Haunting and a Powerful Lesson in Forgiving Yourself

Was I expecting to fly through this book? No. Was I expecting to love this book as much as I did? Also no. But holy cow did I love this book. Mila has a lot of trauma behind her and is coming to the farm for a fresh start. She is no longer going to be living with her foster family who took care for her for four years. She is moving out after high school to a recluse farm with a couple named Julia and Terry. Julia and Terry take in wayward children, children who have a past and children who know trauma. Mila isn't going to be adopted though, she's too old for that. She has instead joined the farm as an intern. She is placed in charge for nine year old Lee's education. The two of them hit it off and I have to say Lee was probably my favorite character. Mila finds herself loving this new family of hers but she also feels like she is still on the outside. Every member of the family has a golden ring, bracelet or necklace to mark them as part of the family. Mila finds herself getting jealous of not having a token of her own and tries to figure out what it is that she must do in order to become a member of this family. There are also ghosts on this farm. Mila finds herself facing her past as the ghosts come to her. I was a bit taken back by the ghosts and how important they were to the story. I do have to say I liked how everything worked out in the end and how Mila finally earned her golden bracelet. Forgiveness is a strong thing; sometimes we really do have to learn how to forgive ourselves, more than forgive others.