Must Love Black

"Nanny for 10-yr-old twins. Maine coast. Own room & generous salary. MUST LOVE BLACK." This is the ad that started it all for Philippa Munson. When her father decides to remarry, Philippa decides there is no way she can be the third wheel on the honeymoon cruise that her dad and Krystal plan on taking. So she responds to the job posting for the nanny position. She arrives at Chrysalis Cliff on a foggy night. She is impressed with the place and the room that she will have for the summer. Her first night though, as she lies quietly trying to sleep, she is convinced that she is visited by a ghost at her window. Refusing to freak out about the encounter, she puts it out of her mind. She meets her two charges, Triste and Rienne, only to learn that it was the two of them that posted the help-wanted ad. It was the "must love black" that spurred Philippa to apply. Philippa is a Goth girl with a black wardrobe. The twins are instantly drawn to Philippa, commenting that she's a keeper. The twins are both pensive and reserved children. Their father has hopes that Philippa will be able to incorporate "fun" into their days. Their mother has died and their father is tied up with the daily operations of the spa that is at Chrysalis Cliff. Philippa learns early on that the children are to be neither seen nor heard by the guests. The beautiful grounds are virtually off-limits because they could encounter one of the patrons. But Philippa slowly bends the rules, using the pool during the day, as well as convincing the girls to get a pet. But the girls are far from conventional, and the pet they choose is a goat. MUST LOVE BLACK is a quick story of Philippa's adventures as a nanny for the summer. Philippa tries to bring the children and their father together, noticing early on that the attention of their father is what they most crave. Through the help of the gardener, Geoff, Philippa subtly brings changes to Chrysalis Cliff. The summer doesn't turn out the way Philippa originally planned, but it just might exceed her expectations. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

This was such a cute YA story. It really defeats the "goth" steriotype and is a really touching story about family and friends and happiness. Pippa's father is getting remarried, but Pippa isn't ready for that after the death of her mother. So she takes a babysitting job to get away from her home life. She ends up babysitting for 10-yr-old twins that are nothing if not practical, with a scedule with required "fun" time and living in a room that is more like a prison, Pippa has to try to help the kids lighten up and try to get their work-aholic father to reconnect with his children.