NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The million-copy bestseller Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. Now Lost Roses, set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, features Caroline’s mother, Eliza, and follows three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I. “Not only a brilliant historical tale, but a love song to all … historical tale, but a love song to all the ways our friendships carry us through the worst of times.”—Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours
It is 1914, and the world has been on the brink of war so often, many New Yorkers treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia: the church with the interior covered in jeweled mosaics, the Rembrandts at the tsar’s Winter Palace, the famous ballet.
But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia’s imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortune-teller’s daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya’s letters suddenly stop coming, she fears the worst for her best friend.
From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg and aristocratic countryside estates to the avenues of Paris where a society of fallen Russian émigrés live to the mansions of Long Island, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways. In her newest powerful tale told through female-driven perspectives, Martha Hall Kelly celebrates the unbreakable bonds of women’s friendship, especially during the darkest days of history.
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In an era crumbling under the weight of war, hatred, and devastation, the bonds of women not only endure but offer sustenance and hope in Martha Hall Kelly’s stunning depiction of the lives of Eliza Ferriday and the women she fought to save. Lost Roses is not only a brilliant historical tale, but a love song to all the ways our friendships carry us through the worst of times.
The perfect Memorial Day read from a new favorite. A lost era is brought vividly to life by a master storyteller. So, so good.
I loved The Lilac Girls so was thrilled to hear there was to be a prequel. I have always been fascinated by the Russian revolution and was very interested in this story. This is very much a story of how strong women can be in the time of war and how strong their friendships can be to transcend oceans. Fans of historical fiction will definitely want to add this to their to be read list. A 5 star read for me.
I adored the first book, Lilac Girls, and her newest book is just as good. Picking up with Caroline’s mother, Eliza, we travel through the Russian Revolution and World War I on both sides of the Atlantic. While I didn’t warm to the Varinka story line and would have loved to see more of Luba, I loved this walk through history. I hope you add this to your summer reading list and if you haven’t read Lilac Girls, do so now!
‘Men may leave, but books will always remain true.”
I’ve been wanting to read Martha Hall Kelly ever since The Lilac Girls was released and the reading community went crazy over it. So when I received the email from Suzy asking to host this blog tour, I did a little happy dance and immediately signed on! I am so glad that I did!
Lost Roses is based on the true story of Eliza Ferriday, the mother of Caroline Ferriday who is featured in The Lilac Girls. In Lost Roses, we follow three women – Eliza, her close friend and cousin to the Russian tsar Nicolas II, Sofya, and Varinka, who works for Sofya and takes care of her son.
With Sofya’s story we are witness to the danger that the aristocracy is in from the the Bolshevik Revolution. Protests and violence are rampant, and the family are trying to plan an escape out of Russia.
Eliza is from a prosperous family and lives on Long Island. She becomes passionate about the “White Russian” women — Russian aristocrats who were driven out by the Bolsheviks and are now in America, with no money or resources.
Varinka, a young, poor Russian woman who lives with her mother who is a fortune teller. She is hired by Sofya’s family and is charged with taking care of her young son.
The author notes that she traveled from Russia to Southampton in New York, and Paris to research for the book and it’s apparent to the reader that a lot of work went into writing this novel, yet it’s not heavy handed with history. I loved that as readers we get to see the events take place through three different points of view. I feel like it gave a well-rounded view of what happened.
With impeccable writing, fascinating and strong women, and enough danger and action to keep me turning the pages, I absolutely loved Lost Roses!
Lost Roses is the perfect example and masterful historical fiction. I can’t wait for more from Martha Hall Kelly! Now I’m off to read The Lilac Girls
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
Book Two in the Woolsey-Ferriday series, Lost Roses, takes the reader a generation back from when we were introduced to Caroline Ferriday in Lilac Girls. Lost Roses as Lilac Girls is inspired by true events. It is obvious that Martha Hall Kelly did in-depth research to ensure the accuracy of the story line.
This story takes place pre-World War I. We meet Eliza Ferriday as she travels to St. Petersburg with her friend Sofya. The girls had met years before and had developed a strong friendship. Their trip is interrupted by war and Eliza returns to America while Sofya flees to her family’s country estate.
Ms. Kelly takes us on their journey. Her words bring history alive. While reading, I felt I was there with Eliza, with Sofya, and with Varinka, the domestic help Sofya’s family hired.
While Lost Roses can be read as a stand-alone story, I highly recommend you start with Lilac Girls. Then you will be all set to pick up Book Three in the series.
