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A Countess from Moscow

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A sweeping tale of love and resilience spanning three decades of European upheaval.

In 1912 Moscow, sixteen-year-old Countess Maria Suvorova stands on the threshold of a glittering future. Born into one of Russia's most prestigious aristocratic families, her biggest concern is impressing potential suitors at her first society ball. But when tragedy strikes that very night, Maria's sheltered world begins to crumble.

As revolution engulfs Russia, Maria finds herself caught in history's cruel tide. The old order collapses, forcing her to navigate a dangerous new reality where her aristocratic background becomes a liability rather than an asset. In these tumultuous times, she forms an unexpected connection with a charismatic actor from the Moscow Art Theater—a relationship that will shape the course of her life in ways she cannot imagine.

Fate eventually leads Maria to Paris, where she joins the vibrant Russian émigré community struggling to preserve their identity in exile. As the decades pass and Europe descends into another world war, Maria must draw on reserves of courage she never knew she possessed.

From the lavish ballrooms of Imperial Russia to the bohemian cafés of interwar Paris and the shadow-filled streets of the Nazi occupation, A Countess from Moscow traces one woman's extraordinary journey through the defining events of the 20th century. It's a story of reinvention, of finding strength in the darkest hours, and of a love powerful enough to transcend decades of separation.

This sweeping historical novel celebrates the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of a world in flames.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2025

98 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Alex Alvin

2 books12 followers
Alex Alvin grew up fascinated by history and felt connected to the past through stories of love and war. That fascination has translated into Alex’s books that explore how world events impact people and their fates. Creating historically accurate books, where these stories come to life, is Alex’s passion.

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5 stars
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78 (40%)
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46 (24%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Ann.
383 reviews139 followers
December 14, 2025
This sounded like an interesting story about the Russian nobility post-revolution and Russian expatriates in Paris. Unfortunately, it was very light and predictable. Shame on me for not seeing the “Romance” tag.
Profile Image for Keri M.
451 reviews42 followers
October 6, 2025
This was a touching story about love, loss, and strength. It follows Maria, a young Russian countess, as her life changes from luxury to survival through war and revolution. The book is emotional, easy to follow, and shows how hope can last even in dark times.
Profile Image for DonnieReads.
40 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2025
Surviving a revolution

Three different decades full of love, loss and learning about one’s self. That’s the journey our FMC Maria Suvorova took me on. This being my one of my first historical fiction reads I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the story or setting, I typically read fantasy/thriller/horror. After the first couple chapters I couldn’t put the book down, I would find myself wondering what Maria was doing or how she would solve her next problem in the brutal ever-changing world she was growing up in. Throughout her journey Maria was always kind and giving, never letting anything slow her down. I’m still shocked I got so attached to Maria and her best friend Dunya, I loved the friendship and companionship they shared through the story. It was heartbreaking to read their final conversation knowing it would be their last.

Solid debut with detailed calculated writing.

3.5 Stars - Would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Charrisa Bryant.
23 reviews
June 6, 2025
This is really a great read, its a period read, if you like a choice between what society says you should do and what your heart says. this is your book.. If the herion can forchics forgive and do what she feels. it will be the best! You just have to read to find out..
This was my first Arc read for Alex Alvin and it really was great! Worth the read.
Profile Image for Abbie Sharp.
24 reviews
May 9, 2025
I enjoyed this book so much. It is filled with so much history and emotion. Maria "Masha" is a character that you are rooting for from the very beginning of the story all the way through.
Profile Image for Krystal Mire.
8 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2025
This was a very interesting book to read. This is not normally a genre I read so I was hesitant to start it but then I thought why not branch out and I’m glad I was asked to be a ARC reader. This story had so much depth to it. I loved going back in time to see the world through Masha’s eyes. I loved the character Dunya. She reminded me of my grandmother. Like another reviewer said the love story was beautifully tragic. But I was happy with how everything wrapped up.
Profile Image for Deanna Milford.
557 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2025
Amazing historical fiction following the life of Countess Maria Suvorova, Russia 1912 - Paris and the invasion of the Nazi’s in May of 1940. It follows her as a young girl at her 1st ball as a Russian aristocrat, the struggles she endured during the Russian Revolution, losing precious loved ones along they way, her struggles to survive in Russia, fleeing to Paris finally to be reunited with her father and friends until the invasion of the Nazi’s. Through her life she encountered duty to her station, love, loss, and finding herself along the way. I was totally immersed in this story and absolutely loved it.

