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Daughters of New York #1
Glanz der Freiheit
New York, 1942: Immer mehr Männer werden an die Front gerufen, auch die Köche im Valentino’s, wo die junge Lily Rose arbeitet. Mit viel Ehrgeiz und großer Leidenschaft setzt Lily nun alles daran, die erste Küchenchefin der Geschichte zu werden. Bei ihrer Suche nach neuen Rezepten in Zeiten der Rationierung verliebt sie sich in den Chef de Cuisine Tom, bis auch er eingezogen wird. Gegen große Widerstände versucht Lily, das Valentino’s durch die Jahre der Krise zu bringen. Dann ist der Krieg vorbei, und die Männer kehren zurück – nur von Tom gibt es keine Nachricht …
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2021
4505 people are currently reading
9579 people want to read
About the author
Ella Carey
29 books685 followersElla Carey is the USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of Secrets of Paris series, as well as the standalone kindle bestsellers, Secret Shores, The Things We Don’t Say and Beyond the Horizon, set around the brave, unsung Women’s Airforce Pilots of World War Two.
A New York Secret is the first in Ella's new Daughters of New York series and published on March 12th, 2021. Laced with all the glamour of New York, the book is set in an exquisite Uptown restaurant where Lily Rose is training to become head chef in the 1940's. Ella traveled to New York to research the book, which involved going incognito on foodie tours, visiting some of New York's most famous restaurants, and exploring the atmospheric streets of Greenwich Village. The whole experience resulted in her developing a serious addiction to cannoli, a passion for The Strand Bookstore, a love for The Village, along with six new novels set in New York, all to be published in the coming years.
The second book in the series, The Lost Girl of Berlin, released on July 12th, 2021, and is set in the aftermath of the Second World War amongst the ruins of Berlin and then, in fabulous post war New York, and the third book in the series is The Girl from Paris, telling the story of Vianne Mercier, a Parisian fashion designer who travels to New York, and for whom beautiful couture is a fairytale.
Ella was born in Adelaide, Australia, and was educated at the University of Adelaide, completing a music degree in classical piano at the Elder Conservatorium, and an arts degree with a double major in History and English Literature.
Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family. Ella's house is run by one very elderly and adored Italian Greyhound, and one cute puppy called Sassy who thinks she is the boss! And Ella's garden is managed by four chickens, Miss Pertelote, Annie, Harriet and Fox's Dinner.
Ella has recently signed a nine-book deal with Hachette UK imprint Bookouture. Bookouture have published all of Ella’s previous books, which have reached over one million readers in English alone, and are also publishing Ella's New York series for publication in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This sweeping historical series of six books, featuring unforgettable characters, will tell the stories of dazzling hopes and difficult dreams in America, before, during and after the Second World War.
Ella's New York series and her Paris Secrets Series have been sold for translation into many countries into over twenty languages.
When she’s not writing, Ella enjoys studying Italian, walking along the beach, travelling when she can, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to chat with her readers, and would be delighted for you to join her lovely group of long time readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyaut..., and on her website at www.ellacarey.com, where you can find more information about the background behind her books, and join her mailing list for regular updates about her upcoming novels.
A New York Secret is the first in Ella's new Daughters of New York series and published on March 12th, 2021. Laced with all the glamour of New York, the book is set in an exquisite Uptown restaurant where Lily Rose is training to become head chef in the 1940's. Ella traveled to New York to research the book, which involved going incognito on foodie tours, visiting some of New York's most famous restaurants, and exploring the atmospheric streets of Greenwich Village. The whole experience resulted in her developing a serious addiction to cannoli, a passion for The Strand Bookstore, a love for The Village, along with six new novels set in New York, all to be published in the coming years.
The second book in the series, The Lost Girl of Berlin, released on July 12th, 2021, and is set in the aftermath of the Second World War amongst the ruins of Berlin and then, in fabulous post war New York, and the third book in the series is The Girl from Paris, telling the story of Vianne Mercier, a Parisian fashion designer who travels to New York, and for whom beautiful couture is a fairytale.
Ella was born in Adelaide, Australia, and was educated at the University of Adelaide, completing a music degree in classical piano at the Elder Conservatorium, and an arts degree with a double major in History and English Literature.
Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family. Ella's house is run by one very elderly and adored Italian Greyhound, and one cute puppy called Sassy who thinks she is the boss! And Ella's garden is managed by four chickens, Miss Pertelote, Annie, Harriet and Fox's Dinner.
Ella has recently signed a nine-book deal with Hachette UK imprint Bookouture. Bookouture have published all of Ella’s previous books, which have reached over one million readers in English alone, and are also publishing Ella's New York series for publication in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This sweeping historical series of six books, featuring unforgettable characters, will tell the stories of dazzling hopes and difficult dreams in America, before, during and after the Second World War.
Ella's New York series and her Paris Secrets Series have been sold for translation into many countries into over twenty languages.
When she’s not writing, Ella enjoys studying Italian, walking along the beach, travelling when she can, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to chat with her readers, and would be delighted for you to join her lovely group of long time readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyaut..., and on her website at www.ellacarey.com, where you can find more information about the background behind her books, and join her mailing list for regular updates about her upcoming novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
March 8, 2021
Beautiful and independent, Lily Rose worked hard in the basement kitchen at New York’s upmarket restaurant, Valentino’s. She loved her job – loved to cook – her aim was to eventually be head chef. Her gram, Josie, was her idol. Lily continually clashed with her mother as she manipulated her daughter, demanding she marry the man she – her mother – had chosen for Lily. Childhood friends, Nathaniel was nothing more to Lily. When friction between mother and daughter was at its height, Lily made for the security and love of her grandmother where they would cook together, laugh together and where Lily was her happiest.
With war taking the young men away, many women were working in men’s positions. But when chef Tom Morelli was called to fight, Lily’s devastation was as great as his mother, Gia’s. Working was their salvation – and Lily’s determination to have a menu unrivalled in war time, with rations biting hard, saw her concocting delicious recipes to feed the hungry, much to the delight of Lily’s boss. But with the war ongoing, more soldiers dying and grief surrounding most people, what would happen to Lily and her family?
A New York Secret is the first in the Daughters of New York series by Aussie author Ella Carey, and I loved it! I’m thrilled I’ve found this author as this is my first by her, and it won’t be my last. The glitter and glamour of New York was easy to see in my mind’s eye as Carey painted verbal pictures. Some of the elite of the city seemed almost oblivious to the war going on at their doorstep. A New York Secret was a thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
With war taking the young men away, many women were working in men’s positions. But when chef Tom Morelli was called to fight, Lily’s devastation was as great as his mother, Gia’s. Working was their salvation – and Lily’s determination to have a menu unrivalled in war time, with rations biting hard, saw her concocting delicious recipes to feed the hungry, much to the delight of Lily’s boss. But with the war ongoing, more soldiers dying and grief surrounding most people, what would happen to Lily and her family?
