A review by louisekf
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern: A Novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Another delightful story by Lynda Cohen Loigman! This time we have Augusta Stern who is turning 80 very soon. She has reluctantly retired from being a pharmacist in New York City and moved to a retirement community in Florida (somewhere near Palm Beach and Boca Raton) that her niece Jackie found for her. This is the late 1980s. Augusta never married, having had her heart broken 60 years before by Irving, who left Brooklyn suddenly and married someone else. Lo and behold, Irving lives in this particular Florida community and is overjoyed to see Augusta. But Augusta hasn’t forgiven him. 
 
We gradually get the backstory of Augusta’s young life in Brownsville, Brooklyn, in the 1920s. I loved all the period details, including the fact that pharmacies were pretty much the only legal dispensaries for whisky during Prohibition! Augusta learns the pharmacy business from her father, but also learns more “traditional” healing methods from her great-aunt Esther. The scenes of Esther concocting her herbal remedies in the moonlight in their kitchen felt magical. This book will have you craving chicken soup, for sure. 
 
I loved the Jewish representation and smiled at the “snowbird” culture of the Florida retirement community where Augusta lands. There were some very funny scenes around the swimming pool! 
 
Why did Irving disappear so abruptly from Brooklyn back then? Will Augusta give Irving a second chance? 
 
A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 
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