The Thing with Feathers

by McCall Hoyle

Emilie Day believes in playing it safe: she’s homeschooled, her best friend is her seizure dog, and she’s probably the only girl on the Outer Banks of North Carolina who can’t swim.

Then Emilie’s mom enrolls her in public school, and Emilie goes from studying at home in her pj’s to halls full of strangers. To make matters worse, Emilie is paired with starting point guard Chatham York for a major research project on Emily Dickinson. She should be ecstatic when Chatham shows interest, but she has a problem. She hasn’t told anyone about her epilepsy.

Emilie lives in fear her recently adjusted meds will fail and she’ll seize at school. Eventually, the worst happens, and she must decide whether to withdraw to safety or follow a dead poet’s advice and “dwell in possibility.”

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Disability, Young Adult Contemporary

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

McCall Hoyle lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, children, and an odd assortment of pets. She is a middle school librarian and teacher. When she's not reading, writing, or teaching, she's probably training one of many dogs. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com.

Reviews

[Amy Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to read an early version of this book, and it is AMAZING. The writing is soooo good, the characters are so real and so relatable, and the story is sweet and swoony and basically everything you want in a YA romance.

[Chelsea ✨Arielle’s Nebular Ally and Team Acrux✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m in LOOOOOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I have a new BBF and I want to shout it from the rooftops. And his name is…



Hitch. Her golden retriever. Her best friend. And my favorite character.

But anyway…
I just…I don’t know why the MC felt the need to lie. Like…I mean I guess I get why she wanted to fit in-I do. I can’t rightfully put myself into her position (or anyone else with an illness for that matter) and understand why I’d be ashamed, but I do understand the need to fit in. Or, rather, to blend in, to not stand out. I do get it. What I don’t get, however, is the need to lie to such a nice fella who shows signs of extreme care and understanding. People don’t just mock those with illnesses for no reason-Well. This is wrong. God this review is just going south, ain’t it? My POINT remains that I think the guy in this book was a philanthropist with a sister who had issues of her own….why would he mock the girl he was falling for? I just didn’t connect there, I don’t think. The rest of the school? I get that. But your kind of boyfriend? I don’t. I just don’t. Especially when it’s your health on the line.

So, to sum up, I think this is the basis for my thoughts on this book. I know it’s hard when you want to fit in. And I know it’s hard to have an illness-if nothing else, I empathize with that wish that you weren’t different. What I don’t empathize with is lying. I actually loved the idea of this book and I loved the beginning, especially. But once it passed a certain point, I couldn’t fathom why you’d hide something so large when it came to hurting yourself. It didn’t make sense.

I thought the writing was very good, I LOVED the boy, and I really enjoyed this story as a whole. But the fact remains: By far my favorite part of this whole book is Hitch. He literally made me smile from ear to ear and I just couldn’t help but melt every time he was on the scene. So…three stars for Hitch. I just wish the story was…more.


For more of my reviews, please visit:

[S.F. Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exceptional. Beautiful writing and well-written characters, Hoyle handled some tough topics with grace. While I don't have epilepsy, this book gave me a window into some of the daily struggles someone with epilepsy might experience--especially a teenager. I have, however, lost a parent, and I can say that Hoyle accurately captured the pain and acceptance associated with that caliber of loss. I can't recommend this book enough!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed with what a professional and sensitive job MCall Hoyle did in portraying a teen with epilepsy while keeping in mind that this was only one aspect of her life and she had all the other typical high school anxieties... does that cute boy like me... will people make fun of me if I am authentically myself? And it was really great that one theme running centrally throughout the book was that everyone, or nearly every character, had some sort of issue they were struggling with. Emilie at the start truly felt isolated, and that with the death of her father and the medical issue she faced, she had been dealt a hand worse than the rest, that all the other students surrounding her lived shallow and empty lives. It was rewarding to watch her character grow and realize that there was more to everyone around her than she had originally assumed.