A New York Secret is the first in the Daughters of New York series by Aussie author Ella Carey, and I loved it! I’m thrilled I’ve found this author as this is my first by her, and it won’t be my last. The glitter and glamour of New York was easy to see in my mind’s eye as Carey painted verbal pictures. Some of the elite of the city seemed almost oblivious to the war going on at their doorstep. A New York Secret was a thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
What a wonderful story, it gripped me from the first page until the last. I loved it. The scheming mother the snobbish friends and the rivalry of the chefs in the restaurant. This book was so good I’m going to read more by this author. I hadn’t heard of her before I read this book but after researching I found out that she has written loads and so I shall read those in the future. This book was set in America during the Second World War so it was perfect for me. I wish I could give it more stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 24, 2021
I never miss an Ella Carey book and this one is a beauty of a story taking in New York during World War 2, we get to meet Lily Rose who is working as a chef in one of the top restaurants and she is working her way up to head chef, it is a struggle for woman in this time but the men are away and the woman are doing a fabulous job working. I do hope that you will pick this one up I savoured every word, so beautifully written with emotion, it is a page turner.
Lily is doing what she loves cooking, it has been what she loves since her beautiful grandmother Josie taught her as a young girl, Lily struggles with her mother who wants to run her life, pick her husband and ensure that she does well but that is not what Lily wants, she wants to become head chef and is getting closer to another chef Tom Morelli but the war is taking the men away and it is not long before Tom is drafted, Lily throws herself into work and with the help of Gia, Tom’s mother they start a victory garden to keep the restaurant in vegies.
Lily is beautiful and strong and her and her female staff work wonders with rationing they create meals that are thoroughly enjoyed by the customer’s famous ones as well, her boss is thrilled with her but the worry about Tom, her secret and the growing gap between her family is always a constant in her life. Lily continues to move forward and show her resilience in the face of what comes her way.
The war finally ends and the men return and they are changed men with what they have seen and done, but this means big changes for the woman who have worked so hard, what will they do now? Lily is determined to keep going nothing is going to stop her, will she see her true dream come true of owing her own restaurant? What about Tom the love of her life?
I took in every word in this story, it is beautifully written from the heart, the struggle to keep businesses going during war time and the strength that was shown especially by the woman, and Ella Carey pulled me in I felt like I was there in New York with Lily, this is a story that I highly recommend it is moving emotional and a must read, I am looking forward to book two in this series. Thank you Ella Carey for another keeper, I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my copy to read and review.
Lily is doing what she loves cooking, it has been what she loves since her beautiful grandmother Josie taught her as a young girl, Lily struggles with her mother who wants to run her life, pick her husband and ensure that she does well but that is not what Lily wants, she wants to become head chef and is getting closer to another chef Tom Morelli but the war is taking the men away and it is not long before Tom is drafted, Lily throws herself into work and with the help of Gia, Tom’s mother they start a victory garden to keep the restaurant in vegies.
Lily is beautiful and strong and her and her female staff work wonders with rationing they create meals that are thoroughly enjoyed by the customer’s famous ones as well, her boss is thrilled with her but the worry about Tom, her secret and the growing gap between her family is always a constant in her life. Lily continues to move forward and show her resilience in the face of what comes her way.
The war finally ends and the men return and they are changed men with what they have seen and done, but this means big changes for the woman who have worked so hard, what will they do now? Lily is determined to keep going nothing is going to stop her, will she see her true dream come true of owing her own restaurant? What about Tom the love of her life?
I took in every word in this story, it is beautifully written from the heart, the struggle to keep businesses going during war time and the strength that was shown especially by the woman, and Ella Carey pulled me in I felt like I was there in New York with Lily, this is a story that I highly recommend it is moving emotional and a must read, I am looking forward to book two in this series. Thank you Ella Carey for another keeper, I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my copy to read and review.
July 5, 2021
Lily Rose has eschewed convention and the wishes of her parents - particularly her mother - to find a husband and to marry well. Instead, Lily is a talented chef with every intention of growing her career. The world is in the throes of World War II and New York, though mostly unaffected, is feeling the effects. For one thing, more and more men are being drafted, thus opening up jobs for women that might not otherwise be available to them.
Lily's mother is hoping her daughter will soon tire of working so hard. While Lily is completely happy her mother has other ideas. Meanwhile, Lily finds herself attracted to another chef at the restaurant where she works, and his name is Tom Morelli, a Sicilian immigrant. Will Lily allow her growing affection for Tom to change her direction in life, especially when another man has been declaring his feelings for her? Tom is not well off, so Lily knows the reaction her parents would have should she follow her heart. What is more is that Tom is about to go off to war. Will he make it back safely and will he and Lily have their chance at happiness?
Thus far just about every historical fiction book I have read takes place in Europe and other countries, showing the utter devastation that surround the effects of World War II. With this book we have affluence and class distinction that are at the base of this story. I loved reading things from this angle during the war, especially when it is hard to imagine affluent restaurants and other businesses surviving at that time despite food shortages and other restrictions that were going on.
Lily is a remarkable woman of strength and I loved seeing such a strong female character that thrived in the male-dominated world at that time. I also loved how she handled her difficult mother and followed her heart, despite the heartbreak she felt at times. Allthough A New York Secret is not a review title, since I have The Lost Girl of Berlin for an upcoming blog tour, I just had to reaad this book.
Lily's mother is hoping her daughter will soon tire of working so hard. While Lily is completely happy her mother has other ideas. Meanwhile, Lily finds herself attracted to another chef at the restaurant where she works, and his name is Tom Morelli, a Sicilian immigrant. Will Lily allow her growing affection for Tom to change her direction in life, especially when another man has been declaring his feelings for her? Tom is not well off, so Lily knows the reaction her parents would have should she follow her heart. What is more is that Tom is about to go off to war. Will he make it back safely and will he and Lily have their chance at happiness?
Thus far just about every historical fiction book I have read takes place in Europe and other countries, showing the utter devastation that surround the effects of World War II. With this book we have affluence and class distinction that are at the base of this story. I loved reading things from this angle during the war, especially when it is hard to imagine affluent restaurants and other businesses surviving at that time despite food shortages and other restrictions that were going on.
Lily is a remarkable woman of strength and I loved seeing such a strong female character that thrived in the male-dominated world at that time. I also loved how she handled her difficult mother and followed her heart, despite the heartbreak she felt at times. Allthough A New York Secret is not a review title, since I have The Lost Girl of Berlin for an upcoming blog tour, I just had to reaad this book.
May 4, 2021
Ups and Downs
There are moments and paragraphs in this novel that sparkle. But oh, they are too few. The author’s style is undeveloped, language used is at times odd or not of the era (twee?). Clearly poor historical research. For example, transistor radios were not invented until 1947; there were no restaurants on Park Avenue in the WWII era; subways were quite safe in the 1940s and not crowded except at rush hour. And the social liberal attempt to weave women’s issues and racial/ethnic discrimination in is awkward at best.
