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The Elizabeth's Mountain Series #1
Elizabeth's Mountain
A beloved home. Matters of the heart. Can an elderly woman find the key to saving her precious heritage?
Asheville, North Carolina. Elizabeth has a dilemma. After celebrating a milestone birthday, the feisty ninety-year-old anxiously contemplates a developer’s lucrative offer for her Blue Ridge Mountain farmhouse. Worried her adult children will pressure her to sell, the lively senior recalls how her journey to this forever home began back in the 50s when she met the man who would become her husband…
Present day. Amanda yearns to stop wasting time. After ending a dead-end, three-year relationship and moving in with her spirited grandmother, the thirty-four-year-old nurse sees her dream of marriage and kids vanishing. But when she meets a handsome widower at a hospital summit, she cautiously lets down her walls.
As Elizabeth’s memories take her back to when she was a hopeful young woman, she reveals how a horrific accident led to the ER and a charming doctor. While Amanda fears the worst when she overhears the enigmatic man she’s fallen for talking on the phone with another woman.
Do both women’s stories lead to a grand legacy and a lifetime of love?
In an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the two women’s chance at a future, their parallel romances illustrate the power of resilience and hope despite heartbreak. And as one story comes to its twilight years while the other is just beginning, readers will fall hard for this poignant inheritance of happiness.
Elizabeth's Mountain is an enchanting women’s fiction novel. If you like relatable characters, dual timelines, and multi-generational romance, then you’ll adore Lucille Guarino’s touching tale.
Asheville, North Carolina. Elizabeth has a dilemma. After celebrating a milestone birthday, the feisty ninety-year-old anxiously contemplates a developer’s lucrative offer for her Blue Ridge Mountain farmhouse. Worried her adult children will pressure her to sell, the lively senior recalls how her journey to this forever home began back in the 50s when she met the man who would become her husband…
Present day. Amanda yearns to stop wasting time. After ending a dead-end, three-year relationship and moving in with her spirited grandmother, the thirty-four-year-old nurse sees her dream of marriage and kids vanishing. But when she meets a handsome widower at a hospital summit, she cautiously lets down her walls.
As Elizabeth’s memories take her back to when she was a hopeful young woman, she reveals how a horrific accident led to the ER and a charming doctor. While Amanda fears the worst when she overhears the enigmatic man she’s fallen for talking on the phone with another woman.
Do both women’s stories lead to a grand legacy and a lifetime of love?
In an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the two women’s chance at a future, their parallel romances illustrate the power of resilience and hope despite heartbreak. And as one story comes to its twilight years while the other is just beginning, readers will fall hard for this poignant inheritance of happiness.
Elizabeth's Mountain is an enchanting women’s fiction novel. If you like relatable characters, dual timelines, and multi-generational romance, then you’ll adore Lucille Guarino’s touching tale.
287 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2024
996 people are currently reading
3848 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Guarino
6 books145 followersIf you have ever finished a book and immediately wanted to call someone you love, you already understand what Lucille Guarino writes. Her stories live in the tender space where loss and hope share the same breath, where a grandmother's memory and a granddaughter's longing turn out to be the same story, told two generations apart. Readers reach the last page and describe feeling seen. They say they cried. They say they could not stop.
Lucille Guarino is a bestselling and award winning author of emotionally resonant women’s fiction and contemporary family dramas. Her novel Elizabeth's Mountain was a 2024 Finalist for the Hawthorne Prize, a recipient of the 2024 Millennium Book Award, and the 2025 Independent Press Award. Her work has been recognized by Kirkus Reviews, BookViral, The Book Commentary, and BookFest, earning praise for being "compelling," "enchanting," and "effortlessly transporting."
Her Elizabeth's Mountain series is a multi generational family saga exploring love, heritage, and the emotional weight of what we inherit from the people who came before us. Her Lunch Tales series focuses on contemporary women’s lives, following characters through diagnosis, grief, love, and the friendships that hold them together. These are stories of real women, real lives, and the resilience that defines them.
When she is not writing, Lucille spends time with her family throughout South Carolina. She writes to give voice to every character she creates, whatever their struggle, whatever their sacrifice, in the hope that their story might help readers feel seen, understood, and less alone.
She loves connecting with readers! Please feel free to:
Follow for updates on latest releases.
Add books to your "Want to Read" shelf.
Ask question: She loves to hear from you!
Lucille Guarino is a bestselling and award winning author of emotionally resonant women’s fiction and contemporary family dramas. Her novel Elizabeth's Mountain was a 2024 Finalist for the Hawthorne Prize, a recipient of the 2024 Millennium Book Award, and the 2025 Independent Press Award. Her work has been recognized by Kirkus Reviews, BookViral, The Book Commentary, and BookFest, earning praise for being "compelling," "enchanting," and "effortlessly transporting."
Her Elizabeth's Mountain series is a multi generational family saga exploring love, heritage, and the emotional weight of what we inherit from the people who came before us. Her Lunch Tales series focuses on contemporary women’s lives, following characters through diagnosis, grief, love, and the friendships that hold them together. These are stories of real women, real lives, and the resilience that defines them.
