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The Lost Pearl
A sweeping family saga of long lost love, for readers of Fiona McIntosh and Mary-Anne O'Connor.
From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a family secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.
Honolulu, Hawaii 1941. On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of. As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.
Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?
From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a family secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.
Honolulu, Hawaii 1941. On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of. As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.
Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2018
35 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Emily Madden
4 books113 followersI am a book nerd, coffee lover and love anything 80’s (except the fashion, okay, I admit – I like some of it).
My love of books started at a young age when I would often go shopping with my mum just so I could score yet another novel. Nothing has changed – I rarely leave a bookstore without a book.
I read anything and everything, but stories that touch the heart and uplift the soul are what I love the most.
I have an unnatural obsession with needing to be close to the ocean, but am terrified of deep water.
My love of books started at a young age when I would often go shopping with my mum just so I could score yet another novel. Nothing has changed – I rarely leave a bookstore without a book.
I read anything and everything, but stories that touch the heart and uplift the soul are what I love the most.
I have an unnatural obsession with needing to be close to the ocean, but am terrified of deep water.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
July 15, 2019
A sweeping saga of lost love that sees Catherine meet Charlie, a friend of her brother's, at her 16th birthday party in Hawaii, 1941. Catherine is the privileged daughter of a Rear Admiral in the US Navy, while Charlie is an enlisted sailor from the wrong side of the tracks. They fall in love, but times are perilous, the world is at war and it seems to be only a matter of time until the USA enters the war. Then the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour…
Fast forward to present day Sydney, Australia. Catherine's granddaughter Kit is at her side in the hospital after Catherine has suffered a fall. Her mind addled with painkillers, she lets something slip, something she has been keeping a secret for a long time. So begins the stories of two women, united as family, but in separate timelines, and we discover the loves and losses they endure along the way. From the idyllic beaches of Hawaii to the glittering city of Sydney we laugh and cry along with them. From the crazy aftermath of Pearl Harbour, to more peaceful times, we follow their lives until it all comes together in a moving finale.
Emily Madden weaves a poignant tale of old loves, new loves, family and moving on, but never forgetting. Her descriptions of the Pearl Harbour battle come across as authentic, we can feel the panic of Catherine and the people around her, desperate to know if their loved ones are safe. She moves us through the tale, slowly revealing the secrets that follow both Catherine and Kit, and keeps her readers poised, wanting more., until the very end.
I was rivetted to this book, couldn't put it down until I finished it, which I did in one day. I will definitely be looking out for more of this author's work in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fast forward to present day Sydney, Australia. Catherine's granddaughter Kit is at her side in the hospital after Catherine has suffered a fall. Her mind addled with painkillers, she lets something slip, something she has been keeping a secret for a long time. So begins the stories of two women, united as family, but in separate timelines, and we discover the loves and losses they endure along the way. From the idyllic beaches of Hawaii to the glittering city of Sydney we laugh and cry along with them. From the crazy aftermath of Pearl Harbour, to more peaceful times, we follow their lives until it all comes together in a moving finale.
Emily Madden weaves a poignant tale of old loves, new loves, family and moving on, but never forgetting. Her descriptions of the Pearl Harbour battle come across as authentic, we can feel the panic of Catherine and the people around her, desperate to know if their loved ones are safe. She moves us through the tale, slowly revealing the secrets that follow both Catherine and Kit, and keeps her readers poised, wanting more., until the very end.
I was rivetted to this book, couldn't put it down until I finished it, which I did in one day. I will definitely be looking out for more of this author's work in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2018
Catherine McGarrie loved her home in Hawaii. She and her parents had moved from mainland America as her father was a United States Navy Rear Admiral, but even with the talk of war, the families of the forces were complacent – the peace, tranquility and beauty of Honolulu meant that surely war wouldn’t come to them. When sixteen-year-old Catherine met Charlie, a US navy officer, on the night of her birthday party, she was smitten. Charlie was her brother, Eddie’s best friend and therefore by his side often. As Catherine and Charlie fell in love, they knew they needed to keep their feelings secret – her parents wouldn’t approve – but their love was real.
But the 7th December 1941 changed their lives, and many others, forever. Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese – America was at war. The more than two thousand killed that day was shocking; Catherine and her mother were sent to the mainland, then on to Australia to ride out the war.
Seventy-five years later and Catherine was ninety-one. Not once had Charlie left her thoughts, even though she had married and had four sons. Kit, her beloved granddaughter was her joy. But with Catherine’s passing, it was left to Kit to search into the past and with little to go on, what she found was a shock to say the least. Her background as a journalist meant Kit was determined – against all advice – to find the answers. But would she? Could she? Three quarters of a century was a lot of years to search through…
Heartbreaking, traumatic – filled with sadness and hope; love and secrets – The Lost Pearl by Aussie author Emily Madden is an epic family drama which spans decades. The wrongs inflicted on young people back in those days was horrific; how they survived against all odds showed their courage and tenacity – many had their spirits broken, many came through it – but never unscathed. An exceptional read, The Lost Pearl is one I highly recommend.
And just to add: I found part of the blurb is completely incorrect after reading the novel.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
But the 7th December 1941 changed their lives, and many others, forever. Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese – America was at war. The more than two thousand killed that day was shocking; Catherine and her mother were sent to the mainland, then on to Australia to ride out the war.
Seventy-five years later and Catherine was ninety-one. Not once had Charlie left her thoughts, even though she had married and had four sons. Kit, her beloved granddaughter was her joy. But with Catherine’s passing, it was left to Kit to search into the past and with little to go on, what she found was a shock to say the least. Her background as a journalist meant Kit was determined – against all advice – to find the answers. But would she? Could she? Three quarters of a century was a lot of years to search through…
Heartbreaking, traumatic – filled with sadness and hope; love and secrets – The Lost Pearl by Aussie author Emily Madden is an epic family drama which spans decades. The wrongs inflicted on young people back in those days was horrific; how they survived against all odds showed their courage and tenacity – many had their spirits broken, many came through it – but never unscathed. An exceptional read, The Lost Pearl is one I highly recommend.
And just to add: I found part of the blurb is completely incorrect after reading the novel.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
August 31, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The author of Summers with Juliette, Emily Madden, presents a nostalgic and an epic historical crossed with contemporary fiction novel, titled The Lost Pearl. This is a wonderful set piece if you are in the mood for romance, history and family secrets. I adored The Lost Pearl and I quickly added this beautiful novel to my list of all time favourite reads this year.
There are so many new novels I have been looking forward to reading this year and The Lost Pearl has been high up on my agenda of books I must read. The long wait for the new Emily Madden novel is now over and I must say it was well worth it. I devoured The Lost Pearl and I found myself so enchanted by many elements this stunning book had to offer.
Firstly, I must point out what a truly magical step back in time The Lost Pearl presented. In the early stages of the novel, we find ourselves situated in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the main character of the novel, Catherine (Kitty) just before the onset of the Pacific War and the tragic attack on Pearl Harbour. Madden does a superb job of setting her scene. She gives us an excellent feel for the laid back and idyllic way of life in Hawaii, preceding the Pearl Harbour bombing. Madden outlines the sense of possible danger and how the people of Hawaii were on edge, but some still reacted by throwing caution into the wind. Madden also brings our attention to the class, race and status divisions present in the 1940’s, with particular attention to the lack of freedom placed on young women. For those women that exercised their freedom it was a tough price to pay. I believe Madden spent a great deal of time conducting first hand research on Hawaii at this time and I have to say this is evident through The Lost Pearl’s historically well-informed narrative.
Madden’s meticulous approach to her research also extends to the Sydney based narrative in The Lost Pearl. In particular, I was impressed by Madden’s representation of Catherine’s experience of the Crown Street Women’s Hospital. These scenes give us an insight into the operations of this Sydney based hospital in the early 1940’s. This is a highly regrettable and sad chapter in history for women, especially those from lower classes and indigenous women. I want to thank Emily Madden for her research into this area and the time she has taken to insert this sensitively into her novel. I was visibly moved by this aspect of the novel.
