If you love to curl up and read for hours at a time without realizing how quickly time has flown, you need a special book for that. I have the perfect novel for long reading sessions that will keep you enthralled and entranced from start to finish! Oooh this novel is a delicious combination of mystery, intrigue, romance, and fun! I am so glad I was able to review this new release!
THE SECRET LIFE OF VIOLET GRANT by Beatriz Williams
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (May 5, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425274842
Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Madison Avenue world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family’s past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.
Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant’s magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe’s fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband’s perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel’s shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.
As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt’s past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet’s story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future––and the love––she wants most.
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My thoughts: There comes a time when you know a novel is going to be excellent by two methods – One – by the authors previous works and two – by the synopsis. I was intrigued from the get go on this novel and I knew that it was going to be awesome. I was lucky to read the authors first work last spring A Hundred Summers so I knew what I was looking forward to.
The Secret Life of Violet Grant opens with a main character that is a shining star. You instantly fall for her quirky conversation style and humorous look at life. You are thrown in the debutante speak and Fifth Avenue grace. I just love this chick!
This story flips you between two different times as the mystery evolves but the transitions are easy. Both sides of the story keep you captivated and turning pages as fast as you can. While there is some romantic interest and a few warm scenes, this story is mainly about the women and their interesting history.
What a fabulous read for your summer reading list! This book is so many genres rolled into one. You will definitely be entertained and thoroughly enjoy this great read. An excellent choice!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
I do love stories that flip back and forth either through time or space! That’s the reason the only soap opera I ever watched was Dark Shadows, with all it’s time lines. I’m going to read this book, for sure!
This book definitely sounds like an interesting fun read for the summer.
This sounds so interesting, I bet I would end up reading it all in one day. I have a hard time putting these kind of books down once I get started.
This does sound good. I’m fascinated about the past and how my ancestors lived. I’ll pin this for a must read.
The Secret Life of Violet Grant sounds interesting, I would definitely give it a read. I don’t read romance novels but this one just sounds so intriguing. Thank you for sharing this review.
This sounds like a good read and one that would keep me interested I really like that time period thanks for sharing this one.