New Girl In Little Cove: A Novel by Damhnait Monaghan

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Take a literary trip to Newfoundland: the island of the world’s friendliest people, the setting for the award-winning musical Come From Away, and home of the delightfully quirky and irresistibly charming debut, NEW GIRL IN LITTLE COVE (May 11; $16.99; Graydon House Books) by Damhnait Monaghan! After being utterly scandalized by the abrupt departure of their school’s only French teacher (she ran off with a priest!) the highly Catholic, very tiny town of Little Cove, Newfoundland needs someone who doesn’t rock the boat. Enter mainlander Rachel O’Brien —technically a Catholic (baptized!), technically a teacher (unused honors degree!)— who is so desperate to leave her old life behind, she doesn’t bother to learn the (allegedly English) local dialect. Stuck on an island she’s never known surrounded by a people and culture she barely understands, Rachel struggles to feel at home. Only the intervention of her crotchety landlady, a handsome fellow teacher, and the Holy Dusters – the local women who hook rugs and clean the church – will assure Rachel’s salvation in this little island community.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! I absolutely LOVED this delightful gem by Damhnait Monaghan - it was truly such a treat to read. 

Set in Little Cove, Newfoundland this is the story of Rachel O'Brien.  She's a mainlander who finds herself taking up the newly vacated position of teacher at the local school.  She's new in town, new to teaching, and new to all of these locals. So, you can imagine how excited and nervous she is to be settling in Little Cove. Of course, life gets off to quite a rocky start on the island. She can barely understand her student's English and someone's been leaving notes on her car telling her to go home. Talk about an unwelcome start to a new life.  Struggling to find her footing, Rachel perseveres and slowly begins to make some friends, enjoy the local culture, and develop a bit of a romance.  Yep, Rachel is fitting in at Little Cove.  Except, Rachel soon finds herself in quite the predicament when she comes to the aid of a student and learns that her beliefs and that of the community's are polar opposites. Will she be fired? Will she have to leave Little Cove? And that is all I will write about this terrific story. Definitely check it out to find out what happens to Rachel and Little Cove. 

Monaghan has written a wonderful story chock full of emotion, vivid details, and unforgettable characters. You won't be able to help but get caught up in the town, the story, and Rachel's new life in Newfoundland. I enjoyed every second spent reading all about this town's language, customs, and way of life - it was fascinating and made you see how much Rachel had to learn as she settled in.  Such a great read! I would happily recommend New Girl In Little Cove to anyone and everyone looking for their next read - you will LOVE this book to bits!

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!