I had gotten ahold of this beautiful book and met the Author at the Pittsburgh “Festival Of Books” in May of 2025. Very grateful to have come across the Author and look forward to more books from her.
Profile Image for Sarah Beth.
4 reviews
June 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book.
1) I feel like it's important to know that this isn't my typical genre, so my enjoyment really says something.
About the book:
I'm going to do my best to keep it spoiler free!
●We get to follow along as Maria goes from an 18 year old child to a mid 40s woman and goes through many trials and hardships.
●Maria is so strong, courageous, generous, and capable throughout the entire story. She had a small hand the revolution in Moscow by just being kind to others, no matter what she was facing herself.
●The love story was beautifully tragic. Right person, Wrong timing-over and over again. I giggled to myself because I could've gotten whiplash from her love life at times. but it all ended up exactly how it was supposed to.
●I can definitely appreciate a woman who just wants to live life and read books.

I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who asks for recommendations and it was a pleasure to be an ARC reader.
Profile Image for Kristi Porter.
97 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2025
Review: A Countess From Moscow
By Alex Alvin

A Countess From Moscow has all the elements of an exceptional historical fiction novel. Set against a tragic and turbulent period in Russian history, the story is beautifully told through the lens of a poignant love story. As the Tsar’s rule collapses, the aristocracy in Moscow meets a devastating end, and author Alex Alvin brings this era to life with meticulous research and vivid detail.

The novel explores the sweeping changes in Russia, Paris, and the wider world from the early 1900s through World War II. Alvin skillfully captures the people, the politics, and the complex social pressures that defined this era.

Told through the eyes of Masha, a young countess, the story follows her journey as she grapples with the abrupt fall of the aristocracy. Masha’s experiences of love, loss, survival, and resilience make her a compelling and memorable protagonist. I’m always drawn to strong female characters who face immense challenges with determination and grit, and Masha delivers on all fronts.

The love story at the heart of the novel adds emotional depth and humanizes the historical context. It’s mostly closed-door, making it suitable for a wide audience, and it helps illustrate the social expectations placed on aristocrats during that time without detracting from the historical narrative.

I highly recommend A Countess From Moscow to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or has an interest in Russian history. The novel is well-written, evenly paced, and features excellent character development alongside a thoughtful, engaging plot.

I received a copy of this free as an ARC and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this wonderful novel.
Profile Image for Kim Croshaw.
13 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2025
I was gifted this as an ARC to read, and I am grateful to Alex for allowing me to read his book.

Set against the fading grandeur of Imperial Russia, A Countess from Moscow is a sweeping tale of forbidden love and social upheaval. The story centres around Maria Suvorova, a young aristocrat whose life of privilege is turned upside down following her debut into high society in 1912 Moscow. As the narrative unfolds across three decades, readers are drawn into a romance that defies the rigid expectations of class and tradition.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its emotional core — a heartfelt love story that weaves through war, social collapse, and personal sacrifice. I was particularly moved by how the author explored the limitations placed on women of status and how Maria's suffering was portrayed with depth and sincerity. The backdrop of a crumbling empire adds weight and tension, giving the characters’ decisions a poignant gravity.

However, the writing style didn’t quite resonate with me. I found the prose overly descriptive at times, which occasionally slowed the pace and made it difficult to stay immersed. While the early chapters are rich in atmosphere and detail, the ending felt somewhat rushed, leaving less space to fully process the emotional payoff the story had been building toward. It’s a book with real potential, but one that perhaps needed a bit more refinement in structure and style to reach its full impact.

