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Author: Jane Beaton 

Publisher: Sphere

ISBN: 978-0-7515-4060-4 

Having been to a very ordinary school that wasn’t a particularly nice place, Jane Beaton always had an interest in boarding school books, such as St Clare’s, and read many. The only thing that troubled Beaton was that although the books were good, none seemed to be focused on the lives of the teachers. And so the idea came to her to write her own…

So listen up all you fans of Malory Towers and addicts of boarding-school books there’s a new author in the chick-lit genre of school fiction books and it looks like she’s here to stay.  This is the first offering by Beaton and one that certainly deserves an A+!  

Maggie Adair is set to start working as a new teacher at Dowey House but as always things never go to plan.

Firstly it seems Maggie has taken on more then she can manage as she ups her Glaswegian roots and moves down south to Cornwall to teach at an exclusive girls boarding school.

Secondly a new pupil is finding it increasingly hard to fit in and decides its time to do something drastic in order to get out. Will it result in Maggie’s reputation going down the drain?

And what about Maggie’s boyfriend, Stan? He doesn’t like her being so far from home but knows he must respect her decision or risk losing her altogether. 

The author skilfully manages to combine the feelings of both Maggie and the young girls too. A hard feat to negotiate especially as this is aimed at an adult audience but somehow Beaton pulls it off perfectly.

Her writing is fun, fluid and fantastically put together. The story is light-hearted with a few twists and turns along the way. You constantly wonder about what Dr Veronica Deveral’s secret is but I was a little disappointed to learn what it did turn out to be. However, characters are vivid and colourful and I think, more importantly, believable.

We witness the relationships of not only Maggie and other teachers but of the children as well and how they adapt themselves in a scholarly environment.  

And what happens with Maggie and David the English teacher who have that certain spark between them?

The front cover is beautiful and has that arty sort of feel with its doodles and patterns.

If you’re looking for delightful childhood reminiscing or perhaps are the person who fantasized about being in a boarding school as a youngster, then this is the book for you. I can’t wait for Beaton’s next offering in the Maggie Adair series. Brilliant!