This book was really enjoyable, even if I do find the series of Betsy's earlier years more appealing. It's super entertaining to hear about her travels, and it makes me wish I was back at many of those places myself-just maybe not exactly WHEN Betsy was out there!

I loved all of Betsy's adventures, and as sweet as this story is, it's sweetness wasn't overdone or exhausting. The most fascinating chapter of all, however was the end when the world was sliding in World War I.

I recommend this to fans of Betsy and her adventures, as well as those looking for an interesting read of life immediately before World War I.

Betsy and I are fighting right now. You see, I just can't forgive her for lousing it up with Joe. Of course we all know it'll work out right in the end because, in the words of that annoying girl from Sleepless in Seattle they're "MFEO." But for now, I call you out Betsy Ray. You have permission to do the same for me when I inevitably make my own romantic blunders. That is, you could, if you were a real person. Who would probably be dead from old age by now. Regardless.

I'm also fighting with Joe because I can't forgive him for the mustache. A mustache? No, you will regret this, sir. If I've learned anything from romcoms, it's that facial hair incurred during a break-up is never good news.

Loved it!

Not as appealing as the books set in Deep Valley but still entertaining. A great picture of what travel would have been like a hundred years ago.

I just love Betsy.

And I want to travel around Europe in 1914 and meet dashing Irishmen and Italians, lovely Swiss girls and lonely baronesses.

This felt a bit like a travelogue. About 5 chapters in I thought, "This has to be Maud Hart Lovelace's own travels but through Betsy's eyes!" And sure enough, MHL travelled European 1913 and was in London when they declared war. I loved every bit of her travels and discoveries.

Lovely. And lovelier.

Perfect summer escape reading if you loved the Betsy, Tacy, & Tib books when you were growing up...

This is the most charming series and about as family friendly as they come.

Knowing what we do about the times when she is traveling gives an additional edge to adventures of Betsy. And who can forget Spinat und Ei. :)

Yes, I'm reading all the way through them. Again. BECAUSE THEY'RE DARLING!

enjoyed this much more than I thought I would; I didn't care much for it the first time I read it 20 or so years ago, but liked it lots this time around.

We skip two years before this book begins, during which time Betsy went to University, hated it, dropped out, and lost touch with Joe when he went off to Harvard. And so, Bob Ray being the kind father that he is, offers a "snoggestion" that Betsy take some time to explore Europe.

So this book differs from the rest of the series, set alternately on an ocean liner across the Atlantic, in Italy, in Munich, in Paris, and in London. Betsy makes friends, falls in love with an Italian musician, socializes with socialites and cleaning staff alike, all while the shadow of the Great War creeps across Europe. And then the war begins, and Betsy makes plans to come home. And in the newspaper, a personal ad from Joe Willard reads: The Great War is on but ours is over. Come home. Joe."

And so she does.

This entry in Betsy-Tacy was so boring and so different from the other books. I missed Deep Valley! But so did Betsy. If I’d known, I might have skipped this one. I wouldn’t have missed a thing!