The Lost Pearl is populated by two main colourful characters and as this is a multiple time frame narrative, there is the central character of Catherine in the past and her granddaughter Kit in the present. As we follow Catherine across time, we closely follow her life events. The contemporary sections of the narrative work to illuminate Catherine in the present as an elderly woman nearing the end of her life, reflecting on a long-held set of secrets. It is Kit’s mission to uncover her grandmother’s fascinating life story. I enjoyed Kit’s character arc, her connection to her grandmother and her own soul searching journey. The other protagonists that work to expand the pages of The Lost Pearl definitely sent mixed reactions my way! Catherine’s mother in particular sent me into a spin! I was appalled, shocked and angry for Catherine. I also wanted to find out more about Charlie overall, but as this is Catherine and Kit’s story, perhaps Madden decided not to add more of the Charlie aspect to the narrative. There are many other memorable side characters that move in and out of this story that I appreciated meeting.
Madden has decided to format her second book in the popular dual time frame narrative structure, which perfectly suits the themes and style of The Lost Pearl. It is a hard task to achieve the ideal line between a well-balanced contemporary narrative, alongside a rich historical based storyline. However, Madden is fearless in her approach and I am happy to report that the different narrative threads connect very well. I did not encounter any gaps, inconsistencies or loose threads. The pace was consistent and the structure ensures that the reader stays completely absorbed in this novel the whole way through. The gradual reveal of pertinent information linking to the illusive ‘lost pearl’ is also very carefully embedded within the novel.
My first expectation of this novel was that it was going to be about recovering a lost object, a valuable pearl, but I eventually realised my predictions were way off kilter! What emerged instead was an intricate story of lost love, embedded secrets, tragedy, betrayal, sadness, missed opportunities and loss. Although there is plenty of sadness in this novel and many tears were shed, I was still enamoured with this entire story. The ending was so very fitting and poignant; I really could not see it concluding in any other way!
I am a great admirer of Madden’s writing and I do hope that she produces future works in the historical fiction field. I feel Madden has demonstrated an aptitude for this line of writing. If you are looking for an accessible and distinguished piece of historical fiction, combined with a touch of contemporary fiction and romance, make The Lost Pearl a reading priority.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Mira for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Lost Pearl, is book #109 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
The author of Summers with Juliette, Emily Madden, presents a nostalgic and an epic historical crossed with contemporary fiction novel, titled The Lost Pearl. This is a wonderful set piece if you are in the mood for romance, history and family secrets. I adored The Lost Pearl and I quickly added this beautiful novel to my list of all time favourite reads this year.
There are so many new novels I have been looking forward to reading this year and The Lost Pearl has been high up on my agenda of books I must read. The long wait for the new Emily Madden novel is now over and I must say it was well worth it. I devoured The Lost Pearl and I found myself so enchanted by many elements this stunning book had to offer.
Firstly, I must point out what a truly magical step back in time The Lost Pearl presented. In the early stages of the novel, we find ourselves situated in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the main character of the novel, Catherine (Kitty) just before the onset of the Pacific War and the tragic attack on Pearl Harbour. Madden does a superb job of setting her scene. She gives us an excellent feel for the laid back and idyllic way of life in Hawaii, preceding the Pearl Harbour bombing. Madden outlines the sense of possible danger and how the people of Hawaii were on edge, but some still reacted by throwing caution into the wind. Madden also brings our attention to the class, race and status divisions present in the 1940’s, with particular attention to the lack of freedom placed on young women. For those women that exercised their freedom it was a tough price to pay. I believe Madden spent a great deal of time conducting first hand research on Hawaii at this time and I have to say this is evident through The Lost Pearl’s historically well-informed narrative.
Madden’s meticulous approach to her research also extends to the Sydney based narrative in The Lost Pearl. In particular, I was impressed by Madden’s representation of Catherine’s experience of the Crown Street Women’s Hospital. These scenes give us an insight into the operations of this Sydney based hospital in the early 1940’s. This is a highly regrettable and sad chapter in history for women, especially those from lower classes and indigenous women. I want to thank Emily Madden for her research into this area and the time she has taken to insert this sensitively into her novel. I was visibly moved by this aspect of the novel.
The Lost Pearl is populated by two main colourful characters and as this is a multiple time frame narrative, there is the central character of Catherine in the past and her granddaughter Kit in the present. As we follow Catherine across time, we closely follow her life events. The contemporary sections of the narrative work to illuminate Catherine in the present as an elderly woman nearing the end of her life, reflecting on a long-held set of secrets. It is Kit’s mission to uncover her grandmother’s fascinating life story. I enjoyed Kit’s character arc, her connection to her grandmother and her own soul searching journey. The other protagonists that work to expand the pages of The Lost Pearl definitely sent mixed reactions my way! Catherine’s mother in particular sent me into a spin! I was appalled, shocked and angry for Catherine. I also wanted to find out more about Charlie overall, but as this is Catherine and Kit’s story, perhaps Madden decided not to add more of the Charlie aspect to the narrative. There are many other memorable side characters that move in and out of this story that I appreciated meeting.
Madden has decided to format her second book in the popular dual time frame narrative structure, which perfectly suits the themes and style of The Lost Pearl. It is a hard task to achieve the ideal line between a well-balanced contemporary narrative, alongside a rich historical based storyline. However, Madden is fearless in her approach and I am happy to report that the different narrative threads connect very well. I did not encounter any gaps, inconsistencies or loose threads. The pace was consistent and the structure ensures that the reader stays completely absorbed in this novel the whole way through. The gradual reveal of pertinent information linking to the illusive ‘lost pearl’ is also very carefully embedded within the novel.
My first expectation of this novel was that it was going to be about recovering a lost object, a valuable pearl, but I eventually realised my predictions were way off kilter! What emerged instead was an intricate story of lost love, embedded secrets, tragedy, betrayal, sadness, missed opportunities and loss. Although there is plenty of sadness in this novel and many tears were shed, I was still enamoured with this entire story. The ending was so very fitting and poignant; I really could not see it concluding in any other way!
I am a great admirer of Madden’s writing and I do hope that she produces future works in the historical fiction field. I feel Madden has demonstrated an aptitude for this line of writing. If you are looking for an accessible and distinguished piece of historical fiction, combined with a touch of contemporary fiction and romance, make The Lost Pearl a reading priority.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Mira for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Lost Pearl, is book #109 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 14, 2022
I loved this book!!
This is not something I typically read but it was sent to me by Harlequin. I am so glad I did start reading as I was totally hooked, right from the start!
The characters, the era, the mysteries plus the twists and surprises were so thrilling and exciting. There was also heart-wrenching moments that literally shook me.
This book does not lack plots or characters. The story is constantly moving. The way Madden writes allows you to flow with what's happening.
Then that ending. I felt it was done really well. Bitter sweet but it did leave me smiling.
I highly recommend this story. There are so many little details and hints that leave you breathless and craving more!
For something that isn't my typical genre (which is YA), I thoroughly enjoyed this. It has solidified my want to expand my reading choices. You never know what will become your next favourite read!
This is not something I typically read but it was sent to me by Harlequin. I am so glad I did start reading as I was totally hooked, right from the start!
The characters, the era, the mysteries plus the twists and surprises were so thrilling and exciting. There was also heart-wrenching moments that literally shook me.
This book does not lack plots or characters. The story is constantly moving. The way Madden writes allows you to flow with what's happening.
Then that ending. I felt it was done really well. Bitter sweet but it did leave me smiling.
I highly recommend this story. There are so many little details and hints that leave you breathless and craving more!
For something that isn't my typical genre (which is YA), I thoroughly enjoyed this. It has solidified my want to expand my reading choices. You never know what will become your next favourite read!
September 25, 2018
DNF @ 60% // 1.5 stars
Look, I tried. I tried so hard to love this, but unfortunately, I just couldn’t see myself enjoying this at all if I had forced myself to keep reading.
The Lost Pearl is the story of the interconnected lives of two women. In 1941, Catherine McGarrie, daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral, falls in love with Charlie, a navy officer. Seventy-five years later, on her deathbed, Catherine shares her life story with her granddaughter, Kit, sending her on a quest to uncover the truth of Catherine's past and her family's history.