There are moments and paragraphs in this novel that sparkle. But oh, they are too few. The author’s style is undeveloped, language used is at times odd or not of the era (twee?). Clearly poor historical research. For example, transistor radios were not invented until 1947; there were no restaurants on Park Avenue in the WWII era; subways were quite safe in the 1940s and not crowded except at rush hour. And the social liberal attempt to weave women’s issues and racial/ethnic discrimination in is awkward at best.
July 12, 2021
I wish I could remember why I chose to read this book! I should have known from the sophomoric writing on the first page that I would be reading a dull, poorly written novel. “Lily fires up the engine of her darling blue-and-white car with its pink leather trim and scooted away up Third Avenue…” I persevered and the writing never improved. 🤦♀️ Th fact that it took me six days to read is proof that it was painful!
July 15, 2022
I absolutely LOVE Ella Carey's books, they are so realistic that you're guaranteed to feel as though you're there experiencing it along with all the characters. This is set during WWII in New York. Lily Rose comes from a wealthy background, her mother is all about class,status and caring about what everyone thinks. It's an embarrassment to her that her daughter works. Lily is a modern woman though and is in the running to be the head chef at a prestigious restaurant. Her mother has her daughter's life planned out down to who she will marry.
When the man Lily loves leaves for war it is a tumultuous time with her mother making her life unbearable,not knowing if she'll get the job and having her country at war.
She finds comfort in her visits with her understanding grandmother.
I did not want this book to end, it was just that good. Heartbreaking and heartwarming both you'll be anxiously waiting with Lily for beau to come home from the war but then tragedy strikes.
There is a lot of anticipation here. I will be reading the rest of this series.
Pub Date 12 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
When the man Lily loves leaves for war it is a tumultuous time with her mother making her life unbearable,not knowing if she'll get the job and having her country at war.
She finds comfort in her visits with her understanding grandmother.
I did not want this book to end, it was just that good. Heartbreaking and heartwarming both you'll be anxiously waiting with Lily for beau to come home from the war but then tragedy strikes.
There is a lot of anticipation here. I will be reading the rest of this series.
Pub Date 12 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
April 5, 2021
This is the first book in a new trilogy by Ella Carey set in New York City during WWII. It's a story about love, friendship and survival during a time in the US where there was a huge difference between the social classes. Her novels are always exciting to read and this new trilogy looks like it will be a definite must read.
It's 1942 in NYC and Lily Rose is a chef at an up-scale restaurant. Even though she grew up very wealthy, her love is cooking and making interesting food. As the men in the kitchen go off to war, Lily is working to become the top chef in the kitchen. Her snobby mother is appalled that she would want to work in such a place instead of attending parties and lunching with friends. She wants Lily to make a good marriage and even has the man picked out for her. The only problem is that Lily has chosen her own man - Tom, one of the chefs in the kitchen, who is from the poorer part of town. Despite that fact that her grandmother encourages her to follow her heart, her mother is insistent that she live as a wealthy member of society and her refusal greatly affects her relationship with her parents. When Tom gets drafted, Lily throws herself into her job to help her overcome her worry for him. Will she be able to continue her job as a chef and wait for her love to return from war or will she give in to her mother's wishes and return to being part of the rich society of the city?
This was an interesting look at the effects of the war in America. The girls drew lines on the back of their legs so it would look like they were wearing silk stockings when silk was no longer available for non-combat items and the food shortages made for some interesting dishes prepared in the kitchens - no matter how exclusive the restaurant was, they still had to deal with food shortages. Lily was a strong and resilient woman who continued to work in a man's world despite the views of her mother and of the men in the kitchen.
I really enjoyed this book I'm happy to know that there are more books coming that are set in New York during WWII.
It's 1942 in NYC and Lily Rose is a chef at an up-scale restaurant. Even though she grew up very wealthy, her love is cooking and making interesting food. As the men in the kitchen go off to war, Lily is working to become the top chef in the kitchen. Her snobby mother is appalled that she would want to work in such a place instead of attending parties and lunching with friends. She wants Lily to make a good marriage and even has the man picked out for her. The only problem is that Lily has chosen her own man - Tom, one of the chefs in the kitchen, who is from the poorer part of town. Despite that fact that her grandmother encourages her to follow her heart, her mother is insistent that she live as a wealthy member of society and her refusal greatly affects her relationship with her parents. When Tom gets drafted, Lily throws herself into her job to help her overcome her worry for him. Will she be able to continue her job as a chef and wait for her love to return from war or will she give in to her mother's wishes and return to being part of the rich society of the city?
This was an interesting look at the effects of the war in America. The girls drew lines on the back of their legs so it would look like they were wearing silk stockings when silk was no longer available for non-combat items and the food shortages made for some interesting dishes prepared in the kitchens - no matter how exclusive the restaurant was, they still had to deal with food shortages. Lily was a strong and resilient woman who continued to work in a man's world despite the views of her mother and of the men in the kitchen.
I really enjoyed this book I'm happy to know that there are more books coming that are set in New York during WWII.
dnf
March 16, 2021DNF'ed @ 32%.
I really wanted to like this one, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters at all! Things also felt a little repetitive and it was more telling than showing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #ANewYorkSecret. All opinions are my own.
I really wanted to like this one, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters at all! Things also felt a little repetitive and it was more telling than showing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #ANewYorkSecret. All opinions are my own.
December 1, 2023
Cartea aceasta pleacă de la o idee bună, dar prost exploatată. În primul rând, nu e nicio viață secretă și nici nu secret în general… m-a cam plictisit și am tras de mine să o termin.
Povestea încearcă să ne prezinte situația femeilor nevoite să preia îndatoririle bărbaților plecați la război. Acestea muncesc din greu, luptă cu misoginismul, încearcă să-și construiască o carieră, dar toate acestea le sunt luate când bărbații se întorc și ele devin.. inutile.
Lily Rose preia funcția de bucătar șef a iubitului său plecat la război și luptă cu familia să-și păstreze acest post, căci părinții săi o vor căsătorită cu un tânăr înstărit, nu angajată în bucătărie.
Mie personal, personajele nu mi-au transmis nimic, nicio emoție. Nu am simțit dragostea dintre Lily și Tom, relația lui Lily cu tatăl său, care nu a avut nimic de spus toată cartea, dar spre final ia taurul de coarne de m-a făcut să râd copios.. ni se tot spune că relația lui Lily cu bunica Josie este una deosebită, dar nu văd fapte care să susțină și nu am simțit nimic nici aici.. autoarea a vrut să construiască ceva frumos, dar a eșuat, părerea mea.
