A very well-written and heart wrenching story! This is my first book by Jennifer Coburn but certainly not my last. Kudos to the meticulous resear4.5 *
A very well-written and heart wrenching story! This is my first book by Jennifer Coburn but certainly not my last. Kudos to the meticulous research!
This story focuses on two women during WW II. Hannah and Hilde. Hannah and her Grandfather set off for, "Theresienstadt." They think they are going to a safe haven that is like a spa for Jews. They have been told it is, "Hitler's gift to the Jews." ...more
The story and writing is divine! This captivated me from beginning to end.
This is the story of the Soffer fWow! Now this is how I love my Historicals!
The story and writing is divine! This captivated me from beginning to end.
This is the story of the Soffer family that focuses on the eldest daughter, Malaka "Minnie." "Home is where your people are."
On January 17, 1920 prohibition began in the United States. That is the day Minnie and her mother and brother stepped onto Ellis Island in New York. Minnie's father was awaiting his family's arrival from Ukraine. This was to be a new start for the family. A new life filled with hopes and dreams and with some reservations.
The Soffer's are a Jewish family that settle in the lower East side of New York City. They are struggling to survive but have the love of family and their community on their side. The father makes a decision that will impact the family and especially Minnie for years to come.
This story is set from the 1920's to mid 1930's. An era that fascinates me. It's about the grittier side of that time when mobsters and speakeasies ruled the town. A story about doing what it takes to survive even if it's not what you really want to do. This definitely pulled at the heartstrings ❤️...more
SUPERB! After reading this author's debut, "Looking for Jane" and loving it I was very much looking forward to her newest book. This Canadian author SUPERB! After reading this author's debut, "Looking for Jane" and loving it I was very much looking forward to her newest book. This Canadian author ...more
I loved the writing! From the beginning I was immersed into the story. This started off with so much omph and anxiety! 1940 and the Jewish Levinstein'I loved the writing! From the beginning I was immersed into the story. This started off with so much omph and anxiety! 1940 and the Jewish Levinstein's are hiding in an attic and hear footsteps down below. Trying to stay very quiet it looks like the Gestapo has found them! Then the story goes back in time to 1929 as it tells the story to 1940.
The cover is really attractive but it's not quite accurate to the story. It's about four girls really. They live in Austria. Anna, who is a well-to-do Jewish girl, and her two non-Jewish friends Elica and Bernie who are quite poor. They want to make a blood pact to become "blood sisters" for life. There is a fourth girl who is also very poor and her name is Dagna. She sort of weasles and threatens her way into the group but she is quite mean and not very well liked. She also is not nice at all to Anna because she's Jewish. So the story begins in 1929 as the girls are young and form a pact and it follows their lives just before World War II starts. The story focuses mainly on Anna in the beginning and her life and family. Then Elica and Bernie and a little of Dagna.
The story was always interesting but some of the characters were distressing and frustrating but that is to be expected with this Wartime story.
This is the first in a series and it does end with a cliffhanger and I'll be sure to pick up the next book. This is my first Roberta Kagan novel but not my last! I enjoyed her Author's notes at the end and how she explained that although these stories are heavy she always tries to write them from a place of love and kindness. I think that really came through in the character of Anna.
I'd like to Kindly thank NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy....more
This one sat on my NetGalley shelf for far too long!!!
I enjoyed Daisy Wood's debut novel but I loved this one even more! From the first page to 4.5 *
This one sat on my NetGalley shelf for far too long!!!
I enjoyed Daisy Wood's debut novel but I loved this one even more! From the first page to the last!
The chapters alternate every few times. From around 1940 and into WW II and present day.
In 1940 we meet Jacques and his wife Mathilde. They live in Paris and Jacques runs a bookshop. Mathilde works at a museum. War breaks out and Mathilde is determined to help with the French resistance. Jacques is petrified and just wants to keep his beloved wife safe. I thought this part of the story would focus more on Mathilde but it slowly began to focus on Jacques and his quiet but courageous fight. What an awesome human being! I know this is a work of fiction but just knowing that there actually were people who did what he did makes me so hopeful about humanity! Horrific times can bring out the best in people.
In the present day story Juliette is visiting Paris with her husband. Her Grandmother was originally from there and Juliette is drawn to a certain square that is depicted in her Grandmother's beloved picture that hung in her home for many years. As Juliette is suddenly faced with a personal dilemma she decides to stay on in Paris indefinitely and gather more information. Her dream is to open a bookshop.
It's a heartbreaking story about the horrors and depiction of WW II that is just beautifully written. The present timeline reminds us that people still care to know about the brave acts of so many during that horrendous time.
Yes, please for more Daisy Wood stories!
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for granting me access to this advanced Reader Copy. I just wish I'd have read it sooner!...more
I listened to the audible audio that was narrated by the ever-wonderful Julia Whelan! She makes the characters come alive!Oh what a FUN little book!!!
I listened to the audible audio that was narrated by the ever-wonderful Julia Whelan! She makes the characters come alive!
The book is about two Jewish families that bought a hotel in 1960 in the Catskills. Back in those early days the hotel was the place to be seen and the Catskills was the place to vacation. Sixty years later, the hotel is run-down and clientele is definitely slipping. The two families children are grown and have families of their own. They decide to meet at, "The Golden" for one last summer vacation to reminisce and to discuss on whether it's time to sell-up and leave the business.
I enjoyed all the characters and family members. This book is so much fun with an added dash of family drama and oh what a ROMP this one was!
This book is pure entertainment and filled with nostalgia. Perfect for a summer's day read. Add this one to your summer reading. You won't be disappointed....more
I loved the premise of this book. The story of a very dysfunctional family, The Miller's and how they came into the possession of the very elusive lonI loved the premise of this book. The story of a very dysfunctional family, The Miller's and how they came into the possession of the very elusive long-lost Florentine diamond from the Habsburg royal family (Austro-Hungarian empire.) When Helen Auerbach, family matriarch dies and leaves her daughter and three grandchildren a family heirloom no one can possibly believe it is a long-lost royal diamond. The family goes on a quest to find out how Helen came to have this and uncover her story (and also her mother Flora's as well.)
The writing is very good but the pacing was a bit slow for my liking. The family is very dysfunctional but my problem was more that there really wasn't any one character that was likeable for me. I didn't find the ending totally satisfying but overall it was a pretty good story....more
I loved the premise of the story but the first half of the book was just slow moving and it was hard to grasp such a "big romance" from it. I really wI loved the premise of the story but the first half of the book was just slow moving and it was hard to grasp such a "big romance" from it. I really was intrigued with Shanghai and learning about this fascinating city in the 1920's and 1930's. The last half of the book picked up speed and held my interest. I'd say this was more of a 2 1/2 stars....more