Book Review: Eunoia by Hannah Bree Campbell

Short Description

Fourteen-year-old Azalea Stanton is a free soul, enraptured by nature's beauty and always ready to climb onto her roof to watch the sunrise. She lives a quaint yet wonderful life surrounded by her family and her beloved cows, Sense and Sensibility. Yet she longs for adventure and change. She has a complicated relationship with her sister Florence, and with their mother eager for Florence to find a suitor, Azalea's feelings are unlikely to change. When Azalea, Florence, and their mother travel to the close city of Brockschmidt to search for a suitable match, she can now step foot into the unknown she's always wondered about. Will Azalea find the adventure she's always dreamed of, and will it be as she wanted?

(Read the official synopsis on Goodreads or Amazon)

Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book by the author in return for a review. This is not a paid review, and these are my own unbiased opinions.

First Thoughts

I saw Hannah Campbell looking for more arc readers on social media, and after hearing her describe her book as a tale inspired by Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, I couldn't stop myself from immediately signing up. Both classics were instant favorites for me, so my excitement to read this book was immeasurable.

Plot

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I'll tell you now that I was pleasantly surprised. Eunoia is a charming historical tale that encompasses themes of family, love, friendship, sisterhood, belonging, and new beginnings. We follow Azalea as she struggles to find her place in the world. With a seemingly perfect sister whose existence causes her insecurity and envy to her deep yet out-of-reach desire for adventure and change, Azalea's life is filled with contrasting emotions. I was at the edge of my seat reading all the exhilarating situations Azalea and her family found themselves in, which shocked me. 

Eunoia explores what it meant to be a woman in a different time when unfair expectations were the norm, not that there's been much progress on that part. The book wonderfully depicts all the struggles and heartbreaks a young woman could experience, not only in Azalea's time but also in the present. There were many times when I could feel what Azalea felt. Her dread, envy, feelings of neglect, and sorrows were so real and so raw that they often moved me to tears. Her journey of self-discovery was a wonder to behold and I loved every moment. Hannah Campbell was able to describe human interactions and emotions so well that I could relate many instances to my own life, though the context was worlds apart from Azalea's. I loved how vividly the author was able to show the contrast between life in a small house in the countryside to the hustle and bustle of the city.  

With suitors, spinsters, balls, and possible proposals, the city has it all, and watching Azalea navigate a world so unfamiliar is amazing. I loved how individuals with similar upbringings could be so very different. Azalea is a free spirit unwilling to compromise on her happiness, while Florence is prim and proper, willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her family's benefit. I loved how the author portrayed such dissimilar personalities and yet depicted the bond sisters share so realistically. The emotions their interactions evoked were ones that I have felt countless times in my own life. The sisters had a tumultuous relationship with each other, but watching their bond develop and change was one of the highlights of this book. 

Lastly, the ending shocked and destroyed me. I still haven't healed, but I'm excited to how how Azalea's story will continue.

Characters

Azalea - Our lead and one of my favorite characters in this book. Azalea is adventurous, passionate, kind, and devoted to her family. Yet she is also insecure, stubborn, and reckless. In other words, she is a human being with strengths and flaws. She is imaginative and a dreamer. How can I possibly not love her?!

Florence - As a first daughter myself, Florence encompasses all the responsibilities, obligations, and expectations that are often commonplace for the eldest child. There are times when Florence annoyed me, but also times when I couldn't help getting teary for her. She is refined, hardworking, obedient, and poised, yet she is so much more than she displays to others.

Margaret - Azalea's mother and the character that seemed the most real to me. Like all mothers, she feels the need to make sure that her daughters will live a better life. Though her views sometimes seem excessive and made me not connect that much to her, I believe that was intentional. Margaret is one of those mothers who has stubborn ideas of what a perfect daughter should be and tries to change her daughters to fit that image to the best of her ability. Now, don't get me wrong, she isn't an awful mother. She cares deeply for both her daughters, tries to make them happy, and has made multiple sacrifices for her family. Her interactions with Azalea are particularly enjoyable.

Mrs. Jones - Maybe my favorite character in this book. She is sweet, understanding, supportive, and so uplifting. I won't say too much but I hope everyone meets someone as inspiring as Mrs. Jones in their life.

Things I Didn't Like

Firstly, at times, I thought the writing was a little dense with too much going on.

Secondly, though I loved reading Azalea's recollections, at times, they seemed out of place or repetitive.

In Summation

Overall, this book is perfect for fans of Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. If you love emotional rollercoasters that might leave you in tears, then this book should be on your TBR. This book has some religious themes, and if you find that uncomfortable, then perhaps this book may not be for you. I don't share Azalea's faith either, but the values she believes in are close to my own, so I didn't mind. If you prefer more fast-paced books, this may not be a good fit. However, if you love historical fiction with compelling characters, sweet family moments, self-discovery, and sprinkles of romance, Eunoia should be on your list.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐

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Thanks for reading! If you haven't read my review of The Night At Times Square by C.M. Francis, you can do so here :)

See you for the next Top Ten Tuesday.