The Last Word by Samantha Hastings - ADVISABLE

The Last Word by Samantha Hastings, 251 pages. Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2019. $18.     

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G (fire and injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lucinda Leavitt lives in Victorian London. Her mother died a long time ago and her father removed all things that reminded him of his wife and went so far as to moving to a different residence. He rarely looks at his daughter, because she looks too much like her mother. She likes reading serial stories in the magazines. Right now she can't wait to finally read the ending of one such serial story. However, instead of the ending there is a note from the editor that the author had died. Lucinda is determined to find out how the author wanted to end the story and starts searching. The search is hampered by constraints of what young women could do on their own, cumbersome to get around, always needing a chaperone, dresses, crinoline skirts and corsets. And of course, there is a handsome, young man that starts helping her. 

Other than looking for the author, Lucinda wants to be useful and work in her dad's counting house. She is really sharp and good with numbers and at math.  

Hastings writes a cute romance and it gives the reader a look into what the world might have been like for many young women living in Victorian England. Lucinda is a strong young woman and stands up for her self and what she believes in. As I was reading this book I was rooting for her and cheering her on. When I started reading I wasn't so sure I would like the book, but I really liked it. I already have a couple of students wanting to check it out.    

Ellen-Anita, Librarian