08.31.21
Loved this general market book. Extremely moving, especially the portrayals of grief and healing from the loss of a spouse. I appreciated that the author gives us perspectives of Russian aristocrats and peasants during the Russian Revolution and World War 1. The plight of Russian refugees in New York and Paris is fascinating, too. I also loved that the story doesn’t end when the war ends. Similar to Lilac Girls, we get to see the aftermath of it. (Speaking of which, Lost Roses had some difficult parts to read, but not nearly so excruciating as what we encounter in Lilac Girls.) Recommended for those who love historical fiction, especially those interested in WW1 and/or the Russian Revolution.
Talented storytelling & detailed research recreate the World War I time period for three women—two in Russia & one in America. They struggle to survive & overcome world forces and personal drama in a world on the edge of modern times.
A wonderfully written tale about a lifelong friendship between two brave women, and how the terrors and upheavals of war challenge and strengthen them. It is set before the First World War, Sofya in war-torn Russia and Eliza predominantly in the US. The story tells of the incredible and inspiring journeys they take in order to protect their families and each other.
This far-reaching novel gives a great depiction of life in Russia under the Tsar for those affiliated or related to him, and how their lives change when everything that has kept them safe is destroyed. Through it all, Sofya tries to keep her family intact and to somehow to reach her friend, Eliza. Meanwhile, Eliza tries to leave her family in safe hands in order to find and rescue her friend.
I loved Lilac Girls and couldn’t wait to read Martha’s next book. She has a beautiful writing style, and her historical details are perfect both in historical context and as a reader recreating the experience in my mind. A joy and a masterpiece.
Lost Roses, the prequel to Lilac Girls, surpasses that outstanding novel. In Lilac Girls readers were introduced to Caroline Ferriday, the New York society woman who uses her fortune to assist the “Ravensbruck Rabbits”, women who were cruelly experimented on by the Nazis. In Lost Roses, we meet Caroline’s mother, Eliza, and learn that Caroline came by her desire to help those in need naturally as she had a wonderful example set for her by her mother.
A young Caroline makes an appearance now and then in Lost Roses, but this is Eliza’s story as well as that of Sofya and Varinka. Sofya, Eliza’s close friend, is a wealthy Russian woman, cousin to the ruling Romanovs. Though privileged, Sofya is kind-hearted, caring, and anything but self-centered. Yet when the Bolsheviks come to power she and her family are in mortal danger.
Varinka, a peasant girl, trapped by forces beyond her control, eventually becomes entangled in the lives of Sofya and her family. Varinka who is controlled by the murderous Bolshevik, Taras, searches desperately for a way to break free of both Taras and the hardships of peasant life.
Lost Roses is told from the point of view of each of these women, yet is woven together so seamlessly that the writing never feels disjointed. It is a story not only of the Bolshevik Revolution and the First World War, but also, and for the purposes of the novel, more importantly, the power of relationships. Sacrifices are made, dangers are braved, and depths of inner strength plumbed in the name of friendship. A truly unforgettable story.
This book started off slow at first but then all of a sudden it grabbed me and I did not want to put it down. The story begins in 1912 when Sofya and her sister Luba are spending time with Eliza Ferriday, Sofya’s longtime friend and cousin while their father is honeymooning with their new stepmother, Agnessa. The story then moves to 1914 when the Russian Revolution begins. Each chapter features either Eliza, Sofya, or Varinka, a peasant girl who becomes nanny to Sofya’s son Max, while the story travels between the United States, Russia and Paris. Numerous characters and subplots make this a fascinating read with the story ending in 1920. If you loved the Lilac Girls as I did, you will certainly love this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this wonderful book.
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
April 2019
Historical fiction
Random House Publishing
I received a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an unbiased review.
I am thrilled to be reviewing this new novel by Martha Hall Kelly. I absolutely loved her book The Lilac Girls and have often recommended it to others. The Lilac Girls featured a real-life heroine, Caroline Ferriday, during WWII. In Lost Roses, the author’s second novel, the story takes us back to WWI and Caroline’s mother, Eliza Woolsey Mitchell, during WWI.
Again, Martha Hall Kelly delves deep into the history and people of the time period. She only scratched the surface it seems with her first novel, The Lilac Girls, revealing the remarkable story of Caroline Ferriday. It should come as no surprise that this remarkable woman was reared by a lineage of courageous women. Lost Roses is based on the research and history of Caroline’s mother, Eliza Woolsey Mitchell, a staunch abolitionist and philanthropist in NYC. She advocated and assisted the “White Russian” émigrés who were former Russian aristocrats who lost everything when the Bolsheviks seized power in 1918.
This historical novel is well researched with many of the characters developed from the stories of actual people. Lost Roses occurs during 1914-1921 during WWI focused on life in United States, France and Russia as narrated by Eliza, Sofya and Varinka whose lives ultimately converge.