When she is not writing, Lucille spends time with her family throughout South Carolina. She writes to give voice to every character she creates, whatever their struggle, whatever their sacrifice, in the hope that their story might help readers feel seen, understood, and less alone.
She loves connecting with readers! Please feel free to:
Follow for updates on latest releases.
Add books to your "Want to Read" shelf.
Ask question: She loves to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
February 29, 2024
Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino is a wonderful, emotional read. Elizabeth and her granddaughter, Amanda are two strong women. The story goes back and forth between Elizabeth in the 50s and Amanda in the present. Elizabeth’s story introduces us to Joe, her one true love and husband for decades before he passed. Amanda just ended a long term relationship and moving on with her life and living with her grandmother. Amanda meets Jesse realizing that he might be it.
The story is poignant. The characters are strong women on the cusp of a new time for them. I loved the happiness that they were open to. I loved their strong need to help others. I loved the old house up on a rise looking into the mountains. I loved Joe and Jesse.
Life was not always easy for the main characters. Amanda's life seemed to parallel her grandmother's life. Hope and resilience were strong elements of the characters and storyline. The main characters, Elizabeth and Amanda were resilient which helped them have room for hope.
Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino is a wonderful read.
The story is poignant. The characters are strong women on the cusp of a new time for them. I loved the happiness that they were open to. I loved their strong need to help others. I loved the old house up on a rise looking into the mountains. I loved Joe and Jesse.
Life was not always easy for the main characters. Amanda's life seemed to parallel her grandmother's life. Hope and resilience were strong elements of the characters and storyline. The main characters, Elizabeth and Amanda were resilient which helped them have room for hope.
Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino is a wonderful read.
January 14, 2024
I love reading women's fiction as they make me feel empowered. When Elizabeth was ninety years old, she received companionship from her granddaughter Amanda. Elizabeth had always been independent and self-sufficient. Amanda is still unmarried. She is a caregiver to her grandmother and a great companion for her.
Amanda is a nurse practitioner. She stays with her grandmother and it makes it easy for her. When Elizabeth was young, she lost her loved one Robbie in WWII. Elizabeth had dreams of marrying him but they didn't turn into reality. She was lucky to have friendship with Joseph and she married him. It was nice to see Amanda meeting a lawyer named Jesse Taylor.
Jesse's character is charming. The background setting is impressive. The flow of the story is amazing and the readers won't feel like putting this book down even for a second.
The dialog writing seems natural. The plot is of approximate length and there was no dull moment in the story. If you enjoy reading stories involving multiple generations then this book is worth reading
Amanda is a nurse practitioner. She stays with her grandmother and it makes it easy for her. When Elizabeth was young, she lost her loved one Robbie in WWII. Elizabeth had dreams of marrying him but they didn't turn into reality. She was lucky to have friendship with Joseph and she married him. It was nice to see Amanda meeting a lawyer named Jesse Taylor.
Jesse's character is charming. The background setting is impressive. The flow of the story is amazing and the readers won't feel like putting this book down even for a second.
The dialog writing seems natural. The plot is of approximate length and there was no dull moment in the story. If you enjoy reading stories involving multiple generations then this book is worth reading
December 3, 2023
If your search is for a story of decency and heartfelt determination, Elizabeth’s Mountain will not disappoint.
Amanda is proof positive “the apple does not fall far from the tree.” Elizabeth is a formidable “tree!”
Amanda and Elizabeth hold fast to a fervent desire to find, without sacrifice to others, true love and lives of personal fulfillment. Neither will settle for less.
The character development and setting descriptions are so artfully done, you’ll one day wonder if you read the book or saw the movie.
Amanda is proof positive “the apple does not fall far from the tree.” Elizabeth is a formidable “tree!”
Amanda and Elizabeth hold fast to a fervent desire to find, without sacrifice to others, true love and lives of personal fulfillment. Neither will settle for less.
The character development and setting descriptions are so artfully done, you’ll one day wonder if you read the book or saw the movie.
January 14, 2024
Those who love reading women's fiction should get their hands on this book. Elizabeth's Mountain is a story set around two generations and their experiences with love.
This is a delightful tale. Elizabeth is ninety-years-old now. When she was young, she was in love with a man named Robbie. After losing him in World War II, Elizabeth met a young doctor who fell for her and they married. Her thirty-four-year old granddaughter has recently moved in with her. Amanda is still single and has no hopes of finding love after her three year old relationship ended. She believes chivalry is not there now as it was in her grandmother's times.
Amanda's grandmother became her friend and motivated her. It was amazing to see Elizabeth as a hopeless romantic. She reminds me of my younger self. The characters are well written. This story will stay in my mind for a long time. Undoubtedly, Lucille has done impressive work in this book. Add it to your tbr. I am sure you would love every bit of this book.
Rating: 4.5/5
This is a delightful tale. Elizabeth is ninety-years-old now. When she was young, she was in love with a man named Robbie. After losing him in World War II, Elizabeth met a young doctor who fell for her and they married. Her thirty-four-year old granddaughter has recently moved in with her. Amanda is still single and has no hopes of finding love after her three year old relationship ended. She believes chivalry is not there now as it was in her grandmother's times.
