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The Audrey Hepburn Estate
A CBS New York Book Club pick!
When Emma Jansen discovers that the grand Long Island estate where she grew up is set to be demolished, she can't help but return for one last visit. After all, it was a place filled with firsts: learning to ride a bike, sneaking a glass of champagne, falling in love.
But once Emma arrives at the storied mansion, she can't ignore the more complicated memories. Because that's not exactly where Emma grew up. Her mother and father worked for the family that owned the estate, and they lived over the garage like Audrey Hepburn's character in the film Sabrina. Emma never felt fully accepted, except by the family's grandson, Henry—a former love—and by the driver’s son, Leo—her best friend.
As plans for the property are put into motion and the three are together for the first time in over a decade, Emma finds herself caught between two worlds and two loves. And when the house reveals a shattering secret about her own family, she’ll have to decide what kind of life she really wants for herself now and who she wants to be in it.
When Emma Jansen discovers that the grand Long Island estate where she grew up is set to be demolished, she can't help but return for one last visit. After all, it was a place filled with firsts: learning to ride a bike, sneaking a glass of champagne, falling in love.
But once Emma arrives at the storied mansion, she can't ignore the more complicated memories. Because that's not exactly where Emma grew up. Her mother and father worked for the family that owned the estate, and they lived over the garage like Audrey Hepburn's character in the film Sabrina. Emma never felt fully accepted, except by the family's grandson, Henry—a former love—and by the driver’s son, Leo—her best friend.
As plans for the property are put into motion and the three are together for the first time in over a decade, Emma finds herself caught between two worlds and two loves. And when the house reveals a shattering secret about her own family, she’ll have to decide what kind of life she really wants for herself now and who she wants to be in it.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2023
465 people are currently reading
14324 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Janowitz
16 books821 followersBrenda is the author of eight novels, including THE GRACE KELLY DRESS, which has been optioned for film by Hallmark/ Crown Media, and THE AUDREY HEPBURN ESTATE, which was chosen as the Reader’s Choice by the CBS New York Book Club with Mary Calvi. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Real Simple, The Sunday Times (UK), Salon, Redbook, USA Today, Bustle, The Forward, the New York Post, Publisher’s Weekly, Hello Giggles, Writer’s Digest Magazine, WritersDigest.com, and xojane. She is the former Books Correspondent for PopSugar.
Brenda attended Cornell University and Hofstra Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review. Upon graduation from Hofstra, worked for the law firm Kaye Scholer, LLP, and did a federal clerkship with the Honorable Marilyn Dolan Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
Brenda attended Cornell University and Hofstra Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review. Upon graduation from Hofstra, worked for the law firm Kaye Scholer, LLP, and did a federal clerkship with the Honorable Marilyn Dolan Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 583 reviews
April 22, 2023
Audrey Hepburn ❤️ Need I say more? I heard the title and I was SOLD. I absolutely loved this book. Happy almost pub day gorgeous. Tomorrow is the big day! Out 4/18🥳🥳 Thank you so much to @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks for my gifted copy. 🥰🥰🥰
Going in I knew this was influenced by Hepburn’s film 🎥 Sabrina. What I didn’t know… is that it was so much more. ❤️
Emma grew up at the Rolling Hill Estate. It was home. Even though her parents didn’t own the home- it was her home. ❤️ So when it is about to get demolished… 😳…well she is not having it.. She goes back home to fight… 🥊 … yet she might find out much more than she bargained for. 🤐Wow!! This was a story about love… loss… second chances.. a love triangle… a Mystery…but most importantly… history… the Holocaust… facts and fiction woven into the pages…Did you know the Audrey had a connection with Anne Frank? They lived 60 miles apart. That was only one of the facts that completely floored me.. This book was not only charming… it was absolutely fascinating. 😍
One of my favorites parts is at the end of the book when @brendajanowitzwriter wraps up by chapter number- sharing with us each thing that was a nod to Audrey Hepburn… the icon… 😍 Wow!! It truly was amazing the research that went into this. I loved Emma’s story so much. 👗 👠 👜… Even though this story is Emma - I learned so much about Audrey… whether you are a fan or not… I think anyone would love this book. 😍
Going in I knew this was influenced by Hepburn’s film 🎥 Sabrina. What I didn’t know… is that it was so much more. ❤️
Emma grew up at the Rolling Hill Estate. It was home. Even though her parents didn’t own the home- it was her home. ❤️ So when it is about to get demolished… 😳…well she is not having it.. She goes back home to fight… 🥊 … yet she might find out much more than she bargained for. 🤐Wow!! This was a story about love… loss… second chances.. a love triangle… a Mystery…but most importantly… history… the Holocaust… facts and fiction woven into the pages…Did you know the Audrey had a connection with Anne Frank? They lived 60 miles apart. That was only one of the facts that completely floored me.. This book was not only charming… it was absolutely fascinating. 😍
One of my favorites parts is at the end of the book when @brendajanowitzwriter wraps up by chapter number- sharing with us each thing that was a nod to Audrey Hepburn… the icon… 😍 Wow!! It truly was amazing the research that went into this. I loved Emma’s story so much. 👗 👠 👜… Even though this story is Emma - I learned so much about Audrey… whether you are a fan or not… I think anyone would love this book. 😍
May 30, 2023
I always want to like Brenda Janowitz's books more than I do. I'm drawn in by the beautiful covers and what you think is a historical fiction by the title they aren't.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate barely has any ties to Audrey and it's a contemporary/women’s fiction book with a timeline that makes no sense. I kept wondering when the book took place and kept expecting it to be the 1980s and not today. There is no way that the characters who don't seem to be more than 30 could have a father and grandfather who were teenagers during WWII. That part really drove me crazy.
