mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for this free review copy!
I was so nervous going into this book, but it 100% amazed me at how perfectly McCoy took us back to Avonlea and fit us back into that fictional world. I consider this an absolute must-read for fans of the Anne of Green Gables series. An unofficial prequel, if you will.
I was so nervous going into this book, but it 100% amazed me at how perfectly McCoy took us back to Avonlea and fit us back into that fictional world. I consider this an absolute must-read for fans of the Anne of Green Gables series. An unofficial prequel, if you will.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
If this book doesn't make you immediately want to dive into Anne to "continue the story", I don't know what's wrong with your reader heart. I loved this fan fiction story of Marilla's childhood and the "older" generation of Avonlea and Prince Edward Island. I feel like McCoy stayed true to the tone of Anne while giving us something totally new to sink our teeth into. Loved every minute.
danacoledares's review against another edition
2.0
The characterizations were interesting, but in some ways seemed to contradict points that Montgomery made - for example, I liked the idea of Matthew getting his heart broken, but he was way more assertive than he seemed in Montgomery's books, even in the way he talked to Marilla. And while the politics of the time were certainly interesting, Marilla and Matthew both seemed to be the keep-your-nose-out-of-it sort.
I didn't DISlike the book. But it didn't grab me and draw me in the way Montgomery's did.
I didn't DISlike the book. But it didn't grab me and draw me in the way Montgomery's did.
bibliopage's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable read! The novel skipped about 20 years in the middle and I think there is a great story to tell!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
This was a middling read for me. I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it’s hard reading a book that by the nature of the novel, you already know the ending. I did enjoy getting to know Marilla a bit better; I actually binged watched Anne with an E as I was reading this over the weekend. I thought it was fine, which I realize is not a ringing endorsement, but I feel like lovers of the original Anne if Green Gables series will enjoy this.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
5.0
RATING: 4.5 STARS
2018; William Morrow/HarperCollins
When I heard there was going to be another prequel to [b:Anne of Green Gables|763588|Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)|L.M. Montgomery|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388204220l/763588._SY75_.jpg|3464264], and it would be about Marilla (and of course would have Matthew), I was super excited. My excitement then turned into anxiety. I have many favourite books that I can't pick one book that is a favourite. Then recently, I decided that Anne of Green Gables was actually my favourite novel. It is one I have read over and over again, as a child to present day. I still have the trilogy set my mom bought me from a yard sale, and it would be one thing I grab before running out of the house in case of a fire. So, yeah, it's my favourite book, period.
When Edelweiss posted Marilla of Green Gables to request, I may have clicked the request button more than once, and used a lot of words in caps to convey how much I wanted to read this novel. I got my wish. Every time I opened my Kindle to start reading, anxiety gripped me. What if this book didn't keep Marilla's spirit? What if it tried to make the story sensationalized? What if Green Gables isn't Montgomery's Green Gables. I could not read it. I even purchased the book last year forcing it to look at me and beg to be read. I was very Diane Barry about it all. When a kindred spirit, who also loves Anne, read this book and rated it well I finally went in.
Spoiler alert...I loved it. I read that McCoy was also a fan and wanted to go into this answering questions she had about Marilla's past. We get nuggets through the series but no real explanation on the Cuthbert's past. McCoy handled Marilla with compassion. Her relationship with Rachel was one of my favourite parts of the book. These two women endured so much together. McCoy does have her own writing style, but as this is Marilla's story it doesn't seem odd. I just really enjoyed this story. So, if you are a kindred spirit wondering if you should read this, I am here to tell you it's okay. You may not love it as much as I did, but you will be okay.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2018; William Morrow/HarperCollins
When I heard there was going to be another prequel to [b:Anne of Green Gables|763588|Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)|L.M. Montgomery|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388204220l/763588._SY75_.jpg|3464264], and it would be about Marilla (and of course would have Matthew), I was super excited. My excitement then turned into anxiety. I have many favourite books that I can't pick one book that is a favourite. Then recently, I decided that Anne of Green Gables was actually my favourite novel. It is one I have read over and over again, as a child to present day. I still have the trilogy set my mom bought me from a yard sale, and it would be one thing I grab before running out of the house in case of a fire. So, yeah, it's my favourite book, period.
When Edelweiss posted Marilla of Green Gables to request, I may have clicked the request button more than once, and used a lot of words in caps to convey how much I wanted to read this novel. I got my wish. Every time I opened my Kindle to start reading, anxiety gripped me. What if this book didn't keep Marilla's spirit? What if it tried to make the story sensationalized? What if Green Gables isn't Montgomery's Green Gables. I could not read it. I even purchased the book last year forcing it to look at me and beg to be read. I was very Diane Barry about it all. When a kindred spirit, who also loves Anne, read this book and rated it well I finally went in.
Spoiler alert...I loved it. I read that McCoy was also a fan and wanted to go into this answering questions she had about Marilla's past. We get nuggets through the series but no real explanation on the Cuthbert's past. McCoy handled Marilla with compassion. Her relationship with Rachel was one of my favourite parts of the book. These two women endured so much together. McCoy does have her own writing style, but as this is Marilla's story it doesn't seem odd. I just really enjoyed this story. So, if you are a kindred spirit wondering if you should read this, I am here to tell you it's okay. You may not love it as much as I did, but you will be okay.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up because of my emotions. This is beautifully written. The prose is much like the Anne of Green Gables series and I think LM Montgomery would be proud. It’s a heartbreaking story because you know how it ends, you know how Marilla’s life ends up, so all the hope and love and possibilities aren’t going to happen. I cried several times, especially at the end.
I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Anne and Green Gables.
I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Anne and Green Gables.
mwbuntin's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a heartwarming read on a cold winter's day. I loved getting to know Marilla as a young girl and see how she became the woman she was when Anne came into her life. While we never got LMM's version of Marilla's past, I feel like with McCoy's research and care with her story, you can tell her personal love of the world of Anne and Green Gables.
megansgc's review against another edition
5.0
You can feel the love of Avonlea pouring out of this writer. As well as a seemingly immense amount of research. She’s given us a wonderful backstory to Marilla that explains her ways of being perfectly. The back story to Rachel Lynde is good too, clearly the author didn’t take to kindly to Rachel as she’s not the kindest to her. In a delightful way though. An interesting choice to add in the politics of the time. I loved it and am grateful the author gives those of us who love Avonlea another book to relish in the wonder of that little corner of the world. It helped that I was reading this while in PEI and visiting Green Gables!