Povestea încearcă să ne prezinte situația femeilor nevoite să preia îndatoririle bărbaților plecați la război. Acestea muncesc din greu, luptă cu misoginismul, încearcă să-și construiască o carieră, dar toate acestea le sunt luate când bărbații se întorc și ele devin.. inutile.
Lily Rose preia funcția de bucătar șef a iubitului său plecat la război și luptă cu familia să-și păstreze acest post, căci părinții săi o vor căsătorită cu un tânăr înstărit, nu angajată în bucătărie.
Mie personal, personajele nu mi-au transmis nimic, nicio emoție. Nu am simțit dragostea dintre Lily și Tom, relația lui Lily cu tatăl său, care nu a avut nimic de spus toată cartea, dar spre final ia taurul de coarne de m-a făcut să râd copios.. ni se tot spune că relația lui Lily cu bunica Josie este una deosebită, dar nu văd fapte care să susțină și nu am simțit nimic nici aici.. autoarea a vrut să construiască ceva frumos, dar a eșuat, părerea mea.
October 15, 2023
This is a WWII historical fiction but from the standpoint of how the war affected life in the U.S., specifically (obviously), New York City. Main character, Lily, is a spunky, confident young woman who wants no part of her mother's relentless pursuit of marrying Lily off to a young man in the upper crust of New York society. Instead, she loves to cook and works at one of New York's most elegant restaurants. She and Tom, one of the chefs at the restaurant, start a tentative relationship. He is decidedly not of a social class that her mother would consider acceptable, but true love blossoms. As the war rages on, more and more of the male employees of the restaurant are called to military service, including Tom. Lily leans are her beloved grandmother, Josie, as well as Tom's mother and sister for the support and understanding she never gets from her own mother, who thinks it is appalling that Lily wants to work at a restaurant rather than marry well and do what society women do. During the war, Lily and other women work tirelessly to find creative ways to keep the restaurant running, but things change dramatically in many ways after the war ends. This book is not as fast-paced as a lot of historical fiction books that portray peril, political intrigue, and life-changing decisions, but it was a wonderful look at life on the homefront. I will definitely continue on with the series.
tbr-2
January 18, 2023Free on Amazon 17.1.23!
June 29, 2022
En historisk roman som berättar kvinnors historia och innehåller kärlek, vänskap, familjehemligheter, intriger och drömmar. En riktigt fängslande roman som jag tyckte väldigt mycket om. Kan varmt rekommenderas.
February 15, 2021
‘The New York Secret’ is book one of a new trilogy, The Daughters of New York, available this year by renowned author Ella Carey. Inspired by true events, this novel explores the courage, love and friendships that will see one through war and tragedy.
As World War Two rages in Europe, Lily Rose leads a sheltered life of luxury with her wealthy family in a prestigious neighbourhood in New York. Her parents have picked a suitable husband for her and plan on her keeping house and raising children. The problem is two-fold; firstly, Lily doesn’t love Nathaniel and has no intention of marrying him and secondly, Lily wants a career. Her dream job is working uptown as a restaurant chef. As men are being called up for war, Lily is hired at a glitzy upscale restaurant and works her way up to chef. It’s here that she meets the love of her life, Tom Morelli. Disgusted with and embarrassed at their daughter’s choices in life her parents offer her a heartbreaking ultimatum: break up with Tom and leave the restaurant or lose her family and inheritance forever.
In the middle of war, Lily is left in an impossible position. Then Tom receives a devastating telegram that changes everything. The son of Sicilian immigrants, he is drafted to fight in Italy. You’ll have to read this phenomenal book to find out what choice Lily makes and how it impacts the rest of her life.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two of Ella Carey’s books in the past few months and loved them, so I was extremely excited to be chosen to review the first book of her new series. The setting of 1942 New York is an exciting time. So much is changing for women as the men head off to war. Carey has written a historically authentic novel where the plot, characters and setting are true to the time. She has so masterfully captured the time period that I believed the story to be real and that the events really happened. This proves that she has captured the essence of storytelling. You’ll be cheering Lily as he finds her inner strength to pursue her passion and gets caught up between her world of glitter and glamour and the harsh reality of a world at war. Next, you’ll be dazzled by a young woman who strives to survive in a world where everything is against her. As you turn over the last page, you’ll be wanting more. Good thing the next two books are due out within the year!
I especially loved all the passages about food! It’s obvious Carey has a passion for food and understands the love that goes in to creating a dish. She had me drooling several times! It was interesting to read about how, as a chef, Lily struggled with wartime rationing and dwindling restaurant staff as the men were called to war.
This is a must-buy on March 12, 2021.
Thank you Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
As World War Two rages in Europe, Lily Rose leads a sheltered life of luxury with her wealthy family in a prestigious neighbourhood in New York. Her parents have picked a suitable husband for her and plan on her keeping house and raising children. The problem is two-fold; firstly, Lily doesn’t love Nathaniel and has no intention of marrying him and secondly, Lily wants a career. Her dream job is working uptown as a restaurant chef. As men are being called up for war, Lily is hired at a glitzy upscale restaurant and works her way up to chef. It’s here that she meets the love of her life, Tom Morelli. Disgusted with and embarrassed at their daughter’s choices in life her parents offer her a heartbreaking ultimatum: break up with Tom and leave the restaurant or lose her family and inheritance forever.
In the middle of war, Lily is left in an impossible position. Then Tom receives a devastating telegram that changes everything. The son of Sicilian immigrants, he is drafted to fight in Italy. You’ll have to read this phenomenal book to find out what choice Lily makes and how it impacts the rest of her life.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two of Ella Carey’s books in the past few months and loved them, so I was extremely excited to be chosen to review the first book of her new series. The setting of 1942 New York is an exciting time. So much is changing for women as the men head off to war. Carey has written a historically authentic novel where the plot, characters and setting are true to the time. She has so masterfully captured the time period that I believed the story to be real and that the events really happened. This proves that she has captured the essence of storytelling. You’ll be cheering Lily as he finds her inner strength to pursue her passion and gets caught up between her world of glitter and glamour and the harsh reality of a world at war. Next, you’ll be dazzled by a young woman who strives to survive in a world where everything is against her. As you turn over the last page, you’ll be wanting more. Good thing the next two books are due out within the year!
I especially loved all the passages about food! It’s obvious Carey has a passion for food and understands the love that goes in to creating a dish. She had me drooling several times! It was interesting to read about how, as a chef, Lily struggled with wartime rationing and dwindling restaurant staff as the men were called to war.
This is a must-buy on March 12, 2021.
Thank you Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2021
You can’t ever go wrong with an Ella Carey novel. I always find her stories to be very intriguing. This book was captivating from the very first page. This is the first book in the new trilogy, The Daughters of New York. Which means there is so much more to look forward to finding out in this true story.
