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Be My Love
One summer will change everything.
For as long as she can remember, Maisie has spent her summers on Kingfisher Island. She and her beloved cousin Una run wild, and Maisie feels the warm embrace of her big, extended family.
This summer Maisie needs that escape more than ever. But now everything on Kingfisher has changed: Una has returned from her mainland school a sophisticated young woman too mature for childish games, and even worse, she has an all-consuming infatuation with David Meyer, both an old friend and an older man. Soon Maisie finds herself playing second fiddle—jealous of Una and David’s closeness, and unsure of what those feelings mean.
When Maisie’s greatest attempt to maintain the special magic of her friendship with Una goes up in smoke, it seems as though all is lost. But with an enormous revelation, and a heartrending intervention, Maisie may finally discover the strength she needs to find the same peace that the island has brought her within herself.
For as long as she can remember, Maisie has spent her summers on Kingfisher Island. She and her beloved cousin Una run wild, and Maisie feels the warm embrace of her big, extended family.
This summer Maisie needs that escape more than ever. But now everything on Kingfisher has changed: Una has returned from her mainland school a sophisticated young woman too mature for childish games, and even worse, she has an all-consuming infatuation with David Meyer, both an old friend and an older man. Soon Maisie finds herself playing second fiddle—jealous of Una and David’s closeness, and unsure of what those feelings mean.
When Maisie’s greatest attempt to maintain the special magic of her friendship with Una goes up in smoke, it seems as though all is lost. But with an enormous revelation, and a heartrending intervention, Maisie may finally discover the strength she needs to find the same peace that the island has brought her within herself.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
3 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Kit Pearson
34 books280 followersKit Pearson spent her childhood between Edmonton Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia. As a high-school student, she returned to Vancouver to be educated at Crofton House School. She obtained a degree in English Literature at the University of Alberta, and spent several years following the degree doing odd jobs or travelling in Europe.
In 1975, she began her Library degree at the University of British Columbia and took her first jobs in that field in Ontario. She later obtained an M.A. at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature in Boston. Returning to Vancouver, she completed her first novel "The Daring Game" which was published by Penguin Books.
Pearson now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, a few blocks from Ross Bay Cemetery, one of the settings in Awake and Dreaming.
In 1975, she began her Library degree at the University of British Columbia and took her first jobs in that field in Ontario. She later obtained an M.A. at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature in Boston. Returning to Vancouver, she completed her first novel "The Daring Game" which was published by Penguin Books.
Pearson now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, a few blocks from Ross Bay Cemetery, one of the settings in Awake and Dreaming.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 8, 2019
This is book is a tricky little thing; even though Maisie is fourteen-and-a-half, I would say this is the perfect Grade 6/7 book. It has a bit of a Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Alice vibe about it in the sense that everything moves pretty quickly and the dialogue is a wee tad clunky but it still has a totally engaging story and just enough hints at puberty/sex stuff to keep things interesting (plus you could argue that all authentic early 1950s dialogue reads a bit clunky now). I also love when an established author explores new territory and shows new vulnerability and Pearson definitely does that here.
Finally, I want more books about young people falling in love with their cousins by large bodies of water in the summer time. Every book should be about this.
Finally, I want more books about young people falling in love with their cousins by large bodies of water in the summer time. Every book should be about this.
June 22, 2019
I very rarely give a one star review, but the repeated representation of someone with depression as weak and crazy, Maisie making her father walk every day “as if he were a dog”, and telling him he sits around “like a stupid lump”, and was appalling. What does today’s reader take away from this story about a parent with mental illness but a lack of understanding and support. I also think the feelings she develops for her cousin, and the conversation she has with Una’s mom about loving her, felt very inauthentic (as did the conversation she had with her father about his time in the war). I would definitely not recommend this book for many reasons.
June 14, 2019
I have been trying to find more LGBTQ junior fiction for my daughter and she adores Kit Pearson so this felt like a great choice. Unfortunately, I read it after her and realized this is geared more towards 12 year olds than 9 year olds. There is more talk about sex than I would have preferred for her age and I found out later that it made her a tad uncomfortable. Other than that, I feel like if she was the targeted age, it would have been perfect. We did have some good discussion about the book though and that is always nice.
