Scan barcode
ttimbrook's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction has never been my bag but this had a unique locale that piqued my interest. Also, is it okay to say I liked the sexy bits? Tasteful and romantic but satisfyingly descriptive
utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to William Morrow for a complimentary copy of the novel. My review originally posted on my blog: http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-golden-hour-book-review.html?m=1
In the early years of World War II, Lulu Randolph has been assigned to report on the comings and goings of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The glamorous couple have captured the world's attention and all the gossip magazines after he gave up the throne of England to marry the divorcee Wallis Simpson. Recently widowed, Lulu is thrilled to move to Nassau. It's a fresh start for her and a plum assignment covering the rich and famous.
But things in the Bahamas aren't just elegant parties in a tropical paradise. Lulu begins to unravel the dangerous secrets of espionage, bad financial deals and murder all while falling in love with the brilliant Benedict Thorpe, botanist and possible spy.
I enjoy Beatriz Williams's novels. They all involve lots of layers to the plot and stories that weave together in surprising and wonderful ways. Her newest novel, The Golden Hour is the same. It has delicious story telling with epic love stories and loads of intrigue and danger. They're all a little fantastical but I admit that I fall for the romance.
Like her other books, The Golden Hour has split timelines with two distinct stories weaving together at the end. Sometimes the back and forth is exhausting for me as a reader and I can only read the novel in stretches of time before I need a break. I just can't sprint through her novels even when I'm completely enjoying them. I especially reveled in the closer look at the Windsors.
The Golden Hour delivered just what I wanted and expected from a Beatriz Williams novel.
In the early years of World War II, Lulu Randolph has been assigned to report on the comings and goings of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The glamorous couple have captured the world's attention and all the gossip magazines after he gave up the throne of England to marry the divorcee Wallis Simpson. Recently widowed, Lulu is thrilled to move to Nassau. It's a fresh start for her and a plum assignment covering the rich and famous.
But things in the Bahamas aren't just elegant parties in a tropical paradise. Lulu begins to unravel the dangerous secrets of espionage, bad financial deals and murder all while falling in love with the brilliant Benedict Thorpe, botanist and possible spy.
I enjoy Beatriz Williams's novels. They all involve lots of layers to the plot and stories that weave together in surprising and wonderful ways. Her newest novel, The Golden Hour is the same. It has delicious story telling with epic love stories and loads of intrigue and danger. They're all a little fantastical but I admit that I fall for the romance.
Like her other books, The Golden Hour has split timelines with two distinct stories weaving together at the end. Sometimes the back and forth is exhausting for me as a reader and I can only read the novel in stretches of time before I need a break. I just can't sprint through her novels even when I'm completely enjoying them. I especially reveled in the closer look at the Windsors.
The Golden Hour delivered just what I wanted and expected from a Beatriz Williams novel.
ebc726's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited for this book. I normally really enjoy Williams’ work, whether it’s in a totally legitimate way or a guilty pleasure way. But this one just didn’t do it for me. The style/narrative of it was choppy, and the plot felt like it was trying to cram too many twists in (which mostly fell short in shock value). I also didn’t feel like there was enough character development. They all felt shallowly portrayed and didn’t have a lot of depth.
mbenzz's review against another edition
DNF at 32%. Such an incredibly slow and boring start. The writing is well done, but it’s a whole lot of nothing happening. Maybe it gets better? I’ll never know. Life’s too short to read books that bore you.
reaingmom02's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
scienceworks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Once again, I stumbled upon an historical fiction book where the royal family is featured, so of course I picked it up! This time, The Golden Hour, features Nassau during World War II, when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were dispatched to the Bahamas to get them out of the way. While this novel takes place during that time, they are not major players in the story.
I’m not going to rehash the publisher’s summary but suffice it to say that this is a fantastic historical fiction book that contains all the elements that makes it a winner for me: mystery and intrigue during World War II, and a good, clean, love story, too. Admittedly, the book starts off a little slow, but it does pick up steam after a bit and becomes unputdownable. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Elfriede and Lulu.
The plotting of the book was just right except for those first few chapters, and I thought the ending was perfect. It gives one a lot to think about, and for someone like me, makes me want to research the historical fact for which the book is based upon. Can’t recommend this enough to historical fiction fans who also enjoy a royal family connection, however peripherally.
Once again, I stumbled upon an historical fiction book where the royal family is featured, so of course I picked it up! This time, The Golden Hour, features Nassau during World War II, when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were dispatched to the Bahamas to get them out of the way. While this novel takes place during that time, they are not major players in the story.
I’m not going to rehash the publisher’s summary but suffice it to say that this is a fantastic historical fiction book that contains all the elements that makes it a winner for me: mystery and intrigue during World War II, and a good, clean, love story, too. Admittedly, the book starts off a little slow, but it does pick up steam after a bit and becomes unputdownable. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Elfriede and Lulu.
The plotting of the book was just right except for those first few chapters, and I thought the ending was perfect. It gives one a lot to think about, and for someone like me, makes me want to research the historical fact for which the book is based upon. Can’t recommend this enough to historical fiction fans who also enjoy a royal family connection, however peripherally.