In 1911, two young, recently orphaned English roses embark on an adventure under the Indian sun that will test their every limit.
When high society sisters Isobel and Violet find themselves down on their luck, an unexpected and welcomed inheritance sends them on an unforgettable voyage of discovery to face a wild destiny, deep in the jungles of India. With only their widowed and outspoken Aunt Bea to guide them, the sisters will have to bond together through sickness and health if they have any hope of surviving this strange new world.
But with Violet determined to marry well and return to England as soon as possible, Isobel faces an uncertain future. And yet, as the mystery of this unknown and lavish landscape and its people pulls Isobel under its spell, their past life fades to a distant memory and a strength and courage born of her experiences and surroundings sets her on a path few well-bred ladies have ever trod – one of independence and freedom…
If you love the television dramas The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey, then bestselling author Jane Coverdale’s Under a Cerulean Sky is for you.
It makes sense that the Coverdale worked as an art director in theatre, film and TV before becoming a novelist; there’s a strong sense of colour in her imagery, as well as some vivid descriptions of costumes and settings. Under a Cerulean Sky is perfect escapism. It’s a book you can sit with and enjoy when the daily grind of life feels too much.
Our protagonist Isobel and her loveable pet dog, Monty, are both fearless and headstrong. Reeling from the untimely demise of their wastrel father, Isobel and her more delicate sister Violet, have come upon hard times. But after the discovery of a home in Goa, it seems life is offering them an adventure.
Once there, the sisters’ romantic encounters come into force. For Isobel, falling in love is not straightforward, especially as the man who steals her heart is a widower already engaged to another. For Violet it’s about healing from a past rejection and finding her way back to the UK.
Isobel and Violet are assisted on their quest to find love and life on their own terms by their steely Aunt Bea and Mr Singh – a character we would all love to have in our homes. There are confrontations, misunderstandings and adventures to be had and many beautiful images to absorb. Not to mention a formidable antagonist. Under A Cerulean Sky is the perfect antidote to a grey mood.
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