March 26, 2019
Be My Love is a beautiful coming of age story written by an award winning Canadian children's author. The story embraces the exploration of one's own voice and identity - an exploration that would interest young girls who are beginning to realise who they are and what is important to them. In addition, the novel explores sexual identity - the excitement of it and the changes it brings about to a childhood friendship.
June 3, 2019
How refreshing to read a story in which the world, which can seem so mysterious and upside down to a non- heterosexual young person, is turned right side up by the simple recognition that you are allowed to declare your love for whomever you please. The loveable main character Maisie’s journey of self-discovery is tenderly traced in this story which, although it takes place in the 1950’S, could just as easily have happened today. So much can happen when the truth is faced terrifying as it may be,
December 27, 2018
“Be My Love” is a classic coming of age novel with a twist by the award winning and always reliable, Kit Pearson.
Set in the very early 1950s, this is Maisie’s story. Maisie has just finished grade nine in Duncan BC and is desperate to get to Kingfisher Island to spend the summer with her best friend and cousin, Una as she has done ever since she was small. Things have not been good at home since her father, an Anglican rector returned from service in Holland in WWII. She cannot wait to get away from her father’s depression and her mother’s desperation.
But all is not the same this summer as Una has arrived from Vancouver and has changed into a sophisticated young woman beyond the games that she and Maisie had always enjoyed. She has discovered boys and is infatuated with David Meyer who has been invited to the Island because he has recently suffered the loss of his father.
With delicate foreshadowing, Pearson makes it quite clear that Maisie’s rejection by Una is much bigger than it first appears, and that Maisie is also conflicted by her own feelings towards boys in general.
Maisie’s anger over the circumstances of the summer lead to an interesting plot climax and Pearson provides a very satisfying and surprising ending that provides comfort and assurance to both Maisie and the reader.
If there is to be any criticism of this book, it may be that it lacks “diversity” and it is indeed largely WASP, with both Maisie’s father and grandfather being Anglican ministers. Although, it is set in a historical context, it is largely antithetical to the British Columbia of today.
Set in the very early 1950s, this is Maisie’s story. Maisie has just finished grade nine in Duncan BC and is desperate to get to Kingfisher Island to spend the summer with her best friend and cousin, Una as she has done ever since she was small. Things have not been good at home since her father, an Anglican rector returned from service in Holland in WWII. She cannot wait to get away from her father’s depression and her mother’s desperation.
But all is not the same this summer as Una has arrived from Vancouver and has changed into a sophisticated young woman beyond the games that she and Maisie had always enjoyed. She has discovered boys and is infatuated with David Meyer who has been invited to the Island because he has recently suffered the loss of his father.
With delicate foreshadowing, Pearson makes it quite clear that Maisie’s rejection by Una is much bigger than it first appears, and that Maisie is also conflicted by her own feelings towards boys in general.
Maisie’s anger over the circumstances of the summer lead to an interesting plot climax and Pearson provides a very satisfying and surprising ending that provides comfort and assurance to both Maisie and the reader.
If there is to be any criticism of this book, it may be that it lacks “diversity” and it is indeed largely WASP, with both Maisie’s father and grandfather being Anglican ministers. Although, it is set in a historical context, it is largely antithetical to the British Columbia of today.
October 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this historical fiction that felt grounded in the time period and yet touched on issues that are still relevant today (mental health, identity, faith). Kit Pearson also does a great job of mentioning pieces of Canadian history that aren't necessarily part of the main story but still inform the setting, such as the mentions of Japanese internment during WWII at the start of the book. It's a coming of age story that is a good portrayal of that awkward time when friends might be growing up faster than you and leaving you behind, but also a good portrayal of that "intense relationship between two girls that you don't really have words for"... and then it gives us the word. I like that Maisie had adults she could speak to while going through her dilemmas, and I thought the sub plot with her father's PTSD/depression was handled with a sensitive nuance which took into consideration her feelings as a child, as well as the realities of mental health. Overall I thought the book was very successful at telling its story, and maybe giving curious young readers further historical topics to look into on their own.
February 1, 2020
Kit Pearson is a national treasure.
