Welcome to Litsy!

Love it when #histfic story has cultural references to events related to my lived experiences. As a kid I was unaware growing up in the 1950s of Maccarthyism, racism, birth control, women's rights. Sadly, these themes still echo right now. Kate Quinn never disappoints and I want to share. This book will soon fit the category #yougifted #aboutabook #recipes
@eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I have loved everything I‘ve read by Kate Quinn and this is no exception. She‘s one of my favorites for a reason 😁

What‘s stronger than a Pick?? I think this is my fave Kate Quinn so far, and that‘s saying a LOT. She‘s a genius. How‘d she write SO MANY POVs and make them ALL equally compelling & distinct & heart-wrenching? I ❤️ the recipes, the jam-packed history, the personification of the house, and the twists upon twists!
When women come together, stand up for what‘s right, and look out for each other, anything is possible! 🥹❤️❤️
TW: so much domestic abuse

A bit of a change for Kate Quinn! Instead of the story being in support of the history, the history is in support of the story here. The whole cast of characters is just so good and the way the story moves between characters and across chunks of time was really well done.

If you want a historical fiction which is riveting, absolutely filled with turns and twists, with interesting lovable characters and good food described, this book is it.

Set in a boarding house in Washington DC during the 1950s where none of the tenants really know each other until a new girl moves in and hosts weekly dinner parties in her room. We know from the start that a murder will eventually take place and we slowly get to know each resident of the house and their secrets. This was different from the other books I have read by Quinn but still a book I had no choice but to finish in practically one sitting.

17 pages in and already smiling ear to ear. Kate Quinn is such a brilliant writerrrrrr

Setting is 1950s in Washington DC during the McCarthy era, in a female-only boarding house. Good but without the compelling suspense of Quinn‘s other HF novels. Great characterizations.

#Pantone2024
#ReadAway2024

An interesting set of character development pieces that combine to reveal a side of the 1950s that isn‘t normally explored. McCarthyism, the birth control pill, and the presence of the nuclear bomb are examined from the impact to a set of women in DC. Not a typical action packed Kate Quinn book so rated lower for the lack of movement and action. But still an interesting and worthwhile read.

The main character is the house itself. Kate Quinn is a fantastic writer & was able to pull off a story from the house‘s point of view all while tangling it up with the various lives of the people of the boarding house.

I was so conflicted about this book. It‘s one of those that started out a little weird, a little slow but it‘s Kate Quinn; different for her. I must persist. It took a while to become invested in the characters. Plus there is the whole weirdness of the house‘s POV. I hated that part and thought it added nothing to the story. But the book finally grabbed me and finished strong. I‘m glad I stuck with it. Kate didn‘t let me down.

I was hooked in by the prologue and immediately invested in the large cast of characters.Kate Quinn writes books that makes writers feel they can not write themselves and readers like it was just a great story until you read the author's note and see all the moving parts that she magically weaved in. The time period, the themes, the character arcs, and the plot are all ingredients for the perfect book. Plus, there are recipes.

Been invited to read this!! 😄

Thank you @HarperCollins and #Netgalley

Hoo boy. Kate Quinn has done it again! Every single character (and there are a lot, but manageable to keep straight) feels exactly like a real human being that she interviewed personally for this book. And she doesn‘t hold back with the character‘s storylines, after reading some parts I had to close the book and just let her words simmer before continuing. If you want a book with substance, grit and heart, this is it! Publishes 7/9/2024