The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Velvet Hours and was incredibly honoured to have been selected to review Richman's newest book.  The Secret of Clouds is a moving story about a mother's love, a teacher's promise, and a child's heart.

Richman's writing at times is simplistic and initially I was concerned that I would start skimming, but stick with it, there are two beautiful stories in play.

Katya, a ballerina, and Sasha, a student, are a young couple just starting out when tragedy falls on their homeland, Kiev.  The couple emigrate to America in the hopes of a better life, but the consequences of the tragedy surface in their son, Yuri, who was born with a heart condition and a compromised immune system. He grows up isolated from other children in the hopes of sparing him from sickness.

Maggie, a wonderful and passionate young teacher, takes on tutoring Yuri at home.  Yuri gives her pause—he reminds her so much of her friend that died as a child.  The The two form an unlikely connection that runs deep.  Maggie is inspired by Yuri and draws on his strength to make a difficult change in her own life.

We've all had at least one special teacher, you know, the kind that sees your potential and ultimately changes your life.  This story is a beautiful tribute to those teachers and it fills the heart.

ALYSON RICHMAN is the international bestselling author of The Velvet Hours, The Garden of Letters, The Lost Wife, The Last Van Gogh, The Rhythm of Memory, The Mask Carver’s Son, and Grand Central.

She lives in Long Island, New York, with her husband and two children.