In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint

by Alexandra Vasti

Read Dates: 4/20/25 to 4/20/25

Review

When I first started this second book in the series, I found myself scratching my head a bit—it felt like I was reading a slightly altered replay of Book 1. But then it clicked: this story is actually unfolding at the same time as the first, just from a completely different perspective. That realization made everything snap into place, and it was honestly such a cool way to deepen the story. Following Matilda this time around gave me a whole new appreciation for her character. Watching her navigate the same events we saw in Book 1—especially her interactions with her sister, Margo—added a lot of depth and answered questions I didn’t even realize I had.

What really pulled me in was Matilda’s quiet strength and warmth. She has this gentle, caring presence that slowly but surely wins people over, and I loved seeing how that played out with the other characters. The way her light shines through made her super easy to root for. I’m genuinely curious to see how things will unfold in Book 3—whether it will continue to run parallel or jump forward in the timeline. Either way, I’m hooked and can’t wait to dive back into this layered, multi-perspective world.

Meeting Alexandra Vasti at an author panel and discussion in February of 2025 was such an amazing experience. Hearing of her writing methods, and celebrations when a book is complete, as well as her interactions with the other authors present, made me like her even more.