A PLACE TO BE ME
​
"A heartening cross-cultural gem that promises renewed fondness for your childhood long past."
REEDSY

"Allan’s writing is crisp, and his descriptive passages about the area’s natural surroundings are particularly vivid..."
Kirkus Reviews

Phil Gower, an underappreciated educator, leaves a stifling administrative job in Montreal to take on a risky new role as principal at Cothbert House School, a fledgling English-as-a-second-language boarding school north of Vancouver. The school is the brainchild of the curmudgeonly Major Harriet T. Hunter (aka The Major), a self-styled entrepreneur with big financial ambitions and no background in education.

Phil is joined by a quirky and diverse team, including a maverick curriculum director, a neurotic yet caring boarding house director, and a resourceful office manager. As they struggle to get the school off the ground, they face numerous obstacles: chaotic renovations, low enrollment, constant interference from the Major, and numerous student and parent challenges—even rumors that the school is haunted.

While trying to maintain order amidst the chaos, Phil discovers unsettling secrets about the Major’s estranged twin sister, Millicent, whose mysterious past seems poised to threaten the school’s future. As the situation becomes increasingly dire, Phil and his team must navigate a web of challenges, from student dynamics to mounting pressures, all while facing the consequences of Millicent’s shadowy influence.

​In the end, Phil discovers that true leadership comes not from authority, but from understanding, resilience, and the power of community.

A Place to Be Me is a humorous, heartfelt, and inspiring story about resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of education. With richly layered characters and an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, this novel will resonate with readers who believe in the importance of finding a place where everyone can truly be themselves.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO ORDER ONLINE...