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When We Were Young
Three generations of women come together in this page-turning debut full of family secrets, heart-wrenching drama, and the promise of second chances.
Corfu, 1942 : To sixteen-year-old Sarah Batis, the Nazis are a distant danger—of far greater threat is the opposing needs of her heart and her people. Tradition demands that Sarah marry a Jewish man. Only Sarah has fallen in love with a fisherman outside their community. And when the Nazis invade, Sarah must watch from afar as her family is taken away. . .
Corfu, 2004 : Sarah's daughter, Bea, has built a happy life with a steadfast husband and two independent daughters. Their summers on the Greek island with the Winn family appear idyllic, especially the love that blossoms between Bea's daughter Joey and Leo Winn. But there is a secret threatening their beach paradise.
Florida, 2019 : Joey is only days away from marrying the nice Jewish man her family adores. The arrival of Leo, Joey's first love, sends her reeling. Even after fifteen years, the attraction between them burns bright—but Leo isn't looking for a happy reunion. He's there to reveal why he really broke up with her during their last summer together.
Weddings have a way of bringing out the best—and worst—in those you love the most. And as the revelations of her family flood to the surface, what Joey learns will either bring them closer together . . . or tear them apart forever.
Corfu, 1942 : To sixteen-year-old Sarah Batis, the Nazis are a distant danger—of far greater threat is the opposing needs of her heart and her people. Tradition demands that Sarah marry a Jewish man. Only Sarah has fallen in love with a fisherman outside their community. And when the Nazis invade, Sarah must watch from afar as her family is taken away. . .
Corfu, 2004 : Sarah's daughter, Bea, has built a happy life with a steadfast husband and two independent daughters. Their summers on the Greek island with the Winn family appear idyllic, especially the love that blossoms between Bea's daughter Joey and Leo Winn. But there is a secret threatening their beach paradise.
Florida, 2019 : Joey is only days away from marrying the nice Jewish man her family adores. The arrival of Leo, Joey's first love, sends her reeling. Even after fifteen years, the attraction between them burns bright—but Leo isn't looking for a happy reunion. He's there to reveal why he really broke up with her during their last summer together.
Weddings have a way of bringing out the best—and worst—in those you love the most. And as the revelations of her family flood to the surface, what Joey learns will either bring them closer together . . . or tear them apart forever.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2021
45 people are currently reading
3457 people want to read
About the author
Jaclyn Goldis
5 books452 followersJaclyn Goldis is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and NYU Law. She practiced estate planning law at a large Chicago firm for seven years before leaving her job to travel the world and write novels. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @jaclyngoldis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 30, 2022
This is a historical fiction/women's Fiction that jumps between three time points (1942, 2004, and 2019). I found the writing a little to much, and I did not really connect to any of the characters. I feel that the storyline drove this book and not the characters. I loved the cover of this book, and that is what made me want to read this book. I do not feel this was a bad book, but it was just not a book for me. I love a character drove book. This book does have some twists and turns that are good. Also, I for a historical fiction book most of the book to part in 2004 or 2019, so I think this is more of a women's fiction book with some flash backs to 1942. If you are reading this hoping for more of a historical fiction then this may not be for you. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Forever) or author (Jaclyn Goldis) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 12, 2021
Beautifully written women's fiction at its finest. I was invested throughout and felt so much for each of the women portrayed. The write up plays like a generational read, but in all honesty When We Were Young POV's feel more like flashbacks that just add to the overall feel. It's love, longing, and courage to go after your heart that drives it all home.
A great read for your 2021 summer beach bags!
~Tanja
*ARC via ForeverPub/GrandCentralPub
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A great read for your 2021 summer beach bags!
