Mary Woldering
Goodreads: 5-Stars
November 27, 2024
Eva Pasco has always written loving stories of small Rhode Island communities. They often span generations and the reader follows lives of the characters, almost forgetting they aren’t their own family. Aileen’s Guest House centers on recovery from a tragedy and healing over the years. Set in the 1970’s the story is of Aileen. She and her mother have turned an ancestral home into a guest house over the years. Tragedy strikes. She looked away for an instant then found her baby brother had drowned.
Most didn’t blame her more than she blamed herself. Survivor’s Guilt they call it. Not entirely broken, she and her mother push on catering to the guests but Aileen slowly realized that almost everyone in the story, in the rooms and in the town has a painful secret – a life changing event they had to overcome and different ways they dealt with the pain of loss and/or tragedy.
That might sound like a depressing read, but I found it uplifting – about how life goes on and how time heals all. I also love Ms. Pasco’s alliteration and almost musical manner of writing and witty thoughts. I’m a fan for sure.
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