Do you ever get tired of reading historical fiction novels set during WWII? I know I do! That’s why last year I made a list of five favorite historical fiction novels NOT set during WWII. But I wanted to share a few more faves for you to read when you want to escape to a different time period.
The Godmothers
About the Book
The Godmothers by Camille Aubray
Time Period: 1930’s-1980’s
Country: United States
Book Review
This is the story of four women who went toe to toe with the biggest mob bosses of their day and not only survived, but thrived. Each one finds her own way into the mob family. Filomena, who grasps destiny with both hands and takes her cousin’s place in an arranged marriage, finds a love match in Mario. Beautiful Amie, who’s abusive husband ends up dead after she falls in love with Johnny. Lucy, the Irish nurse who marries womanizer Frankie. And Patrina, the only one born into the family, who wants the least to do with it of all of them.
The death of a patriarch is dangerous business in the mob. When the matriarch is assassinated and the men go off to war, the wives and daughters take charge. Their ambitions, loves, sorrows and joys brings this novel to life. This fascinating, multigenerational tale shows one family’s climb from mob to legitimate business success and the women who made it possible.
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
About the Book
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
Time Period: 1890’s
Country: Cuba
Book Review
This is a story of a revolution and a battle to win the hearts and minds of Americans through a good story. We see it through the eyes of three women: Grace, an intrepid reporter in New York anxious to prove herself; Marina, whose husband fights with the revolutionaries and who finds a way to make a difference herself, and Evangeline, a beautiful girl who rejects the advances of a Spanish officer and finds herself in a horrific prison. Their stories intertwine through a daring attempt by US journalists to break Evangeline out of prison and bring her to the U.S. to build sympathy for the Cuban plight and bring America into the war.
I knew almost nothing about Cuba’s history as a Spanish colony and the U.S. aid provided to the revolutionaries. I found myself Googling for more information about the interesting historical figures we meet. I was especially intrigued by William Hearst, as this book showed a different side to him. When he brought chorus girls to a war zone so he’d stay entertained, then started taking prisoners as the Spanish army fled, you wonder what in the world he’ll do next!
All that said, at times, the lives of the characters took second place to recounting the events that led to war. I started out most interested in Grace’s storyline, but by the end, all three women had me invested in their point of view. I also enjoyed the romances in the book, though those are definitely side storylines.
All in all, it was an interesting read that I’m glad I picked up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Christie Affair
About the Book
The Christie Affair
Time period: 1926
Country: England
Book Review
This cleverly plotted, engrossing story will keep you frantically flipping pages to find out what happens next. This takes the story you think you’re getting: of a man who leaves his wife for a younger woman, and the wife is so distraught, she disappears for a week, then it turns the trope on his head.
This book is based on the true story of Agatha Christie, the famous author, who, when she found out her husband was having an affair, disappeared for a week, prompting a countrywide hunt for her. She was finally found checked into a spa under her husband’s mistress name. And no, telling you that doesn’t give you any spoilers. This book was very unexpected, in a good way.
Agatha was memorable as the scorned wife playing her cards to get her husband back. Nan’s the clear-eyed younger woman who knows exactly what she’s doing and sees all the faults in , but wants him anyway. And Archie Christie is the man who thinks he knows what he wants, until he doesn’t. But the further you read, the more unexpected layers these characters have. The two separate love stories that play out are both bittersweet and engaging. There’s murder, lust, star-crossed lovers and characters taking charge of their own destiny, despite the societal forces that conspired against them.
This book also takes an insightful look at wealth and privilege, and how it can lead to carelessness with others’ lives. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Velvet Was the Night
About the Book
Velvet Was the Night by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
Time period: 1970’s
Country: Mexico
Book Review
In 1970’s Mexico, Elvis is a gangster who doesn’t enjoy his job all that much anymore. Maite is a bored secretary who lives for the next edition of her favorite serial romance and makes up weekend plans so she’ll seem less pathetic to her coworkers. But when her next-door neighbor, the beautiful Leonora, asks Maite to watch her cat, then disappears, Maite’s search for Leonora drags her into the world of gangsters, a student revolutionary movement and even a KGB agent.
The best way I can describe this is to say that Silvia Moreno-Garcia has written a Raymond Chandler mystery for modern readers. This is a change of pace from her other books like Mexican Gothic, but is still thoroughly delightful.
I loved both of these characters and wanted them to come out the other side of the intrigue in one piece. Maite’s willingness to step out of her comfort zone – from art collective to murder scene to being tailed by secret police – made her intriguing. She wanted more from life than she’d found yet and grabbed her chance to enter a different- albeit extremely dangerous- world. Even though we know Elvis is a bad dude who beats and kills people, his loyalty to his friends and his longing for a more normal life makes him an interesting character.
A great read for lovers of historical suspense!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Four Winds
About the Book
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Time period: Great Depression
Country: United States
Book Review
This gritty novel features a woman determined to risk it all to save her children from death from the Dust Bowl. Elsa’s husband was forced to marry her after a night of fun leaves her pregnant, but never loves her. He leaves her for California, and eventually Elsa follows with their two children. In California, they find even more hardships and prejudice, but also friends and community.
This is an emotionally heavy book, as the drought leaves the characters with no good choices.
Looking for more historical fiction recommendations? Find all my reviews here.
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