The Situation: When Matilda receives a letter from the father she never met, it is her chance to meet the man she has always wondered about. Kingsley Cello is not only her dad, but a world-famous and reclusive artist, whose paintings are worth millions. Matilda's mother has always avoided talking about him, while pursuing her own passions, often moving herself and her daughter to follow the latest plan, and man. But now that Matilda is technically an adult, and her mother is not even in the same country, she is free to decide to fly across the country to meet Kingsley. But while she is not immediately greeted by her father, she does meet her half-brother, a former child-actor, and another young man who only wants her to turn around and go back home.
The Problem: Matilda arrives to a castle in a sort of chaos. Her half-brother Meer is thrilled she is there, but his mother, June, was clearly not aware that Kingsley contacted her and asked her to come. Brock is goofy, but helpful, and Tatum is immediately on his guard, seemingly aware that Matilda's presence could upset whatever living situation they have worked out among themselves. As Matilda gets settled into life at the castle, Kingsley remains mysteriously absent, and there is a truth that is staying hidden and out of sight. She will have to do her digging if she wants answers, because no one is going to offer any.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set around the same time as Lockhart's first book, We Were Liars. The fire on Beechwood Island has just happened, and Matilda even gets a chance to visit the wreckage. With a father that has only now reached out to her as she has graduated high school and is about to attend college, and a mother that decided she would rather live away from her daughter than stay with her in California, Matilda is a young woman who is used to people leaving her. She is not sure what to expect from the man that everyone has hailed as a genius and visionary, but it certainly is not a half-brother who is starved for attention; a sort-of step-mother who seems detached, but also controlling; and a young man who knows more than he says, but infuriates Matilda as much as he draws her in.
My Verdict: Of the three books in the We Were Liars universe, I found this one to be the most engaging, though also frustrating. What Lockhart does well is portray a group of people who are clearly going through something and not handling it very well. They are all nice enough, but there is this facade of being free spirits that only masks their irresponsibility, and also their anxiety over the situation. And as much as I wanted to like Matilda, her lack of tact and observation skills were grating. And I did not quite believe in the chemistry of the romance that later occurs.
Favorite Moment: When Meer buys a bunch of baby birds (chickens, ducks, etc.), it is a cute moment, but also a telling one. And it is clear that while Meer and Matilda are excited, this new hobby is not going to go the way they had hoped.
Favorite Character: This is one of those books where most of the people are nice, but that does not mean they are likeable. As sweet and kind as most of them are, these are not people I would want to be stuck on an island with.
Recommended Reading: As a follow-up to this book, I recommend The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.
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