In conclusion, A Countess from Moscow is a thoughtful and romantic exploration of duty, love, and loss in a time of great historical change. While the writing style may not suit everyone, fans of historical fiction who enjoy richly painted settings and enduring love stories may still find much to appreciate.
31 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2025
I have been reading a lot of fantasy and thrillers lately, so this is my first in a while for this genre. Set in the early 1900s in Moscow, we are introduced to 16 year old Maria Suvorova, a countess from a prestigious family. Tragedy hits right away and soon the 16 year old who had just attended her first ball is forced to grow up and face a changing world as Russia is engulfed with a revolution. In the midst of everything she has the support of her nanny and finds love. Now this love is one of those “the one who got away,” and “wrong timing.” We follow Maria all the way through her 40s as she goes from being a young naive, dependent girl to a strong, independent and courageous woman. Her friends and family are intriguing and the author did really well bringing them to life. The history aspect was not overwhelming but was enough to help me learn and peak my interest of this time period in Russia and surrounding areas. The historical details and intertwining of a resilient romance spanning 3 decades kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. For those who like romance and are wanting to dip their toes in historical fiction I definitely recommend this book. Thank you Alex Alvin for letting me read your debut novel!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
834 reviews32 followers
May 25, 2025
A Countess from Moscow by Alex Alvin is the first book I’m reading by this author’s pen name. But I must say I really enjoyed reading this book. It follows Maria and her life from being a young woman into her forties. (Don’t worry, there’s no spoilers!) A tale of it never being quite the right time for love. It was heartbreaking to me at points. But what I really enjoyed was the bit of history that was woven into this story. It was definitely a highlight for me while reading. What I liked about Maria’s character was how courageous she came across at times; that she kept moving forward. At the same time I could relate with her wanting to read books and just live. I thought the writing was good and the emotions really came through. At the same time I found myself transfixed needing to read what was going to happen next. You really feel like you’re right along side the character living her life. Overall I had a good reading experience even though this wasn’t my typical reading genre and thought everything tied up well in the end. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next! I highly suggest checking out this book for yourself.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Holly Parker.
107 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
I was slow to get into this book. It took a while to relate to Masha, but when she branched out to Irina and met Andrei, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to know what happened as soon as I could.

My favourite character through and through was Masha. Her story of resilience, independence, freedom and true love. I’m not a fan of romances, but oh by the end I was completely awash with emotions.

I adore the history behind it and it’s obviously done very carefully and pays attention to what happened in Russia and Paris in this time period. It linked in with Masha’s story beautifully and I could feel myself becoming heartbroken for Masha over and over again. Truly by the end I was sobbing, truly in style of a good romance story reaching its conclusion.
2 reviews
November 25, 2025
I really enjoyed reading “A Countess from Moscow.” It is a masterful blending of history, fiction and romance. I was pulled into it from the first page and was unable to put down the book. It is a captivating story about first love, self-discovery, the struggle to survive in Post-revolutionary Russia and the immigrant life in France. The writing is polished, clear and engaging. You hear the author’s reassuring voice that guides you through the unexpected plot twists. The end is optimistic. Love and faith, the key Christian values that light Maria Suvorova’s life, finally bring her happiness and hope for the future. I highly recommend this book for reading.
I am eagerly awaiting the continuation of this book.
10 reviews
June 20, 2025
The sweeping and turbulent historical events in Russia and France
in the first half of 20th century were depicted very convincingly and with great attention to detail.
Through all of it, love between countess Maria and the theater actor Andrei
is strong, exceptional and very inspiring.
It overcame time, space, several long separations and other relationships.
The strength, honesty, courage and character integrity of Maria is very well depicted.
The story reminds me somewhat of another famous book -
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak.
I enjoyed reading this book, on many levels.
I strongly recommend it to everyone.
2 reviews
November 25, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. The story is so captivating that I found myself staying up late just to read one more chapter. What impressed me most was how vividly the author brings early 20th-century Moscow to life - the historical details feel rich, authentic, and completely immersive, as if you’re stepping back in time.

The portrayal of first love is touching and uplifting, and a beautiful reminder that true love can endure even the most difficult obstacles. Alex Alvin weaves history and romance together with remarkable skill, creating a story that stays with you long after you finish.

I truly hope there will be a continuation - I can’t wait for Part 2.
Profile Image for Shelby Urbanyi.
34 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2025
This was such a cute quick read. I absolutely love getting to know our FMC. When we first meet her, she is young and inexperienced with the world and naïve. However, tragedy befalls her right away and the hits just keep coming. Masha is failed time after time by all the men in her life. If she didn’t have her nanny and Irina, I’m not sure what she would’ve done. However, watching Masha come into herself and become a strong, independent woman who fights for what she believes was an incredible journey, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s very low spice but a very cute read.
Profile Image for Pamela Cantu.
18 reviews4 followers
May 8, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and finished it in two sittings. While the beginning was a bit slow, it quickly drew me in, and I found myself hooked. At first, Maria is a young and naive countess, but after enduring tragedy and facing numerous hardships, she transforms into a strong, resilient woman. Reading Maria’s growth and character development was truly compelling. As a devoted romance reader, I really enjoyed the romance aspect of the story as it was beautifully developed with many heartfelt moments.
Profile Image for Dannie Booktok.
18 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2025
I loved this book!
The author provides you with enough detail to get a good image without it dragging and affecting the flow of the story.
The FMC was niave and a child at the start but the author grew her into such a strong character by then end, with her taking life's challenges in her stride.
I would highly recommend that you read this book!
I have ADHD and often dismiss books quicker than what I probably should but this was easy to read, interesting, intriguing and captivating where I didn't want to put it down.
Add this to TBR right now.
Profile Image for ♡Natalie♡.
100 reviews5 followers
May 20, 2025
rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
spice - 🌶

giving my honest opinion in exchange for an ARC.