Amanda's grandmother became her friend and motivated her. It was amazing to see Elizabeth as a hopeless romantic. She reminds me of my younger self. The characters are well written. This story will stay in my mind for a long time. Undoubtedly, Lucille has done impressive work in this book. Add it to your tbr. I am sure you would love every bit of this book.
Rating: 4.5/5
April 22, 2026
If you love emotional, character-driven stories with depth, Elizabeth’s Mountain is one of those books that quietly wrecks you in the best way. The story moves between Elizabeth’s life in the 1950s where a life-changing accident leads her to love,and present-day Amanda, who’s trying to rebuild after a failed relationship.
What really stood out to me is the theme of legacy and choice,whether to hold on to what you’ve built or let go for something new. Elizabeth is such a powerful character; at 90, she’s still fierce, reflective, and deeply human. Amanda’s storyline adds that modern struggle of “am I running out of time?”
Genre-wise, this blends women’s fiction, romance, and historical fiction, and it does all three beautifully. If you enjoy dual timelines and multi-generational stories, this one is worth it.
What really stood out to me is the theme of legacy and choice,whether to hold on to what you’ve built or let go for something new. Elizabeth is such a powerful character; at 90, she’s still fierce, reflective, and deeply human. Amanda’s storyline adds that modern struggle of “am I running out of time?”
Genre-wise, this blends women’s fiction, romance, and historical fiction, and it does all three beautifully. If you enjoy dual timelines and multi-generational stories, this one is worth it.
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April 18, 2026This book held me longer than I expected. Elizabeth at ninety is more alive than most protagonists half her age. The mountain, the memories, the stubborn love for a place built over a lifetime. Guarino wrote something genuinely tender here.
April 19, 2026
I said I would read one chapter before bed. That was a lie I told myself on a Friday and regretted by Sunday when it was over and I had feelings about a fictional farmhouse in North Carolina
January 8, 2024
Calling all romance lovers to pick Lucille's Elizabeth Mountain. It is a captivating story that hooked my attention from the first page itself. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it.
Elizabeth fell head over heels for Robbie and he felt the same for her. They were high school sweethearts and used to exchange letters when Robbie went to serve the country in the war. Elizabeth had already experienced loss when her younger sister passed away. When she heard the news of Robbie's death, she was filled with anger. She started wondering how God decides who should live and who should die. Will Elizabeth ever fall in love again?
There is another story that is set in a different timeline. It's of Amanda, Elizabeth's granddaughter. She is thirty four years old and still unmarried. She doesn't have much hope of love. However, her grandmother is an optimistic person. I loved her personality and the way she motivated Amanda.
It's a moving story and has deeply touched my heart. I binge read it on the weekend. The cover photo of the book is nice with a suitable title. Strongly recommended to my fellow readers.
Elizabeth fell head over heels for Robbie and he felt the same for her. They were high school sweethearts and used to exchange letters when Robbie went to serve the country in the war. Elizabeth had already experienced loss when her younger sister passed away. When she heard the news of Robbie's death, she was filled with anger. She started wondering how God decides who should live and who should die. Will Elizabeth ever fall in love again?
There is another story that is set in a different timeline. It's of Amanda, Elizabeth's granddaughter. She is thirty four years old and still unmarried. She doesn't have much hope of love. However, her grandmother is an optimistic person. I loved her personality and the way she motivated Amanda.
It's a moving story and has deeply touched my heart. I binge read it on the weekend. The cover photo of the book is nice with a suitable title. Strongly recommended to my fellow readers.
December 3, 2024
The first chapter was promising.
After that ... it just switched. The plot became boring. There wasn't the spark in the characters. They were one-dimensional, superficial and unremarkable. Nothing to like.
I didn't finish the book. It would have been a waste of my time.
After that ... it just switched. The plot became boring. There wasn't the spark in the characters. They were one-dimensional, superficial and unremarkable. Nothing to like.
I didn't finish the book. It would have been a waste of my time.
August 4, 2024
Heartwarming and Love filled Second Chances
In this sweet novel, love conquers every heartache and loss that life may bring. Definitely worth a sequel, I hope.
In this sweet novel, love conquers every heartache and loss that life may bring. Definitely worth a sequel, I hope.
October 4, 2024
Elizabeth’s Mountain is an emotionally rich story written by Lucille Guarino. This book is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of family. Published in 2024, Elizabeth’s Mountain is Lucille’s second book.
The story revolves around, Elizabeth, a 90-year-old matriarch surrounded by her family including her granddaughter Amanda. Amanda, who recently ended a long-term relationship with Tom, moved in with Elizabeth to care for her.
While reflecting on her past as she reaches her 90th birthday, Elizabeth faces the possibility of selling her beloved mountain home, she reflects on the importance of family, love, and the memories that have shaped her life.
This dilemma sets the stage for a series of flashbacks that chronicle Elizabeth’s life, from her humble beginnings during the Great Depression to her later years as a matriarch of a close-knit family.
The story also delves into the life of Amanda, Elizabeth’s granddaughter, who moves in with her after ending a long-term, stagnant relationship. Amanda’s journey of self-discovery and healing parallels Elizabeth’s, creating a multi-generational narrative that explores the enduring bonds of family.
