The Story

Anne Shirley, now Anne Blythe, leaves Avonlea behind to start her married life with Gilbert in the little white house he promised her. In the coastal village of Four Winds, she meets a cast of unforgettable neighbors. There's Captain Jim, the wise old lighthouse keeper with a lifetime of tales, and the beautiful but tragically sad Leslie Moore, who lives in the grand house next door under a shadow no one talks about. As Anne settles into her new role as a doctor's wife and makes this house a home, she becomes tangled in the quiet drama and deep secrets of the people around her, all while experiencing the greatest joys and sorrows of her own young life.

Why You Should Read It

This book has a different, more mature feeling than the earlier Anne stories. Montgomery doesn't shy away from life's real pain—there's grief, loss, and regret woven right into the fabric of the community. But that's what makes the moments of friendship, love, and simple happiness shine so brightly. The heart of the story is Anne learning that being a grown-up is complicated, but that deep connections with kindred spirits, old and new, make it all worthwhile. Captain Jim and Miss Cornelia are two of Montgomery's absolute best characters—they'll steal the show and your heart.

Final Verdict

This is for anyone who loves character-driven stories about community and resilience. It's perfect for fans of the series who want to follow Anne into adulthood, or for readers who just enjoy a warm, thoughtful novel about starting over. If you're looking for a fast-paced plot, this isn't it. But if you want to sink into a world where people truly see each other and help carry each other's burdens, you'll find your own house of dreams here.