Set on Prince Edward Island at the start of World War I, Rilla of Ingleside follows Anne and Gilbert's youngest daughter. When war is declared, her idyllic world shatters as her brothers and her sweetheart, Kenneth Ford, enlist. Suddenly, the flighty teenager is left behind, responsible for managing the household, leading the local Junior Red Cross, and even adopting a war orphan she names 'Little Kitchener.' Through letters, telegrams, and long silences, Rilla grows up fast, her life measured by the headlines from Europe and the empty chairs at the dinner table.

Why You Should Read It

This book grabbed me in a way I didn't expect. Montgomery usually writes about the magic of childhood, but here she writes about the painful end of it. Rilla's voice feels so real—her fear, her pride, her stubborn hope. It’s a powerful look at how a global tragedy reshapes ordinary lives, especially the women who had to hold everything together. You’ll laugh at the Ingleside antics one minute and have a lump in your throat the next. It adds a whole new, sobering layer to the world of Anne Shirley.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories and historical fiction that feels personal, not like a textbook. If you grew up with Anne, you need to see how her story—and Canada’s story—matures. But you don't need to know the earlier books to be moved by Rilla’s journey. It’s for readers who appreciate stories about resilience, family, and the quiet, everyday kind of heroism.