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The book tells the story of Barbara, a 17-year-old girl who feels suffocated by her family's strict rules and treatment of her as a child. She creates a fictional love interest, Harold Valentine, to make her family think she is grown up and deserving of more freedom, but things become complicated when she meets a real person who matches her fictional character's description. As Barbara navigates her complicated relationships and family dynamics, she learns valuable lessons about honesty, trust, and the importance of being true to oneself. Throughout the book, Barbara's desire for independence, freedom, and a career in writing is contrasted with her family's expectations of her as a debutante. She becomes infatuated with a celebrity, Mr. Reginald Beecher, and later falls in love with an actor, Adrian Egleston. Barbara's life is filled with love, deception, and family drama, and she often finds herself in trouble due to her reckless and impulsive nature. However, she also shows determination and resourcefulness, particularly during wartime when she forms a group called the Girls' Aviation Corps (G.A.C.) to contribute to the war effort. Ultimately, Barbara reflects on the lessons she has learned and the growth she has experienced, preparing to take on new challenges and responsibilities as she matures into a young woman.
The story revolves around Barbara, a 17-year-old girl who feels suffocated by her family's strict rules and treatment of her as a child. She decides to take matters into her own hands and creates a fictional love interest, Harold Valentine, to make her family think she is grown up and deserving of more freedom. However, things take a turn when she meets a real person who matches her fictional character's description, and she finds herself entangled in a web of deception and misunderstandings. As Barbara navigates her complicated relationships and family dynamics, she learns valuable lessons about honesty, trust, and the importance of being true to oneself.
The story continues with Barbara's theme writing assignment, where she recounts her Christmas holiday experiences. She feels suffocated by her family's strict rules and treatment of her as a child. Barbara creates a fictional love interest, Harold Valentine, to make her family think she is grown up and deserving of more freedom. However, things take a turn when she meets a real person who matches her fictional character's description. Barbara becomes entangled in a web of deception and misunderstandings, leading to a series of events that ultimately result in her being sent back to school. Meanwhile, Barbara's family dynamics and relationships with her sister and parents are explored, revealing their strict and old-fashioned values. Barbara's desire for independence, freedom, and a career in writing is contrasted with her family's expectations of her as a debutante. The story takes a dramatic turn when Barbara meets a celebrity, Mr. Reginald Beecher, and becomes infatuated with him, leading to a series of events that challenge her values and ambitions.
The story continues with Barbara's experiences during her summer vacation. She meets a celebrity, Mr. Reginald Beecher, and becomes infatuated with him. Barbara's family, however, is more concerned with her sister Leila's social life and debutante status. Barbara feels suffocated by her family's strict rules and treatment of her as a child, leading her to seek independence and a career in writing. She starts writing a play, but her family discovers a flask and cigarettes in her suitcase, which belonged to a young man she met on the train. Barbara's family is shocked and accuses her of being rebellious and disobedient. Despite the tension, Barbara continues to work on her play and seeks inspiration from Mr. Beecher's works. She eventually meets him and is thrilled to learn more about his life and writing. The story explores Barbara's struggles with her family, her passion for writing, and her desire for independence and self-expression.
The story continues with Barbara's inner turmoil as she navigates her feelings for Reginald Beecher, a famous playwright, and her family's disapproval. She spends a night in a closet at the Pattens' house, where she overhears a conversation between Mrs. Beecher and Mrs. Patten, revealing that Mr. Beecher is married. Barbara is heartbroken and feels betrayed. She later attends a matinee of a play by Adrian Egleston, an actor she has fallen in love with, and they exchange a romantic glance. With the help of her friend Jane, Barbara meets Adrian in his dressing room, and he gives her a photograph with a loving inscription. Despite the challenges and objections from her family, Barbara is determined to pursue her love for Adrian and her passion for writing.
The story continues with Barbara's tumultuous life, filled with love, deception, and family drama. She meets a mysterious stranger while driving her car and becomes embroiled in a scheme to capture a thief who has been targeting homes in the area. Barbara's relationship with her family is strained, particularly with her sister Leila, who is acting strangely and refusing to marry. Barbara's own love life is complicated, as she is engaged to Tommy Gray but struggling with her feelings and the fact that he is not as devoted to her as she would like. Meanwhile, Carter Brooks, a family friend, offers guidance and support, but Barbara's reckless and impulsive nature often leads her into trouble. As the story unfolds, Barbara's web of deceit and secrets begins to unravel, threatening to destroy her relationships and her future.
The story continues with Barbara's experiences during wartime. She forms a group called the Girls' Aviation Corps (G.A.C.) with her friends, aiming to contribute to the war effort and prove that women can be useful in times of crisis. Barbara's family is skeptical, but she is determined to make a difference. As the G.A.C. begins to take shape, Barbara becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering a potential spy in her household, William, who she believes is not what he seems. Her investigations lead to a dramatic and dangerous confrontation, during which she is held captive and forced to reveal the password to her father's mill. However, with the help of a mysterious figure, Mr. Schmidt, Barbara is able to signal for help and ultimately thwart the spy's plans. Meanwhile, Barbara's personal life becomes more complicated as she navigates her feelings for Carter Brooks, who has joined the war effort. The story concludes with Barbara reflecting on the lessons she has learned and the growth she has experienced, as she prepares to take on new challenges and responsibilities.