The novel’s emotional depth will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about the complexities of human relationships.
Also, the characters are fully realized and deeply relatable. Elizabeth, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose journey will leave a lasting impression on readers.
The novel explores the relationships between multiple generations of women, offering a rich and nuanced portrayal of family dynamics. Readers who enjoy stories about family legacies will find much to appreciate in the book.
Lastly, the novel touches on important themes such as grief, aging, and the meaning of home. These themes are explored with sensitivity and depth, making Elizabeth’s Mountain a thought-provoking read.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✅ Verdict: A touching story that intertwines the past and present in a rich tapestry of emotions and family bonds.
👉 Read the full review of Elizabeth's Mountain by Lucille Guarino on Vowelor.
The story revolves around, Elizabeth, a 90-year-old matriarch surrounded by her family including her granddaughter Amanda. Amanda, who recently ended a long-term relationship with Tom, moved in with Elizabeth to care for her.
While reflecting on her past as she reaches her 90th birthday, Elizabeth faces the possibility of selling her beloved mountain home, she reflects on the importance of family, love, and the memories that have shaped her life.
This dilemma sets the stage for a series of flashbacks that chronicle Elizabeth’s life, from her humble beginnings during the Great Depression to her later years as a matriarch of a close-knit family.
The story also delves into the life of Amanda, Elizabeth’s granddaughter, who moves in with her after ending a long-term, stagnant relationship. Amanda’s journey of self-discovery and healing parallels Elizabeth’s, creating a multi-generational narrative that explores the enduring bonds of family.
The novel’s emotional depth will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about the complexities of human relationships.
Also, the characters are fully realized and deeply relatable. Elizabeth, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose journey will leave a lasting impression on readers.
The novel explores the relationships between multiple generations of women, offering a rich and nuanced portrayal of family dynamics. Readers who enjoy stories about family legacies will find much to appreciate in the book.
Lastly, the novel touches on important themes such as grief, aging, and the meaning of home. These themes are explored with sensitivity and depth, making Elizabeth’s Mountain a thought-provoking read.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✅ Verdict: A touching story that intertwines the past and present in a rich tapestry of emotions and family bonds.
👉 Read the full review of Elizabeth's Mountain by Lucille Guarino on Vowelor.
January 10, 2026
⚫️Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino is a beautifully crafted novel that resonates with emotion, delving into themes of love, loss, and the lasting significance of home through the intertwined lives of two extraordinary women a grandmother and her granddaughter united by memory, hope, and resilience.
⚫️Set against the picturesque backdrop of Asheville, North Carolina, the narrative unfolds across two timelines. At the center of it all is Elizabeth, a spirited ninety-year-old woman faced with a life-changing choice: should she sell her beloved Blue Ridge Mountain farmhouse to a developer? As she reminisces about her past, readers are whisked back to the 1950s, where they witness her youthful aspirations, unforeseen tragedies, and the tender romance that shaped her journey. Elizabeth is a captivating character strong, introspective, and deeply relatable whose memories are a blend of heartache and quiet joy.
⚫️Alongside her story runs the present-day journey of Amanda, Elizabeth’s granddaughter. In her thirties and working as a nurse, Amanda is wrestling with the anxiety that life’s milestones love, marriage, family are slipping through her fingers. Her emotional journey is both relatable and heartfelt, especially as she tentatively opens her heart to new love after facing disappointment. Guarino expertly parallels Amanda’s uncertainties with Elizabeth’s past, crafting a powerful intergenerational conversation about timing, bravery, and the importance of trusting one’s heart.
⚫️What truly makes Elizabeth’s Mountain stand out is its emotional authenticity. The transitions between past and present flow effortlessly, and the romances though decades apart resonate with each other in significant ways. Themes of heritage, legacy, and the notion that love can blossom even after loss are treated with care and warmth. The mountain farmhouse itself emerges as a poignant symbol of memory, continuity, and belonging.
⚫️Readers who enjoy women’s fiction, multi-generational narratives, and gentle yet impactful romance will find this novel immensely rewarding. With relatable characters and a rich emotional landscape, it’s a story that lingers long after the last page is turned.
Happy reading ❤️✨
July 3, 2025
Asheville, North Carolina. Elizabeth has a dilemma. After celebrating a milestone birthday, the feisty ninety-year-old anxiously contemplates a developer’s lucrative offer for her Blue Ridge Mountain farmhouse. Worried her adult children will pressure her to sell, the lively senior recalls how her journey to this forever home began back in the 50s when she met the man who would become her husband…
Present day. Amanda yearns to stop wasting time. After ending a dead-end, three-year relationship and moving in with her spirited grandmother, the thirty-four-year-old nurse sees her dream of marriage and kids vanishing. But when she meets a handsome widower at a hospital summit, she cautiously lets down her walls.
As Elizabeth’s memories take her back to when she was a hopeful young woman, she reveals how a horrific accident led to the ER and a charming doctor. While Amanda fears the worst when she overhears the enigmatic man she’s fallen for talking on the phone with another woman.
Do both women’s stories lead to a grand legacy and a lifetime of love?
