This was a fairly new novel that was recommended to me by a friend. The premise involves the New York Barbizon hotel for women and a storyline that goes on in the 1950s and one that is present day. There is mystery and romance in the novel. The mystery component is definitely the stronger part of the plot.

I liked the character of Rose, the modern day journalist who is looking into a mysterious death and some disappearances in the building when her long time boyfriend dumps her and returns to his nasty wife.

There is irony in the fact that Rose thinks she needs a man in her life to define her and the women of the 1950's were trying to break free from that. Ultimately love and forgiveness are emphasized, but the ending was a bit weak for me.

I enjoyed reading this and don't want to give the whole plot away. It had short chapters, which I like these days and it held my interest. At the very end, it was a bit of a page-turner, but not throughout. Sometimes the plot sort of lagged a bit.

I would recommend this writer, though. I think she has the ability to craft an intriguing story that draws the reader in and I look for more of her work as this is her very first novel.

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Created Oct 29, 2016 at 9:29am • Submit your own review...