Authors: Kathryn Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Published: 2022
Rating: 4 Stars
Summary
Jess feels like she’s living a lie. Somewhere along the way, people-pleasing became easier than honesty. She hides her nerdy interests from her jock boyfriend content to ride along with his passions, interests, and friends. She can barely acknowledge to her family that she’s a writer and has yet to tell them about her aspirations to attend a West Coast college. Jess is good at pretending with everyone except her best friend.
When Jess stumbles into her great aunt’s diaries, something begins to change. Buried in these diaries is a secret that could change the course of history. Jess just might be related to Princess Anastasia. Yup, the very one the Disney movie is about.
Determined to find out the truth, Jess connects with a local college student. Together they translate the texts and work to discover the truth. Despite their professional relationship, Jess can’t help but be herself around this handsome but sometimes awkward man. Their dynamic forces Jess to rethink her pattern of hiding her true self from the rest of the world.
In this coming-of-age story, Jess learns to be honest with herself while uncovering an incredible family secret.
Themes
Self vs. Others
Jess struggles to be honest with herself. It’s much easier to go with the flow and allow others to drive her decisions and interests. She wants to be loved, so she becomes someone different to connect with her boyfriends. She hides her true dreams and passions from her family to avoid risking their disappointment. Jess continually puts the needs and expectations of others before her own. This tension between self and others only continues to grow. Finally, after getting challenged by her best friend and a new potential love interest, Jess realizes she can’t continue this way.
History vs. Fiction
This book begins and ends with the story of Jess’ Aunt Anna. They read her incredible story but the big doubt remains, is it real? According to Anna, history is the story we tell ourselves. So, it begs the question, what really is the truth? Somewhere along the way, history gets shared through the lens of our own experiences and interpretations.
Quotes
“It’s a sagging farmhouse at the edge of town that I remember smelling of baked beans and damp earth, but it was also filled with books—on mantels, on tables, stacked against the walls, bowing bookshelves. Like they owned the house, not her. There was something magical about this.”
“Her voice was watery, but it was a statement, not a question, and my heart skittered like a stone skipped over a pond. To write is one thing, but to call yourself a writer is another.”
“’History,’ she rasped again, “is a story we tell ourselves.’”
Final Thoughts
This is a solid four-star read. The story is engaging from beginning to end with characters I couldn’t help but cheer for. I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of teenage angst. I grew tired of some of the drama along the way but stayed engaged to learn the truth behind Anna’s journals. Anna’s story is what makes this book worth reading.
Everything in the book is incredibly well-researched. Through Anna’s story, I got a glimpse into life inside the Russian Imperial court. While the ending is a little unexpected, I couldn’t help but get caught up in it.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves history.
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