REVIEW: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

Hello all! Hope you're all enjoying the summer! I'm currently on holiday in a huge castle in the South of France and enjoying relaxing, playing games, and of course reading a lot! 

Today's post is a review of a dreamy summer romance that's perfect for your holiday TBRs!

Title: A Sky Painted Gold

Author: Laura Wood
Series:  n/a
Pages:  356
Publisher: Scholastic
Date of Publication: 5th July, 2018
Source: Publisher for review*
Synopsis from Goodreads: Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, sixteen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer - a handsome, dashing brother and sister - Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams.

But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions... And is there something darker lurking at the heart of the Cardew family?

My Thoughts:
A Sky Painted Gold was just what I needed when I read it. It’s set in a gorgeous countryside setting in Cornwall, and it’s the perfect dreamy summer read. I haven’t read such a lovely book in a long time!

Lou lives in the seaside town on Penlyn with her many siblings and her parents. Her sister Alice is living the seemingly ‘perfect’ life; she’s settled down and married her childhood sweetheart. As the second oldest, Lou knows this is what is expected of her next but she can’t help but want more. She’s obsessed with the house across the water and its long-lost inhabitants: the Cardews.

The story begins when the Cardews return to the dilapidated house. Instantly I was swept up in their glamour and style – the 1920s is one of my favourite eras to read so I was looking forward to getting lost in the glitz and the glam. A Sky Painted Gold did not disappoint: right from their arrival in town the Cardews brought the mystery and the intrigue and all of the glitter. I loved reading about the dresses and the scenery at their parties, and the way they talk about London as if it is some far off fantasy place. I immersed myself completely in Penlyn and loved every minute of it.

I loved the characters. I loved Lou because I found myself relating to her a lot. She seemed to me very realistic – she at first was apprehensive about what she wanted and wouldn’t admit it, but then when she realised exactly what she wanted, she went for it. I liked that she didn’t just have a thought and then act straight on it, if that makes sense? Often I find heroines are ‘strong and independent women’ who know exactly what they want and how to get it straight away first time - which is obviously great, but it was nice that Lou acted as most people would: she thought it through first. I know for me that things take a while to take root and formulate in my mind and so it was just nice to see that in a book character.

The plot is simple and completely uncomplicated and I loved that. There’s a sense that there’s a bit more to the story than Lou knows, but it’s not anything particularly massive or life-changing, and I know this has been a sticking point for some people but actually I really enjoyed the almost tameness. There’s a point where I was reading and just waiting for something horrendous to happen, and it never really did?! And that surprised me, and I realised that that was actually super nice – it’s just a lovely story that ends really nicely, and it warmed my broken little heart just right.

With its dreamy setting and colourful characters, as well as all the glitz and glam of the roaring 20s, I cannot recommend this lovely book for your summer reading piles enough. While reading the last few pages I had the biggest grin on my face and I know it will melt your heart too so make sure to get yourself a copy of A Sky Painted Gold.

What's your favourite historical era to read about? Have you read any other great 1920s books I should check out?

*I received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the novel. Thanks!