Honestly, there's only one word I could say about this book now that I'm done and that would be flat. Somehow I expected more, probably because of my high hopes, I was disappointed so much (or not), but somehow it wasn't on top this time.  

Diana has definitely changed, but I don't know whether she's positive or negative. She felt a bit strange — I know seven years is a long time — to me and I don't think I'm alone with that. I don't know how to express how I feel about her, but I know it's not entirely a good feeling. The willpower and desire to control her destiny is gone, 80% of the book feels like she's just drifting through events, but her real purpose — which she can name — was nowehere, just to keep her kids safe. Either way, it was exciting to see her slowly explore her lost family and the past. 

Matthew has completely sunk into a side character, you can't beautify that. He's been so marginalized (along with the kids) that it's incredible, he not the tip of my heart, but he deserves better. Anyway, it was nice to see that he was so open to Diana's past and able to accept everything that came their way, and that he was finally — I can't believe I'm saying this — starting to find peace, or at least stop at a glance occasionally. 

Gwyneth was interesting —perhaps that would be the most appropriate word for her — with her quirks, yet she grew extremely close to my heart. At first, I had a hard time getting used to her (she was new), but over time I fell in love with her, she was a real supporter and helper of Diana and the children.

Sarah, my darling Sarah, it is so dark around her right now, and I honestly can't blame her for the secrets, not really, I understand her, I understand why she did this, but somehow I feel like she's drifting further and further away. That this book tried to portray her (!) as a villain is just horrible. How could she be the bad one in this story? The one who did so much for the whole family? She, who raised Diana? She, who was always there when help and advice were needed? This is absurd, she deserves much better than that. 

Pip and Becca are my sweet babies, it's unbelievable how big they have grown! Not long ago, they had their baptism, and now they talk and walk, it's incredible how much time has flown by. Pip, my sweet Pip more of his mom with her reserved and calm nature, and Becca is her dad with her sharp statements and willpower, they are incredibly cute together. I am sorry that we received so little of them, I would have loved to have read more about them. 

To leave Ysabeau out like this is simply a crime, I waited for her throughout the book — since she still only has a big role — and we got so little of her! Why did she she to be so marginalized, but not just her, it was like the de Clermonts don't even matter any more?? 

Chris and Miriam and Janet, gods, it was so nice to see familiar faces. I was incredibly happy for them, but it was really (especially the latter) incredibly pleasant to see Matthew and her trying to connect. As for the formers — is it just me who sees something developing? I mean, obviously friendship, but something else entirely, too, seems to be starting to appear. 

Well, the plot; I am definitely disappointed in this. Quite a lot, unfortunately. In the previous books, it was spinning and something new was constantly revealed, but this time it was as if we were standing still. I didn't feel   this book ready yet. For most of the story, nothing happened that was significant or needed for real development. The pace was terribly slow — in some places it was like it stuck and didn't want to go any further. This also caused me to often put it aside and push it back and forth until I had the strength to put it on again. By the way, the composition was very nice, as usual. The ending

(I'm still trying to figure out if Satu's appears  was meant to be a twist, if it was, it was terribly predictable)

was pretty flat compared to dragging and dropping “omg the test” and everything throughout the book. I mean, nobody should have been afraid of that. Not a bit. Never mind. 

In summary, it was not what I expected, maybe the problem is only with me. Perhaps not. In any case, I'm looking forward to the next book and praying that it will bring back the characters, locations, and atmosphere I remembered. 

PS: The family trees have become beautiful, but my heart bleeds at the thought of leaving my dear Annie and the child Diana miscarried, okay they are dead, but they are part of the family too.