It’s 1942 and the war rages on across Europe. The beautiful and talented chef Lily Rose, wants to work in a kitchen, in a renowned restaurant in New York City, but in those days the men ran the restaurants. Lily takes a chef job in a famous New York Italian Restaurant, Valentino’s. She pursues her passion for cooking and feels she has to prove herself. She falls in love with her Italian co-worker Tom. They love to cook new recipes and old ones too, together in the kitchen. The relationship between Lily and Tom develops but is quickly put on hold when Tom is drafted to go fight in the war in Italy. Lily turns to her family for support, but her mother is furious when she finds out about the relationship. Lily will wait for Tom to return but her mother won’t hear of it, and has other plans for who Lily is to marry. Her mother wants her to marry Nathaniel who is a wealthy high society socialite. But Lily wants to be independent and happy like her Grandmother, Josie. Her Grandmother is her biggest supporter and encourages Lily to pursue her dreams of being a chef. As Lily waits for Tom to return to New York, she gets word that Tom is missing. There is so much going on across the pages that it makes this book unputdownable. The characters are so relatable and the fact that it is a true story, gives it so much depth. The twists and turns of this story will have you flying through the pages.
This was such an interesting angle to write about. Most often novels are written about being in the war zone, but this one tells you the story of the loved ones left behind. I loved this book and I highly recommend it, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Well done Ella Carey, I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
It’s 1942 and the war rages on across Europe. The beautiful and talented chef Lily Rose, wants to work in a kitchen, in a renowned restaurant in New York City, but in those days the men ran the restaurants. Lily takes a chef job in a famous New York Italian Restaurant, Valentino’s. She pursues her passion for cooking and feels she has to prove herself. She falls in love with her Italian co-worker Tom. They love to cook new recipes and old ones too, together in the kitchen. The relationship between Lily and Tom develops but is quickly put on hold when Tom is drafted to go fight in the war in Italy. Lily turns to her family for support, but her mother is furious when she finds out about the relationship. Lily will wait for Tom to return but her mother won’t hear of it, and has other plans for who Lily is to marry. Her mother wants her to marry Nathaniel who is a wealthy high society socialite. But Lily wants to be independent and happy like her Grandmother, Josie. Her Grandmother is her biggest supporter and encourages Lily to pursue her dreams of being a chef. As Lily waits for Tom to return to New York, she gets word that Tom is missing. There is so much going on across the pages that it makes this book unputdownable. The characters are so relatable and the fact that it is a true story, gives it so much depth. The twists and turns of this story will have you flying through the pages.
This was such an interesting angle to write about. Most often novels are written about being in the war zone, but this one tells you the story of the loved ones left behind. I loved this book and I highly recommend it, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Well done Ella Carey, I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
September 1, 2021
Ausgangspunkt ist das Jahr 1942, die Auswirkungen des Zweiten Weltkriegs sind in den Vereinigten Staaten bisher kaum zu süren. Aber die Zeiten ändern sich.
Lily Rose kommt aus einer wohlhabenden Familie, ihr Lebensweg scheint vorgezeichnet. Sie lebt ihren Traum als Köchin in einem angesagten Uptown Restaurant, nach Meinung ihrer Familie allerdings nur eine kurze Episode, die hoffentlich schnell zu Ende geht, denn ihre Mutter hat bereits eine lukrative Verbindung für sie arrangiert, die auch der Familie zu Gute kommen soll. Doch darauf lässt sich Lily nicht ein, denn sie hat andere Pläne. Sie träumt davon Küchenchefin zu werden, ihr eigenes Restaurant zu führen, hat jedoch nicht mit dem erbitterten Widerstand ihrer Familie gerechnet…
Eigentlich hatte ich gehofft, in diesem Roman etwas über die Lebensumstände der Frauen zu erfahren, die während der Kriegsjahre dafür sorgen mussten, dass das Leben in der Heimat weitergeht. Die den Platz der Männer übernehmen mussten, die an die Front geschickt wurden. Dieses Versprechen löst die Autorin leider nur teilweise ein, was vor allem an ihrer Protagonistin liegt. Lily ist privilegiert, und es ist ihre Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Milieu, das den Großteil der Handlung bestimmt. Anderes fehlt wiederum, was eigentlich prägend für diese Zeit gewesen wäre. Der Umgang „normaler“ Menschen mit dem Mangel, die nicht wissen, wie sie ihre Kinder satt bekommen sollen. Der Alltagsrassismus, die ethnischen Diskriminierungen, nur in leichten Ansätzen vorhanden. New York ist (und war) ein Schmelztiegel verschiedener Kulturen, was aber hier scheinbar auch keine größere Rolle spielt. Die Vorbehalte, mit denen Frauen, die sich in traditionell männliche Domänen vorwagen, auch in dieser Zeit zu kämpfen haben, werden zwar thematisiert, wirken aber eher halbherzig und unbeholfen.
Auch wenn man diesem historischen Schmöker einen gewissen Unterhaltungswert nicht absprechen kann, bleibt doch eher der Eindruck einer Seifenoper ohne Erkenntnisgewinn. Leider.
Lily Rose kommt aus einer wohlhabenden Familie, ihr Lebensweg scheint vorgezeichnet. Sie lebt ihren Traum als Köchin in einem angesagten Uptown Restaurant, nach Meinung ihrer Familie allerdings nur eine kurze Episode, die hoffentlich schnell zu Ende geht, denn ihre Mutter hat bereits eine lukrative Verbindung für sie arrangiert, die auch der Familie zu Gute kommen soll. Doch darauf lässt sich Lily nicht ein, denn sie hat andere Pläne. Sie träumt davon Küchenchefin zu werden, ihr eigenes Restaurant zu führen, hat jedoch nicht mit dem erbitterten Widerstand ihrer Familie gerechnet…
Eigentlich hatte ich gehofft, in diesem Roman etwas über die Lebensumstände der Frauen zu erfahren, die während der Kriegsjahre dafür sorgen mussten, dass das Leben in der Heimat weitergeht. Die den Platz der Männer übernehmen mussten, die an die Front geschickt wurden. Dieses Versprechen löst die Autorin leider nur teilweise ein, was vor allem an ihrer Protagonistin liegt. Lily ist privilegiert, und es ist ihre Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Milieu, das den Großteil der Handlung bestimmt. Anderes fehlt wiederum, was eigentlich prägend für diese Zeit gewesen wäre. Der Umgang „normaler“ Menschen mit dem Mangel, die nicht wissen, wie sie ihre Kinder satt bekommen sollen. Der Alltagsrassismus, die ethnischen Diskriminierungen, nur in leichten Ansätzen vorhanden. New York ist (und war) ein Schmelztiegel verschiedener Kulturen, was aber hier scheinbar auch keine größere Rolle spielt. Die Vorbehalte, mit denen Frauen, die sich in traditionell männliche Domänen vorwagen, auch in dieser Zeit zu kämpfen haben, werden zwar thematisiert, wirken aber eher halbherzig und unbeholfen.