I also thought the characters were pretty immature and I just couldn't get into the storyline. The only thing I did like was the author's note where she mentioned about Audrey Hepburn's own experiences during WWII.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate barely has any ties to Audrey and it's a contemporary/women’s fiction book with a timeline that makes no sense. I kept wondering when the book took place and kept expecting it to be the 1980s and not today. There is no way that the characters who don't seem to be more than 30 could have a father and grandfather who were teenagers during WWII. That part really drove me crazy.
I also thought the characters were pretty immature and I just couldn't get into the storyline. The only thing I did like was the author's note where she mentioned about Audrey Hepburn's own experiences during WWII.
April 3, 2023
This was a really unique genre blend between women’s fiction, historical fiction and mystery. With dueling timelines that offer us both Emma’s present day status and romantic entanglements, and her formative years and the relationships that helped to shape her into who she is. Part love story and part coming of age, The Audrey Hepburn Estate takes us into the mansion rumored to be the property featured in the Audrey Hepburn film Sabrina, and illuminates some of the darkest secrets hidden within it’s walls.
I have long been a fan of Brenda Janowitz’ writing, from her earlier romcoms that had me belly laughing, to her emotional family dramas that left me a sobbing mess. Her characters are always very real and incredibly relatable, expressing a vulnerably and rawness that is so unique to her writing. As such, I wind up thinking about her stories long after I have finished reading them.
As someone who loves classic Hollywood, I adore her trio of novels named for the glamour girls of Hollywood - Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and now, Audrey Hepburn. And if you love to geek out on old Hollywood trivia and/or want to see for yourself the insane amount of research Janowitz completed prior to writing this novel, make sure to read the authors note once you have finished the story.
Of note, I listened to this book on audio. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, did a spectacular job bringing this story to life and complimenting the already gorgeous writing. The versatility of her narration helped to create a unique voice for each and every character.
Read if you like:
•historical fiction
•coming of age stories
•classic Hollywood
•dual timelines
Thank you to Graydon House, HTP Books and Libro.fm for my gifted advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
I have long been a fan of Brenda Janowitz’ writing, from her earlier romcoms that had me belly laughing, to her emotional family dramas that left me a sobbing mess. Her characters are always very real and incredibly relatable, expressing a vulnerably and rawness that is so unique to her writing. As such, I wind up thinking about her stories long after I have finished reading them.
As someone who loves classic Hollywood, I adore her trio of novels named for the glamour girls of Hollywood - Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and now, Audrey Hepburn. And if you love to geek out on old Hollywood trivia and/or want to see for yourself the insane amount of research Janowitz completed prior to writing this novel, make sure to read the authors note once you have finished the story.
Of note, I listened to this book on audio. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, did a spectacular job bringing this story to life and complimenting the already gorgeous writing. The versatility of her narration helped to create a unique voice for each and every character.
Read if you like:
•historical fiction
•coming of age stories
•classic Hollywood
•dual timelines
Thank you to Graydon House, HTP Books and Libro.fm for my gifted advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2023
I don’t like being negative but this book was bad. It was all over the place. So many things that didn’t connect. The characters had no depth. I kept reading because I thought maybe it would get better. Maybe I was just missing things. But no. It was just bad. Great premise and the title intrigued me. But not well executed.
July 4, 2023
I enjoyed it a lot - probably more because I listened to it in audio. Brenda Janowitz also wrote the Liz Taylor Ring, which I also enjoyed in audio. If you are thinking that she writes about how old movie stars have a modern days resonance, you are correct. And about how characters become illusioned by or compare themselves to the movie counterparts? You got it. Apparently, this one is a play on Sabrina. A movie our main character and heroine loved and shared with her beloved father.
The story has a love triangle with two very compelling men. And there is a under theme about the nazi regime and stolen art. It was compelling despite the fact that the main character is a complete dolt! But the story wrapped me enough, that her astounding naivete could take a background role in its insufferablility. It definitely kept me entertained. I don't know how I would have felt about it in print. But I was definitely engaged.
The story has a love triangle with two very compelling men. And there is a under theme about the nazi regime and stolen art. It was compelling despite the fact that the main character is a complete dolt! But the story wrapped me enough, that her astounding naivete could take a background role in its insufferablility. It definitely kept me entertained. I don't know how I would have felt about it in print. But I was definitely engaged.
April 7, 2023
As we near publication of #theaudreyhepburnestate on April 18 (and my event with @brendajanowitzwriter !! ) I couldn’t wait another day to dive into this book! Set on Long Island with fantastic Jewish representation - I wish I could say more without spoilers - this book is truly Janowitz best yet and hands down !
Thank you to Graydon House for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Graydon House for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
March 25, 2023
Brenda Janowitz’s THE AUDREY HEPBURN ESTATE is a truly beautiful novel about the power of home, first loves, and dark hidden family secrets; sprinkled with a little bit of Audrey magic and lots of Easter Eggs…as Janowitz is known for, with her now third Hollywood icon-centered novel after The Grace Kelly Dress and The Liz Taylor Ring.
What is so unique about the books Brenda writes; is you do feel Audrey on almost every page, but this isn’t historical fiction, it’s a contemporary love story/family drama novel, surrounding a young woman named Emma who grew up on a property that was called The Audrey Hepburn Estate because the house resembles the home in the iconic film Sabrina, and in its two timelines you see Emma’s childhood develop and the love triangle she gets into; and how many years later, that property that means so much to her comes sweeping back into her life, and she goes to work trying to save it, little does she know that she will uncover so much more than she was expecting.