I think the biggest factor impacting my enjoyment of The Lost Pearl was the writing. Having read an ARC, I was willing to overlook some errors, however, I found that the writing just didn't flow. To be honest, I was surprised when I found out that this wasn't the author's debut novel because it read in quite an amateur and simplistic way. A lot of the narrator's internal questions were framed so as to purposefully prompt the reader, however it was done so in what I felt was an unnatural way, due to the frequency and their conspicuous manner. The dialogue was also rather stilted and I had trouble being able to picture some of what was said by characters in a real-life conversation.
There were multiple narrators throughout the course of the book, but none of them had very distinct voices. This meant that if I continued reading from halfway through a chapter, it was hard to distinguish whose point of view the chapter was from, which was only made more difficult by the fact that two of the narrators' names are Kitty (Catherine) and Kit.
The characters themselves were literally as bland as white bread. I wasn't able to get much of a sense of themselves as people; especially with Catherine and Charlie, I felt like their entire personality revolved around being in love with the other.
I thought the plot was too convenient and it just didn't really appeal to me at all. The romance was unbelievable and bland, too. Catherine and Charlie's relationship was very manufactured; they literally fell in love within a couple hours of meeting each other and they didn't even have any real chemistry to make this believable. Kit and her love interest similarly had no chemistry and I thought that their relationship was unnecessary.
As soon as I was a couple of pages in, I had realised that this wasn't going to be the book for me, however, if historical romance sagas interest you, and you're willing to overlook certain tropes and subpar writing, give this a go.
Thank you to the lovely team at Harlequin for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review.
Look, I tried. I tried so hard to love this, but unfortunately, I just couldn’t see myself enjoying this at all if I had forced myself to keep reading.
The Lost Pearl is the story of the interconnected lives of two women. In 1941, Catherine McGarrie, daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral, falls in love with Charlie, a navy officer. Seventy-five years later, on her deathbed, Catherine shares her life story with her granddaughter, Kit, sending her on a quest to uncover the truth of Catherine's past and her family's history.
I think the biggest factor impacting my enjoyment of The Lost Pearl was the writing. Having read an ARC, I was willing to overlook some errors, however, I found that the writing just didn't flow. To be honest, I was surprised when I found out that this wasn't the author's debut novel because it read in quite an amateur and simplistic way. A lot of the narrator's internal questions were framed so as to purposefully prompt the reader, however it was done so in what I felt was an unnatural way, due to the frequency and their conspicuous manner. The dialogue was also rather stilted and I had trouble being able to picture some of what was said by characters in a real-life conversation.
There were multiple narrators throughout the course of the book, but none of them had very distinct voices. This meant that if I continued reading from halfway through a chapter, it was hard to distinguish whose point of view the chapter was from, which was only made more difficult by the fact that two of the narrators' names are Kitty (Catherine) and Kit.
The characters themselves were literally as bland as white bread. I wasn't able to get much of a sense of themselves as people; especially with Catherine and Charlie, I felt like their entire personality revolved around being in love with the other.
I thought the plot was too convenient and it just didn't really appeal to me at all. The romance was unbelievable and bland, too. Catherine and Charlie's relationship was very manufactured; they literally fell in love within a couple hours of meeting each other and they didn't even have any real chemistry to make this believable. Kit and her love interest similarly had no chemistry and I thought that their relationship was unnecessary.
As soon as I was a couple of pages in, I had realised that this wasn't going to be the book for me, however, if historical romance sagas interest you, and you're willing to overlook certain tropes and subpar writing, give this a go.
Thank you to the lovely team at Harlequin for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review.
August 21, 2018
The Lost Pearl takes us back to a time in history where the world was just on the cusp of war invading the Pacific region. We begin in Hawaii, in the months preceding the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and then travel to Australia, another island with its northern coast under attack. More than a war story, The Lost Pearl is an examination of the far reaching personal effects of war and the lingering consequences of regretful decisions made in a bygone era.
While by no means a unique story, with its dual timeline that has a granddaughter uncovering her grandmother’s past via investigating the curious dying words she was privy to, the way it all unfolded was very fresh and engaging. This is a story that clips along at a great pace, keeping you up late at night and eager to devour as much as you can in one sitting. Both timelines, with Kit in the present and Catherine in the past, equally held their own, tricky, as we all know, with dual timelines. Emily infused a great deal of symmetry between grandmother and granddaughter which went a long way towards ensuring her novel was a complete story rather than two loosely linked separate ones. I really loved the serendipitous link that Emily gives to Catherine and Kit. It was such a beautiful full circle to end up on, I appreciated it immensely but won’t elaborate further to avoid spoilers.
The history infused throughout The Lost Pearl was thoroughly authentic and stirred my emotions. From Hawaii to Australia, no stone was left unturned by Emily, she has achieved an historical fiction novel of a high calibre indeed. I appreciated the offering of multiple perspectives, particularly as we neared the end. It offered a more complete story and gave me an opportunity to quell my judgement on some of the characters. Although, even by the end, Catherine’s mother still didn’t sit well with me and I found William to be a disappointment that I wasn’t anticipating. This of course adds to the authenticity of the story overall – you can’t like everyone and every family probably has its more questionable members.
The Lost Pearl has much to offer lovers of historical fiction. The bombing of Pearl Harbour is not something I’ve read about in fiction all that much, although I learnt about it when studying WWII history and have of course watched the Hollywood rendition. Still, it’s not a piece of history that has been overwritten and I particularly appreciated Emily’s detailing of how the bombing is commemorated each year in a fashion similar to our ANZAC day. I was quite affected by the scenes where Kit was attending the 75th commemorations. I highly recommend The Lost Pearl, it’s a terrific read, well researched and impeccably written. There’s a natural flow to it that will make it hard for any reader to put down once they’ve picked it up.
Thanks is extended to Harper Collins Publishers Australia via Netgalley for providing me with a copy of The Lost Pearl for review.
While by no means a unique story, with its dual timeline that has a granddaughter uncovering her grandmother’s past via investigating the curious dying words she was privy to, the way it all unfolded was very fresh and engaging. This is a story that clips along at a great pace, keeping you up late at night and eager to devour as much as you can in one sitting. Both timelines, with Kit in the present and Catherine in the past, equally held their own, tricky, as we all know, with dual timelines. Emily infused a great deal of symmetry between grandmother and granddaughter which went a long way towards ensuring her novel was a complete story rather than two loosely linked separate ones. I really loved the serendipitous link that Emily gives to Catherine and Kit. It was such a beautiful full circle to end up on, I appreciated it immensely but won’t elaborate further to avoid spoilers.
The history infused throughout The Lost Pearl was thoroughly authentic and stirred my emotions. From Hawaii to Australia, no stone was left unturned by Emily, she has achieved an historical fiction novel of a high calibre indeed. I appreciated the offering of multiple perspectives, particularly as we neared the end. It offered a more complete story and gave me an opportunity to quell my judgement on some of the characters. Although, even by the end, Catherine’s mother still didn’t sit well with me and I found William to be a disappointment that I wasn’t anticipating. This of course adds to the authenticity of the story overall – you can’t like everyone and every family probably has its more questionable members.
The Lost Pearl has much to offer lovers of historical fiction. The bombing of Pearl Harbour is not something I’ve read about in fiction all that much, although I learnt about it when studying WWII history and have of course watched the Hollywood rendition. Still, it’s not a piece of history that has been overwritten and I particularly appreciated Emily’s detailing of how the bombing is commemorated each year in a fashion similar to our ANZAC day. I was quite affected by the scenes where Kit was attending the 75th commemorations. I highly recommend The Lost Pearl, it’s a terrific read, well researched and impeccably written. There’s a natural flow to it that will make it hard for any reader to put down once they’ve picked it up.
Thanks is extended to Harper Collins Publishers Australia via Netgalley for providing me with a copy of The Lost Pearl for review.
September 5, 2018
Loved LOVED this incredibly gorgeous novel.
Every once in a while a book comes along that just blows your mind and this is one such book. Needless to say this novel will be added to my list of top 10 books of 2018
You can’t help but be drawn into a book that is set in Honolulu, Hawaii, one of the most beautiful locations in the world and a place that should have been heaven on earth for Charlie and Kitty but what unfolds is the beginning of a nightmare that commences in 1941.