~Tanja
*ARC via ForeverPub/GrandCentralPub
Follow me on
Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿Pinterest✿
February 16, 2021
In Corfu, Greece 1942, Sarah Batis is a young woman whose battling her Jewish heritage with her desire to marry a fisherman named Milos who lives outside of the Jewish faith. Despite the Nazi and Italian rule that is hovering over Greece like a terrifying cloud, Sarah is more focused on love than politics. But when the Nazi’s take her entire family to Auschwitz, Sarah feels she must follow tradition over her heart. Meanwhile in 2004, Sarah’s daughter Bea, had built a delightful life of painting, with a husband and two daughters who love her. As her eldest daughter Joey begins a romance with their fellow American neighbor’s son Leo, secrets are threatening their so-called paradise. Finally in 2019, Joey, all grown up and about to marry an appropriate Jewish man, is confronted with Leo’s return, after he broke her heart 15 years ago. Suddenly the entire family’s secrets are going to come out. Man, I feel like this book had SO much potential and then it just crashed. I was really hoping to learn more about the Holocaust on Greece but it was more of a love story than anything else. Joey couldn’t keep it in her pants, which was high-key obnoxious. She was also such a horrible person when it came to Grant who is CLEARLY better than Leo, hands down. Lilly was this alleged teen influencer who could get a private party at an expensive (and exclusive) beach resort in Florida. Like come on, at least make it somewhat believable and have her be in her early 20’s. She was such a shallow character, despite a HUGE plot point that focused on her. Bea was put in a similar position-just a shallow, selfish awful character. I definitely wouldn’t call this a historical fiction book. More like a romance book full of mostly insufferable characters.
March 24, 2021
Captivating, poignant, and nostalgic!
When We Were Young is a heart-wrenching, affecting tale that takes you on a journey into the lives of three main characters. Sarah, a young Jewish girl who can never quite forgive after her love for a fisherman saves her life but not her family during the Nazis invasion of Corfu; Bea, an uninhibited mother of two who loves spending summers with family friends while simultaneously hiding a secret that could possibly destroy them all; and Joey, a woman whose life becomes completely upheaved when the love of her life suddenly reappears a few days before her upcoming nuptials to another man.
The prose is emotive and smooth. The characters are confused, troubled, and heartbroken. And the plot using a past/present, back-and-forth style intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a touching tale of familial dynamics, drama, emotion, secrets, love, loss, duty, heartbreak, passion, tradition, and self-discovery.
Overall, When We Were Young is a sentimental, heartfelt, promising debut by Goldis that does a wonderful job of highlighting the complex ties that bind families together and reminds us that happy-ever-after endings rarely resemble those we read about in fairytales.
Thank you to Forever and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When We Were Young is a heart-wrenching, affecting tale that takes you on a journey into the lives of three main characters. Sarah, a young Jewish girl who can never quite forgive after her love for a fisherman saves her life but not her family during the Nazis invasion of Corfu; Bea, an uninhibited mother of two who loves spending summers with family friends while simultaneously hiding a secret that could possibly destroy them all; and Joey, a woman whose life becomes completely upheaved when the love of her life suddenly reappears a few days before her upcoming nuptials to another man.
The prose is emotive and smooth. The characters are confused, troubled, and heartbroken. And the plot using a past/present, back-and-forth style intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a touching tale of familial dynamics, drama, emotion, secrets, love, loss, duty, heartbreak, passion, tradition, and self-discovery.
Overall, When We Were Young is a sentimental, heartfelt, promising debut by Goldis that does a wonderful job of highlighting the complex ties that bind families together and reminds us that happy-ever-after endings rarely resemble those we read about in fairytales.
Thank you to Forever and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
I love the cover of this book, but most of the characters in it frustrated me with their selfishness. I had a strong visceral reaction when reading this book. There are several layers of relationships which makes the story messy and complicated. Long, buried secrets, and people acting surreptitiously and then feeling justified for their lies. I felt bad for,the characters who were really hurt and thought that the ones who hurt them could have made their decisions much faster. My favorite character was Milos. I ached for him during several scenes. I think he was the most honest out of all the personalities. Perhaps I invested too much in reading this book, but it’s a dangerous game when one plays with people’s emotions and I just think some of,the characters could have figured some stuff out before they carried out certain actions. Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the advance read.
