Welcome to Litsy!

It‘s not until near the end of the book that we learn the significance of the title, and it‘s a little disappointing, to be honest. Also, I think the way the author ended the novel is what made me rate it only 4 stars. It was quite abrupt and a bit of a let down and mood breaker. But this was a charming coming of age novel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The first 1/2 felt slow & unfocused, but the 2nd half was compelling. It's a campus novel, a story about friendship, and a look at the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters. I enjoyed the writing and appreciated the nods to literature. If I were rating just the 2nd half, it would be 4/5 stars, but I almost abandoned it a few times, so I can't go there. Still, a strong pick! Feb's #Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

We follow our main protagonist, Penelope, whose middle name is Elliot which she just doesn't understand as Elliot is typically a boys name. This bothers 'Pen' so much that she digs into her parents past and finds a guy called Elliot Lennox who is now a famous writer so she sets out to connect with him.

If this sounds flimsy to you, I can assure you that it reads flimsy to me also.

All in all, this was a miss for me.

This book hooked me because octopus, but there‘s little to justify the title. I didn‘t dislike it except the premise made no sense. Two BFFs leave Toronto to uni in Scotland. Why there - so MC, Pen, can research the origins of her boyish middle name. Weak😜 While the bff storyline remains at university, Pen‘s is split between college life (how embarrassing to be a virgin) and her connection to the grand estate of Lord Elliot Lennox.