I really loved it! Thanks to Graydon House for the ARC; out April 18th! ❤️
What is so unique about the books Brenda writes; is you do feel Audrey on almost every page, but this isn’t historical fiction, it’s a contemporary love story/family drama novel, surrounding a young woman named Emma who grew up on a property that was called The Audrey Hepburn Estate because the house resembles the home in the iconic film Sabrina, and in its two timelines you see Emma’s childhood develop and the love triangle she gets into; and how many years later, that property that means so much to her comes sweeping back into her life, and she goes to work trying to save it, little does she know that she will uncover so much more than she was expecting.
I really loved it! Thanks to Graydon House for the ARC; out April 18th! ❤️
April 1, 2023
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is a wonderful homage to the talented movie star who herself. Janowitz effortlessly incorporates snippets of Hepburn’s movies into the story making this not only a wonderful read, but also a wink to Hepburn’s brilliance as an actor and philanthropist.
When Emma, owner and chef of a catering company returns to the estate in which she grew up and fell in love with as well as where she fell in love with the owner’s son, Henry because she recently found out it had been sold and was being torn down by none other than her best friend, Leo who had lived there as well, she takes it upon herself to try and save the only home she ever really loved.
As Emma relives scenes from her history at the infamous named Audrey Hepburn Estate, she begins to remember the good times and also the bad. Her mother was a maid at the mansion and worked her way up to house manager, while her father whom Emma adored, tragically died when she was a young. She remembers the chef who cooked and taught her everything she knows, she and her best friend Leo running all around the land and sneaking into unknown hideaways, and lastly, Henry, whose family owned the infamous house who was her first and only love.
Emma tries to plead with Leo to stop the destruction of the mansion. But Leo, now a business owner refuses. Emma’s heart is broken. She inevitably calls on her once love, Henry to help her convince Leo to stop the demolition. But Henry is on Leo’s side. As the three friends are reunited, memories of them as children surface and are seen quite differently by each.
She discovers secrets which had been kept from her when she was a child, about her own family and is not only devastated by the information, but that it had been kept from her by someone she implicitly trusted. How does she recover?
Blindsided, she tries to come to grips with what happened all those years ago. But in the end, what she discovers is that sometimes a house, is just a house where you live and have memories, but a home is really who your heart truly belongs to and who you love, no matter where you live. That is the real joy of being home.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is not only a mysterious page turner filled with historical references as well as Hepburn easter eggs, but also a coming-of-age love story and a beautiful love letter to the great actress herself. My only advice would be watching the movie Sabrina first, if not you will excitedly feel the need to do so after you finish the incredible book!
Thank you #NetGalley #GraydonHouse #TheAudreyHepburnEstate #BrendaJanowitz for the advanced copy.
When Emma, owner and chef of a catering company returns to the estate in which she grew up and fell in love with as well as where she fell in love with the owner’s son, Henry because she recently found out it had been sold and was being torn down by none other than her best friend, Leo who had lived there as well, she takes it upon herself to try and save the only home she ever really loved.
As Emma relives scenes from her history at the infamous named Audrey Hepburn Estate, she begins to remember the good times and also the bad. Her mother was a maid at the mansion and worked her way up to house manager, while her father whom Emma adored, tragically died when she was a young. She remembers the chef who cooked and taught her everything she knows, she and her best friend Leo running all around the land and sneaking into unknown hideaways, and lastly, Henry, whose family owned the infamous house who was her first and only love.
Emma tries to plead with Leo to stop the destruction of the mansion. But Leo, now a business owner refuses. Emma’s heart is broken. She inevitably calls on her once love, Henry to help her convince Leo to stop the demolition. But Henry is on Leo’s side. As the three friends are reunited, memories of them as children surface and are seen quite differently by each.
She discovers secrets which had been kept from her when she was a child, about her own family and is not only devastated by the information, but that it had been kept from her by someone she implicitly trusted. How does she recover?
Blindsided, she tries to come to grips with what happened all those years ago. But in the end, what she discovers is that sometimes a house, is just a house where you live and have memories, but a home is really who your heart truly belongs to and who you love, no matter where you live. That is the real joy of being home.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is not only a mysterious page turner filled with historical references as well as Hepburn easter eggs, but also a coming-of-age love story and a beautiful love letter to the great actress herself. My only advice would be watching the movie Sabrina first, if not you will excitedly feel the need to do so after you finish the incredible book!
Thank you #NetGalley #GraydonHouse #TheAudreyHepburnEstate #BrendaJanowitz for the advanced copy.
June 17, 2023
I want to start out this review by saying The Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz is basically a love letter to Hepburn's life and movies, and you will probably love it the most if you are a fan of her. The author includes a boatload of Easter Eggs, and I will be eternally grateful that she includes these at the back of the book (by chapter no less). There was also a fantastic author's note, and I appreciated the story even more after reading both of these things. Even if you don't know anything about Hepburn or her movies, this is still an excellent mix of historical fiction, mystery, WWII, and drama, and there was even a pinch of romance thrown in. There are 2 timelines that we move through in the story, one is of course set in the present, and the other is Emma at various ages. The past time period tended to get a bit confusing for me at times and I would have to say the present timeline was by far my favorite of the two.