This tale also switches to the present day, 2016, Sydney, featuring Kitty’s granddaughter, Kit, who is aiming to uncover her grandmother’s past, a gradual developing storyline I genuinely enjoyed.
Emily Madden’s description of Hawaii took me back to the time when hubby and I visited this tropical paradise almost three years ago. Madden paints a true picture of the area surrounding the Hilton Hawaiian Village, we stayed at the Outrigger Reef Hotel which is close by and it’s truly a breathtaking location. We did the Pearl Harbour tour which was fascinating and exploring the battleships was a highlight but it was also filled with sadness as the guide explained the atrocities that occurred on, December 7, 1941 and as I was reading the Pearl Harbour scenes they had me bawling like a baby.
I read this book in two sittings which is unusual for me considering the length of the book but it was a book I didn’t want to put down, I only stopped long enough to have my 6 hours sleep and a bite to eat when my stomach grumbled.
I’m ridiculously loopy for historical fiction with dual timelines - they are positively mesmerising, any novel featuring two time periods is always an exciting and intriguing read.
Many Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free copy of The lost Pearl for review.
Every once in a while a book comes along that just blows your mind and this is one such book. Needless to say this novel will be added to my list of top 10 books of 2018
You can’t help but be drawn into a book that is set in Honolulu, Hawaii, one of the most beautiful locations in the world and a place that should have been heaven on earth for Charlie and Kitty but what unfolds is the beginning of a nightmare that commences in 1941.
This tale also switches to the present day, 2016, Sydney, featuring Kitty’s granddaughter, Kit, who is aiming to uncover her grandmother’s past, a gradual developing storyline I genuinely enjoyed.
Emily Madden’s description of Hawaii took me back to the time when hubby and I visited this tropical paradise almost three years ago. Madden paints a true picture of the area surrounding the Hilton Hawaiian Village, we stayed at the Outrigger Reef Hotel which is close by and it’s truly a breathtaking location. We did the Pearl Harbour tour which was fascinating and exploring the battleships was a highlight but it was also filled with sadness as the guide explained the atrocities that occurred on, December 7, 1941 and as I was reading the Pearl Harbour scenes they had me bawling like a baby.
I read this book in two sittings which is unusual for me considering the length of the book but it was a book I didn’t want to put down, I only stopped long enough to have my 6 hours sleep and a bite to eat when my stomach grumbled.
I’m ridiculously loopy for historical fiction with dual timelines - they are positively mesmerising, any novel featuring two time periods is always an exciting and intriguing read.
Many Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free copy of The lost Pearl for review.
February 6, 2020
The Lost Pearl, starts in Hawaii just before the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, when Catherine McGarrie meets Charlie at her 16th birthday party, he's a friends with her brother Eddie and they fall in love.
Hawaii is beautiful, tropical weather, white beaches, picture perfect scenery, and young people having fun in paradise. Yes they had some concerns about the war but they really thought they were safe and that all changed on the 7th of December 1941.
Catherine, Charlie, Eddie and their families lives are changed forever when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It's a story about war, love, secrets, drama, family and sacrifice.
I enjoyed reading The Lost Pearl, it's a emotional family saga and I gave it four stars.
I shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Hawaii is beautiful, tropical weather, white beaches, picture perfect scenery, and young people having fun in paradise. Yes they had some concerns about the war but they really thought they were safe and that all changed on the 7th of December 1941.
Catherine, Charlie, Eddie and their families lives are changed forever when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It's a story about war, love, secrets, drama, family and sacrifice.
I enjoyed reading The Lost Pearl, it's a emotional family saga and I gave it four stars.
I shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
October 6, 2018
The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden is an absolutely beautiful, romantic novel set mostly in Hawaii.
I loved hearing about The Royal Hawaiian (The Pink Palace) which I'm hoping to visit one day.
There's dance and romance, Hawaiian cocktails ~ a few Mai Tais here and there; just to keep you on your toes as you delve into this novel.
I loved hearing about Kitty and Charles story; it was so romantic and tropical.
See if you can find The Lost Pearl ...
I felt as if I was there in Hawaii observing them, Kitty and Charles ~ capturing the moment.
From Pearl Harbour to Sydney this novel will capture your heart.
One day, I hope to return to Hawaii and discover the islands and have a Mai Tai at The Pink Palace for myself.
I feel blessed, however, having had a Mai Tai at the Airport-bar on a stopover from Canada to Hawaii onto Sydney, though.
Best Mai Tai I've ever had!
Enjoy The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden and capture the essence of Hawaii.
Don't be surprised if you find hibiscus scattered throughout this book!
'No Kei La, No Keia Po, A Mau Loa.'
'From this day, from this night, forever more.' Hawaiian proverb
I loved hearing about The Royal Hawaiian (The Pink Palace) which I'm hoping to visit one day.
There's dance and romance, Hawaiian cocktails ~ a few Mai Tais here and there; just to keep you on your toes as you delve into this novel.
I loved hearing about Kitty and Charles story; it was so romantic and tropical.
See if you can find The Lost Pearl ...
I felt as if I was there in Hawaii observing them, Kitty and Charles ~ capturing the moment.
From Pearl Harbour to Sydney this novel will capture your heart.
One day, I hope to return to Hawaii and discover the islands and have a Mai Tai at The Pink Palace for myself.
I feel blessed, however, having had a Mai Tai at the Airport-bar on a stopover from Canada to Hawaii onto Sydney, though.
Best Mai Tai I've ever had!
Enjoy The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden and capture the essence of Hawaii.
Don't be surprised if you find hibiscus scattered throughout this book!
'No Kei La, No Keia Po, A Mau Loa.'
'From this day, from this night, forever more.' Hawaiian proverb
August 22, 2018
This was a great read, something different, starting in 1941 in Hawaii just before the Pearl Harbour attack, then moving to Sydney this historical part of the story caused a range of emotions, anger, horror, empathy, grief, happiness, hope and sadness. The story starts when Catherine meets Charlie, an impossible romance for the times back then. There were characters I didn't like, namely Catherine's mother who I feel was a very nasty person regardless of her reasons for being like that. Running alongside this story is Catherine's granddaughter Kitty's story and her search to find out Catherine's secrets and also in turn figure out her own life. As we slowly uncover the story of Catherine and that of Charlie, we get to read the story from some different characters perspectives and this filled it out nicely. There were parts of this story I found heartbreaking and caused me anger for the way young women were treated back then. I definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia & MIRA for a copy in return for an honest review
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia & MIRA for a copy in return for an honest review
October 1, 2018
5* http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
‘Read this book’, the reviewers stated. ‘I’m not sure’, I replied. ‘Read it!’. ‘Okay’. Wow! To think I was so close to missing out on such an incredible tale! This is one of ‘those’ books - it will leave you both breathless and speechless. The Lost Pearl by Aussie author Emily Madden can only be described as epic in every sense of the word - a family drama which spans decades.
This heartbreaking tale contains so much trauma, that inevitably, leads to such sadness. Yet right along side it is hope and love and you will be drawn in, clinging to that final thread of things will be okay. A dual time narrative that witnesses a granddaughter slowly uncovering the secrets from her grandmother’s dying words. This is a book with a lot of pages, but at no stage does it drag. In fact the opposite will occur, long into the night, when sleep should have claimed you, will you tell yourself, ‘just one more chapter’.
Here are just some of the aspects that make this book truly great. The research: this is a story infused with rich historical detail that will be confronting in some ways. Everything from the laughter and joy of prewar Hawaii, to the devastation and trauma of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, to the horrible treatment of unmarried pregnant women at the Crown Womens Hospital in Sydney. Then there are the themes: weaving through this tale you will be confronted with class and race issues in pre WWII America and of course sexism in the treatment of women. To do this requires some fabulous writing and Emily delivers on this aspect! There are a variety of plot lines, an array of characters that in the hands of a lesser author would become a messy storyboard. Not so here. It just all works so well. Finally, there are the characters themselves and delightfully we are given a variety of first person voices which allows the reader a greater understanding and connection. The engagement you will feel to both Charlie and Kitty in the past - even learning the reasoning behind William’s thoughts - will be so real and heart wrenching.
