Review Detail

Tori and her mother Jill are having a difficult time keeping a bridal shop open in their small town, so when they are notified that they may be given money from a cranky old aunt who has passed away, they are more than happy to compete in the challenge the aunt has issued the family-- live on her estate the way that people lived in Colonial times, successfully survive, and get a lot of money. Tori's cousins Angel (whom she likes) and Dylan (whom she doesn't) are also there, as well as some other relatives whom she doesn't know well. Tori's mother is fairly flighty, and tries to keep chickens and a cow in their bedroom. She is also unreliable when it comes to the challenges, but Tori is determined to make it despite the difficulties. It doesn't hurt that the son of the couple who are in charge of the estate, Caleb, is cute and seems to like her. There are some of the contestants who try to cheat, some more successfully than others, but the competition is amusing, and all of the participants seem to take everything in stride with good grace. Who will win? Read this delightful book to find out!

Even though we have the obligatory dead parent (Tori's father), there isn't the air of overwhelming sadness to this book that so many others have. Yes, Tori's mother is a goofball, but the two are genuinely fond of each other, and have a good time together. The "romance" between Tori and Caleb is a nice touch, and this is generally a fun, light read. Very enjoyable.