In an attempt to flee from the “talkers,” Marion leaves Galway to work as a nanny for two children in Oxford. Left behind but forever imprinted by love, James desperately tries to contact Amanda, the name Marion went by during their romantic time together. Mental illness plays a starring role in Cross' third novel, as both Marion and James battle unseen demons: Marion’s trauma from her previous marriage and James’ shell shock from the Great War. (St. Stephens, the boarding school from Cross’ novels Wilberforce (2017) and Grievous (2020) plays a role in this story as well.) Running from pain and at the same time from true happiness, the duo experiences profound love and loss. Readers view their relationship, which is both beautifully romantic and horridly tragic, while the two are apart. Cross writes with an eloquent lyrical tone that penetrates through the storyline for a profound literary work. Readers will be entranced by the wounded lovers and by Cross' writing style, reminiscent of classic works like Jane Eyre and Rebecca.