I particularly loved the relationship between Emilie and Hitch, and also between Emilie and her mother. The second was flawed, and very painful to read at times, but so realistically portrayed. This novel was simply a delight to read.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.

[Rosalyn Eves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an early review copy of McCall Hoyle's lovely THE THING WITH FEATHERS (title taken from one of my favorite Emily Dickinson poems!).

Emilie Day has always played it safe, a tendency started by her diagnosis with epilepsy as a child and enhanced by her father's death a few years earlier. She mostly stays home, where she's home schooled, with her mother and her dog, Hitch. Safe, that is, until her mom decides it's time for Emilie to broaden her horizons and start taking more risks--starting with enrolling in the public high school.

It's not that Emilie wants to be alone--it's that she dreads the risk of seizing and embarrassing herself in front of the entire school. Particularly in front of the charming Chatham York, whom she reluctantly agrees to tutor in English and who seems, inexplicably, drawn to her. But as Emilie begins to tentatively leave the shell she's built around her, she finds that the world is both beautiful and complicated, and unless she wants to retreat to her own life, she may have to take the biggest risk of all: trusting others.

I thought this story was sweet and lovely. The characters are clearly and sensitively drawn, and it's hard not to fall for Chatham, who's good looking, sure, but kind as well. I particularly liked Emilie's unfolding relationship with her mother.

[ambsreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 15%

This book wasn't what I wanted. What I wanted was epilepsy representation so I could understand my mum's struggles on another level.

In the 15% I read, I didn't get that. I got a childish story of a girl who does not seem to care too much about her health and is "not like other girls". Obviously having epilepsy which causes grand-mal seizures is difficult, especially in the formative years. However, the main character slut shames other female characters and there is an annoying preppy lead who will no doubt be the love interest.

I'm also high key not in the mood for a contemporary. I just don't want it. I want a fast paced fantasy novel. I also wanted more of her seizure dog, but he seems to be an after thought.

I may come back to this one day, but for now it's a DNF.

[Angela Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed For YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...

A refreshing, quality debut--meaningfully woven and beautifully engaging, from the first page to the last.

Emilie Day's "normal" life ended one day in the middle of elementary school, when she suddenly had a seizure. The uncontrolled nature of her newly diagnosed epilepsy meant that homeschooling was the only suitable option--one which worked well for a time thanks to the support of her father and the addition of a beloved service dog. But it's now three years after Emilie's father died, and her relationship with her mother has become strained. Thanks to a stabilizing medication, it is finally plausible for her to transition back into public school--which is precisely what her therapist is recommending. But Emilie has trouble seeing the shift as anything but an ongoing opportunity to embarrass herself in front of new friends and classmates.

The obligation of having to explain to all of her friends and close acquaintances what they need to do and watch for if she experiences a grand mal seizure--complete with possible vomiting and/or loss of bowel/bladder control--is understandably unappealing to her. Especially when one of the people she may need to tell happens to be a surprisingly interesting basketball player who might be vying for boyfriend material. And her mother's recent odd behavior isn't making things any easier in Emilie's mind...

Told in a remarkably unobtrusive first-person present-tense format, THE THING WITH FEATHERS is a coming-of-age story centered around new beginnings, old grief, and coming to terms with an "invisible" disability. I liked the subject matter and voice in the blurb enough to give this a go, but it was the first line that truly snared me: "My mother lost her mind today, and I'm going to prison."
A terrific introduction to the main character, Emilie, in a single (and perplexingly snarky) sentence. From there the author doesn't just grab initial attention, she holds onto it with crisp writing, insightful emotional depth, and a relatably smart, sarcastic heroine.

Kudos to the author on such solid characterization of a service animal. Hitch (Emilie's seizure-sensing golden retriever) feels immediately believable, and his functionality is explained and expanded on at natural intervals. What's more, the additional significance and personality Emilie ascribes to his actions and facial expressions often tells readers as much (if not more) about her own mindset as it does about the dog himself.

"If Hitch were a person, he'd be Mother Theresa or Gandhi or someone who treated all living creatures with the respect they deserve. It's depressing how my dog is a better human being than I am."