I was an avid reader of her books growing up and she occupied the same realm as Judy Blume, but with more dreaminess in her novels. And I always loved her Canadian settings (and still do).
This book was a tender and exquisite story, and though the characters were 14/15, I would've read this and liked it at age 12/13. I loved the historical setting, the descriptions of nature and food, and most of all the narrative voice which ensured me that I was on a journey with a skilled storyteller.
I was an avid reader of her books growing up and she occupied the same realm as Judy Blume, but with more dreaminess in her novels. And I always loved her Canadian settings (and still do).
This book was a tender and exquisite story, and though the characters were 14/15, I would've read this and liked it at age 12/13. I loved the historical setting, the descriptions of nature and food, and most of all the narrative voice which ensured me that I was on a journey with a skilled storyteller.
December 24, 2021
This is the first book I finished in 1 day😌 At first I found it confusing and sort of boring ( this book is most likely not my genre, it's like too dramatic for me idk...im mostly a slow burn romance reader but I guess this is a great book to try out) It gave me a better view about unrequited love and LGBTQ+'s perspective...Like I LITERALLY LIKE LITERALLY HAD NO CLUE WHAT THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT...so when I saw that Maisie threw David's letter I was about to end...My thoughts were like " hell nahhh, ain't no way...im done with this book im out eheh no." But the goodreads community saved me cause I literally didn't know and didn't have a single clue that it contains LGBTQ+ stuff...so starting from the letter being thrown, I began to continue it and my brain just literally "omygoshh no wayyy is Maisie's dad part of the LGBTQ+ community...maybe it has something to with how he's feeling depressed...like I lowkey didn't had any clue that the 'person' who shall not be name🤷♀️ was that like I WAS SHOOKED😲🤯💀 like woah that was unexpected for me...probably because I haven't really explored the LGBTQ+ books (oh yah this is probably my first ever LGBTQ+ book) I really like how the author have persecuted Maisie's feeling about how she should wait till she gets older if anything changes...It's such a great context put in since Maisie's in her teenage years and it's such a vital part where she find out and discover more about herself like her sexuality and how she became more understanding about her feelings... Also I think this is the last part im gonna say but like the adults in her life did a great job toward nurturing...the guidance🙇♀️ and giving advice to them especially Maud, she's so understanding... Oh one more thing I love how she mentioned that in their society it was hard for the LGBTQ+ community. It such a sad thing how the society couldn't accept those relationships...However, in this generation (WOOHOO GEN Z AND FUTURE GENERATIONS...hoping to spread and give better understandingto the community) I'm grateful that many people are being understanding and more open-minded about the LGBTQ+ community (PREACH!! to the supporters<3) #LOVEISLOVE anywayzzz I think that is the end of my rant this review is sort of a mess but this is like my opinion on it and uhh I just have no one to rant to... I was like literally talking to myself while reading this book and after it, I had a whole podcast about it but honestly I have a whole podcast with my thoughts cause I have no one to talk to 🥲 but anyways #alonebutnotlonely -emma chamberlain (you guys should check out her podcast)
END OF RANT...happy holidays...imma try reading more books before 2022✨🥳🎊
END OF RANT...happy holidays...imma try reading more books before 2022✨🥳🎊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2022
To be fair, I haven't read this book in two years, but I remember really hating it. The setting was so subtle I had to remind myself it was 1951 and the only thing indicating that it was the 50s was the fact that World War II just happened. Maisie is a very unlikable protagonist, which could be because she is an antihero intended by the author. However, I don't actually think Pearson wanted Maisie to be the worst person in this book. The worst part of this book is how Maisie's queerness is dealt with. Instead of writing her as someone who falls for a local girl on Vancouver Island or a childhood best friend or whatever, they have her fall for her COUSIN. Plus, the whole speech from Una's mother didn't feel very real, I think it was good to say that Maisie's attraction to girls isn't wrong though.
Her liking her cousin wouldn't be such a big deal if the book didn't coddle the idea of being in love with your cousin.
Additionally, the whole mental health issue with Maisie's father infuriated me. I get that mental health wasn't like a thing in the 1950s, but Maisie treats her father as a nuisance and still doesn't understand trauma as a whole. To be fair, that's probably realistic, but I just hate Maisie so much.