In an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the two women’s chance at a future, their parallel romances illustrate the power of resilience and hope despite heartbreak. And as one story comes to its twilight years while the other is just beginning, readers will fall hard for this poignant inheritance of happiness.
Present day. Amanda yearns to stop wasting time. After ending a dead-end, three-year relationship and moving in with her spirited grandmother, the thirty-four-year-old nurse sees her dream of marriage and kids vanishing. But when she meets a handsome widower at a hospital summit, she cautiously lets down her walls.
As Elizabeth’s memories take her back to when she was a hopeful young woman, she reveals how a horrific accident led to the ER and a charming doctor. While Amanda fears the worst when she overhears the enigmatic man she’s fallen for talking on the phone with another woman.
Do both women’s stories lead to a grand legacy and a lifetime of love?
In an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the two women’s chance at a future, their parallel romances illustrate the power of resilience and hope despite heartbreak. And as one story comes to its twilight years while the other is just beginning, readers will fall hard for this poignant inheritance of happiness.
February 12, 2024
“Elizabeth’s Mountain” by Lucille Guarino was a heartwarming and inspirational novel told in a dual timeline. I’m not always fond of this narrative device, but the author skillfully goes back and forth between the present and the 1950s, telling the stories of 90-year-old Elizabeth and her thirty-something-year old granddaughter, Amanda. The book opens with Elizabeth’s birthday party in her beautiful home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her reminiscences take us back to the 1950s when she loses the love of her life in the Korean War. But then, she finds true love again with Joseph. We can see how she fought the gender bias of the time and lived the life she wanted (with the support Joseph).
In the present time, her granddaughter Amanda realizes she is unwilling to just “settle” when it comes to love and moves in with her grandmother to help her live her last days. The two women’s stories are woven together nicely, and they both poignantly cover issues such as love, trauma, and fear. These two women are highly resilient and can rise to challenges of difficult times.
This was a poignant and comforting tale, and a perfect way to spend a couple of cozy afternoons. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful book. My opinion is my own.
In the present time, her granddaughter Amanda realizes she is unwilling to just “settle” when it comes to love and moves in with her grandmother to help her live her last days. The two women’s stories are woven together nicely, and they both poignantly cover issues such as love, trauma, and fear. These two women are highly resilient and can rise to challenges of difficult times.
This was a poignant and comforting tale, and a perfect way to spend a couple of cozy afternoons. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful book. My opinion is my own.
January 8, 2024
Elizabeth's Mountain written by the author Lucille Guarino is an amazing story about love and loss that focuses on two generations. This story has two main female characters. Elizabeth is ninety years old. Her granddaughter Amanda is thirty four years old. When Elizabeth was in high school, she found love. Robbie went to fight a war in South Korea and was Elizabeth's fiancé. After the loss of Robbie, Elizabeth again found love in life. She is a hopeless romantic just like me.
When Amanda moved in with her grandmother, her grandmother assured her that one day she would find a gentleman just like her Grandpa. Amanda however feels that chivalry is now dead. Read this story to know will she find love after ending the three years relationship.
Those who are fans of women's fiction novels should definitely get their hands on this book. I loved everything about this book. Lucille's writing style is amazing. The storyline is written well. If you are looking for a story with dual timelines then go ahead with this book.
When Amanda moved in with her grandmother, her grandmother assured her that one day she would find a gentleman just like her Grandpa. Amanda however feels that chivalry is now dead. Read this story to know will she find love after ending the three years relationship.
Those who are fans of women's fiction novels should definitely get their hands on this book. I loved everything about this book. Lucille's writing style is amazing. The storyline is written well. If you are looking for a story with dual timelines then go ahead with this book.
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June 26, 2025A Quiet Climb Toward Healing
Elizabeth’s Mountain is a heartfelt and intimate novella that follows Elizabeth as she journeys literally and emotionally to confront her past. Lucille Guarino crafts a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, like gazing across a mountain vista while feeling every pebble underfoot.
This Kindle edition delivers a moving blend of reflection, nature’s healing promise, and the courage it takes to face what we’d rather leave buried. Guarino skillfully balances pacing; the hike scenes feel real and tactile (you can almost taste the pine-scented air), while the flashbacks to Elizabeth’s regrets and hopes are woven seamlessly throughout, deepening the emotional resonance.
Perfect for fans of contemplative, character-driven stories, especially those about self-discovery and overcoming inner obstacles. If you enjoy layered prose and introspective narratives think Cheryl Strayed’s quieter moments this will speak to you.
Highly recommended as a short but powerful read for when you need a boost of calm and clarity.
Elizabeth’s Mountain is a heartfelt and intimate novella that follows Elizabeth as she journeys literally and emotionally to confront her past. Lucille Guarino crafts a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, like gazing across a mountain vista while feeling every pebble underfoot.
This Kindle edition delivers a moving blend of reflection, nature’s healing promise, and the courage it takes to face what we’d rather leave buried. Guarino skillfully balances pacing; the hike scenes feel real and tactile (you can almost taste the pine-scented air), while the flashbacks to Elizabeth’s regrets and hopes are woven seamlessly throughout, deepening the emotional resonance.