I'd never before heard the theory that Emily Dickinson may have been Epileptic--but it would certainly explain both her reclusive nature (especially during an era in which the condition was misunderstood and stigmatized) and her broodingly hopeful compositions. That tie-in was a welcome organic thread, offering opportunity for both educational points and outside literary input; without beating readers over the head with it. There isn't anything surprising about the plot itself--no twists or anything you won't see coming from early on. The primary antagonist (outside of epilepsy itself) struck this reader as almost disappointingly toothless. But the story's execution is charming and the ending pulls everything together with a satisfying and ultimately hopeful symmetry.

Final Analysis:

This is the kind of strong writing and memorable, empathy-expanding content this reader loves to see in contemporary YA. I would unhesitatingly thrust this book into the hands of my goddaughters.

Hoyle is a talented new fiction voice, and an author I'd highly recommend keeping an eye on!

Favorite Quotes:

*"Some people see the liquid and think half full. Others only see the air and think half empty. Sometimes I get the sense Chatham sees it all, which is kind of terrifying. I don't know if I want him to see me--the real me."

"Hope is the thing with feathers--
that perches in the soul--
And sings the tune without words--
And never stops--at all."
~Emily Dickinson

[Jenn Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a high school media specialist, I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. I sat down and read it cover to cover in one day and all I kept thinking is that my students are going to EAT THIS UP.
I love Emilie's character and truly believe that she encompasses all of the difficulties or experiences that so many young ladies encounter in their middle and high school years--unsure of herself, struggling with parental relationships, trying to fit in/blend into the wall, navigating the nuances of school, romance, school work, and just life in general.
The author tackled some seriously touchy subjects with an insightful and tender heart and I know that readers who have struggled with any of these situations (or the like) will find hope and reassurance in her writing. In the past, I have found contemporary novels to be either incredible or disheartening with no in between, but this one was different from anything that I have ever read. The honesty and the drive for self-acceptance (which is seriously the loudest lesson our dear ones in middle and high school need to hear right now) is unmatched and it is a book that I will recommend again and again. I cannot wait to get copies in the hands of our students!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you’re a homeschooled teen whose best friend is a seizure dog, it can be a nerve-racking experience to be plunked down at the local high school. But that’s the challenge 16-year-old Emilie Day faces—along with her dad’s recent death, forging new friendships at North Ridge High, and a crush on the school's star basketball player, Chatham York—in McCall Hoyle’s charming YA novel. A wonderfully delightful debut!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

Being a YA book, this is everything you expect it to be. It's sweet, it's filled with the usual tropes and clichés, it has likeable characters, the writing is simple, the story is simple, it's positive and it's a pleasant read. If you're looking for a sweet YA read, this is definitely your book. I like books like this, it's nice to read cute fluffy books occasionally. What I would have really loved though, is something a bit more meatier. I felt like this book just grazed the surface on quite a few topics and I would have loved if it went deeper. The two main things I thought it could have elaborated more on were 1) Emilie's epilepsy and 2) Emilie's grief. I wanted to feel her hurt and pain coming off of the pages but unfortunately I didn't really feel enough to be satisfied.

There were a few elements that were just fine - the characters, the romance and the friendship between Emilie and Ayla (I would have especially loved if this friendship played a bigger and better role in the book). The one thing that did really impress me was the relationship that Emilie had with her mom. I thought it was so realistic, relatable and just perfectly done. I did love two other things about this book ~ the Emily Dickinson references and THE DOG, Hitch.

I would recommend this and I would read more by McCall Hoyle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I study the teetering cottages to my left. Their lives are like mine. They've survived countless hurricanes, but no one knows if they'll survive the next big storm."

"Those people don’t understand how full of life my dad was, how he was the energy that kept our family on track and in motion, how empty and alone I felt after he died."

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely read. Honest but hopeful, heartbreaking but with a gentle spirit that shines through every page. I so enjoyed traveling with Emilie on her path to acceptance -- of herself and of the difficult things that have happened in her life.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading The Thing With Feathers by McCall Hoyle I was captivated and it held me all the way through.