As you know I am an avid fan of historical fiction but the woven web of secrets and loss throughout this particular tale, will leave you feeling as if you were in places such as Hawaii on the eve of the bombing or waiting for a baby to be delivered in that terrible institution. This holds such poignancy about family and love, yet at the same time, slowly placing all the puzzle pieces on the board for you to move around and finally place together for an amazing journey.
‘It wasn’t the ending she had envisioned, but wasn’t that always the case? Life rarely let you live it out according to plan.’
I could not put this book down and for a long time found it difficult to leave Charlie, Catherine, Kit and Adam - even Kit’s family (especially her brothers) were delightful. There is just so much to love here that I cannot recommend it highly enough to people who love a story rich in drama, history and romance.
‘No, not goodbye.’ He dipped his head, planting a kiss on her forehead. ‘Until we meet again.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
‘Read this book’, the reviewers stated. ‘I’m not sure’, I replied. ‘Read it!’. ‘Okay’. Wow! To think I was so close to missing out on such an incredible tale! This is one of ‘those’ books - it will leave you both breathless and speechless. The Lost Pearl by Aussie author Emily Madden can only be described as epic in every sense of the word - a family drama which spans decades.
This heartbreaking tale contains so much trauma, that inevitably, leads to such sadness. Yet right along side it is hope and love and you will be drawn in, clinging to that final thread of things will be okay. A dual time narrative that witnesses a granddaughter slowly uncovering the secrets from her grandmother’s dying words. This is a book with a lot of pages, but at no stage does it drag. In fact the opposite will occur, long into the night, when sleep should have claimed you, will you tell yourself, ‘just one more chapter’.
Here are just some of the aspects that make this book truly great. The research: this is a story infused with rich historical detail that will be confronting in some ways. Everything from the laughter and joy of prewar Hawaii, to the devastation and trauma of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, to the horrible treatment of unmarried pregnant women at the Crown Womens Hospital in Sydney. Then there are the themes: weaving through this tale you will be confronted with class and race issues in pre WWII America and of course sexism in the treatment of women. To do this requires some fabulous writing and Emily delivers on this aspect! There are a variety of plot lines, an array of characters that in the hands of a lesser author would become a messy storyboard. Not so here. It just all works so well. Finally, there are the characters themselves and delightfully we are given a variety of first person voices which allows the reader a greater understanding and connection. The engagement you will feel to both Charlie and Kitty in the past - even learning the reasoning behind William’s thoughts - will be so real and heart wrenching.
As you know I am an avid fan of historical fiction but the woven web of secrets and loss throughout this particular tale, will leave you feeling as if you were in places such as Hawaii on the eve of the bombing or waiting for a baby to be delivered in that terrible institution. This holds such poignancy about family and love, yet at the same time, slowly placing all the puzzle pieces on the board for you to move around and finally place together for an amazing journey.
‘It wasn’t the ending she had envisioned, but wasn’t that always the case? Life rarely let you live it out according to plan.’
I could not put this book down and for a long time found it difficult to leave Charlie, Catherine, Kit and Adam - even Kit’s family (especially her brothers) were delightful. There is just so much to love here that I cannot recommend it highly enough to people who love a story rich in drama, history and romance.
‘No, not goodbye.’ He dipped his head, planting a kiss on her forehead. ‘Until we meet again.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
November 15, 2018
Living in Darwin where we remember the Bombing of Darwin each year in February, the Pearl Harbour bombing is very familiar. Because each year we are reminded that we were bombed only 10 weeks after Pearl Harbour – and the squadron that bombed us was led by the same Japanese commander who bombed Pearl Harbour. In fact the total number of bombs dropped on Darwin was two-and-a-half times more that dropped at Pearl Harbour. So I was overjoyed to get my grubby little hands on this book as it is a period of history that I can relate to. THE LOST PEARL has, for the most part, a dual timeline with two stories, the war years and modern day. Catherine dies in the first chapter and just before she dies she is speaking to her granddaughter Kit and mentions a lost pearl and the name of someone who is not Kit’s grandfather that she loved – but no further information than that. Kit wonders what, and where, the lost pearl is – her grandmother loved pearls and has given Kit lot as birthday and Christmas gifts. Kit decides to look for the lost pearl. When her grandmother’s will is read – Kit has been bequeathed her grandmother’s house. As Kit cleans the house of her grandmother’s belongings she decides to try and track down her grandmother’s secret. THE LOST PEARL then follows Kit’s journey to discovery. However, at the same time the reader is taken back to the bombing of Pearl Harbour as Catherine tells us her story. So for a while the reader knows more than Kit – but not everything. Some things the reader finds out at the same time as Kit. It is impossible to tell you some of the things that happened to Catherine as to do so would really spoil the storyline. Suffice to say my heart went out to her, and was angered at things that happened to this young girl.
While the story is fictional it is based on a lot of fact – and the customs of the day are recreated perfectly. The settings are brought alive on the pages – both in Hawaii and Australia. Another area well reproduced are the social divisions – class, colour and attitudes to women - which only goes to show that we really haven’t progressed all that much today. A young single woman today does have it so much better than a 1940s young miss, more say in her life than Catherine did. Author, Emily Madden, poignantly described the events which took place in Crown Street Women’s Hospital, Sydney – brought tears to my eye along with a thankfulness that my daughters and granddaughter do not have to worry about this. There is eventually a happy ending – and mysteries revealed. A very satisfactory read.
While the story is fictional it is based on a lot of fact – and the customs of the day are recreated perfectly. The settings are brought alive on the pages – both in Hawaii and Australia. Another area well reproduced are the social divisions – class, colour and attitudes to women - which only goes to show that we really haven’t progressed all that much today. A young single woman today does have it so much better than a 1940s young miss, more say in her life than Catherine did. Author, Emily Madden, poignantly described the events which took place in Crown Street Women’s Hospital, Sydney – brought tears to my eye along with a thankfulness that my daughters and granddaughter do not have to worry about this. There is eventually a happy ending – and mysteries revealed. A very satisfactory read.
September 16, 2018
Awesome, fabulous, amazing where do I start? I loved this one from page one I inhaled, devoured every word a story set across three generations from Hawaii 1941 to Sydney 2016 a young Catherine (Kitty) McGarrie meets the love of her life, her soul mate on her sixteenth birthday and what happens is an amazing story of love, heartache and a lost pearl, make sure you have a box tissues handy and wipe the calendar because you won’t want to put this one down.
Kitty is loving living in Honolulu with her father who is a Rear Admiral, her mother and brother who is also in the navy, her best friend is Penny and life is good, her mother is very upper class and organizes a big sixteenth birthday party and there she meets Charlie a sailor from the wrong side of the tracks but even at sixteen Kitty knows where her heart belongs, and Charlie is hit with cupids arrow as well love at first sight, but with talk of the Americans joining the war and Kitty and her mother being sent to Australia for safety, Kitty plans a day with Charlie a fabulous day of love and hope, but the world as they know it changes when early on the morning of December 7 Pearl Harbour is bombed and lives are lost and changed forever.
Seventy five years later Catherine has had a fall and in hospital and when her precious granddaughter Kit comes to visit she tells her a secret, a secret of a lost love and Kit a journalist takes on trying to find out more about this secret, but it could break a family apart or bring them together, a family that has learnt never to ask their mother or grandmother about her life in Hawaii before she came to Australia. Kit returns to Hawaii for the seventy fifth anniversary of Pearl Harbour and here she uncovers a lot more about her grandmother and will she discover a love for herself?
This is a must read book, I am still crying while writing this review, it is just beautiful, the research must have caused a lot of tears MS Madden, not just about Pearl Harbour but about things that happened here in Australia, it is emotional, moving and wonderful, I highly recommend it, truly it is one of the best books I have read this year and is going to stay with me for a long time to come. You rock MS Madden you made me smile and cry with this gorgeously written story thank you.