Perfect for fans of contemplative, character-driven stories, especially those about self-discovery and overcoming inner obstacles. If you enjoy layered prose and introspective narratives think Cheryl Strayed’s quieter moments this will speak to you.
Highly recommended as a short but powerful read for when you need a boost of calm and clarity.
January 15, 2024
Qotd: Do you enjoy reading women's fiction?
Elizabeth's Mountain is the first book that I have read penned by this author. This book walks us through the journeys of Elizabeth and Amanda. Both have their own stories and experiences set in different timelines. Thirty four years old Amanda shifted with her grandmother. She provided great companionship to her.
Watching Amanda, Elizabeth told her about her youthful days, how she lost the love of her life, and found love again. She provided hope to Amanda. It was wonderful to see Amanda meeting Jesse Taylor. The romance is handled well by the author. This story is full of different emotions of loss, love, grief, etc.
I loved the optimistic nature of Elizabeth. Her character is an inspiration. I loved everything about this book from beginning to end. The title of the book is appropriate. The author has done nice work in this book. I am happy to read it. Really excited to read more work by the author.
Elizabeth's Mountain is the first book that I have read penned by this author. This book walks us through the journeys of Elizabeth and Amanda. Both have their own stories and experiences set in different timelines. Thirty four years old Amanda shifted with her grandmother. She provided great companionship to her.
Watching Amanda, Elizabeth told her about her youthful days, how she lost the love of her life, and found love again. She provided hope to Amanda. It was wonderful to see Amanda meeting Jesse Taylor. The romance is handled well by the author. This story is full of different emotions of loss, love, grief, etc.
I loved the optimistic nature of Elizabeth. Her character is an inspiration. I loved everything about this book from beginning to end. The title of the book is appropriate. The author has done nice work in this book. I am happy to read it. Really excited to read more work by the author.
March 24, 2024
Ninety-year-old Elizabeth is troubled by the decision she needs to make about her beloved Blue Ridge mountain home in Asheville, North Carolina. Having been approached by developers, she knows her family will pressure her to sell it against her own wishes. As Elixabeth struggles with her need to make a decision, her granddaughter, Amanda, who has moved in with her, begins a new romance. Amanda whilst excited about her new relationship, struggles with her unwillingness to compromise with what she wants.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two women and their journey. Without revealing too much, two stories are told, with Elizabeth’s life in the 1950s and Amanda, in the present day. I so enjoyed hearing of their challenges and loves lost and found. Their struggles and joys appear to mirror each other, with neither’s women’s story overshadowing the other. A wonderful read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two women and their journey. Without revealing too much, two stories are told, with Elizabeth’s life in the 1950s and Amanda, in the present day. I so enjoyed hearing of their challenges and loves lost and found. Their struggles and joys appear to mirror each other, with neither’s women’s story overshadowing the other. A wonderful read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2024
A Beautiful Love Story
Lately I have been reading a lot of historical novels, I decided to try something a little lighter. The author was able to pull me in right away. I loved the format, then and now.
Elizabeth and Joe have a love story for the ages. As I read I could see them in my minds eye. Their brick house where they raised their children. Although their children play only a bit part in the book. Then the house in the mountains that was so full of love and memories. As we read Joe and Elizabeth’s story we also get to follow their granddaughter Amanda’s life, actually a portion of her life. Amanda is a lot like Elizabeth. She is a nurse practitioner, very caring. Then there is Jesse who has been through an inordinate amount of loss, physically and emotionally. Writing reviews is not one of my strong points. You will just have to read it, and I highly recommend you do.
Lately I have been reading a lot of historical novels, I decided to try something a little lighter. The author was able to pull me in right away. I loved the format, then and now.
Elizabeth and Joe have a love story for the ages. As I read I could see them in my minds eye. Their brick house where they raised their children. Although their children play only a bit part in the book. Then the house in the mountains that was so full of love and memories. As we read Joe and Elizabeth’s story we also get to follow their granddaughter Amanda’s life, actually a portion of her life. Amanda is a lot like Elizabeth. She is a nurse practitioner, very caring. Then there is Jesse who has been through an inordinate amount of loss, physically and emotionally. Writing reviews is not one of my strong points. You will just have to read it, and I highly recommend you do.
January 8, 2024
Recently I got my hands on Lucille Guarino's book "Elizabeth Mountain". If you are a fan of romance stories then get your hands on this book as it has two romance stories set in different timelines.
Amanda and her grandmother Elizabeth both are interesting characters. Elizabeth won my heart from the first page itself. I couldn't imagine how heartbroken she must be after her fiancé Robbie passed away. Luckily, she was blessed with love again. Amanda was in a three year relationship before mutually breaking it off. She realized she wasn't in love with Tom.
Amanda and her grandmother's companionship was helpful for both of them. I somehow agree with Amanda that chivalry is not there now in men like old times. This is a beautifully written story. It was tough to read about the moments of loss. The author has used simple language in the book. Add it to your bookshelf now.
Amanda and her grandmother Elizabeth both are interesting characters. Elizabeth won my heart from the first page itself. I couldn't imagine how heartbroken she must be after her fiancé Robbie passed away. Luckily, she was blessed with love again. Amanda was in a three year relationship before mutually breaking it off. She realized she wasn't in love with Tom.