Written in the first person, Emilie's story, her struggles, her challenges, her gifts really appealed to me. She is a bright, intelligent girl, up until the story opens she has been home-schooled, but now she faces into the jungle of high school and her counsellor's and mother's bidding. Up until now she has been safe at home, now she must face the scary new faces and situations.

Emilie has epileptic seizures and is terrified that she will have one while at school. She endeavours to keep herself distanced from people there, but soon finds herself drawn into a couple of really important relationships. But hanging over her head is the fact that she has not shared that she suffers from epilepsy.

It seems that some of the girls envy her new budding relationship with Chatham, a golden haired sports hero who benefits from a little tutoring from Emilie, who has a real feel for books and poetry. I loved the references to Emily Dickinson, even though I am not familiar with her poetry - although now I feel myself drawn to read some of her poems and that of Walt Whitman as well. Anyone I suspect who knows the poetry of Dickinson will recognise the title of this book.

I liked watching the relationship unfold between Emilie and her mother, and their struggle with the loss of Emilie's Dad three years before and the way that things are beginning to change.

Emilie has a service dog called Hitch - so loveable, his awareness of Emilie was just adorable.

The book moved along at a great pace, it was one of those books that was so easy to read and left me a little bereft when I had to leave all the characters behind. A refreshing read.

[Alexandra Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely and sweet story! Beautiful writing, well-drawn characters, and a great romance. Recommend for YA contemporary fans looking for something fresh and poignant.

[Leanna Domalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way Emilie wrestled with her fears throughout the story—not just her fears about having peers find out about her epilepsy, but her unresolved grief over her dad’s death and the possibility that her mom might move on to have a new relationship, and her fear of rejection when Chatham shows some pretty strong interest in her.

The tie-ins with Emily Dickinson’s life and poetry added another interesting layer to the story as well. I liked that Emilie recognized so much of herself in the reclusive poet and yet it was often Dickinson’s words which challenged her to go beyond the boundaries she felt comfortable within.

On the whole, I liked the story and enjoyed reading it. The Thing with Feathers is a sweet story with a strong but clean romantic thread. It’s a story about friendship, facing fear and finding hope.

[Breeana Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a such a lovely, hopeful story. Emilie's struggles are portrayed with such insight and compassion that you just can't help but root for her. McCall Hoyle also does a beautiful job exploring the relationships in Emilie's life--from new friendships to burgeoning romance to her tender, yet in-flux relationship with her mother. And I adored all of the allusions to Emily Dickinson, from the title right on through to the end. THE THIING WITH FEATHERS is a gem of novel.

[Katie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, hopeful story about reaching past your comfort zone and learning to trust in family, friends, and especially yourself.

When high school junior Emilie is forced to go from homeschooling to public school, she lives in fear of having a seizure in front of everyone. She promises her mom she'll try it for three months, and thinks she can keep her epilepsy to herself in that short time. But Emilie is partnered with Chatham for an English project, and gradually gets to know him, as well as Ayla, the artistic leader of the lit mag and discovers that there's more to life than just books, movie and pjs.

There is so much to love about this novel. The writing is beautiful; from the descriptive passages about the North Carolina coast to the internal struggles that Emilie faces, each page was captivating. The characters are well drawn and while they each make mistakes, I couldn't help but love them all. Perhaps my favorite character was Hitch, Emilie's therapy dog, who stole my heart! Emilie's grief and fear drove me to tears at a couple of times, but the overall tone of the novel was hopeful--the perfect tie in to the title. Fans of Emily Dickinson will love the many subtle references to her life and writing, but it's the relationships between Emilie, her mom, Chatham, and Ayla that will leave readers engrossed until the very last page.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, heart-warming story about acceptance--of others and ourselves.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this book. It sounds amazing!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO GOOD. I'm also hooked on contemporary haha :DD

