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Book Review By Marie Morris
Melissa by Sara Hylton

When World War II starts, Ginny's village volunteers to offer the children of London temporary homes to keep them safe from the bombs. It is then that Ginny meets Alistair and Melissa. Alistair lives with Ginny's family, while Melissa gets to live in a mansion with the rich lady of the village. Alistair and Ginny become very close, but Melissa stays to herself and doesn't befriend any of the children in the village. It is there that Melissa's talent for singing is discovered. When they are older, Melissa pursues her career, and Alistair and Ginny marry and move to Italy so that Alistair can work in a mental clinic.

In Italy, Ginny and Alistair cross paths with Melissa, who has become a famous opera star. Alistair falls in love with Melissa, and leaves Ginny for her. Ginny is heartbroken over the betrayal of her husband and supposed friend. Remarkably, she stays sweet and loving and actually forgives them for the hurt they have caused her. Ginny even finds another love: a famous orchestra conductor who is married to an obsessed woman who is also mentally ill.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's
Romance/Romance Problems Yes
Kind of romance:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians Yes
Conflict:
Lover is
Married, fooling around? Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality
Unusual characteristics:

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK - Italy
Misc setting

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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