Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I was a little iffy about this one at the start but really fell into the story about midway.
This has been sitting on my shelf for two years so I'm really proud I finally read it, especially since it's one I borrowed from a friend. Trying to be better about reading borrowed books.
The author's note at the end really pulled a lot of things together and made the book that much more interesting. I guess I'm used to a majority of historical fiction focused on WW2 so when they're not I'm like what? lol I don't think I've ever heard about the Fricke Collection, and though this one mentions WW1, it's not the core focus. I enjoy when I can learn something new from these stories.
The book opens with Lillian's landlord's wife being found murdered. Lillian is wanted for questioning, and really that's all that happens with this storyline. It gives reason for her to end up working for Helen as a way to escape the police, but kind of spoiler – I don't remember there being a conclusion to this. Helen's father persuades Lillian to play matchmaker and get Helen engaged by end of year, which Lillian agrees to with the promise of $1000 and an escape route to Hollywood to become a silent film star.
Lillian is also hiding part of her identify from this wealthy family – she's a former sculpture model famously known as Angelica.
The book flips between time and POV, as other chapters are told about 50 years in the future as a by-happenstance-commercial model Veronica. She leaves behind London to try a series of shoots in the US, with one held at the Fricke House. I think this is where I got a little lost at first because I would get invested in Lillian's story and then switch to Veronica who I didn't super care about.
Anyway, Veronica ends up trapped at the house for several days and meets intern Joshua who also is stuck in the house. They work together to uncover clues left from decades before to find the hidden family secrets. Joshua seemed cool, though.
This book really wanted me to know that the house had a bowling alley. It was brought up more than necessary, imo.
This has been sitting on my shelf for two years so I'm really proud I finally read it, especially since it's one I borrowed from a friend. Trying to be better about reading borrowed books.
The author's note at the end really pulled a lot of things together and made the book that much more interesting. I guess I'm used to a majority of historical fiction focused on WW2 so when they're not I'm like what? lol I don't think I've ever heard about the Fricke Collection, and though this one mentions WW1, it's not the core focus. I enjoy when I can learn something new from these stories.
The book opens with Lillian's landlord's wife being found murdered. Lillian is wanted for questioning, and really that's all that happens with this storyline. It gives reason for her to end up working for Helen as a way to escape the police, but kind of spoiler – I don't remember there being a conclusion to this. Helen's father persuades Lillian to play matchmaker and get Helen engaged by end of year, which Lillian agrees to with the promise of $1000 and an escape route to Hollywood to become a silent film star.
Lillian is also hiding part of her identify from this wealthy family – she's a former sculpture model famously known as Angelica.
The book flips between time and POV, as other chapters are told about 50 years in the future as a by-happenstance-commercial model Veronica. She leaves behind London to try a series of shoots in the US, with one held at the Fricke House. I think this is where I got a little lost at first because I would get invested in Lillian's story and then switch to Veronica who I didn't super care about.
Anyway, Veronica ends up trapped at the house for several days and meets intern Joshua who also is stuck in the house. They work together to uncover clues left from decades before to find the hidden family secrets. Joshua seemed cool, though.
This book really wanted me to know that the house had a bowling alley. It was brought up more than necessary, imo.
Decent read, was surprised to learn these characters and settings were based on real people and places. One thing I'm glad about is having discovered and gone down the Audrey Munson rabbit hole after reading this. The 1966 timeline did not interest me at all that was a chore to read. Missed reading HF
I've been devouring historical fiction for years now, but this one fell a bit flat for me.
The story felt a bit thin and predictable.
The story felt a bit thin and predictable.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Un coup de cœur avec ce roman de Fiona Davis, le 1er que je lis d'elle. J'ai aimé parcourir les rues de New York au côté de Lilian aka Angelica aka Miss Lily, la dualité entre les passages en 1919 et ceux dans les années 60' avec Veronica. Jai hâte de visiter la Frick collection pour découvrir de plus près les statues et œuvres des plus grands artistes qui aient vécus et que Ms Davis nous décrit avec une finesse qui m'impressionne
I had no idea while reading this, that it was based on real people. Cute story with a happy ending.
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Audiobook. Good story of two intertwining lives but in different decades.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actually giving it a 2.5/5
While the writing of this was phenomenal and kept me coming back, the plot was boring and lacked any real punch. Moments meant to be jaw dropping fell flat, and when things felt as if they were picking up, they’d fizzle out just as fast as they heated up.
These characters also interested me a lot, but I felt they weren’t used to their full potential. Lillian had so much going on and essentially never saw consequences for any of her actions. While I know she was undeserving of punishment, at the very least there could’ve been some kind of negative effect other than the constant fear of potentially being found out.
The plot progressed at a sickeningly slow pace. There were times I thought we would never get to the point, and when I hit about halfway through I almost gave up on it altogether. There was no real climax, no crescendo to ever come down from. And while I always root for a happy ending, like I mentioned before, I DO believe in consequences, which there didn’t seem to be any of in this book.
Overall, I wouldn’t pick this one up again. I also would recommend others against reading it, as it didn’t immerse me the way it should have. So much potential, but so little payoff.
While the writing of this was phenomenal and kept me coming back, the plot was boring and lacked any real punch. Moments meant to be jaw dropping fell flat, and when things felt as if they were picking up, they’d fizzle out just as fast as they heated up.
These characters also interested me a lot, but I felt they weren’t used to their full potential. Lillian had so much going on and essentially never saw consequences for any of her actions. While I know she was undeserving of punishment, at the very least there could’ve been some kind of negative effect other than the constant fear of potentially being found out.
The plot progressed at a sickeningly slow pace. There were times I thought we would never get to the point, and when I hit about halfway through I almost gave up on it altogether. There was no real climax, no crescendo to ever come down from. And while I always root for a happy ending, like I mentioned before, I DO believe in consequences, which there didn’t seem to be any of in this book.
Overall, I wouldn’t pick this one up again. I also would recommend others against reading it, as it didn’t immerse me the way it should have. So much potential, but so little payoff.