All that being said, I will be recommending the audiobook to everyone I recommend this book to, and I thought Cassandra Campbell did an absolutely stellar job. If I put a list of my top 5 narrators together, she would definitely make the cut, and she was the perfect person to be the voice of Emma. Her voice even manages to remind me of Audrey Hepburn for some reason, even though I haven't seen a single movie of hers! I think she has such a classic-sounding voice and tone, and that made her perfect for The Audrey Hepburn Estate. I was really surprised to find a mystery buried in the pages of this book, and it was such a pleasant surprise. I was very into the story, and it even managed to shock me a couple of times which was awesome. I was immediately drawn in by Janowitz's writing, and being a big fan of historical fiction, I will now be checking out even more of her books.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
All that being said, I will be recommending the audiobook to everyone I recommend this book to, and I thought Cassandra Campbell did an absolutely stellar job. If I put a list of my top 5 narrators together, she would definitely make the cut, and she was the perfect person to be the voice of Emma. Her voice even manages to remind me of Audrey Hepburn for some reason, even though I haven't seen a single movie of hers! I think she has such a classic-sounding voice and tone, and that made her perfect for The Audrey Hepburn Estate. I was really surprised to find a mystery buried in the pages of this book, and it was such a pleasant surprise. I was very into the story, and it even managed to shock me a couple of times which was awesome. I was immediately drawn in by Janowitz's writing, and being a big fan of historical fiction, I will now be checking out even more of her books.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 5, 2023
An entertaining dual timeline historical fiction book that is a must-read for Audrey Hepburn fans or the movie Sabrina. The author's note included at the end in particular highlights just how in depth this book is sprinkled with references to the famous actress. Very much modeled after the Sabrina plot, this book follows a young woman who grows up alongside two brothers on a wealthy estate.
Aside from the love triangle, there's also a Nazi hunter plot/mystery that kept me guessing right to the end related to the real life Operation Paperclip that took place in post WWII America. Good on audio narrated by Cassandra Campbell too. Many thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and Librofm for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!
Aside from the love triangle, there's also a Nazi hunter plot/mystery that kept me guessing right to the end related to the real life Operation Paperclip that took place in post WWII America. Good on audio narrated by Cassandra Campbell too. Many thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and Librofm for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!
April 7, 2023
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is an interesting and enjoyable story.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I found myself drawn into the history and drama.
Anything I should know before picking this up?
This is one of those books you have to go into knowing that you’re just reading it for fun. Pretty much everything in the book is unrealistic and there are some plot holes, so I think it’s wise to know that before you read.
How was the romance?
I didn’t really feel a romantic relationship develop and blossom in a realistic way between the characters. Instead, it felt really surface level, and almost like it was thrown into the story in order to create another layer. I mean, even when they ended up taking the relationship to the physical level it didn’t fit in or seem logical at all.
Steam level: Kissing and closed door.
Trope: Second chance
Anything bother you in this book?
So, the movie Sabrina was mentioned, and a misunderstanding about the actual location the movie was filmed at was cleared up. That’s it. No more Audrey. I was a bit upset by the misleading title. However, in the Author’s Note at the end there are a lot of fun Hepburn facts and tidbits.
I also thought Emma’s character was quite immature in the way she dealt with relationships and her own history throughout the story.
How was the pace?
I flew through the first 1/3 of this book, but the rest of the story really slowed down and began to meander and become repetitive, which lead to me loosing interest.
Do you recommend this book?
If you are just looking for an enjoyable and light story that incorporates drama and WWII history, then give this one to try!
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I found myself drawn into the history and drama.
Anything I should know before picking this up?
This is one of those books you have to go into knowing that you’re just reading it for fun. Pretty much everything in the book is unrealistic and there are some plot holes, so I think it’s wise to know that before you read.
How was the romance?
I didn’t really feel a romantic relationship develop and blossom in a realistic way between the characters. Instead, it felt really surface level, and almost like it was thrown into the story in order to create another layer. I mean, even when they ended up taking the relationship to the physical level it didn’t fit in or seem logical at all.
Steam level: Kissing and closed door.
Trope: Second chance
Anything bother you in this book?
So, the movie Sabrina was mentioned, and a misunderstanding about the actual location the movie was filmed at was cleared up. That’s it. No more Audrey. I was a bit upset by the misleading title. However, in the Author’s Note at the end there are a lot of fun Hepburn facts and tidbits.
I also thought Emma’s character was quite immature in the way she dealt with relationships and her own history throughout the story.
How was the pace?
I flew through the first 1/3 of this book, but the rest of the story really slowed down and began to meander and become repetitive, which lead to me loosing interest.
Do you recommend this book?
If you are just looking for an enjoyable and light story that incorporates drama and WWII history, then give this one to try!
July 27, 2023
More like 2.5 stars
This story has good bones but the execution is lacking. It started off strongly but the characters never really went very deep beyond surface level and never truly developed.
My biggest hangup is: why are these two men, after 7+ years of no communication with Emma, still so infatuated with her? The author fails to show the reader what it is about Emma that keeps these men so deeply in love with her after all these years apart. She suddenly comes back into both of their lives and they are both instantly ready to leap at her for affection. But why? What is it about her that makes them love her so deeply for so long? The best we get is that they grew up together. Leo last talked to her when they were in their early 20s and Henry, I think, was late teens. There's no way they're the same people in their early 30s. The three of them act like it's only been a short period of time and it doesn't sit right. It would be more believable if it was a year or two.
The historical drama...I hate to say this but it feels gimmicky. I do not believe the author did that on purpose; I believe it was done to educate the masses of something awful, but it felt forced and overly spotlighted in contrast to the rest of the story, like info-dumping. Not only that, but the bulk of development is centered around this topic instead of the characters. Parts of the book feel like a romance and other parts like a history lesson instead of a combination/blend. I love history and am not turned off from it in romance, this just didn't have any flow between the two aspects.
I'm also ticked that Leo, with Emma, is in a similar position to Emma when she was with Henry and it's frustrating. She deserves better than Henry but he doesn't deserve better than Emma? We're talking decades of mistreatment here. Emma hurting Leo, treating him like a "consolation," as he says twice...She hasn't treated him much better than Henry treated her and that's aggravating and makes me not like Emma much.