A forever friendship was formed at Brillantmont School in the Swiss Alps when Eliza and Sofya meet. The distance of Eliza living in NYC/Paris and Sofya living in Russia does not prove to be an obstacle in their loyalty to each other. Sofya delivers her son Maxwell unexpectedly while visiting Eliza just prior to the social uprising in Russia. Once settled back in Russia, the family ultimately hire Varinka to assist with the child care of baby Max. Varinka lives with her ailing Mamka in a questionable living situation after her father dies and leaves Taras in charge. Taras soon reunited with an old cell mate, Vladi, from prison and become involved with looting and chaos of overthrowing the tzar.
The three women’s lives eventually collide in devastating ways. The remarkable strength and courage of women to manage difficult life circumstances is explored. The decisions and choices people make have lasting effects on everyone. There are many unsavory and despicable characters who allow the brave to shine. It’s not a surprise that the author is already working on her third novel focusing on Eliza’s mother, Jane Newton Woolsey during the Civil War.
This fantastic new book is a prequel to The Lilac Girls. It features Caroline’s mother, Eliza during the time period of WWI and the Russian revolution. As with the Lilac Girls, this book features strong women who are working and sacrificing to make the world a better place during a difficult time in world history. (Note – you don’t need to read The Lilac Girls before you read Lost Roses. However, Lilac Girls is such a fantastic book that you need to make sure that you read it soon.)
Eliza is a happily married very wealthy woman who lives with her husband Henry and her daughter in Caroline in New York. She loves to travel and as the book begins is planning a trip to St. Petersburg to accompany her best friend Sofya home from her visit to the US. The year is 1914 and when WWI escalates and the Romanov empire in Russia is beginning to collapse, Eliza returns safely home. Sofya and her family think that they will remain safe in Russia because they are cousins of the Romanov’s but the uprising of the poor in Russia also includes the end of the rich upper class – no matter who they are. When Eiza quits getting mail from Sofya, she fears the worst for her friend.
These two women started their lives as very rich and pampered people but still have empathy for what is going on in the world. Both of them are put into difficult situations and change their lives to work for those who have less than they do. At a time in history that is very difficult, they both show their strength in the decisions they make and the battles they fight. I loved and admired both of these strong women and highly recommend this novel.
Thanks to net galley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own
Great book! Wonderfully strong women in a very difficult period in history. I could hardly put it down.
From the same author as “Lilac Girls” which I loved. Different war, different countries, but an interesting story and characters. Anything with the Russian monarchy and what happened is usually interesting.
I am so disappointed with is book, the prequel to “Lilac Girls” which I loved.This is a great deep dive into the historical response to WW1, but Hall Kelly spends more time justifying privilege than reporting history through the eyes of the characters. I gave up just after a rather gruesome description outside Sofya’s family home….. too sad. 3/5 for the writing only
This book follows the Sullivan clan as they leave their mark on Hollywood. Caitlyn Sullivan finds herself in trouble early on. As a kidnapping on gone wrong. When she breaks free and gets help no one counts on her remembering so much about her kidnappers and the situation that led to her life being turned upside down.
Caitlyn’s kidnappers and family member can’t believe what they have had to go through and one is out for revenge. Unfortunately Caitlyn doesn’t make this easy at all. She moves with her father to Ireland to recover from her kidnapping, then to Hollywood to see if she can’t still act which she totally rocks at it. Then she winds up in New York for a bit before going home to find her way and what she wants in life.
This book showed a young girl, a brave warrior child to a young adult taking her life back. So much was going on that you find yourselves rooting for the Sullivan’s that they can move forward from what happened so long ago. Definitely a keeper of a book long after the story is told I don’t think Caitlyn will leave my mind as a great book to have read by a fabulous author as always!
I enjoyed Lost Roses and became attached to both Sophya and Eliza. I had looked forward to reading after having finished Lilac Girls. I love the fact that it is based on true characters and events. I was not fond of Varinka, but I don’t think she is supposed to be liked. The story was told well and it kept my interest as we saw the story unfold from both the American and Russian perspectives. I would definitely recommend this book.
Disappointed in this book
What an piece of historical fiction! I fell in love with the main characters Eliza and Sofya.
But then the families are divided when Austria declares war on Serbia.
The girls become pen pals and talk about their struggles and challenges.
Then one day Sofya’s letters stop. What has become of her? Eliza fears the worst as would I if I were in her situation.
The bond that these women share proves that no matter how miles that separate them, they will do anything to protect each other as well as what they believe in.
This book contains beautiful writing and even with the accounts moving between several characters, the connections are still made and are concise and easy to follow. Overall, the characters, plot and writing are authentic and on point.
The Lilac Girls inspired this prequel and I highly recommend that story as well.