//

- EMILY DICKINSON! just a lot of emily dickinson everywhere! I loved it!
- homeschool rep
- epilepsy rep
- Emily was a sweet character! friendless, totally stay-at-home, best-friends-with-her-dog, very studious and bookish.... sorta stereotypical for homeschoolers (#sigh) but it did fit her situation so I'm not gonna complain this time.
- Chatham York was all goodness and sunshine and loveableness but honestly a tiny bit too cliche and boring for his role as love interest -_- why are all the book boys cut out of the literal same cardboard?????
- moving on...
- a LOVABLE DOG
- facing your fears
- stepping out of your box
- falling down and getting up again and holding on and letting go
- various kinds of hardships and brokenness
- as if the author was saying ~ you're not alone, everyone is troubled in their own way ~
- A LITTLE GIRL TAUGHT EMILEE SO MUCH
- high school is shown as a good thing (#surprisesurprise #thankyou)
- uplifting and gripping!!!

[Abbie Roads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm dying to read this book! It can't come out fast enough!

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

I haven’t seen too many books out there about epilepsy, so I was so glad to discover The Thing with Feathers, a novel that depicts this condition in a realistic way. I loved the complexity of the story and the main character’s personality. However the book would have been much better without the insta-love and clichés. This is still an enjoyable story, though, and I would recommend it to those interested in learning about what it’s like to live with epilepsy.

This book is such realistic depiction of life with epilepsy! It tells the story of a girl who attends public school for the first time after years of homeschooling. She is afraid to attend in case she has a seizure at school and is afraid to tell anyone about her condition in case they judge her. The Thing with Feathers does an excellent job depicting what living with epilepsy is like and tackles some other serious topics along the way. This is such an inspiring read that is sure to stick with the reader.

I loved the main character, Emilie. She is an English nerd, and she is just so relatable. I loved her sassy and sarcastic attitude and her ability to stay strong. Emilie has some very real fears about opening up to new people, making her a complex character. I loved watching her slowly make friends with classmates and adjust to public school. Emilie is definitely a character who is easy to root for.

My only issue with this book is the plot. The “homeschooled girl forced to go to public school” is a concept that I see so often, and with a story like this one, I would have preferred something less tired. There are also quite a few clichés in the book, not only with the plot, but with the characters as well. For example, the first student Emilie meets is your typical blond heartthrob. This results in insta-love, which takes away from such an inspiring story. I really would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was less clichéd.

The Thing with Feathers is an inspiring read about a girl living with epilepsy. I loved the main character and her reliability. While this is an enjoyable story, the numerous clichés take away from the overall effect, and the book would have been better without an overused concept.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very hit and miss when it comes to contemporary novels. This one I have to say was a successful hit out of the park! It started off so funny and held that until the very last chapters where this book will rip your heart out just to put it back in and caress it with love. I am so over joyed I had the opportunity to read this wonderful story! This one has a girl Emilie who hides away from the world ever since her dad died of Cancer and she was diagnosed with Epilepsy she doesn't leave her room. She is homeschooled and pretty much had drawn away from the world. I felt very sad for her. That she felt like she couldn't do anything because of her illness that she has no control over.

Emilie grew so much in this book and I was surprised to love the one part in here where she attempts suicided and then decides she wants to live. As a surviver of suicided that really touched my heart. This story is so empowering that you shouldn't give up. You shouldn't let illnesses or anything take over your life and stop you from doing what you want to do. There is always hope!

Book in a Pinch
Girl with epilepsy learns that she doesn't have to hide away from the world.
Go Into This One Knowing
Cancer, Epilepsy, Suicide (slight), Domestic Abuse (slight), Romance

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book - full of hope. McCall Hoyle's YA debut captures the fears and excitement of edging past what's comfortable and safe - and learning to trust the people around you. The writing is lovely and the characters are perfectly drawn - likeable but flawed, and at all times, believable.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this one! It sounds incredible (and oh, North Carolina and homeschool girls are close to my heart).

[Grace Arango · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: Somewhere between 4.25-4.5 stars

Woah.