Amanda and her grandmother's companionship was helpful for both of them. I somehow agree with Amanda that chivalry is not there now in men like old times. This is a beautifully written story. It was tough to read about the moments of loss. The author has used simple language in the book. Add it to your bookshelf now.
February 5, 2025
Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino
This was a really compelling love story. It goes beyond the love of a romantic relationship and includes the love of family, grandmother and granddaughter.
“Beth” turns 90 with her whole family there at her Asheville home. Her granddaughter Amanda lives with her after a heartbreaking divorce.
Amanda meets Jesse at a medical malpractice convention in Nashville, he’s an attorney.
As the story develops, Beth tells her love story from the 1950s with Joe. Joe was a surgeon in the Korean war and they met in the hospital after Beth was in a bad bus accident.
The two intertwined love stories take place in a dual timeline as Beth reminisces while Amanda is finding a new path in life. It showcases the beautiful relationship between Amanda and her grandma.
I just loved the writing, it immediately engages the reader and brings them into the story. I felt the heartbreak and the highs of falling in love. This is just a wonderfully told love story. 5/5⭐
This was a really compelling love story. It goes beyond the love of a romantic relationship and includes the love of family, grandmother and granddaughter.
“Beth” turns 90 with her whole family there at her Asheville home. Her granddaughter Amanda lives with her after a heartbreaking divorce.
Amanda meets Jesse at a medical malpractice convention in Nashville, he’s an attorney.
As the story develops, Beth tells her love story from the 1950s with Joe. Joe was a surgeon in the Korean war and they met in the hospital after Beth was in a bad bus accident.
The two intertwined love stories take place in a dual timeline as Beth reminisces while Amanda is finding a new path in life. It showcases the beautiful relationship between Amanda and her grandma.
I just loved the writing, it immediately engages the reader and brings them into the story. I felt the heartbreak and the highs of falling in love. This is just a wonderfully told love story. 5/5⭐
March 13, 2024
Really enjoyed reading Elizabeth’s Mountain. Once I got started I couldn’t put it down. I was transported to each of the settings within the book; Guarino’s use of imagery not only set the scene but portrayed the sensational and emotional experiences within. I felt like I really got to know her characters and can’t help but imagine how their story progresses after the novel ends. Guarino took me on an emotional journey - I cried, laughed out loud, and worried. I had a good chuckle with the interactions between colleagues when Amanda is at her conference at the beginning of the book. We’ve all been there with an awkward admirer 😂😂. I have recommended this book to friends and family. It’s worth the read!!
July 28, 2025
Reading Elizabeth's Mountain felt like walking hand-in-hand with a soul who has known both shattering pain and unwavering hope. The rawness of Elizabeth’s grief, so vividly rendered, brought tears to my eyes more than once. Yet, it was the subtle, sacred ways in which she found her way back to joy that kept me turning pages late into the night. I felt her emptiness, and I felt her gentle rising.
The writing pulses with emotional truth. There’s a rhythm here, a cadence between heartbreak and healing, that feels divinely guided. Elizabeth’s inner voice is so real, so unfiltered, that I could almost hear her whispering in the quiet moments between the chapters. Her faith, tested but unbroken, acts not as a crutch but as a bridge.
What moved me most was how the mountain became more than just a setting, it became a character, a sacred altar where past and present met. The memories of her son and husband echo like prayer in the wind, and every footstep Elizabeth takes is laced with purpose, even when she herself doesn’t yet see it. That kind of layered storytelling is rare.
This book doesn’t shy away from the reality of sorrow. It honors it. It speaks truth to it. But what truly sets it apart is the reverence it holds for transformation. Elizabeth’s journey doesn’t erase her grief, it wraps it in warmth, in friendship, in faith, until something beautiful and brave emerges.
To the author: thank you. This is more than a novel. This is ministry in literary form. You’ve created a gift for anyone who has ever lost, loved, and lived again.
The writing pulses with emotional truth. There’s a rhythm here, a cadence between heartbreak and healing, that feels divinely guided. Elizabeth’s inner voice is so real, so unfiltered, that I could almost hear her whispering in the quiet moments between the chapters. Her faith, tested but unbroken, acts not as a crutch but as a bridge.
What moved me most was how the mountain became more than just a setting, it became a character, a sacred altar where past and present met. The memories of her son and husband echo like prayer in the wind, and every footstep Elizabeth takes is laced with purpose, even when she herself doesn’t yet see it. That kind of layered storytelling is rare.
This book doesn’t shy away from the reality of sorrow. It honors it. It speaks truth to it. But what truly sets it apart is the reverence it holds for transformation. Elizabeth’s journey doesn’t erase her grief, it wraps it in warmth, in friendship, in faith, until something beautiful and brave emerges.
To the author: thank you. This is more than a novel. This is ministry in literary form. You’ve created a gift for anyone who has ever lost, loved, and lived again.