Kitty is loving living in Honolulu with her father who is a Rear Admiral, her mother and brother who is also in the navy, her best friend is Penny and life is good, her mother is very upper class and organizes a big sixteenth birthday party and there she meets Charlie a sailor from the wrong side of the tracks but even at sixteen Kitty knows where her heart belongs, and Charlie is hit with cupids arrow as well love at first sight, but with talk of the Americans joining the war and Kitty and her mother being sent to Australia for safety, Kitty plans a day with Charlie a fabulous day of love and hope, but the world as they know it changes when early on the morning of December 7 Pearl Harbour is bombed and lives are lost and changed forever.
Seventy five years later Catherine has had a fall and in hospital and when her precious granddaughter Kit comes to visit she tells her a secret, a secret of a lost love and Kit a journalist takes on trying to find out more about this secret, but it could break a family apart or bring them together, a family that has learnt never to ask their mother or grandmother about her life in Hawaii before she came to Australia. Kit returns to Hawaii for the seventy fifth anniversary of Pearl Harbour and here she uncovers a lot more about her grandmother and will she discover a love for herself?
This is a must read book, I am still crying while writing this review, it is just beautiful, the research must have caused a lot of tears MS Madden, not just about Pearl Harbour but about things that happened here in Australia, it is emotional, moving and wonderful, I highly recommend it, truly it is one of the best books I have read this year and is going to stay with me for a long time to come. You rock MS Madden you made me smile and cry with this gorgeously written story thank you.
October 9, 2018
The Lost Pearl is a wonderful multi-generational story set in several timezones. It starts in Hawaii before the bombing of Pearl Harbour and tells the story of 16 yo Catherine (Kitty) McGarrie and her family. They are a military family with Kitty’s father and brother in the service. On the night of her 16th birthday she meets Charlie and is immediately smitten with him. Their friendship grows and blossoms, then Peal Harbour is bombed with devastating consequences for Kitty and her family. She and her mother are sent off to Australia where her father thinks they will be safer.
Meanwhile Kitty discovers herself in a terrible position, the consequences of which will affect her future life.
The research that Emily has done with this book is impecable and as I have been to Pearl Harbour myself and Honolulu, I could imagine the settings and references to places that she used which was delightful. The Sydney hospital story was very well done and true to what actually happened in that era of Australia which was devastating.
This was an incredible story, which I connected with on a personal basis with one element of the storyline, which I can’t reveal.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I sat up finishing very late last night. I loved Emily’s first novel Summers with Juliette, but this novel is on a whole new scale and I am so excited to imagine the future of her writing. Do yourself a huge favour and read this powerful novel. 5 excellent stars.
Meanwhile Kitty discovers herself in a terrible position, the consequences of which will affect her future life.
The research that Emily has done with this book is impecable and as I have been to Pearl Harbour myself and Honolulu, I could imagine the settings and references to places that she used which was delightful. The Sydney hospital story was very well done and true to what actually happened in that era of Australia which was devastating.
This was an incredible story, which I connected with on a personal basis with one element of the storyline, which I can’t reveal.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I sat up finishing very late last night. I loved Emily’s first novel Summers with Juliette, but this novel is on a whole new scale and I am so excited to imagine the future of her writing. Do yourself a huge favour and read this powerful novel. 5 excellent stars.
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May 14, 2019I loved curling up with this book!
A wonderful story alternating between the events around Pearl Harbour in WW2 and current day.
I loved the sweeping romance and the characters that came alive through this vivid story.
A wonderful story alternating between the events around Pearl Harbour in WW2 and current day.
I loved the sweeping romance and the characters that came alive through this vivid story.
August 14, 2018
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
The Lost Peal is a sweeping sago of love, loss and secrets spanning 75 years.
Set in 1941 Hawaii and 2016 Sydney, The Lost Pearl is mostly Catherine /Kitty's story of lost love and the secrets that she has kept from her family all her life.
I am in a bit of a historical phase at the moment, and having been to Pearl Harbour, I thoroughly enjoyed the Hawaiian setting - even though things are a lot different in the book than when I wa there. However, having been there it did help me understand the setting and the feeling of the book a little better.
Ms Madden paints a vivid picture of pre-war Hawaii that I could feel myself being drawn in to.
Having so many plotlines set in so many time periods, The Lost Pearl could have found itself in a bit of a confusing mess, however Ms Madden has written this story so well that this was not the case at all.
I did feel that that character of Kit was a little less rounded out than that of Kitty and her family and friends in 1941. It was hard at to figure out her justifications for delving so hard into finding her grandmothers secrets, however as we did learn more of Kit it did become more clear. Also, this could just be me.
I did feel for Kit as the story progressed and we learned more of her past.
I enjoyed being taken along both Catherine and Kit's journeys, their loves, their losses.
The Lost Pearl is an epic love story that will sweep you away with the characters. I did shed a few tears as I was reading, and I am sure you will too.
Beautifully written, wonderful characters, this story would make a great movie.
I can't wait to see what Ms Madden brings us next.
The Lost Peal is a sweeping sago of love, loss and secrets spanning 75 years.
Set in 1941 Hawaii and 2016 Sydney, The Lost Pearl is mostly Catherine /Kitty's story of lost love and the secrets that she has kept from her family all her life.
I am in a bit of a historical phase at the moment, and having been to Pearl Harbour, I thoroughly enjoyed the Hawaiian setting - even though things are a lot different in the book than when I wa there. However, having been there it did help me understand the setting and the feeling of the book a little better.
Ms Madden paints a vivid picture of pre-war Hawaii that I could feel myself being drawn in to.
Having so many plotlines set in so many time periods, The Lost Pearl could have found itself in a bit of a confusing mess, however Ms Madden has written this story so well that this was not the case at all.
I did feel that that character of Kit was a little less rounded out than that of Kitty and her family and friends in 1941. It was hard at to figure out her justifications for delving so hard into finding her grandmothers secrets, however as we did learn more of Kit it did become more clear. Also, this could just be me.
I did feel for Kit as the story progressed and we learned more of her past.
I enjoyed being taken along both Catherine and Kit's journeys, their loves, their losses.
The Lost Pearl is an epic love story that will sweep you away with the characters. I did shed a few tears as I was reading, and I am sure you will too.
Beautifully written, wonderful characters, this story would make a great movie.
I can't wait to see what Ms Madden brings us next.
August 16, 2018
The Lost Pearl is a family saga set mainly in Hawaii and Sydney. The book begins in Honolulu in 1941 just months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbour in WW2.
The Lost Pearl tells the love story of Catherine (Kitty) McGarrie,daughter of a US naval Rear-Admiral and a US Navy officer, Charlie from the other side of the tracks.
It also tells the story of Kit Bennett, living in Australia in 2016. Kit is the granddaughter of Catherine.
I really enjoyed this book, in particular the parts in WW 2 Hawaii . The tragedy of the Pearl Harbour attack was well told.I got a bit bored in the early part of the book with Kit Bennett's story , which didn't interest me as much as her grandmother's story.
The book was hard to put down and I had tears in my eyes at the way the the author ended the story.
I would recommend this book to women who like family sagas , romance and history.
The book made me want to go back to Hawaii which I visited in 1984 as a 3 day stopover.
I have just purchased author, Emily Madden' other novel- "Summers with Juliette"
I would like to thank Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a free ARC copy. of this book.
The Lost Pearl tells the love story of Catherine (Kitty) McGarrie,daughter of a US naval Rear-Admiral and a US Navy officer, Charlie from the other side of the tracks.
It also tells the story of Kit Bennett, living in Australia in 2016. Kit is the granddaughter of Catherine.
I really enjoyed this book, in particular the parts in WW 2 Hawaii . The tragedy of the Pearl Harbour attack was well told.I got a bit bored in the early part of the book with Kit Bennett's story , which didn't interest me as much as her grandmother's story.
The book was hard to put down and I had tears in my eyes at the way the the author ended the story.
I would recommend this book to women who like family sagas , romance and history.
The book made me want to go back to Hawaii which I visited in 1984 as a 3 day stopover.
I have just purchased author, Emily Madden' other novel- "Summers with Juliette"
I would like to thank Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a free ARC copy. of this book.
April 9, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The story was sad in places, but ultimately very uplifting. The alternating timelines worked well, and the gradual reveal of the older Kitty’s life kept the pages turning. This is the second book I have read of Emily Madden and I look forward to reading the next book.
