cover image Stowe Away

Stowe Away

Blythe Rippon. Ylva, $14.99 trade paper (279p) ISBN 978-3-95533-523-6

In this charming, leisurely romance, a young woman attempts to find love while juggling an academic career and family obligations. As Samantha Latham pursues her studies at Yale, she swiftly falls for the beautiful, mercurial Natalie, but it’s an unreciprocated affection that frustrates Sam for several years. Their friendship has its ups and downs, and they finally drift apart after Sam’s mother suffers a medical emergency that requires Sam to return home to the tiny town of Stowe, Vt. Sam has to adjust to the unexpected change in direction, chafing at small-town life and the lack of romance. Even the friendship of Maria Sanchez, a restaurant owner and former high school acquaintance, may not be enough to make up for it. Sam must let go of the past in order to appreciate what’s right in front of her. Rippon (Barring Complications) builds Sam’s world and relationships with care, conjuring up realistic, sympathetic characters and a cozy setting. Readers may relate to Sam’s tunnel vision and unrequited yearnings for her supposedly straight best friend, and her slow growth and maturation are eventually satisfying, even if the pace is sometimes frustrating. (Jan.)