H.E. Bates' "Love for Lydia" follows the arrival of Paul, a young man, into the close-knit, lively group of the Aspen family. He becomes utterly captivated by Lydia, the youngest daughter, whose free spirit and unpredictable nature draw him in. The book charts Paul's intense, often turbulent, romantic obsession with Lydia, as she moves through various relationships and experiences. It's a story about youthful infatuation, the complexities of love, and the challenges of understanding someone who defies easy definition. Set against a backdrop of 1920s England, "Love for Lydia" explores themes of desire, social expectations, and the search for identity. It's a classic tale of romantic longing.