July 27, 2018
Going into this book, I was quite sceptical. Family saga isn't a genre that I was particularly familiar with, and The Lost Pearl seemed quite different to what I'd usually read. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying many aspects of the book, and though I don't often find myself attracted to historical reads, I do love a good romance, and The Lost Pearl features multiple romantic story lines. The primary focus is on the relationship between Catherine and Charlie, but we also get a glimpse of a few other love stories, such as Catherine's older brother Eddie's courtship with her friend Penny, and in the present day timeline, we see Kit moving on from heartbreak when a mysterious stranger named Adam enters her life. Thus I would definitely recommend this book to romance lovers! The Lost Pearl has cute couples galore and it's also interesting to note the differences between the present day romances and those set in the 1940's. While characters such as Catherine, Eddie and Charlie are very concerned with class, status, and the issue of premarital sex, Kit faces none of these problems in 2016, and has much more freedom in her love life.
The historical setting was another aspect of the book I found immensely enjoyable. Madden paints a vivid picture of life in Honolulu in the days leading up to America's entry into World War 2. Going into this book, I felt I did know at least the basics about the war and how it impacted Australia, but the effect of the Pearl Harbour attack on the people of Hawaii wasn't something I'd read much about before, thus I was excited to learn more. In The Lost Pearl, we feel the intense anxiety of the adult characters, who know that war is inevitable. We also see how this nervousness trickles down to younger characters such as Penny and Catherine, leading them to make impulsive decisions. Madden also does a great job depicting 1940's culture and attitudes, as well as creating beautiful imagery of Hawaii.
My only criticism of The Lost Pearl is that the characters and setting of the 1940's story line felt much more real and fully formed than those of the present day. Catherine, her parents, Penny, Charlie, and even his rival Walter all seemed much more well rounded than Kit or her family. At no point in the book did I feel like I really knew a lot about Kit, except that she was close to her grandmother and that she was recovering from heartbreak. As such, I didn't quite understand why uncovering her grandmother's past was so important to her. In her quest to discover the titular "lost pearl", Kit is willing to put her whole life on hold and travel to Hawaii, which seemed quite drastic. Though I liked Kit, I wish I had learned more about her and her motivations.
Ultimately though, The Lost Pearl was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to those who love The Notebook, stories of epic romances, and 1940's settings. Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a review copy!
The historical setting was another aspect of the book I found immensely enjoyable. Madden paints a vivid picture of life in Honolulu in the days leading up to America's entry into World War 2. Going into this book, I felt I did know at least the basics about the war and how it impacted Australia, but the effect of the Pearl Harbour attack on the people of Hawaii wasn't something I'd read much about before, thus I was excited to learn more. In The Lost Pearl, we feel the intense anxiety of the adult characters, who know that war is inevitable. We also see how this nervousness trickles down to younger characters such as Penny and Catherine, leading them to make impulsive decisions. Madden also does a great job depicting 1940's culture and attitudes, as well as creating beautiful imagery of Hawaii.
My only criticism of The Lost Pearl is that the characters and setting of the 1940's story line felt much more real and fully formed than those of the present day. Catherine, her parents, Penny, Charlie, and even his rival Walter all seemed much more well rounded than Kit or her family. At no point in the book did I feel like I really knew a lot about Kit, except that she was close to her grandmother and that she was recovering from heartbreak. As such, I didn't quite understand why uncovering her grandmother's past was so important to her. In her quest to discover the titular "lost pearl", Kit is willing to put her whole life on hold and travel to Hawaii, which seemed quite drastic. Though I liked Kit, I wish I had learned more about her and her motivations.
Ultimately though, The Lost Pearl was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to those who love The Notebook, stories of epic romances, and 1940's settings. Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a review copy!
August 17, 2018
I was asked if I would like to do a review on this book, I'm so glad I said yes as this book is absolutely amazing. Charlie and Kitty's story is filled with happiness, sadness, loss and secrets. I love reading stories like this, it's so interesting imagining their lives back in the 1940's and it keeps me intrigued to find out what happened. This is the second book of Emily's I have read, I'm looking forward to reading lots more of her books. The Lost Pearl is definitely one of my favorite books that I have read this year.
October 13, 2018
The Lost Pearl is the beautiful second book by Australian author Emily Madden and her first sweeping historical fiction saga. As a huge fan of historical fiction, particularily World War II, I was eagerly looking forward to getting my hands on this. When I did, I treasured every minute I spent in Honolulu with sixteen year old Kitty from 1941 onwards and in Sydney with her granddaughter, Kit, during 2016. With the dual timeline and alternating chapters I was able to fully immerse myself in both women’s lives as they dealt with passion and heartbreak in two different places.
Kitty has grown up in a navy family with two parents that are like chalk and cheese. More like her father then her mother, Kitty is a modern, ambitious young woman who is ahead of her time with dreams of being a teacher. Kitty’s mother, in contrast, believes that Kitty should take the traditional route of finding a man and caring for the family home. Kitty also has an older sibling, a brother, Eddie, that she has a strong relationship with. Often acting as the chaperone on his dates, things don’t go according to plan when Kitty finds herself falling for a navy boy, Charlie, that her brother is aquainted with. But like all good love stories set during the war, Charlie comes from a lower class and Kitty knows that her parents will never aprove of the relationship. Just when Charlie and Kitty come to realise the depth of their relationship and the lengths they will go to be together, all hell breaks loose with the bombing of Peral Harbour. Kitty’s life will take her on a journey to Sydney but will she ever return to Hawaii?
Kit, the granddaughter of Kitty, is a woman dealing with a broken heart. During this time, Kit finds a letter that opens the door to her grandparents relationship. Kit holds the key to a secret that has been buried since the war that will change everything her immediate family has thought to be true. While trying to solve the mysteries of the past, Kit finds herself meeting a man that will provide unexpected help and challenge her in ways that she could not have imagined. To give further detail will spoil the story, taking away the unknown, but watching Kit heal and find herself once again was a wonderful experience.
Honululu is the third, unexpected, character in the story. Madden has opened my eyes with her intricate research and exquisite descriptions to a different culture through the eyes of Kitty, her friends and family. I felt like I was living in this U.S state as I was able immerse myself in the laid back times before the moment of the Pearl Harbour attack. While I have been aware of the events in Pearl Harbour for many years, I had not given them much thought. Through Kitty’s brother Eddie, I was able to live through the bombings and I was there with Kitty as she tried to help the wounded while not knowing the fate of her sibling. Madden has widened my knowledge and given me a new appreciation for the victims of this event.
With themes of love, family, war and moving on, this is a must read for fans of Natasha Lester and historical fiction!
#AWWC#
Kitty has grown up in a navy family with two parents that are like chalk and cheese. More like her father then her mother, Kitty is a modern, ambitious young woman who is ahead of her time with dreams of being a teacher. Kitty’s mother, in contrast, believes that Kitty should take the traditional route of finding a man and caring for the family home. Kitty also has an older sibling, a brother, Eddie, that she has a strong relationship with. Often acting as the chaperone on his dates, things don’t go according to plan when Kitty finds herself falling for a navy boy, Charlie, that her brother is aquainted with. But like all good love stories set during the war, Charlie comes from a lower class and Kitty knows that her parents will never aprove of the relationship. Just when Charlie and Kitty come to realise the depth of their relationship and the lengths they will go to be together, all hell breaks loose with the bombing of Peral Harbour. Kitty’s life will take her on a journey to Sydney but will she ever return to Hawaii?
Kit, the granddaughter of Kitty, is a woman dealing with a broken heart. During this time, Kit finds a letter that opens the door to her grandparents relationship. Kit holds the key to a secret that has been buried since the war that will change everything her immediate family has thought to be true. While trying to solve the mysteries of the past, Kit finds herself meeting a man that will provide unexpected help and challenge her in ways that she could not have imagined. To give further detail will spoil the story, taking away the unknown, but watching Kit heal and find herself once again was a wonderful experience.