Her liking her cousin wouldn't be such a big deal if the book didn't coddle the idea of being in love with your cousin.
Additionally, the whole mental health issue with Maisie's father infuriated me. I get that mental health wasn't like a thing in the 1950s, but Maisie treats her father as a nuisance and still doesn't understand trauma as a whole. To be fair, that's probably realistic, but I just hate Maisie so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2019
This novel opens with a very nostalgic feeling - if you have ever spent a summer in a small community by the beach with your large extended family, you will be instantly drawn into the story.
The story opens with Maisie who is anxious to leave for her summer vacation since her father has recently returned from WWII and is suffering from PTSD. She stays with her grandparents and spends the summer with her best friend cousin Una who seems all grown up this year. As Maisie realizes that so many things have changed, she is unsure how to deal with it.
This coming of age story is done extremely well, showing budding love through several couples and through the eyes of many generations. It shows love in all its aspects and identities. When combined with the time period, readers can experience the similarities and differences of attitudes towards love, sex and homosexuality.
Wonderful book, beautifully written, recommended for all!
The story opens with Maisie who is anxious to leave for her summer vacation since her father has recently returned from WWII and is suffering from PTSD. She stays with her grandparents and spends the summer with her best friend cousin Una who seems all grown up this year. As Maisie realizes that so many things have changed, she is unsure how to deal with it.
This coming of age story is done extremely well, showing budding love through several couples and through the eyes of many generations. It shows love in all its aspects and identities. When combined with the time period, readers can experience the similarities and differences of attitudes towards love, sex and homosexuality.
Wonderful book, beautifully written, recommended for all!
March 26, 2020
This coming of age historical novel is set in the 1950's in the years after the second world war. Fourteen year old Maisie heads off to spend the summer with her grandparents on one of the gulf islands off the coast of British Columbia. Life has been hard as her father is dealing with PTSD after his stint as a chaplain in WW2. She wants a summer with her cousin Una just like they have always had. But Una is changing and growing up. At times their relationship is just like always, but then a boy who Una admires shows up. Maisie does something she comes to regret before finally coming to terms with who she is and what is important to her.
Having been born a few years later than Maisie, I appreciated the authenticity of the characters, their attitudes, and their interactions. I'm impressed with Kit Pearson writing this own voices novel.
Having been born a few years later than Maisie, I appreciated the authenticity of the characters, their attitudes, and their interactions. I'm impressed with Kit Pearson writing this own voices novel.
February 15, 2021
Kit Pearson makes me cry EVERY TIME. Her books are always so sweet and yearnful, I cannot think of any other author who has managed to completely encapsulate everything I've ever felt; especially when I was a child. This book deals with depression, jealousy, and unrequited tween-age love with such innocence and care. I recommend this book to everyone, but especially my queer gals. It will speak to your soul. I promise. I was also so into this book that I literally read the whole thing in one night: started at 6:10 and finished at 10:20. I don't think I've ever done that in my life, even with shorter books.
September 5, 2019
I love Kit Pearson. Her books are so sweet even when they’re dealing with deep or dark material, and so matter-of-fact. They don’t dumb things down for kids or dismiss their feelings or questions. A great book for any child to read, it explains feelings in such an honest way. She’s the Canadian Judy Blume IMO.
September 20, 2019
As always Kit Pearson doesn't disappoint. I like that she writes about things in Canada, and because it's from a different time, it really gives us a good perspective about how attitudes have changed. There is a bit of a surprising delightful twist, but that's only because I wasn't expecting it. Loved the book enough to stay up far too late reading it!
March 17, 2024
Alright. I really wanted to like this book. The author is local, the scenery is nostalgic and the bond between the main character and her grandmother is sweet.
But the cousin incest was too much for me. I didn't DNF this book because it's actually on the syllabus for a class I'm taking but suffice to say I felt very uncomfortable trudging through it.