February 15, 2021
This all engrossing, debut page turner had me attached to these characters from page one. The story of three generations of women, finding themselves, find their way to each other, their search for love and the secrets that threaten to tear them all apart.
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This book has so many layers and I absolutely loved it. Told in three timelines you truly understood these characters in a way you don’t always get in a book.
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Corfu, 1942 is Sarah’s story (Joey’s Grandma). In present time Sarah wants Joey to marry a nice, Jewish boy but in her timeline we see why. We see how difficult life is for her when she falls for a boy who is not a Jewish boy. We see how her parents disowned her but in doing so they inadvertently saved her life. She went to go live with the man she loved while her parents, little brother and everyone she knew and loved were sent to Auschwitz.
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Corfu, 2004 Sarah’s daughter Bea her husband and two girls spend the summers in Corfu. These summers are a pure dream and for their daughter Joey they are perfect, especially when the boy she loves lives right next door, until her heart is shattered abruptly.
.
Florida, 2019 Joey is days away from her wedding to a wonderful man when her first love Leo returns with the secrets of that summer in 2004 and why he broke her heart. The tender string that held these secrets together threaten to unravel all of their lives.
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I absolutely loved this one. I could not stop reading it. This is a book that will stick with me, especially Sarah’s story.
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Check this book out tomorrow!!
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Thank you to #NetGalley and #foreverpub for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
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This book has so many layers and I absolutely loved it. Told in three timelines you truly understood these characters in a way you don’t always get in a book.
.
Corfu, 1942 is Sarah’s story (Joey’s Grandma). In present time Sarah wants Joey to marry a nice, Jewish boy but in her timeline we see why. We see how difficult life is for her when she falls for a boy who is not a Jewish boy. We see how her parents disowned her but in doing so they inadvertently saved her life. She went to go live with the man she loved while her parents, little brother and everyone she knew and loved were sent to Auschwitz.
.
Corfu, 2004 Sarah’s daughter Bea her husband and two girls spend the summers in Corfu. These summers are a pure dream and for their daughter Joey they are perfect, especially when the boy she loves lives right next door, until her heart is shattered abruptly.
.
Florida, 2019 Joey is days away from her wedding to a wonderful man when her first love Leo returns with the secrets of that summer in 2004 and why he broke her heart. The tender string that held these secrets together threaten to unravel all of their lives.
.
I absolutely loved this one. I could not stop reading it. This is a book that will stick with me, especially Sarah’s story.
.
Check this book out tomorrow!!
.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #foreverpub for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2021
It's hard to believe this is Goldin's debut novel! When We Were Young highlights three generations of women, the choices they made, the choices that were made for them, and the outcomes that have shaped their lives. The chapters jump between Sarah (the grandmother), Bea (her daughter), and Joey (her granddaughter), as well as between decades. I was worried that this would be confusing, but Goldin's writing talent makes it a seamless read. I was wholeheartedly invested in all three of the women's lives, especially Sarah. I love a WWII love story and this one just might top them all. Goldin's writing is so atmospheric, I felt like I was in Greece, eating baklava, smelling the flowers along the streets of Corfu. While this story tackles some serious topics like infidelity and war, all three women have a fun side that made the story lighter than the average WWII story. Take me away to Greece!
April 18, 2021
“Rise and shine, my sweet girl. You have the rest of your life to live....And what a life it’s going to be.”
“She looked at their hands woven together. If hands could be a home she knew that hers was here.”
“He had his love with you, and that was enough for a lifetime.”
I fell in love with this story or rather stories as it tells the journey between three women. Each woman so unique and strong. My heart broke for them, but oh, how they picked up their broken pieces. Each journey was beautiful as they picked up those broken pieces to make their life their own.
I learned so much about Corfu and how Jews were treated so horribly.. Oh, my heart broke for Sarah and every single person who experienced the cruelty and hardship.
This book is going down as one my favorites this year. I have so many feelings but I don’t think my words give it justice. Just go pick it up. You won’t regret it.