I was not expecting to read this whatsoever. It was an Advanced Reader Copy that was sitting in the lunch room of the Christian Bookstore I work at. I started to read the back of the book for hints of the genre and what it is about.
I read the first chapter.
I had to keep going.

This book is very realistic.
I cannot say that on behalf of a teenager that suffers from epilepsy, but as someone who went through a season of frequent anxiety attacks, this kind of hits home in a way.

I felt like could relate to Emilie Day.

I will now get onto my regular PROs and CONs routine!

PROs:
- Again, I could relate to the protagonist in a way
- Also again, this book was realistic! Emilie didn't face her fear straight away. She wasn't able to be open straight away, but she wanted to be a normal teenager. The pressure that she faced was very realistic for a teenager.
- I really did like that there was more to her than her epilepsy. She loves literature! I loved all the literary references in here! It added so much to the story! SO MUCH!
- I liked all the side characters as well!! Especially Ayla and HITCH :)

CONs:
- This does feature a trope I'm not a fan of, and that is the meeting of the love interest almost straight away. I'm not saying this was instalove, but from chapter 1 or chapter 2 he's already there. I would have liked to learn more about Emilie before he was in the picture (although I love Chatham)
- I do feel like the book could have been longer. I'm kind of sad to say goodbye to these characters :,(

Overall, this is definitely a book worth reading! If you're looking for a diverse book to do with disability, this one has to go on your TBR ;)

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to win this book in the giveaway. I have never written a review like this before but it hits too close to home not to. I was diagnosed with POTS and Cataplexy at the age of 14 and tried to go to school. I have not been able to continue my education since then. This is so close to me but I cannot buy a copy. Regardless, I think this is a book that everyone should read. This life experience needs to be shared with anyone and everyone. And to the author? I thank you so so much for sharing this gift with the world:)

[mary liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um. Yeah.

This book had issues, and I foresee another Mary Rant Review in the near future.

But all that to say, I enjoyed it more than my rating indicates and the cover is gorgeous. So it's more like 2.5 stars. ;)

2.5 stars

[emilie secrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Thing with Feathers and thoroughly enjoyed Emilie's journey from despair to hope. Teachers, librarians, and mothers will enjoy sharing this book with the girls in their lives.

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a light and fluffy contemporary, but there was so much heart! Emilie Day is an epileptic teen who’s nervous about leaving her life of homeschool behind as she starts attending her local high school. She decided to keep her epilepsy a secret.

I loved that we got to have a main character with epilepsy! I loved seeing Emilie talk about her seizure dog, her medicine, therapy, the different types of seizures she has - we really get to see her and I loved it. Emilie and Chatham, her english partner, were really adorable. I loved their dates and seeing them flirting. Plus, Chatham was such a great guy. I also liked seeing Emilie’s friendship begin to develop with Ayla. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Emilie’s mom. I really had problems with how she handled the whole dating again situation. I also found that the story was underdeveloped overall. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the story, most of the characters, and the relationships we see, but I wanted more. The Thing With Feathers really is a story of love and hope - it shows the heart and courage and bravery, and was a joy to read.

[Aj the Ravenous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I have a new go-to author in Ms. McCall Hoyle. I have just recently read her other book Meet the Sky and liked it very much. The Thing with Feathers is even better.

The story takes place in the same setting, Crystal Cove, North Carolina, but thank goodness it isn't storm season. It's summer and Emilie who has been home schooled for years due to her epilepsy upon medical recommendation has to go to jail which to Emilie means a public high school and since then she has waged a war against her mom for letting her go despite her vehement objections. Suffering from grief over the death of her dad three years back and from anxiety over her seizures, she hasn't dreamed of getting close to anyone but she inevitably does when she meets golden boy Chatham and kind, artsy Ayla.

Ms. Hoyle's writing is full of wit and charm and it's so easy to get through the story, I managed to finish it in one day. It's indeed a book that is full of that thing with feathers as well as friendship, courage, and love.