Rose is thirteen, born into a wealthy family with 7 children. Her father is an accomplished artist, her mother Scottish born. Despite Rose’s father supporting her intermittent sketching interest, and a plethora of books to read, Rose is bored.

Her twin Rupert has been sent off to boarding school, and not only does she miss him terribly, she’s envious that just because he’s a boy, he gets access to an education. She would like nothing more than to leave her house of raucous siblings, distant mother and nanny’s scolding, to be at school. She imagines the discussions she’d have with others her age, on the world and all around them, and the relish of studying.

The only distraction from her boredom is a past pupil of her father – Mr Paris Walker. He’s handsome, in his early 20’s, and an excellent artist. Soon he is painting a portrait of Rose’s mother, and giving Rose tips on her own work.

Rose enjoys this distraction a little too much, and this leads to confusion about her feelings. Other troubles begin to surface. What is the new nanny doing to her little sister Beth? She is a lot quieter sure, with no fits and screaming tantrums of late, but something’s not right.

I stepped back in time to the Victorian age – a time of etiquette and seemly and proper behaviour. Rose’s siblings were a mixture of calm, and mischief, with nods towards aspergers and identity issues among them.

Rose Rivers felt like being in an earlier Pride & Prejudice. A supportive father, hysterical mother and young adults growing up and discovering their fledgling feelings of romantic love. Appearances of past characters in this series connect with Rose in this story, but Rose Rivers can be enjoyed independently of the others.

Author – Jacqueline Wilson

Age – 11+

Read an extract here

(Series, Victorian, Historical, Family, First love, Siblings, Twins, Courage, Identity)