“She looked at their hands woven together. If hands could be a home she knew that hers was here.”
“He had his love with you, and that was enough for a lifetime.”
I fell in love with this story or rather stories as it tells the journey between three women. Each woman so unique and strong. My heart broke for them, but oh, how they picked up their broken pieces. Each journey was beautiful as they picked up those broken pieces to make their life their own.
I learned so much about Corfu and how Jews were treated so horribly.. Oh, my heart broke for Sarah and every single person who experienced the cruelty and hardship.
This book is going down as one my favorites this year. I have so many feelings but I don’t think my words give it justice. Just go pick it up. You won’t regret it.
March 5, 2021
Some books and their characters stay with you long after you finish them, and this is one of those books for me. I loved the depth to the characters in this book, and how their stories fit together across the years. I was intrigued by the storyline and all the twists and turns, needing to turn the pages to find out what was going to be revealed next. The tales of love and loss throughout the book, both broke my heart and gave me hope. This book made me feel so many things, it was such a beautiful story. I received an ARC from netgalley, and this is my honest review.
July 29, 2024
Onako. Ništa dosad neviđeno.
August 30, 2024
DNF - slow boring unlivable characters
February 16, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. The book jumps through time — and back and forth from Corfu to Florida. I’ve been to Corfu a few years ago and Goldis does a wonderful job at bringing the island to the reader. The book is more of a page turner than I expected and I could really see this book becoming a movie. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend reading it.
February 12, 2021
Amazing! Couldn’t put it down.
February 10, 2021
What a great read! This was the perfect book for my beachside getaway. The narrative kept me engaged and interested and it was hard to put down. Definitely a worthy interesting read.
March 11, 2021
Joey's problems are very 2019: Her jeans are outdated, her younger sister is more popular than she is, and she might be marrying the wrong man. But it is her grandmother Sarah's perspective that shows Joey it is a wonderful thing to be surrounded by so much life and love.
Sarah's own childhood was as joyful as Joey's until it was torn asunder by a world at war. The life she created afterward was a fierce refusal to succumb to despair. And as Sarah's past comes full circle, she will help Joey find a way to love.
In a novel that juxtaposes one character's definition of stamina as waiting 4 years for an item on back order while another character has been forced to find the strength to endure the most horrific of wartime tragedies, When We Were Young is a relishing read from start to finish, that rarest of works which is both revelatory historical fiction and a charming beach read, a novel that reminds us that what truly endures is love.
Sarah's own childhood was as joyful as Joey's until it was torn asunder by a world at war. The life she created afterward was a fierce refusal to succumb to despair. And as Sarah's past comes full circle, she will help Joey find a way to love.
In a novel that juxtaposes one character's definition of stamina as waiting 4 years for an item on back order while another character has been forced to find the strength to endure the most horrific of wartime tragedies, When We Were Young is a relishing read from start to finish, that rarest of works which is both revelatory historical fiction and a charming beach read, a novel that reminds us that what truly endures is love.
January 17, 2021
A gripping, stunning, fascinating novel. Set in Greece, this enthralling story sheds light on a community that is often forgotten in the history of World War II. This book had me hooked from the first page and holding onto my seat with the unexpected twists that were revealed. Loved this book and cannot wait to read what this author publishes next.
June 8, 2021
I wanted to like this book, and it had all the elements to make it great but it didn’t quite get there. Didn’t love how long it was just to end up being predictable with a lackluster ending.
March 24, 2021
When We Were Young by Jaclyn Goldis
Corfu is one of my very favourite places on Earth (so far). I have never seen such gorgeous beaches, shockingly blue water or amazing city views. What I wouldn’t give to be at a beach in Corfu right now!
This story takes place in Corfu and Florida, through the eyes of 2 women generations apart. This story has amazing historical fiction elements as well as romance and family drama. I did find the various timelines a bit confusing. There were 3 timelines happening with a bunch of memories thrown in to each one. And it also seemed a bit long and then ended abruptly in my opinion. But I still loved the characters and the setting!