There really aren't many redeeming qualities for Emma and Henry and I just feel sad for Leo. I wish the author would have taken some of the energy she put into the chapter "Easter eggs" and developed the characters more.
This story has good bones but the execution is lacking. It started off strongly but the characters never really went very deep beyond surface level and never truly developed.
My biggest hangup is: why are these two men, after 7+ years of no communication with Emma, still so infatuated with her? The author fails to show the reader what it is about Emma that keeps these men so deeply in love with her after all these years apart. She suddenly comes back into both of their lives and they are both instantly ready to leap at her for affection. But why? What is it about her that makes them love her so deeply for so long? The best we get is that they grew up together. Leo last talked to her when they were in their early 20s and Henry, I think, was late teens. There's no way they're the same people in their early 30s. The three of them act like it's only been a short period of time and it doesn't sit right. It would be more believable if it was a year or two.
The historical drama...I hate to say this but it feels gimmicky. I do not believe the author did that on purpose; I believe it was done to educate the masses of something awful, but it felt forced and overly spotlighted in contrast to the rest of the story, like info-dumping. Not only that, but the bulk of development is centered around this topic instead of the characters. Parts of the book feel like a romance and other parts like a history lesson instead of a combination/blend. I love history and am not turned off from it in romance, this just didn't have any flow between the two aspects.
I'm also ticked that Leo, with Emma, is in a similar position to Emma when she was with Henry and it's frustrating. She deserves better than Henry but he doesn't deserve better than Emma? We're talking decades of mistreatment here. Emma hurting Leo, treating him like a "consolation," as he says twice...She hasn't treated him much better than Henry treated her and that's aggravating and makes me not like Emma much.
There really aren't many redeeming qualities for Emma and Henry and I just feel sad for Leo. I wish the author would have taken some of the energy she put into the chapter "Easter eggs" and developed the characters more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 13, 20233-3.5? There were things I enjoyed about the book, but the love triangle seemed forced and the whole book seemed too much of a remake of the Sabrina story with a Nazi twist. I know that’s the premise, but though entertaining, the love triangle just seemed forced to me. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the author’s notes at the end of how she incorporated Audrey Hepburn tidbits into the book.
January 14, 2024
This charming title is the basis for a totally fictitious “estate”, with no bearing on Audrey Hepburn’s actual life. I found the artificial premise frustrating, and as I read along I realized that this was actually pseudo-historical, primarily a romance with references to Hepburn scattered within almost apologetically. That being said, if you are happy with the main character Emma’s fantasy around Hepburn’s movie “Sabrina”, a bit of a mystery, time shifts between each chapter and the main suspense building on which boy/man Emma will find eternal happiness with- this is the book for you.
It’s readable, the food descriptions were great (my main reason for bumping this up to three stars)… extremely light fiction, and an easy time filler. Not historic fiction, and I suspect that my being mislead has tarnished my review.
It’s readable, the food descriptions were great (my main reason for bumping this up to three stars)… extremely light fiction, and an easy time filler. Not historic fiction, and I suspect that my being mislead has tarnished my review.
April 6, 2023
(free audio review copy) The author's note in this one was so interesting and was my favorite part of the book (here I am on my nonfiction kick!). I swore that I will never again read a book about Nazis or the Holocaust unless it was written by a Jewish author, and Brenda Janowitz is one of the few authors I’ll go there with.
BTW: my favorite book by Janowitz is The Dinner Party ~ a contemporary fiction story of a Jewish family set around a particular Passover Seder.
Source: free audio review copy from Libro.fm
BTW: my favorite book by Janowitz is The Dinner Party ~ a contemporary fiction story of a Jewish family set around a particular Passover Seder.
Source: free audio review copy from Libro.fm
June 5, 2023
So disappointed. I had some high hopes for this. It sounded to interesting. Honestly the only reason I gave it 1 was because I liked the authors note at the end.
Didn’t like any of the characters, especially the main character, she was awful!! They were in their 30’s, but acted like teens or younger the ENTIRE book.
Parts of the historical times were ok. But the rest was just blah. I wanted to DNF it, but decided to push through to see if it got any better, nope….
Didn’t like any of the characters, especially the main character, she was awful!! They were in their 30’s, but acted like teens or younger the ENTIRE book.
Parts of the historical times were ok. But the rest was just blah. I wanted to DNF it, but decided to push through to see if it got any better, nope….
March 17, 2023
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is Brenda Janowitz's latest gem of a novel. It is an engaging and thoughtful story about home, family, and love.
I liked the back and forth timeline aspect, as it allowed things to unfold at a nice pace. I didn't even know what to expect from this story and was definitely surprised. There's an interesting game changer that has relevance to current events and I didn't see it coming at all. The descriptions made characters and settings easy to visualize without taking away from the narrative.
I felt like Emma fluctuating between the two guys could get tiresome at times. I could understand why Leo was frustrated with her. Otherwise, she was a likable main character and I could relate to her in some ways, especially when she was younger.
Read the author's notes when you finish this novel, to learn even more about Audrey Hepburn and how she is connected throughout the pages. Overall, a really interesting novel and worthwhile read!
Movie casting suggestions:
I liked the back and forth timeline aspect, as it allowed things to unfold at a nice pace. I didn't even know what to expect from this story and was definitely surprised. There's an interesting game changer that has relevance to current events and I didn't see it coming at all. The descriptions made characters and settings easy to visualize without taking away from the narrative.
I felt like Emma fluctuating between the two guys could get tiresome at times. I could understand why Leo was frustrated with her. Otherwise, she was a likable main character and I could relate to her in some ways, especially when she was younger.
Read the author's notes when you finish this novel, to learn even more about Audrey Hepburn and how she is connected throughout the pages. Overall, a really interesting novel and worthwhile read!