Auch wenn man diesem historischen Schmöker einen gewissen Unterhaltungswert nicht absprechen kann, bleibt doch eher der Eindruck einer Seifenoper ohne Erkenntnisgewinn. Leider.
March 10, 2021
It's 1942 in New York City and as the fury of WWII in Europe continues, people in New York are trying to keep their lives as normal as possible with the circumstances. As the men go off to war, so much is changing including food being rationed and the women left behind must press on. This story is centered around Lily, her family and the people she encounters as she proves her abilities as a chef at Valentino's. Her beloved grandmother, Josie, is the light of her life and encourages Lily to pursue her dreams. Josie is integral to Lily's story. Lily's mother, however, is so cunning and wants to completely run Lily's life so Lily must convince her family and co-workers of her abilities and maybe, fall in love with Tom along the way. Lily and Tom realize they have so much in common. Their love of creating recipes and as they work together, find enjoyment and fulfillment being together. She must prove she can liberate herself and her position in society as people criticize her for wanting to excel in her career. You'll encounter snobby neighbors and some other chefs in the restaurant challenge her at every turn. Soon, secrets are exposed that could put Lily's dreams in jeopardy, and she must make some very difficult choices.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. This is book 1 of a series and now I can't wait for Lily to return! I have pre-ordered this one too. It's a keeper!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. This is book 1 of a series and now I can't wait for Lily to return! I have pre-ordered this one too. It's a keeper!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2021
DNF 50%
Es tut mir leid, ich kann das nicht weiterlesen. Ich habe einen Softspots für Bücher übers Kochen und ich gebe Büchern im Genre "Historische Frauenunterhaltung" viel Vorschuss, wenn es darum geht wie die Plots ablaufen.
Aber dieses Buch ist einfach nur albern und bei manchen Szenen einfach nur unangenehm zu lesen. Es hetzt Mal wieder Frau gegen Frau auf. Lilly gegen ihre Mutter. Lilly gegen Martina.
Das Gerede über den Krieg und die Reaktion mancher Figuren auf den Krieg ist ... Schrecklich. Die Protagonistin erfährt ihr Kollege ist gefallen, fünf Minuten später jubelt sie fröhlich, dass sie seinen Job bekommen soll. Sorry. Das ist doch unpassend.
Ich hab mich durch 50% gequält. Und ja die Passagen übers Kochen und das führen eines Restaurants waren interessant. Aber die Figuren waren nicht meins. Lilly braucht andauernd irgendwelche Typen die bestätigend hinter ihr stehen, nicken und ihr versichern, wie toll und extra sie ist.
Ihre Mutter ist cartoonisch böse und kann ich nicht ernst nehmen.
Ich hatte mich sehr auf das Buch gefreut, aber gebe auf.
Es tut mir leid, ich kann das nicht weiterlesen. Ich habe einen Softspots für Bücher übers Kochen und ich gebe Büchern im Genre "Historische Frauenunterhaltung" viel Vorschuss, wenn es darum geht wie die Plots ablaufen.
Aber dieses Buch ist einfach nur albern und bei manchen Szenen einfach nur unangenehm zu lesen. Es hetzt Mal wieder Frau gegen Frau auf. Lilly gegen ihre Mutter. Lilly gegen Martina.
Das Gerede über den Krieg und die Reaktion mancher Figuren auf den Krieg ist ... Schrecklich. Die Protagonistin erfährt ihr Kollege ist gefallen, fünf Minuten später jubelt sie fröhlich, dass sie seinen Job bekommen soll. Sorry. Das ist doch unpassend.
Ich hab mich durch 50% gequält. Und ja die Passagen übers Kochen und das führen eines Restaurants waren interessant. Aber die Figuren waren nicht meins. Lilly braucht andauernd irgendwelche Typen die bestätigend hinter ihr stehen, nicken und ihr versichern, wie toll und extra sie ist.
Ihre Mutter ist cartoonisch böse und kann ich nicht ernst nehmen.
Ich hatte mich sehr auf das Buch gefreut, aber gebe auf.
January 9, 2022
This could have been an inspiring book about women working on the home front in New York during WWII. That's what I thought and hoped for before I started reading. But It sure wasn't.
The characters are flat, almost embarrassing, stereotypes. The whole story about the women's work at a restaurant that is struggling with food rationing and losing men to the war is without details. It is hidden behind a way too exaggerated, greasy, and predictable love story, complete with family conflicts about class and status.
The translation to Swedish also left a lot to wish for, although I won't blame the translator entirely; it seems like the original language wasn't that great to begin with either.
Despite all this I can understand its popularity. There are, after all, people who enjoy reading exaggerated, greasy and predictable love stories. But I'm not one of them.
The characters are flat, almost embarrassing, stereotypes. The whole story about the women's work at a restaurant that is struggling with food rationing and losing men to the war is without details. It is hidden behind a way too exaggerated, greasy, and predictable love story, complete with family conflicts about class and status.
The translation to Swedish also left a lot to wish for, although I won't blame the translator entirely; it seems like the original language wasn't that great to begin with either.
Despite all this I can understand its popularity. There are, after all, people who enjoy reading exaggerated, greasy and predictable love stories. But I'm not one of them.
March 31, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
I love Ella Carey books but this would be my all time favourite. What a delightful range of characters with the exception of Victoria!! Found myself unable to put it down...I just needed to know what happened.
Would definitely recommend!
I love Ella Carey books but this would be my all time favourite. What a delightful range of characters with the exception of Victoria!! Found myself unable to put it down...I just needed to know what happened.
Would definitely recommend!
March 12, 2021
A New York Secret by Ella Carey is a charming and, more importantly real book about a female chef with a female during World War II when women took over many jobs so men could fight in the war. Lily Rose was the daughter of a woman who had society aspirations and had been working for a while to get her daughter to agree to the engagement between herself and an icon of society, as well as leave that ridiculous job at Valentino's. What if her society friends ran into her there? Meanwhile, Lily is perfectly happy in a kitchen where she is the sous chef and she is falling in love with the chef de cuisine, Tom. She has her job and she has her grandmother. She could ignore her mother, most of the time. It was war. Everyone had to be serious and do their part.