Bonus points for the main character being named Joey, it gave me huge Dawson’s Creek flashbacks.
Thank you to @readforeverpub for my gifted copy!
Corfu is one of my very favourite places on Earth (so far). I have never seen such gorgeous beaches, shockingly blue water or amazing city views. What I wouldn’t give to be at a beach in Corfu right now!
This story takes place in Corfu and Florida, through the eyes of 2 women generations apart. This story has amazing historical fiction elements as well as romance and family drama. I did find the various timelines a bit confusing. There were 3 timelines happening with a bunch of memories thrown in to each one. And it also seemed a bit long and then ended abruptly in my opinion. But I still loved the characters and the setting!
Bonus points for the main character being named Joey, it gave me huge Dawson’s Creek flashbacks.
Thank you to @readforeverpub for my gifted copy!
February 16, 2021
When We Were Young by @jaclyngoldis is a poignant, heart wrenching tale about three generations of women who come together to find themselves and the love they have for each other, despite the painful family secrets that threaten to tear them apart. I can’t tell you how much I loved this story! It’s definitely the type of story that stays with you and leaves little marks on your heart. While this story is an emotional rollercoaster, it emanates the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances. If you’re looking for a book with an idyllic setting that’s a perfect blend of women’s fiction and historical fiction, this is the book for you!
A huge thank you to @readforeverpub for gifting me a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review!
A huge thank you to @readforeverpub for gifting me a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2024
More like 2.5
I'm so conflicted by this book. One, I'm a little annoyed because it's hyped as historical fiction for which it is absolutely not. Its literary fiction with a historical flashback. Second, the not translating words! Gah! It is a tiny blip in the book but it infuriates me and so even if this was the best book ever, I'd still have to drop it down for that. Third, while the writing is fine and I don't mind flawed characters (cause everyone is flawed), I HATE cheating/affairs stories.
I'm so conflicted by this book. One, I'm a little annoyed because it's hyped as historical fiction for which it is absolutely not. Its literary fiction with a historical flashback. Second, the not translating words! Gah! It is a tiny blip in the book but it infuriates me and so even if this was the best book ever, I'd still have to drop it down for that. Third, while the writing is fine and I don't mind flawed characters (cause everyone is flawed), I HATE cheating/affairs stories.
March 28, 2021
To be honest I didn’t have high expectations for this debut novel of Ms Goldis. I was wrong. When We Were Young is an elegant book, so well written, that tells three love stories of a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter spanning sixty years and two countries. I had a very difficult time putting it down. It is an exceptional book and Jaclyn Goldis is an exceptional author. I’m looking forward to her next novel.
January 21, 2022
I'll bump up the rating to 4.5 stars.
A wonderful women's historical fiction book depicting the love stories of three generations. Find out what makes them tick, their ambitions and their hardships by reading the novel. The back and forth time lines between Corfu 1942 and Florida 2019 adds to the storyline.
A wonderful women's historical fiction book depicting the love stories of three generations. Find out what makes them tick, their ambitions and their hardships by reading the novel. The back and forth time lines between Corfu 1942 and Florida 2019 adds to the storyline.
March 17, 2024
Your typical generational love story where grandma plays a role in making sure her granddaughter doesn’t spend her life with the wrong man like she did. There were a few twists and turns with other family drama + some historical fiction that kept me engaged but overall it was pretty boring.
August 1, 2022
Zanimljiva.. Tri različite generacije žena, svaka sa svojom pričom. Svidjelo mi se...
