This is a really lovely, sweet story. I adore the characters of Guernsey and I want them to be real. I wish I were Juliet, honestly. She's a fine heroine and an admirable author. The epistolary style takes a while to get used to, but it makes perfect sense for this novel and it's just experimental enough to give an otherwise predictable plot some teeth. I do enjoy the small twists and turns of the novel, but more than anything, I love the characters and their dry British wit. Their voices come through nicely in their letters and they give emotion to a 20th century story (WWII) most of us are already familiar with. Reading about Guernsey did make me long for the recent past when everyone seemed to be more literate and romantic; at least that's the impression I have from the perfect characters of this idyllic island. Is everyone too wonderful in this novel? I can't criticize the author; I liked the story too much and I wish she (like one of her key characters) had lived to see her creation's success. I highly recommend this novel to any anglophile, or someone who loves historical fiction (like Downton Abbey) or character-driven stories. It's an enjoyable read with wide appeal and is a smart choice for a book club.