Rose McKenna liebt den Abend. Wenn am Himmel über Cape Cod die ersten Sterne sichtbar werden, erinnert sie sich – an die Menschen, die sie liebte und verlor, und von denen sie nie jemandem erzählte. Doch Rose weiß, dass es bald zu spät sein wird, denn sie hat Alzheimer. Bald wird niemand mehr an das junge Paar denken, das sich einst die Liebe versprach ... 1942 in Paris. Als sie ihre Enkelin Hope bittet, nach Frankreich zu reisen, ahnt diese nichts von der herzzerreißenden Geschichte, die sie dort entdecken wird – von Hoffnung, Schmerz und einer alles überwindenden Liebe ...

In dieser wunderschönen Familien- und Liebesgeschichte spielt das Backen eine große Rolle. Passend dazu finden Sie 21 zusätzliche Rezepte der Autorin im exklusiv als E-Book erscheinenden „Himmlische Sterne und andere Köstlichkeiten". (books.google.de)

I was swept up into this multigenerational story that has main character Hope McKenna-Smith on a mission to uncover secrets from her Mamie’s past that ultimately turn out to be a game changer for Hope’s life.

Mamie knows she has a short time to convey the part of her past she never shared with anyone. Now was the time to tell, but could her granddaughter Hope find the information she desperately needed before the sickness took over her body?

This novel was originally published in 2012 and made this author an international bestseller. The story is rich in characterization, with a unique look at how family members found each other after WWII was over. I was clueless about all the ways a person could be located. Not everything could be found online.

Hope is a single mom, who runs her family’s bakery, where she makes her grandmother’s favorites. I loved how the author sprinkles these recipes throughout the book. Some of them are keys that unlock her grandmother’s past.

I was spell bound by what Hope’s Mamie went through when Germany was invading Paris. This is a heartwarming, complex story with characters to root for, with some surprises for the reader. This is a wonderful escape and one for your book club list.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )

I liked this book a lot, but thought there would be more about the Holocaust even though most of Rose's family and Jacob were caught, she and her brother escaped. I didn't know about how Muslims helped hide Jews and helped them escape. The recipes looked good, but I have given up baking for my health. ( )

I have loved every one of Kristin's books about World War II. This one was no exception. A beautiful story. ( )

A short comment rather than a review: everything falls into place soo easily and is wrapped up soo tidily in the end. I skipped the recipes, I'm gluten free. The letter at the end is entirely unnecessary; all the points have already been made, over and over. They didn't need repeating in a letter written by a woman with dementia who writes with the same voice as the narrator. ( )