March 7, 2024
A special bond between Nana and her granddaughter Amanda lead to a riveting dual timeline in Elizabeth's Mountain by Lucille Guarino. As Nana nears the end of her life, Amanda moves in to help take care of Nana. Set in the mountains near Asheville, NC, Nana's home is more than just a place. It exudes peace, a sense of being home, a healing mountain. Nana remembers her own life and love while Amanda is discovering hers. Such strong female characters. I did not want the book to end. A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.
March 20, 2024
Lucille Guarino creates a beautiful story of love and perseverance with Elizabeth, who at age 90 has lived a full life. Because her lifetime overlaps with that of my 96-year-old grandmother, I was immediately drawn into her story. Like my grandmother, Elizabeth was a child of the Depression, a working mom, and ahead of her time.
I also enjoyed the second strand of the dual-timeline story, that of her granddaughter, Amanda, and her story of finding love and wanting to live life to the fullest.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I also enjoyed the second strand of the dual-timeline story, that of her granddaughter, Amanda, and her story of finding love and wanting to live life to the fullest.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2025
A beautiful story!
I really love this book and didn't want it to end. So many emotions ran through me while reading as I connected with the characters. I don't usually read dual timeline stories, but this one completely drew me in. Elizabeth and Joe meet in 1953, and Amanda, Elizabeth's granddaughter, meets Jesse in present day. Both love stories are crafted beautifully by the author, Guarino, with flowing prose and descriptions that placed me in the story.
A truly uplifting and touching story.
I really love this book and didn't want it to end. So many emotions ran through me while reading as I connected with the characters. I don't usually read dual timeline stories, but this one completely drew me in. Elizabeth and Joe meet in 1953, and Amanda, Elizabeth's granddaughter, meets Jesse in present day. Both love stories are crafted beautifully by the author, Guarino, with flowing prose and descriptions that placed me in the story.
A truly uplifting and touching story.
June 16, 2025
a real tearjerker
I have not shed tears while reading in a long spell, but this story had me in gator tears!
I found this story perusing ads on fb not one of my usual authors I follow so it had a plural timeline and I usually deviate from those but I saw this was a family generational story so it drew my attention
Being the first I’ve read I very much enjoyed it and could literally follow the stories as they intertwined.
This is one of the best stories while the grandma and granddaughter had that special connection.
I’ll be looking for more from this author!
I have not shed tears while reading in a long spell, but this story had me in gator tears!
I found this story perusing ads on fb not one of my usual authors I follow so it had a plural timeline and I usually deviate from those but I saw this was a family generational story so it drew my attention
Being the first I’ve read I very much enjoyed it and could literally follow the stories as they intertwined.
This is one of the best stories while the grandma and granddaughter had that special connection.
I’ll be looking for more from this author!
April 22, 2026
This book feels like sitting down with someone who’s lived a full life and finally tells you everything. The plot alternates between Elizabeth’s past,how she met her husband after a tragic accident,and Amanda’s present, where she’s navigating love, fear, and uncertainty after starting over.
The themes of resilience, second chances, and the fear of losing time really hit. Amanda’s emotional journey felt so relatable, while Elizabeth’s story gave it depth and perspective.
It leans heavily into women’s fiction with romantic and historical elements, and the emotional layering is what makes it stand out. It’s not fast-paced, but it’s rich and meaningful.
The themes of resilience, second chances, and the fear of losing time really hit. Amanda’s emotional journey felt so relatable, while Elizabeth’s story gave it depth and perspective.
It leans heavily into women’s fiction with romantic and historical elements, and the emotional layering is what makes it stand out. It’s not fast-paced, but it’s rich and meaningful.
April 22, 2026
This is one of those stories where the characters are the plot. Elizabeth’s decision about whether to sell her mountain home becomes so much bigger,it’s about memory, love, and everything she’s built over a lifetime.
Meanwhile, Amanda’s storyline adds tension, especially when she starts falling for someone new but begins to doubt what she’s seeing and hearing. That emotional conflict kept me hooked.
The book explores love across generations, trust, and the weight of the past, all wrapped in a romance + historical fiction + contemporary women’s fiction blend.
Honestly, Elizabeth stole the show for me. She’s unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Amanda’s storyline adds tension, especially when she starts falling for someone new but begins to doubt what she’s seeing and hearing. That emotional conflict kept me hooked.
The book explores love across generations, trust, and the weight of the past, all wrapped in a romance + historical fiction + contemporary women’s fiction blend.
Honestly, Elizabeth stole the show for me. She’s unforgettable.
April 22, 2026
Elizabeth’s Mountain is a slow-burn, emotionally layered story that connects past and present in a really thoughtful way. The plot centers on Elizabeth reflecting on her younger years,how one accident led her to a love that shaped her entire life, while Amanda is living her own version of uncertainty in the present.
The themes of timing, healing, and emotional courage come through strongly, especially in how both women handle love and fear differently.
It fits perfectly into women’s fiction with romance and historical undertones, and I’d recommend it if you enjoy reflective, introspective reads rather than plot-heavy drama.
The themes of timing, healing, and emotional courage come through strongly, especially in how both women handle love and fear differently.
It fits perfectly into women’s fiction with romance and historical undertones, and I’d recommend it if you enjoy reflective, introspective reads rather than plot-heavy drama.
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