But the cousin incest was too much for me. I didn't DNF this book because it's actually on the syllabus for a class I'm taking but suffice to say I felt very uncomfortable trudging through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2020
This is a very emotional and touching book with great imagery and interesting notes on mental health. The only thing that made me write this low review is that she has a crush on her cousin. They are blood related. And then her cousins mom is completely alright with that. This is sort of strange.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2025
As a Kit Pearson fan, this book delivered. I loved the queer 1950s rep, it was well done and felt like I would expect it to be as someone way too young to be there. I didn’t like that it was a cousin romance though, that felt unnecessary, she could have easily been a childhood best friend
May 8, 2019
A sweet and insightful YA novel about a girl falling in love for the first time - with another girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2024
man why’s it gotta be her COUSIN
January 8, 2025
i cant believe i love kit pearson enough to read a cousin romance… this would be like 3.5 stars if they weren’t related
March 6, 2025
not a huge fan...feel weird abt una and Maisie's relationship bc like...cousins...but some sweet moments w Maisie and her dad
March 12, 2025
Maisie is a pick me and I hate her.
April 27, 2019
4.5 stars! Wow! What a great new book from Kit Pearson! Love the historical fiction LGBTQ+ rep. Read my full review here:
https://sidbookreviews.wordpress.com/...
https://sidbookreviews.wordpress.com/...
April 29, 2021
This is a great middle grade read! It’s a bit old school --set during the early 1950s, following the war. Even so, this book is a great coming of age read that tackles larger topics like depression, body image, family, friendship, love, growing distant / growing up, LGBTQ+, and so much more! Despite old values and beliefs, Pearson framed these topics in a way that was understandable, realistic, and treated them with care and acceptance.
It was interesting to see Maisie navigate her friendship with Una and later, her relationship with her father. Things weren’t perfect and some parts were off putting but a lot can be learned, especially for someone in the middle grade / preteen range. Overall, it’s an average read but packed with a lot of lessons.
It was interesting to see Maisie navigate her friendship with Una and later, her relationship with her father. Things weren’t perfect and some parts were off putting but a lot can be learned, especially for someone in the middle grade / preteen range. Overall, it’s an average read but packed with a lot of lessons.
November 14, 2019
It was okay. Set on Vancouver Island just after WWII ended. Main characters dad comes back to live with them and has PTSD.
At the end, main characters sexuality unfolds with events but it seems like such an after thought. Felt like it was written by an author who wanted to included different sexualities but didn't do enough research. Really fell flat.
At the end, main characters sexuality unfolds with events but it seems like such an after thought. Felt like it was written by an author who wanted to included different sexualities but didn't do enough research. Really fell flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2020
This middle grade book has an awful lot of cousin romance and child grooming.
March 7, 2019
I'm not quite sure why I chose "Be My Love." Maybe it's that the story takes place on an island; there is something about island life that makes for gorgeous storytelling in the right hands. Maybe it's that it's Canadian fiction--something I don't read nearly enough. Whatever it was, I'm glad I trusted my instincts.
"Be My Love" is a little like a very woke Anne of Green Gables, not so much in plot but in atmospheric terms. The prose is far less purple and the book has a definite 2019 vibe lurking beneath the historical details, but the characters and setting are every bit as vibrant and unforgetable. I'm confident that the young people who read these pages will fall in love with Maisie, Una, and the rest. Blending historical fiction with a modern-day consideration of diversity forms a potent cocktail, and I found myself just as enraptured as I might have been as a much younger girl.
Kit Pearson has given us a credible story with lovable characters, a beautiful backdrop, and a wonderfully inclusive approach to mental illness, queerness, and gender equality. I believe "Be My Love" will age as gracefully as anything by Lucy Maude Montgomery.
"Be My Love" is a little like a very woke Anne of Green Gables, not so much in plot but in atmospheric terms. The prose is far less purple and the book has a definite 2019 vibe lurking beneath the historical details, but the characters and setting are every bit as vibrant and unforgetable. I'm confident that the young people who read these pages will fall in love with Maisie, Una, and the rest. Blending historical fiction with a modern-day consideration of diversity forms a potent cocktail, and I found myself just as enraptured as I might have been as a much younger girl.
Kit Pearson has given us a credible story with lovable characters, a beautiful backdrop, and a wonderfully inclusive approach to mental illness, queerness, and gender equality. I believe "Be My Love" will age as gracefully as anything by Lucy Maude Montgomery.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews