The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks

 *Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Annabelle Aster doesn't bow to convention—not even that of space and time—which makes the 1890s Kansas wheat field that has appeared in her modern-day San Francisco garden easy to accept. Even more exciting is Elsbeth, the truculent schoolmarm who sends Annie letters through the mysterious brass mailbox perched on the picket fence that now divides their two worlds. In this unconventional and enchanting tale, Annie and her new neighbor must solve the mystery of what connects them before one of them is convicted of a murder that has yet to happen…and somehow already did.

My thoughts-

This is the type of book that is a rare gem. Not only is their mystery and intrigue, but it is super funny. There is plenty of meat in the dialogue to keep you turning the pages. I love books that offer a different reality within reality, so I really enjoyed the two dimensions/time travel plot of the story. Annie and El exchange some wondrously witty and snarky letters that I absolutely love. It was so much fun seeing them tell each other about what is going on in their lives and how that leads to some crazy adventures. I am not easy to surprise as far as twists in plots and I was taken aback a couple of times during this book. It is not often that you find such a fresh refreshingly different story among the fiction novels offered today, especially considering this is a debut novel. I look forward to what the future holds for Scott Wilbanks. I recommend The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster to anyone who likes to read contemporary fiction.

www.scottbwilbanks.com