Movie casting suggestions:
Emma: Lily Collins (whose birthday is this weekend, oddly enough)
Henry: William Moseley
Leo: David Henrie
Samantha: Willa Holland
Francisco: Gabriel Chavarria
Stella: Riki Lindhome
March 5, 2023
Wow! Brenda Janowitz, author of “The Audrey Hepburn Estate,” has written a spectacular, captivating, and intriguing novel. I loved everything about this book. The genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, and Fiction. The author vividly describes the characters, the scenery, the plot, and the events. Brenda Janowitz is a wonderful storyteller who gives the story such a sensory feel. One can smell the flowers, the food, and the drink, hear the characters, and feel and see the art. The author does raise the question, “When is a home, and when does a house become a home.” The author also discusses visiting the past, second chances, and forgiveness.
Brenda Janowitz was inspired to write this story based on Audrey Hepburn, especially in the. The movie role of “Sabrina” and the Glen Cove Estate, where her characters lived above the garage, is known as “The Audrey Hepburn Estate.” There is an added section in the novel where the author discusses events in the book that evolved from Audrey Hepburn and “Sabrina.”
The colorful and dramatic characters are described as complex and complicated. There is “good and evil” in some characters. The protagonist, Emma Jansen, a Chef, is devastated when she hears that the house she grew up in will be demolished. She takes the train to Glen Cove to see the mansion and the apartment over the garage where she lived with her family. Emma’s mother was the maid to a wealthy family. Emma remembers her childhood friends, Henry and Leo. Henry was the wealthy grandson, and Leo was the son of the family’s driver. Emma always loved Henry, but it seemed forbidden because of Henry’s wealth.
In the present, Leo, Henry, and Emma meet again. Emma wants to prevent the house from being destroyed. Several deep and dark secrets from the past can be devastating. There are betrayals, lies, and murders. There are twists and turns. There is also the suspense of stolen art, Nazi and Nazi hunters.
I highly recommend this entertaining, memorable, and thought-provoking novel. Kudos, Brenda Janowitz, on writing such a fantastic novel!
Brenda Janowitz was inspired to write this story based on Audrey Hepburn, especially in the. The movie role of “Sabrina” and the Glen Cove Estate, where her characters lived above the garage, is known as “The Audrey Hepburn Estate.” There is an added section in the novel where the author discusses events in the book that evolved from Audrey Hepburn and “Sabrina.”
The colorful and dramatic characters are described as complex and complicated. There is “good and evil” in some characters. The protagonist, Emma Jansen, a Chef, is devastated when she hears that the house she grew up in will be demolished. She takes the train to Glen Cove to see the mansion and the apartment over the garage where she lived with her family. Emma’s mother was the maid to a wealthy family. Emma remembers her childhood friends, Henry and Leo. Henry was the wealthy grandson, and Leo was the son of the family’s driver. Emma always loved Henry, but it seemed forbidden because of Henry’s wealth.
In the present, Leo, Henry, and Emma meet again. Emma wants to prevent the house from being destroyed. Several deep and dark secrets from the past can be devastating. There are betrayals, lies, and murders. There are twists and turns. There is also the suspense of stolen art, Nazi and Nazi hunters.
I highly recommend this entertaining, memorable, and thought-provoking novel. Kudos, Brenda Janowitz, on writing such a fantastic novel!
May 15, 2023
Заради името на Одри Хепбърн в заглавието си тази книга влезе в списъка ми с четива. След това се оказа, че моменти от детството на актрисата, протекло по време на нацисткия режим в Холандия през Втората Световна война, са включени в сюжета. Съдбата на героите е определена от ролята , която родителите им са имали в годините на войната в Европа. Дори в Америка, последиците от хитлеризма определят съдби. Много бивши нацисти намират начин да избегнат възмездието за ужасните с�� действия като се укриват извън Европа. Някои все пак биват разкрити чрез откраднатото от жертвите им. Но е имало момент, в който Америка е укривала съзнателно едни от най - умните, ителигентни и способни бивши фашисти - лекари, инженери или военни. За да не бъдат вербувани от Съветския съюз в годините на Студената война.
И така в The Audrey Hepburn Estate трима млади хора започват пътя си като приятели още от детството в прекрасно имение, приличащо на къщата, в която Одри Хепбърн снима " Сабрина " през 1954 година. Ема , Хенри и Лео са с различен произход и на различно стъпало в общствената стълбица. Но за едно дете са важни игрите, общите интереси и готовността да се впуснат в приключения из обширния двор на голямата къща. С течение на времето отношенията се трансформират, п��явяват се симпатии, предпочитания и някой се чувства неразбран или изоставен. Като възрастните играят не малка роля във всичко това.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate изобилства от история, архитектура от златната епоха, от произведения на изкуството и от храна. Рецепти, удоволствието от храненето, описателните обиколки из старите аристократични къщи, възхищението от филмите на Одри Хепбърн и честното представяне на колебанията и болките на несигурните души, загубили вярата в онова, което са обичали цял живот - всички тези елементи направиха книгата незабравима за мен!
И така в The Audrey Hepburn Estate трима млади хора започват пътя си като приятели още от детството в прекрасно имение, приличащо на къщата, в която Одри Хепбърн снима " Сабрина " през 1954 година. Ема , Хенри и Лео са с различен произход и на различно стъпало в общствената стълбица. Но за едно дете са важни игрите, общите интереси и готовността да се впуснат в приключения из обширния двор на голямата къща. С течение на времето отношенията се трансформират, п��явяват се симпатии, предпочитания и някой се чувства неразбран или изоставен. Като възрастните играят не малка роля във всичко това.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate изобилства от история, архитектура от златната епоха, от произведения на изкуството и от храна. Рецепти, удоволствието от храненето, описателните обиколки из старите аристократични къщи, възхищението от филмите на Одри Хепбърн и честното представяне на колебанията и болките на несигурните души, загубили вярата в онова, което са обичали цял живот - всички тези елементи направиха книгата незабравима за мен!
June 24, 2023
This book was weird. Took some really odd turns and never really felt finished and then it wrapped in a 4 page chapter. It was a bit unfulfilling and I’m still a little confused on what the point of it was.
August 6, 2023
I normally love Brenda Janowitz novels, but unfortunately I can't say the same about her latest work, The Audrey Hepburn Estate. Of note-the novel pay homage to the movie Sabrina, also starting Audrey Hepburn, which I did not realize before reading the book.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate centers around Emma, Harry, and Leo. Harry's family owns the famed Long Island "Audrey Hepburn" estate where as a child Emma lived over the garage with her mother who was employed by the family. Leo and his family also worked for Harry's grandfather. All together the three children grew up and had an interesting romantic entanglement, or love triangles through high school.
Here is where I began to dislike the story, as the trio became adults and grew apart after moving away from the estate, Emma's hesitant romantic behavior not only started to become grating to me but she outright abuses her relationship with both men under the guise that her heart doesn’t fully know what it wants. The character of Emma comes off as an immature, undecisive woman who wants everything to fall her way and blames both men for letting her down at various times in her life.
I could have done without the entire romantic subplot and stuck with the historical fiction aspect of the novel which touched on the Dutch resistance movement of Holland during WWII. Overall, not Janowitz' best work in my opinion, and if I was a new reader to her books, I would absolutely recommend one of her earlier novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greydon House for the opportunity to read this novel.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate centers around Emma, Harry, and Leo. Harry's family owns the famed Long Island "Audrey Hepburn" estate where as a child Emma lived over the garage with her mother who was employed by the family. Leo and his family also worked for Harry's grandfather. All together the three children grew up and had an interesting romantic entanglement, or love triangles through high school.
Here is where I began to dislike the story, as the trio became adults and grew apart after moving away from the estate, Emma's hesitant romantic behavior not only started to become grating to me but she outright abuses her relationship with both men under the guise that her heart doesn’t fully know what it wants. The character of Emma comes off as an immature, undecisive woman who wants everything to fall her way and blames both men for letting her down at various times in her life.
I could have done without the entire romantic subplot and stuck with the historical fiction aspect of the novel which touched on the Dutch resistance movement of Holland during WWII. Overall, not Janowitz' best work in my opinion, and if I was a new reader to her books, I would absolutely recommend one of her earlier novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greydon House for the opportunity to read this novel.
August 10, 2023
1. One would think this would be about Audrey Hepburn, but no. It’s about a piece of property that inspired a movie she was in, that’s it.
2. The main character leads on two guys during her teenager years and then proceeds to do the exact same thing a decade later. She doesn’t even seem that great of a person?
3. The guy you think you want to hate the whole time turns out to be good and the people you liked the whole book are bad? I was just confused.
4. The timeline is so incredibly off. This girl is supposed to be living in present day, be in her 30s, and her father was around during Nazi Germany? There’s no way.
2. The main character leads on two guys during her teenager years and then proceeds to do the exact same thing a decade later. She doesn’t even seem that great of a person?
3. The guy you think you want to hate the whole time turns out to be good and the people you liked the whole book are bad? I was just confused.
4. The timeline is so incredibly off. This girl is supposed to be living in present day, be in her 30s, and her father was around during Nazi Germany? There’s no way.
November 4, 2022
A sweet romantic tale, that those of us who are Audrey Hepburn fans and devoted to the film SABRINA will love. The author sprinkles in nods to both the actress and the film. As well as enjoying the book, I loved the Author’s Notes, it was absolutely a delightful bonus.
This is the story of Emma, who grew up on the HEPBURN Estate with 2 young men, Henry and Leo. As a reader, it was predictable, but totally fun!
Thank you Netgalley for this charming ARC.
This is the story of Emma, who grew up on the HEPBURN Estate with 2 young men, Henry and Leo. As a reader, it was predictable, but totally fun!
Thank you Netgalley for this charming ARC.
February 3, 2024
This book goes all over the place. It gives off Sabrina vibes with the maid’s daughter torn between two boys who live on this estate, but then there’s a plot line with her father, Nazis, and trying to unravel the mystery behind her childhood home. For me, the story lines just didn’t mesh well. The ending was also very rushed.
April 16, 2024
My Audrey Hepburn-loving heart adored this fun, heartfelt read! Wonderfully narrated by Cassandra Campbell!
May 22, 2023
Emma Jansen has grown up on a beautiful Long Island estate, Rolling Hill, not because her parents own it, but because they work there. Her mother is a maid and her father is the butler. So, she has grown up adjacent to a wealthy lifestyle but is by no means wealthy. As the years go on, she befriends the owner of the estate's grandson, Henry, and the driver's son, Leo. She has such great childhood memories of running around the estate, exploring the rooms, swimming at the pool, barbecues for the 4th of July, and more. Except one memory haunts her of the cook, Fleur, who gets into a fight with the owner of the estate, Felix Van Der Wraak, and ends up falling to her death. Just she and Leo witnessed it and are still pretty unsure about what exactly happened. Many years later, she comes to find that Rolling Hill is dilapidated, and instead of being preserved, a developer, who happens to be Leo, wants to tear it down to build a development. This greatly upsets Emma as she has such wonderful memories there (or so she thinks!) and feels the estate should be restored. Throwing herself back into this world has her encountering Henry, who was her first love, and Leo, her former best friend; she is caught in the middle. Brenda Janowitz's The Audrey Hepburn Estate is a wonderful historical read that is a fresh take on Sabrina.
