Shannon Parsons of HarperCollins Canada provided a wonderful service when she sent me an advance reader’s copy of the elegantly written World War I romantic novel, My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young.

In mid-September I suffered a massive muscle spasm attack in my lower back and ended up in bed for a week.  The pain was intense whenever I had to get up and move around but when I lay down in bed I was much more comfortable so I ended up reading three books that week.  For a couple of days I was totally immersed and transported to the vivid and emotional world of Riley Purefoy & Nadine Waveney and Peter & Julia Locke.  Spellbound by their story, I was impressed by the author’s willingness to use four letter words where they were warranted and to allow her protagonists to traverse the spectrum of human emotions with authenticity.  I was truly sad when I finished the book because I didn’t want it to end.  Ms. Young has crafted a classic novel that will undoub tedly win several awards as well as linger with you long after the final page has been turned.

In 1907 London, eleven-year-old Riley meets the daughter of an eminent orchestral conductor whose dark-haired beauty and artistic family captivates him.  Nadine becomes his best friend and he becomes the protégé of her father’s painter friend, Sir Alfred.  Riley’s own dark good looks make him a desirable subject so he sits for Sir Alfred and his life soon changes forever.