April 26, 2024
Very tedious
September 16, 2025
This has 3 different timelines: Sarah in Greece during WWII and then jump ahead to Sarah’s granddaughter’s perspective-Joey who is young and in love in 2004 and then Joey in 2019 about to get married 15 years later. I liked this book but would’ve preferred more focus on Sarah’s time during WWII to learn more about how the Greeks were affected during WWII. Also, I hated Joey’s decision in the end
February 17, 2021
When We Were Young by Jaclyn Goldis is a heartbreaking tale that crosses over three generations. Three women have loved and loss during their lifetime. Life brought them choices and they dealt with them the best they could. A grandma who never forgot her first love. He reached out to her after so many years and she just replied back to him. Only she doesn't get the best news. Her daughter never got over her first love either. She wrote him letters only those never got to him and she thought he didn't love her. Later she learns, her love life was manipulated by another man who loves her. Then, there's her daughter, Joey. Joey is the central figure in this story. It's what happens to her that has a rippled effect on her family and love life. Once again, a first love, was ruined in the past but has the chance to be something, if she's willing.
All three women's love lives have affected their family unit. A mom who made poor choices, a grandma who felt pain and reacted the best she could, and a granddaughter, is struggling to find exactly what she wants. Hanging by a thread is how these women feel their lives are going...yet they all support each other and try to remain strong. Yet secrets are released, and the truth is blurted out, all hell breaks loose. I loved this addictive book. The characters had a way of keeping me in their story. I was rooting for Joey and Leo the entire time. The ending was so sad...
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
All three women's love lives have affected their family unit. A mom who made poor choices, a grandma who felt pain and reacted the best she could, and a granddaughter, is struggling to find exactly what she wants. Hanging by a thread is how these women feel their lives are going...yet they all support each other and try to remain strong. Yet secrets are released, and the truth is blurted out, all hell breaks loose. I loved this addictive book. The characters had a way of keeping me in their story. I was rooting for Joey and Leo the entire time. The ending was so sad...
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
February 16, 2021
Three generations of women in a family full of secrets
Corfu 1942, we find Sarah Batis, a young girl in love with a young fisherman who her family does not approve of. She runs away with him only to hear that her family has been taken by the Nazis. She must now make a decision that will change the course of her life.
Corfu 2004, Sarah’s daughter Bea has a happy life, a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. Bea has been living with a long-buried secret that may just destroy her family.
Florida 2019, Bea’s daughter Joey is days away from getting married when her first love from her summers in Corfu comes to see her to explain why he left her so many years ago. This secret that he has been carrying could destroy not only Joey’s family but his own.
What a brilliant story by Jaclyn Goldis. The character development was fabulous, and I loved how the story would build and then go back in time to fill in the missing moments. It blended so beautifully. It was joyous, heart breaking, and so tender giving the reader a full range of emotions from these women’s stories. I highly recommend this book and would like to thank the author Jaclyn Goldis, Forever ( Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book. All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
Corfu 1942, we find Sarah Batis, a young girl in love with a young fisherman who her family does not approve of. She runs away with him only to hear that her family has been taken by the Nazis. She must now make a decision that will change the course of her life.
Corfu 2004, Sarah’s daughter Bea has a happy life, a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. Bea has been living with a long-buried secret that may just destroy her family.
Florida 2019, Bea’s daughter Joey is days away from getting married when her first love from her summers in Corfu comes to see her to explain why he left her so many years ago. This secret that he has been carrying could destroy not only Joey’s family but his own.
What a brilliant story by Jaclyn Goldis. The character development was fabulous, and I loved how the story would build and then go back in time to fill in the missing moments. It blended so beautifully. It was joyous, heart breaking, and so tender giving the reader a full range of emotions from these women’s stories. I highly recommend this book and would like to thank the author Jaclyn Goldis, Forever ( Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book. All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 18, 2021
What an incredible debut from this author. I look forward to what comes next from her. This is a historical novel that goes back to Corfu, Greece in 1942 to contemporary times in Florida. Three strong women who love each other, but also have secrets that have brought them to where they are, but could also alert the fabric of their relationships and lives forever. We travel through time to understand what brought them to where they are. I loved the relationship between Sarah and Joey. There is nothing sweeter and more loving that that of a grandparent. Lots of emotion, twists and turns along the way. A truly wonderful read.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity.
April 3, 2021
Great debut novel . Contemporary romance with some historical history with the Corfu Jews which was fascinating.Reading through out three decades was fun and enjoyable with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews