We are first introduced to Arthur, a young man who struggles with academia as well as conversing, but a character who has a heart of pure gold.

The battle against his jealous younger brother Jake, however, is a dangerous one. Jake is a devious character - full of malice, but with a sugar-coated smile, which draws in his hapless victims.

Although Jake is lavished with attention from his doting mother, he longs for affection and love from his father. But Arthur is the apple of his dad's eye, and Jake never gets a look-in. One tragedy after the next befalls Arthur, and Jake never seems to be far away from the trouble.

Lawson also crafts various intermingling chapters from the viewpoint of her second major character, Ian, is the son of the area's doctor. He is full of promise, and longs to leave Straun, a fictitious north Canadian town, for Toronto.

Before making a decision about his future, he lands a position as Arthur's farm hand, which pleases Ian as he is infatuated with Laura, Arthur's wife.

Arthur and Ian's present and past are revealed, to the point where the two lives are intrinsically wound within one anothers - little do they realise how tightly.

The end of the book, though I won't give too much away, is so refreshing. It leaves no questions unanswered, and the bonds between the young man and his farm boss have their ends firmly tied.

Definitely one for the ladies - and get the tissues at the ready as there won't be a dry eye in the house.