GLH is a wonderful at writing about and capturing the essence to true friendship. Phoebe Deane is a wonderful book about friendship, love intrigue, deceit and jealousy. It is a story of true love and all it could and should be for a young woman. It's a joy to see it all in story form. GLH did a wonderful job by bringing all these facets of human life to text form. Her word plays are masterfully descriptive, and are terrific in it's content. There is a cruel campaign against poor, beautiful but strong Phoebe, started by Hiram, and it takes all of her and her friends' strength to overcome the cruel intentions started by him. The story is a happy ending, and is truly inspirational, and a joy to read. It is recommended for everyone, but in particular, women, who like to read about happy endings in their books. It gives thought to how things work in this life, and puts a little of wonder back into your thoughts, all the while keeping reality very close by. It's a story about a young woman's resolve and decision making process that enable her to live a full and rewarding life in the end. The choices made a tough, and thought provoking. The book is everything the author meant it to be, as it was written probably as a message to her daughters, a legacy. Phoebe Deane is about a girl and her adventures through life, or rather her misadventures through life, at the hands of her "friendly" neighbors. There are a few on her side, Marcia Schuyler and her husband David Spafford, and Miranda, ofcourse. But just as easily, in the other corner is the leacherous Hiram, if there ever was a sleaze, he is it. He is misguided in his thinking, and thinks that he is infact attracted strongly, to Phoebe Deane, when in fact, all he ever seems to want to do, is work her harm, and scare the poor girl out of her wits. I mean, who would want to keep company with someone who never mind is unattractive, by all accounts of the book, and has less than an honorable nature. He's just a plain bore, and a complete bore, and ofcourse completely self-obsessed. Nevermind, Phoebe has absolutely no interest in him whatsoever, he's going to be her husband! It's GOD's will! (!) Imagine that ladies, a guy coming up to you in a crowd, you don't know him from adam, he "tells" you to your face, you're supposed to be his wife. Can U say delusional? It gets real bad, if he starts lying to your friends, (saying that he is your friend,with the whole intent to extract some useful information about you. Isn't that called stalking, in some states?) that there is some kind of friendship with the person, and you have actually no idea who he is! Wait until this "person" starts to send you flowers, without a card, so you now have absolutely no idea!, (and you think it's your boyfriend, imagine the chaos that creates) (!) who he is. Now that's a brain teaser. These past few sentences from a real life experience of mine. I had flashbacks as I read this book(!). Hiram chooses stealth as a means in reaching his objectives. Truly a despicable individual. While Phoebe, really, is just stuck dealing with all the fall out from the confusion, involved. I mean, what can you do, when someone decides that he is going to be a part of your life regardless of how you feel about the whole situation? It's sick. But it can be stopped, and that's what the whole book is about. A person's strength to deal with all your situations in hand when you have to deal with unsavory individuals when you really have better things to do. But it truly is an excellent manual on how to keep your head when a disaster happens. Good reading!



Recommended: Yes