - ascerbic Grannie, hard-working Harriet, the widowed Joanna and the irritable Max - are not at all pleased that she has been sent there.

She makes a lot of mistakes, but her gentle character is the catalyst for a lot of changes. Great characterisation, excellent writing with a mixture of serious and lighter moments, some important issues with poignancy, even sadness in places. If the conclusion is a tad dramatic, it works well and the ending is hopeful, with important plot points tied up and a few plans left open.

Thoroughly enjoyable, both on first reading, and on re-reading fourteen years later. Highly recommended. ( )