I generally only pick up a historical romance if I am absolutely intrigued, and this book did not disappoint.

I absolutely loved this read, an unexpected love story and a story of trials and hard times. follow Maria through countless obstacles and watch her overcome them all.

There were times of joy and happiness and times of great sadness, and Alex did a great job of invoking those feelings.

It's definitely a worth while read!
Profile Image for Libby.
37 reviews
May 8, 2025
The story of the Maria is so beautiful, I finished the book in one day! Wonderfully written and exuding historical knowledge, I found myself wishing for Andrei and Maria to get together and stay together! A really fantastic story, Kira was spot on with her idea of Romeo and Juliet. The ending was lovely, and Maria’s journey, especially her time in Moscow was so poignant and will stick with me for a long time. Really fantastic writing. Thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katie.
154 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2025
This was an ARC sent to me by the author that releases on June 6. This is a historical fiction novel based on Russia/Moscow from the 1900's into WW2. Going into this book, I wasn't overly familiar with Moscow and the Soviet and the things that happened during that time period so not only was this a very thought provoking novel, it was also very informative. I learned so many things that I didn't know. This story follows Masha and her journey throughout that time including arranged marriages, family loss, having to grow up very early, finding true love and losing it again, and all the things in between. My heart ached for Maria (Masha) and the pain she endured in her lifetime. This is a beautiful story with the intertwining of history. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend this one!
Profile Image for Redheaded_reader.
66 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2025
This was an ARC read sent to me by the author.

I do love a good historical fiction outside my usual wheelhouse. The biggest thing I loved overall in this books was the character development with the FMC, watching her grow throughout her life was beautiful. It will send you on a roller coaster of emotions. I would recommend this book to others.
37 reviews
May 26, 2025
I love a good historical fiction, A Countess from Moscow definitely fits that description. Maria is someone we can root for throughout the book- through success and heartbreak. I loved that we followed her as she grew up as well. The book flowed well and was well paced. I very much enjoyed reading A Countess From Moscow and will be looking out for more books from Alex Alvin.

*ARC review*
Profile Image for Tamika Milam.
37 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2025
This was a fantastic read! I was completely captivated by the unexpected twists and turns, and the slow-burn romance was beautifully developed. The historical setting was richly detailed, and the cast of interesting characters brought the story to life. I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to fans of historical fiction and romance alike.
Profile Image for TaniaRina Valdespino.
477 reviews15 followers
June 5, 2025
War changes everything
From economy & employment, and food availability & fun, to tearooms & travels. The ties that bind us as family, friends, and forever-loves either slip away gently into the night or are cruelly severed with no hope of reconciliation. And that’s only for the idle rich who have the contacts, education, and means to begin again elsewhere, almost as if nothing is the matter at all. The poor are left destitute, regardless of how much or how many times the revolutionaries claim that the war is on behalf of “the people”. Who will sow & reap for the farmers whose sons died in battle? Who will cook & clean for the widowed and wounded? From where do the orphans obtain their daily bread?

As someone who grew up in the U.S. during the Cold War, I think we’re just now beginning to see some of the economic improvements that “the people” were promised almost two-hundred years ago – after a set-back of centuries. Yes, feudalism ended in Russia, but did the new politics have a viable structure to replace it?
So, perhaps war really doesn’t change anything after all…


Looking forward to more historical fiction from this author!
Profile Image for Claudia Pop.
4 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2025
I really enjoyed the book. The writing is beautiful without being too heavy. I resonated with the sense of loss and resilience. If you like historical fiction, this book is worth your time. Congrats!
Profile Image for 616Reads.
154 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2025
Cute historical romance. Great for weekend read. This book is pretty PG13.
Profile Image for Lauren (Kevra La Luna).
88 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2025
A beautifully tragic historical fiction. Beautiful characters, and just absolutely tugged the heartstrings. Wonderful cultural perspective as well!
16 reviews
June 5, 2025
A very compelling story, gave me all the emotions !!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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