#BookReview Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon @MelanieGideon ‏@HarperCollinsUK

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An utterly original, thoughtful and deeply compelling novel for readers who loved The Time Traveler’s Wife.

In the heart of the Sonoma Valley, on the edge of a sun-drenched meadow, lies the idyllic community of Greengage – where the residents wear simple clothes, lead quiet lives and whose manners could almost seem to be of another time.

Into this world stumbles single mother Lux Lysander, trying to lose herself in the peaceful beauty of the Californian countryside while her young son visits his grandparents. It’s a world far away from the unpaid bills piling up and the overwhelming sense of struggle to make ends meet.

Soon, Lux finds herself drawn into the lives of the people of Greengage, discovering not only the secret at the heart of their community but also a sense of belonging she didn’t know she was looking for. Torn between this life and her own with her son back in San Francisco, can Lux turn her back on the only place that has ever truly felt like home?

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If there is one genre I love is it time travel, especially when it's well-done. Like this story. I just love how Lux stumbles into the past, to a little community stuck in time and, then as the years pass by she keeps going back. Only telling her best friend about it. Although the best friend isn't that sure that Lux is telling the truth. I keep wondering why she just didn't accompany Lux to the Valley of the Moon to find out the truth. I would it a heartbeat, I mean if your best friend tells you she has found a community stuck in time, wouldn't you try to find out if she is telling the truth or is barking mad? 

Lux is a fabulous character, a young single mother, estranged from her family. She finds herself truly enjoying the life in Greengage. And, her heart is torn between the peace there and her life in the 70s San Francisco.

Anyway, there is also a lot of heartache in the story, without giving away too much of the story is time moving differently in the hidden community contrary to present time and that will have some consequences. Then, there is the ending, such a bittersweet ending. It broke my heart.

Valley of the Moon is a fabulous time travel novel, with a mesmerizing, occasionally sad story, but there is also a sweet love story for those that enjoy it (even I did). I recommend it warmly!

I want to thank Harper Collins for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!