This kind of discrimination is fairly unknown in the modern world, but it was huge at this time. It was the beginning for women in the workforce and all over the country, in all kinds of jobs; women were succeeding for the first time. It was exhilarating. Bad relationships between mothers and daughters are historic. Sometimes, there are good reasons, sometimes not. This bad relationship was epic. Thankfully, Lily had her dad, and her grandmother, and Gia, Tom's mom. This was a story that could make a person angry. Carey picks her topics well and develops the perfect heroine for the scenario. She made Lily the perfect heroine in more ways than one. She was strong when Tom was lost in Italy; She was stoic when her grandmother died; and when it was time to accomplish something for herself, she forged ahead. She is my idol. Terrific book.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A New York Secret by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #anewyorksecret
This kind of discrimination is fairly unknown in the modern world, but it was huge at this time. It was the beginning for women in the workforce and all over the country, in all kinds of jobs; women were succeeding for the first time. It was exhilarating. Bad relationships between mothers and daughters are historic. Sometimes, there are good reasons, sometimes not. This bad relationship was epic. Thankfully, Lily had her dad, and her grandmother, and Gia, Tom's mom. This was a story that could make a person angry. Carey picks her topics well and develops the perfect heroine for the scenario. She made Lily the perfect heroine in more ways than one. She was strong when Tom was lost in Italy; She was stoic when her grandmother died; and when it was time to accomplish something for herself, she forged ahead. She is my idol. Terrific book.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A New York Secret by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #anewyorksecret
February 23, 2021
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture & Ella Carey for the opportunity to read this story! It was a breath of fresh air and a different perspective to WWII compared to so many other WWII stories.
Lily Rose wants to be a chef but in the 1930’s, kitchens in New York’s finest restaurants were run by men. And then America joined the war and women began to take the place of men in the work place. With big dreams and cooking as her passion, Lily becomes the head chef at a NYC staple, Valentino’s. She longs to prove herself and in the months leading up to his drafting, she manages to fall in love with her Italian coworker Tom. Her mother, Victoria, has other plans. She insists that her daughter marry a high profile New York socialite and be the daughter she expects her to be. Lily has other plans though. She wants to be brave and independent like her Gram Josie, who she idolizes. Josie is the biggest supporter of Lily’s dreams. Things are great professionally while the boys are away at war but Lily longs for Tom who goes MIA. When the war is over, everything is turned upside down and Lily has some decisions to make....of which I’ll keep you hanging.
I enjoyed this story very much. I couldn’t stand certain characters but the reader was meant to not like them. It was a very different time and place back then. I really enjoyed reading of how restaurants had to adapt to war time, from staffing to rationing...it was all very interesting.
One word of advice...have a snack handy because this story will make you hungry....the food and recipes are very descriptive!!
Lily Rose wants to be a chef but in the 1930’s, kitchens in New York’s finest restaurants were run by men. And then America joined the war and women began to take the place of men in the work place. With big dreams and cooking as her passion, Lily becomes the head chef at a NYC staple, Valentino’s. She longs to prove herself and in the months leading up to his drafting, she manages to fall in love with her Italian coworker Tom. Her mother, Victoria, has other plans. She insists that her daughter marry a high profile New York socialite and be the daughter she expects her to be. Lily has other plans though. She wants to be brave and independent like her Gram Josie, who she idolizes. Josie is the biggest supporter of Lily’s dreams. Things are great professionally while the boys are away at war but Lily longs for Tom who goes MIA. When the war is over, everything is turned upside down and Lily has some decisions to make....of which I’ll keep you hanging.
I enjoyed this story very much. I couldn’t stand certain characters but the reader was meant to not like them. It was a very different time and place back then. I really enjoyed reading of how restaurants had to adapt to war time, from staffing to rationing...it was all very interesting.
One word of advice...have a snack handy because this story will make you hungry....the food and recipes are very descriptive!!
August 27, 2021
Lily arbeitet als Köchin im angesagten Restaurant „Valentino´s“ und bekommt 1942 die Chance, Chef de Cuisine zu werden, als die Männer in New York für den Weltkrieg eingezogen werden. Mit unter diesen Männern ist Tom, Lily´s große Liebe und ehemaliger Chef de Cuisine. Mir hat die Mischung der verschiedenen Themen Liebe, Krieg und Karriere außerordentlich gut gefallen. Lily ist eine bewundernswerte, kreative junge Frau, die trotz aller Widrigkeiten – Krieg, Verachtung von Seiten der Männer, fehlende Unterstützung ihrer Mutter – ihren eigenen Weg geht. Die Figuren sind durchweg gut beschrieben und besonders die anderen im Restaurant arbeitenden Frauen waren sehr sympathisch. Die Liebesgeschichte von Lily und Tom kommt nicht zu kurz, nimmt aber auch nicht den Großteil des Buches ein, was ich sehr angenehm fand. Lily´s Weg zur Küchenchefin hingegen wird ausführlicher geschildert. Interessant fand ich es, die Lebensumstände einer Frau in den 1940er Jahren zu erfahren – der Zwiespalt zwischen Ehe und Familie einerseits und Arbeit und Karriere andererseits. Ihre Art, sich stets neue Sachen einfallen zu lassen, um eine Situation zu meistern, fand ich toll. Ihre Situation wird jedenfalls anschaulich geschildert, der Schreibstil ist sehr lebendig und ich konnte richtig in die Geschichte eintauchen und mit Lily mitfiebern, gerade in der Zeit, wo sie keine Nachrichten mehr von Tom bekommen hat. Den Roman hätte ich am liebsten in einem Rutsch durchgelesen, so sehr hat mich Lily´s Geschichte in ihren Bann gezogen. Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Sternen.
March 13, 2021
I have read a number of Ella Carey books over the last year or so, and I have liked them all, but this one is, in my opinion, her best yet, at least of the ones that I have read.
Lily Rose has grown up in a privileged world. Her mother has her life all planned out for her. She will marry the perfect man who happens to be well connected and wealthy, and most importantly from the right family. There is only one problem. Lily's passion is for cooking and she loves her job as a sous chef at Valentinos, a prestigious New York restaurant, and she really doesn't want the life that her mother has planned for her which causes conflict between them.
It's 1942 and one by one the men who work in the kitchen get called up, leaving the owner no choice but to look for other options to keep the restaurant running. With the death of the head chef, Valentino's owner, Giorgio gives his three best prospects the opportunity to lead the restaurant. This puts Lily up against Tom Morelli, and Martine, a woman who is talented in the kitchen but who Lily has struggled to connect with on a personal level. The fact Lily is attracted to Tom only complicates matters as their is no way her snobbish mother will ever accept someone like Tom for her daughter.
Read more on my blog here
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2021...
Lily Rose has grown up in a privileged world. Her mother has her life all planned out for her. She will marry the perfect man who happens to be well connected and wealthy, and most importantly from the right family. There is only one problem. Lily's passion is for cooking and she loves her job as a sous chef at Valentinos, a prestigious New York restaurant, and she really doesn't want the life that her mother has planned for her which causes conflict between them.
It's 1942 and one by one the men who work in the kitchen get called up, leaving the owner no choice but to look for other options to keep the restaurant running. With the death of the head chef, Valentino's owner, Giorgio gives his three best prospects the opportunity to lead the restaurant. This puts Lily up against Tom Morelli, and Martine, a woman who is talented in the kitchen but who Lily has struggled to connect with on a personal level. The fact Lily is attracted to Tom only complicates matters as their is no way her snobbish mother will ever accept someone like Tom for her daughter.
