The Summary

When Nahri unintentionally summoned Dara, a powerful and enigmatic djinn, during one of her schemes, her life was eternally altered. She was snatched away from her Cairo home and thrust into the opulent royal court of Daevabad, where she soon realized she would need all of her grifter instincts to survive.

The Summary

Matelda, the matriarch of the Cabrelli family, has always been blunt and opinionated. Now that she is nearing the end of her life, she is determined to tell her family a long-kept secret about her own mother's epic love story, which involved her childhood friend Silvio and the handsome Scottish sea captain John Lawrie McVicars, who served as Matelda's father. When Italy teeters on the verge of World War II, Domenica Cabrelli thrives in the beach town of Viareggio until her beloved home becomes unsafe. As Domenica navigates her way through love, sorrow, and grief while yearning for home, her journey takes her from the jagged cliffs of Marseille to the mystical beauty of Scotland to the perils of wartime Liverpool, where Italian Scots are imprisoned without charge.

One hundred years later, her granddaughter Anina and daughter Matelda grapple with the same existential dilemmas, and Matelda muses on what is truly worth fighting for. But because Matelda is running out of time, the two histories unexpectedly and heartbreakingly converge, leading the family to startling disclosures and, in the end, salvation.

My Review

This book far surpassed my expectations. The story spans several generations and is lovely. Matelda, the matriarch, is nearing old age and death. She reflects on her own life by telling her granddaughter about her mother's own romantic experiences.

A family's love for one another as well as their deepest secrets and trauma are all explored in this story, which takes place between the 1920s and the present. It also contains the most beautiful love story. A marginally more significant World War II historical event was discovered among Tuscany, Marseilles, and Scotland.

There is a clear contrast between the male and female characters. Each of the women is strong, diligent, and perpetually unselfish. They are happy and fatigued at the same time. They can be difficult and snarky at times, but they are always loving. On the other side, the guys aren't as much. Some people are bad and reckless. Even the most conscientious, truthful, and charitable of the others lack the women's character strength.

I didn't quite understand some of the lengthy family secrets, and there were a couple too many side stories, which slowed the plot down a little. The continual explication on the value of family struck me as a touch tedious as well.

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like the modern characters are always portrayed in the worst possible ways, like the fuel for the aftermath of the story, particularly in this book-length instance. Too much for each book, and in comparison, the personal actions of modern characters lose their depth and turn frivolous and dull.

But it's still a quick read and one that's nice to have. lovely blending of bitter and sweet.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

The Summary

Every story has its own secrets.

The Summary

Lillian Carter, age 21, lost her mother to the Spanish flu in 1919, and it has been eight months since then. Since then, her life has fallen apart totally. Lillian was one of the most sought-after painters' models in New York City for the previous six years under the name Angelica. Statues of her likeness may be found on famous structures like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Plaza Hotel. The job has dried up and a brewing scandal have left a mourning Lillian completely without a safe haven. However, with her mother gone, she is alone and desperate. Therefore, Lillian seizes the chance when she discovers a job opening at the Frick mansion a building that, strangely, bears her own face. She is drawn into a complex web of romantic liaisons, stolen jewels, and family drama that is so deep that the stakes may be life or death the longer she serves as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick.

Nearly fifty years later, within the walls of the former Frick mansion, now transformed into one of New York City's most stunning museums, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own opportunity to build her career and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home. However, after being fired from the Vogue photo shoot at the Frick Collection with a charming intern and aspiring art curator named Joshua, she stumbles upon a series of hidden messages in the gallery. These messages could help Veronica with her money problems as well as finally shed light on a long-simmering murder in the infamous Frick family.

My Review

My very first Fiona Davis book! Honestly, I was immediately drawn to the book's cover. The lovely Magnolia Palace on the book's cover relates to the Frick Collection in New York City, a peculiar but stunning location that serves as the setting for the most of the story.

Two separate historical fiction stories, a light romance, and an intriguing murder mystery are all featured in this literary gem. The first stream moves through 1919 effortlessly, but the second stream, which moves through 1966 gradually, reads like two books combined.

Lillian, a female form model for artists at the time, loses her mother to the Spanish flu in 1919, and it is later discovered that she had a significant role in the death of her landlord's wife. By mistake, she agrees to work as Helen Frick's personal secretary. Helen Frick's father is the owner of the estate that would eventually house the Frick Museum. In the second timeline, aspiring model Veronica Weber is trapped within the Frick Museum after being left behind after a photo shoot there in 1966, during a harsh blizzard.