Honululu is the third, unexpected, character in the story. Madden has opened my eyes with her intricate research and exquisite descriptions to a different culture through the eyes of Kitty, her friends and family. I felt like I was living in this U.S state as I was able immerse myself in the laid back times before the moment of the Pearl Harbour attack. While I have been aware of the events in Pearl Harbour for many years, I had not given them much thought. Through Kitty’s brother Eddie, I was able to live through the bombings and I was there with Kitty as she tried to help the wounded while not knowing the fate of her sibling. Madden has widened my knowledge and given me a new appreciation for the victims of this event.
With themes of love, family, war and moving on, this is a must read for fans of Natasha Lester and historical fiction!
#AWWC#
September 30, 2018
Book blurb...
From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a family secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.
Honolulu, Hawaii 1941
On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of.
As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.
Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?
My Thoughts…
I loved the emotional journey in this story, as well as the trip to war-time Hawaii and the glimpse of a 1941 Pearl Harbour.
The plot is both intricate and easy for follow—not an easy task. The author has done a very good job tying everything together, creating a story to capture both your heart and your interest, from beginning to end.
I loved the story about Catherine and Charlie most of all. The hardships they and their families endured following the attack on Pearl Harbour and the ensuing war seemed very authentic, sad and tragic.
I do love a tale of missed opportunities and this is one of those stories.
The events the main character, Kit, uncovers in her search through the past are well timed and perfectly plotted, rewarding the reader with just enough information to keep them reading well into the night.
A must read, but you may need a tissue or two.
This review is also published on my blog http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a family secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.
Honolulu, Hawaii 1941
On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of.
As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.
Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?
My Thoughts…
I loved the emotional journey in this story, as well as the trip to war-time Hawaii and the glimpse of a 1941 Pearl Harbour.
The plot is both intricate and easy for follow—not an easy task. The author has done a very good job tying everything together, creating a story to capture both your heart and your interest, from beginning to end.
I loved the story about Catherine and Charlie most of all. The hardships they and their families endured following the attack on Pearl Harbour and the ensuing war seemed very authentic, sad and tragic.
I do love a tale of missed opportunities and this is one of those stories.
The events the main character, Kit, uncovers in her search through the past are well timed and perfectly plotted, rewarding the reader with just enough information to keep them reading well into the night.
A must read, but you may need a tissue or two.
This review is also published on my blog http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
October 5, 2018
I received a copy of The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden, from Beauty and Lace Book Club to read and do an honest review
The Lost Pearl is an outstanding historical fiction set in the tropical paradise of Hawaii.
US Navy Rear Admiral McGarrie is posted in Hawaii and has his family with him.
His daughter Catherine has her 16th Birthday at the Royal Hawaiin Hotel.
Her brother Eddie is their with his friend Charlie Florio.
A chance meeting that will send tendrills across time.
As the rumours about war start to intrude in Catherine and Charlies blossoming love affair,
the tension builds.
7th December 1941 is a day many will never forget.
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
2016 and Catherine is in hospital.
A chance comment intrigues her granddaughter Kit.
Kit is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This begins a journey through memories of the past,
new memories made of the future,
and the determination of a young lady to discover the truth.
Madden has woven the story across time that the reader can follow effortlessly
and will leave you wanting this story to continue.
I highly recommend reading The Lost Pearl and I hope you love it as much as I did.
This is not the first book of Emily Madden that I have read and will not be the last.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
The Lost Pearl is an outstanding historical fiction set in the tropical paradise of Hawaii.
US Navy Rear Admiral McGarrie is posted in Hawaii and has his family with him.
His daughter Catherine has her 16th Birthday at the Royal Hawaiin Hotel.
Her brother Eddie is their with his friend Charlie Florio.
A chance meeting that will send tendrills across time.
As the rumours about war start to intrude in Catherine and Charlies blossoming love affair,
the tension builds.
7th December 1941 is a day many will never forget.
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
2016 and Catherine is in hospital.
A chance comment intrigues her granddaughter Kit.
Kit is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This begins a journey through memories of the past,
new memories made of the future,
and the determination of a young lady to discover the truth.
Madden has woven the story across time that the reader can follow effortlessly
and will leave you wanting this story to continue.
I highly recommend reading The Lost Pearl and I hope you love it as much as I did.
This is not the first book of Emily Madden that I have read and will not be the last.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
September 21, 2019
Loved, loved, LOVED this book! Hawaii has always been a dream destination of mine.
This story was so heartbreaking at times and helped me gain more knowledge of the Pearl Harbour attacks back in 1941.
I wish Charlie and Kitty could have found each other again. They spent the rest of their lives pining for each other with Kitty thinking he was dead. Kitty’s mother was such a cold woman and forcing her to give up her child. The matron in this story reminded me of the matron from the tv series Love Child.
At first I liked William’s character, but he was so selfish in the end and made me so mad that he stopped Kitty and Pearl from finding each other.
For most of this story you’re left wondering what happened between Kit and Jeremy. I thought that Jeremy had cheated on Kit. I was shocked when I found out the truth and started to understand why she struggled to move on, but glad she did in the end.
I may have shed a tear when Pearl and Charlie finally found each other. Definitely recommend this book. Emily’s style of writing reminds me of Belinda Alexandra, another of my favourite authors.
This story was so heartbreaking at times and helped me gain more knowledge of the Pearl Harbour attacks back in 1941.
I wish Charlie and Kitty could have found each other again. They spent the rest of their lives pining for each other with Kitty thinking he was dead. Kitty’s mother was such a cold woman and forcing her to give up her child. The matron in this story reminded me of the matron from the tv series Love Child.
At first I liked William’s character, but he was so selfish in the end and made me so mad that he stopped Kitty and Pearl from finding each other.
For most of this story you’re left wondering what happened between Kit and Jeremy. I thought that Jeremy had cheated on Kit. I was shocked when I found out the truth and started to understand why she struggled to move on, but glad she did in the end.
I may have shed a tear when Pearl and Charlie finally found each other. Definitely recommend this book. Emily’s style of writing reminds me of Belinda Alexandra, another of my favourite authors.
October 9, 2018
Emily Madden is a stellar Australian author and has written a beautiful novel. This is a heart wrenching story of family, tragedy, grief, resilience and memories, with a cast of characters between two settings, 1940s Hawaii and 2016 Sydney Australia. The characters are very well staged and the settings are wonderfully described, I can just imagine sitting on the beaches in Honolulu, a place I would love to visit one day.
Emily Madden, you have written a beautiful novel, thank you so much for the privilege of reading this novel. Thank you also to Beauty & Lace Book Club and Harlequin Mira for the opportunity to read this book.
Emily Madden, you have written a beautiful novel, thank you so much for the privilege of reading this novel. Thank you also to Beauty & Lace Book Club and Harlequin Mira for the opportunity to read this book.
October 10, 2018
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Mira for the opportunity to read The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden.
After reading this book I have to get her debut novel Summers with Juliette. I really loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started it. I finished reading a few days ago but it’s taken me til now to be able to write my review.
This book is narrated in dual time 1941 and present day of 2016. I love how well written both story lines are. I found this book an emotional roller coaster from start til finish. I loved the book and at some points almost hated it because of certain circumstances that I found unfair but couldn’t wait to keep reading and find out what happened next.
I highly recommend this book you won’t regret reading it.
After reading this book I have to get her debut novel Summers with Juliette. I really loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started it. I finished reading a few days ago but it’s taken me til now to be able to write my review.
This book is narrated in dual time 1941 and present day of 2016. I love how well written both story lines are. I found this book an emotional roller coaster from start til finish. I loved the book and at some points almost hated it because of certain circumstances that I found unfair but couldn’t wait to keep reading and find out what happened next.
I highly recommend this book you won’t regret reading it.
August 19, 2021
The perfect lockdown escape! Both of the dual timelines where my favourite, I loved Kit and Catherine as well as Sydney in 2016 and Hawaii in 1941. I was absolutely there for the attack on Pearl Harbour and the Crown Street Women’s Hospital. There were some powerful chapters. I’m a huge fan of Emily Madden, I’m so looking forward to The Buchanan Girls
October 15, 2018
A book that spans between Hawii, Sydney and Melbourne, from 1941 to 2017. I enjoyed reading this story of love lost, where through another generation, the mystery of the past is discovered.
June 6, 2019
Love love love this book
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