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
May 26, 2023
Intriguing premise but the story was just OK. The connection to Audrey Hepburn is a stretch despite the author’s many attempts to draw her into the story. I did find the Nazi angle interesting but agree with another reviewer that the timeline is off; there is no way this could be set in present day, be in their 30s, and still have parents who served in WWII (currently, the children of those who served in Vietnam are in their 40s and 50s). The characters were barely likeable, particularly Emma. This would have been better had more emphasis been placed on the Nazi hunting instead of the love triangle.
November 12, 2022
Emma spent her childhood as the daughter of a butler and a maid, her best friends being the grandson of the estate owner and the son of the chauffeur. Best friends forever - until they are not. Now the house is being demolished an it's secrets will change her life forever.
September 30, 2025
Brenda Janowitz's The Audrey Hepburn Estate is a beautifully layered novel that effortlessly weaves together multiple genres, creating a truly compelling reading experience. The way the book navigates both romance and historical fiction is a major strength, allowing the story to be both sweeping and intimate.
For fans of classic Hollywood, and particularly those who adore Audrey Hepburn and the film Sabrina, this novel is a special treat. The central setting, a grand Long Island estate is explicitly rumored to have inspired the movie, and the protagonist's own childhood living situation mirrors that of Sabrina Fairchild's.
The dual timeline structure is expertly employed, pulling us between the present-day dilemma of protagonist Emma Jansen and the formative years she spent on the estate. This narrative choice gives us a deep, genuine understanding of Emma and the two men from her pastHenry, the wealthy grandson of the estate owner, and Leo, the son of the family driver. By showing us the history of their complex relationships, Janowitz ensures that the emotional stakes in the present day love triangle feel fully earned.
The Long Island setting acts as a character itself. It’s a place of first loves and cherished memories, but also one of deep-seated secrets and class divides. When Emma returns as an adult to try and save the home from demolition, she's not just fighting for a building; she's grappling with the person she became because of it.
What sets this book apart is the fascinating historical element woven into the narrative. Beyond the contemporary romance and family drama, the estate's history is tied to secrets involving WWII, stolen art, and even subtle references to Audrey Hepburn's own wartime past in the Netherlands. This infusion of mystery and history elevates the story, transforming it from a simple "return home" tale into a captivating exploration of legacy, identity, and the truth hidden beneath seemingly perfect surfaces.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is a thoughtful, romantic, and intriguing read. It's a novel that sparkles with Hollywood glamour while offering a profound meditation on the meaning of "home" and how the past both personal and historical shapes the choices we make for our future.
For fans of classic Hollywood, and particularly those who adore Audrey Hepburn and the film Sabrina, this novel is a special treat. The central setting, a grand Long Island estate is explicitly rumored to have inspired the movie, and the protagonist's own childhood living situation mirrors that of Sabrina Fairchild's.
The dual timeline structure is expertly employed, pulling us between the present-day dilemma of protagonist Emma Jansen and the formative years she spent on the estate. This narrative choice gives us a deep, genuine understanding of Emma and the two men from her pastHenry, the wealthy grandson of the estate owner, and Leo, the son of the family driver. By showing us the history of their complex relationships, Janowitz ensures that the emotional stakes in the present day love triangle feel fully earned.
The Long Island setting acts as a character itself. It’s a place of first loves and cherished memories, but also one of deep-seated secrets and class divides. When Emma returns as an adult to try and save the home from demolition, she's not just fighting for a building; she's grappling with the person she became because of it.
What sets this book apart is the fascinating historical element woven into the narrative. Beyond the contemporary romance and family drama, the estate's history is tied to secrets involving WWII, stolen art, and even subtle references to Audrey Hepburn's own wartime past in the Netherlands. This infusion of mystery and history elevates the story, transforming it from a simple "return home" tale into a captivating exploration of legacy, identity, and the truth hidden beneath seemingly perfect surfaces.
The Audrey Hepburn Estate is a thoughtful, romantic, and intriguing read. It's a novel that sparkles with Hollywood glamour while offering a profound meditation on the meaning of "home" and how the past both personal and historical shapes the choices we make for our future.
March 27, 2023
This book was not at all what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. I was expecting more historical fiction but it is more contemporary. This book is a nod to the movie Sabrina, the one with Audrey Hepburn not the 90s remake. After reading this book I do want to check out the movie. It is two timelines but it just goes from present to when Emma was growing up on the estate. Emma's parents worked at the main house and they all lived in the apartment above the garage. Emma falls in love with Henry, the wealthy couple's grandson. Eventually Leo comes along and also lives at the estate. He is the chauffeur's son. Leo loves Emma, but Emma loves Henry. Something eventually pushes them all apart and they all come back together in the present because Leo is a developer and wants to tear down the house for condos. For Emma, the property always felt like home to her but sometimes you need to leave the past behind and move on. Henry broke Emma's heart once but can they get a second chance? And then all these secrets start coming out. I enjoyed the author's note at the end about Audrey Hepburn's life. I know nothing about her and what a life she lead. I also liked how the author includes at the end all the nods to Audrey Hepburn sprinkled throughout the book.
-"When you get upset, you tend to destroy things."
"I'm pretty good at destroying things, no matter what my mood."
-"Samantha says that accepting what happened doesn't mean that it's okay. It just means that it happened."
-"It's about the truth. After all this time, don't you want to know the truth?"
-"When you get upset, you tend to destroy things."
"I'm pretty good at destroying things, no matter what my mood."
-"Samantha says that accepting what happened doesn't mean that it's okay. It just means that it happened."
-"It's about the truth. After all this time, don't you want to know the truth?"
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