The thing I like best about reading historical fiction is that I always learn something new, even if it's often hard for me to believe because it really does happen. This book made me intrigued about the Frick Museum in general and Audrey Munson, who is partly based on Lillian's character, which led me to explore Google for more information. incredibly fascinating things.

I was surprised by how many specifics there were in the Frick family history. I became totally absorbed in both timelines and was captivated by both tales. Despite my limited knowledge of art, the explanations in this book allowed me to picture the statues and paintings.

Although the story may have begun slowly, it quickly gathered up steam and entered the thriller subgenre, where it improved in both intrigue and readability. The finale was really satisfying, and the characters were incredibly believable. by fusing fictional characters that were both inspired by and connected to actual events with historically accurate details.

Overall, I thought it was a really good book and would suggest it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and is interested in history or one of New York's most famous families and buildings!

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

The Summary

Marjorie Merriweather Post is now starting another typical evening. She has hosted every president that has been in office. Marjorie was inspired by a few simple commandments while growing up in the humble farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan: always use your judgment, never take anything you achieve for granted, and put in the necessary effort even whether you are considered American royalty or are decked out in imperial jewels. Marjorie had a relentless desire to live, love, and give more than she received. Marjorie Merriweather Post led an extraordinary life that few could have imagined, including crawling through warehouses in Moscow to save the Tsar's treasures, eluding the Nazis in London, serving the Great Depression's homeless, and entertaining the Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood's biggest stars.

Marjorie's adventure began when she was a small child, gluing cereal boxes in her father's barn. Nobody could have imagined that Marjorie, the General Foods company's heiress and leading lady, would help C. W. Post's Cereal Company expand into the General Foods empire and transform American culture. Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process, rather than being willing to remain in her traditional positions as a high-society wife, mother, and hostess. She accumulated millions of dollars before turning thirty, making her the richest woman in the country. However, her incredible legacy was created by her life energy, activism, enthusiasm, and adventurous spirit.

Yet Marjorie's tale was equally characterized by difficulty and upheaval while being full of beauty and grandeur and taking place in the opulent palaces she created like Mar-a-Lago. As a four-time wife, Marjorie looked for her happily-ever-after with the wealthy party boy who was unable to escape his demons, the affable financier whose allure turned into treachery, the duplicitous foreign diplomat, and the bon vivant whose shocking secrets would upend Marjorie and society as a whole. Everything Marjorie accomplished was on a large scale, especially her romantic endeavors.

My Review

It was great to read Pataki's Marjorie Post. I had no idea to whom Marjorie Post was addressing herself. Other than the fact that she had obviously made a name for herself, I had no idea who she was. Every facet of Marjorie's life including her early years, travels, homes, marriages, and offspring was expertly described by the author. But I did pick up a few items that made me feel underwhelmed or disappointed.

I was amazed by both her abilities and her modesty, and she had an interesting life. She grew up in an era when women had no rights. She nevertheless managed to accomplish her goals and speak up. a genuinely inspiring entrepreneur, philanthropist, gracious hostess, and friend who overcame all odds.

Sadly, I won't fancy this book. For the most part, this novel reads more like a biography than a piece of fiction. Despite the fact that it is written in the first person, Marjorie as a person isn't given much of a chance to shine, and every key event is glossed over at such a high level that there aren't really enough details to make anything concrete.

I had expected that the book would focus more on all aspects of her life rather than just her riches, her various homes, and her unhappy marriages. The summary painted her as an interesting person, and those who knew just enough about her to be eager about knowing more recognized potential in the concept. It's a little depressing.

Again, I don't know enough about Marjorie Post to pass an opinion on her. If she truly is a gorgeous person, as this book falsely portrays her to be, I would be much more dissatisfied in this book.

There's no denying Marjorie Post is a fascinating person, and if you're mostly interested in learning about her rich lifestyle and her place in high society during a fascinating moment in American history, you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did.

You might want to look into some of the other biographies that have been done on her if you want to find out more about her legacy as a businessman and philanthropist.

Overall, it doesn't seem all that bad to me. It all depends on your preferences and what you expect from this genre.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.