Read more on my blog here
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2021...
March 17, 2021
Oh, did I ever enjoy this book! This story is based in New York during WWII. It doesn't focus on the fighting overseas, but rather, follows the story of Lily and how the war affects her life. Women stepped up and worked, filling vacancies from the men who left to fight in the war.
Lily is a strong willed, smart and loving woman, wanting to follow her own path and in doing so, butts heads with her over demanding mom.
This is a story that made cry and laugh. I was so proud of Lily for being a strong woman in an era that discouraged equality. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories about courageous women.
Lily is a strong willed, smart and loving woman, wanting to follow her own path and in doing so, butts heads with her over demanding mom.
This is a story that made cry and laugh. I was so proud of Lily for being a strong woman in an era that discouraged equality. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories about courageous women.
February 25, 2021
Visit the locations in the novel
First in a trilogy and set in the glamourous city of New York. The city and its food are well evoked and you might not want to read this when you are hungry!
Great and unique depiction of the role of women in the work place during war time and how status, family pressure and the pressure of war affects choices and possibilities.
September 13, 2023
Lily Rose loved to cook, and she conscientiously worked hard, moving up in the kitchen brigade of Valentino's from vegetable chef to sous-chef, hoping to be a head chef one day running her own kitchen. Lily's mother has a very different dream for her daughter to marry the wealthiest bachelor in New York—a marriage appropriate for their place in society and ensuring the continuation of Lily's accustomed lifestyle. In 1942, lifestyles and dreams were changing in New York for women and men. The changes at Valentino's began the day that the beloved head chef, Marco, was drafted.
The novel portrays the differences in expectations and desires of dreams granted and crushed by societal status and family ultimatums. Add in the unexpected changes of war and possibilities deemed the natural course in employment were taken away for some while in the same context, unanticipated opportunities beyond their dreams.
The story immerses the reader in a behind-the-scenes view of a restaurant wanting to keep its elite menu and service for clientele with high expectations. Customers at the highest level of society did not wish anything to falter, even during wartime and those that made it possible amid restrictions.
A captivating story of relationships, from the mentorship and camaraderie within the restaurant to the dramatic change of spirits when family members are supportive or use pressure to influence behavior. I loved Lily Rose, Josie, Emmeline, and Gia; their strength, courage, and love.
The novel portrays the differences in expectations and desires of dreams granted and crushed by societal status and family ultimatums. Add in the unexpected changes of war and possibilities deemed the natural course in employment were taken away for some while in the same context, unanticipated opportunities beyond their dreams.
The story immerses the reader in a behind-the-scenes view of a restaurant wanting to keep its elite menu and service for clientele with high expectations. Customers at the highest level of society did not wish anything to falter, even during wartime and those that made it possible amid restrictions.
A captivating story of relationships, from the mentorship and camaraderie within the restaurant to the dramatic change of spirits when family members are supportive or use pressure to influence behavior. I loved Lily Rose, Josie, Emmeline, and Gia; their strength, courage, and love.
March 21, 2021
Thank you to Bookouture, the author, and Netgalley for the gifted copy of A New York Secret. All opinions in this review are my own.
While most novels set during World War II take the reader to the front lines, A New York Secret by Ella Carey tells the stories of the people left behind.
Lily is a society girl with dreams of becoming the head chef at Valentino's. Victoria, Lily's mother, wants her daughter to marry a man from a wealthy family. However, Lily has her own career aspirations. The war has the power to give Lily the opportunities she wants, but it also has the power to take them away.
The title, A New York Secret, is a little misleading. There are many secrets being kept in this novel! I like that it focuses on the people, mainly women, who stay behind in New York while the war rages on in Europe and across the Pacific. Although Lily is the main character, the novel also offers glimpses into her grandmother's and mother's stories. By having three characters to focus on, the author is able to reveal their secrets but hide them from the other characters.
A New York Secret is the first book in the Daughters of New York series. I can't wait to see what happens to Lily in the second novel!
While most novels set during World War II take the reader to the front lines, A New York Secret by Ella Carey tells the stories of the people left behind.
Lily is a society girl with dreams of becoming the head chef at Valentino's. Victoria, Lily's mother, wants her daughter to marry a man from a wealthy family. However, Lily has her own career aspirations. The war has the power to give Lily the opportunities she wants, but it also has the power to take them away.
The title, A New York Secret, is a little misleading. There are many secrets being kept in this novel! I like that it focuses on the people, mainly women, who stay behind in New York while the war rages on in Europe and across the Pacific. Although Lily is the main character, the novel also offers glimpses into her grandmother's and mother's stories. By having three characters to focus on, the author is able to reveal their secrets but hide them from the other characters.
A New York Secret is the first book in the Daughters of New York series. I can't wait to see what happens to Lily in the second novel!
January 23, 2024
When I saw that this book was historical fiction set in WW2 times which happens to be one of my fave genres, it was an easy choice for me to decide to give this book a read, plus the book cover and blurb were highly appealing.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of Lily and Tom set in 1942 to 1945, I was captivated right from the first few chapters.
I loved the story, it was shocking, emotional, heart breaking and insightful in equal measures. The story really pulled me in and grabbed me tight. It was tense hard reading in places when you imagine that this is what it really must have been like in New York back in WW2 times. It was also insightful too as I learnt a fair bit more in regards to WW2, the history of which I was not fully aware of, so it’s thanks to this story that I now have a more in-depth view of just how things were really like back in those times.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of Lily and Tom set in 1942 to 1945, I was captivated right from the first few chapters.
I loved the story, it was shocking, emotional, heart breaking and insightful in equal measures. The story really pulled me in and grabbed me tight. It was tense hard reading in places when you imagine that this is what it really must have been like in New York back in WW2 times. It was also insightful too as I learnt a fair bit more in regards to WW2, the history of which I was not fully aware of, so it’s thanks to this story that I now have a more in-depth view of just how things were really like back in those times.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.
January 28, 2022
After a little break it was nice going back to one of my favorite genres, Historical Fiction. This was a wonderful story told mainly from the viewpoint of Lily Rose. Lily’s family is the “new” New York society and her mother is determined that Lily should marry Nathaniel Carter, her childhood friend and “old” money scion of a well known family. All her mother cares about is status and position, which is my she is horrified when Lily gets a job as a Chef at the famous restaurant Valentinos. The only people who encourage her to pursue a career are her beloved grandmother Josie, Giorgio Conti, owner of Valentinos, and fellow chef Tom Morelli. How Lily navigates a budding romance with Tom and the terrible war that hits too close to home will delight anyone familiar with the history of this time period. The “cameos” of famous personalities brighten the story at just the right times and it made me feel like I was there in the story with Lily.
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