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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I really enjoyed The Lilac Girls, so I was hoping I would enjoy this one also. It did not disappoint!
I love that the book is told from three points of views. Eliza is in New York City and Sofya and Varinka are in Russia.
I found Sofya’s point of view fascinating. More so than the other two women. There were definitely some tense moments in her story. When the bandits broke into the families estate, and left her family tied up in the barn, I thought they were dead. The bandits also seemed to take what and who they wanted, so I was nervous for the women and young children. Unfortunately nobody was aware what was happening to them, so they had to save themselves.
My feelings towards Varinka went back and forth. Taras, a man who provided for her and her sick mother, was the leader of the bandits. He is a large man who has been in prison, and Varinka is scared of him. Rightfully so. She tries to tell Taras that Sofya’s family are good people, but he refuses to listen. The author throws in a good twist between those two at the end of the book. I applaud her for trying to stand up to Taras, but when Varinka refuses to give Max back to Sofya, I want to shake her! You’re not his mother, give him back to his mother! No worries though, the mother bear in Sofya is getting ready to come out!
Meanwhile Eliza was in New York trying to do the right thing by the Russian women there. All the while wondering why she wasn’t hearing from Sofya, and dealing with her own loss.
I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to read Lilac Girls again. Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours, Martha Hall Kelly, Ballantine Books and Random House for letting me be on tour today! This book is now available in paperback.
Book Rating: 4/5
For the grand finale this would pair nicely with a Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lost Roses.
I am glad I picked this one up recently. Superb. Stunning. Shocking. This historical fiction had me glued from start to finish.
(from the cover) 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 on a trip of a lifetime with her close confidante, Sofya Stresthnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs, 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 ass they escape from 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 emigres live to the mansions of Long Island, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways.
I had no recollection of this time history from my college classes or even earlier. To me, this part of history is largely ignored in schoolbooks because our country was not actively involved with what was taking place at the point when the novel begins. I was completely captivated by the three female perspectives offered in this novel: Eliza, the wealthy American, Sofya, the strong-willed Russian, and Varinka, the lost fortune-teller. All three of the women told fascinating stories with precise detail of place and time. Each of the women experiences heart-breaking situations that had me in tears for much of the book. The events of history were well-laid out and researched which made it feel like I was swept away in an epic tale that of course is based on real life. I appreciate strong female voices in literature and Martha Hall Kelly delivered.
I rate this novel 4.5 stars. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and strong female voices. Thank you Ballantine Books, Martha Hall Kelly, and Suzy Approved Book Tours for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
After reading and falling in love with Lilac Girls, I knew this one would be high on my list to read. Martha Hall Kelly has a beautiful, unique talent that captures the read instantly and creates a story line that makes them feel like they are right in the middle of the story. Her intricately chiseled characters are breathtaking and quickly become a part of your soul while you’re reading.
I loved being transported to WWI and Russian Revolution time period. This is a time period that has fascinated me with each story I read that is centered around it. I love the feeling I get when I feel like I’m transported straight to where the story takes place. Walking along side Eliza,Sofya, and Varinka was a beautiful experience! I felt their emotions, the tensions, the strengths of these wonderfully created women. I loved seeing Russia and Paris and America through their eyes, and feeling the tension build as twists and turns are woven into their story.
Once again, the talented hands of Kelly has spun a beautifully researched, depth filled novel of war, heartache and the power of friendship and family for her readers. Each page turn brings something new to the story and keeps the reader turning the pages late into the night. When I reached the end of this incredible novel, I was not ready to say goodbye! I’m tipping hats off to Kelly and can’t wait for another amazing novel to steal me away!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* Martha Hall Kelly
Great World War 2 story. My book club loved this book.
I read Lilac Girls and was looking forward to reading this one. It’s just as phenomenal a work of historical fiction as Lilac Girls. It really helps one to visualize what went on during WWI, both in Russia and in America. It also continued to give you a glimpse into the wonderful Ferriday women. This time we learned more about Caroline’s mother Eliza. A very strong woman who never gave up on her friends, family and people who needed help. It also gave you insight into what really happened in Russia. I learned more about it than I ever remember from my world history class. Very well written. It kept me interested through the whole book. It was fantastic. I’m looking forward to her next novel.
great review of Russian history
This sequel to LILAC GIRLS is really a standalone novel. No need to read the first book first. Instead of continuing the story of Caroline Woolsey Ferriday’s (protagonist of the first book), this one is a story from the life of Caroline’s mother, Eliza Woolsey Ferriday. Like Caroline, Eliza is an actual historical figure — both of them from a wealthy American family known for its formidable women and good works.
Eliza’s story centers around World War I and the Russian Revolution. Beginning in 1914, before the war begins, Eliza’s close friendship with Russian aristocrat Sofya Streshnayva forms the foundation of the story. As it unfolds, the book is told from the perspectives of three women:
• Philanthropist Eliza – and her efforts to help desperate Russian emigres,
• Sofya – and her harrowing escape from war-torn Russia, with horrific accompanying losses,
• Varinka – a Russian peasant, living on Sofya’s estate, whose opportunities expand during the Russian Revolution.
The novel spans the years between 1914-21. Some years the friends lose touch. Each suffers significant personal losses. Parts of the story take place in Paris and Connecticut — both of which became refuges for many aristocrats or White Russians fleeing Russia. There’s a glimpse of the savagery of both World War I and the Revolution in Russia. And you’ll see all the ways in which war somewhat whimsically changes the fortunes of individuals and families.
The book is often suspenseful, which makes it a reasonably compelling read. I can’t say I enjoyed this one QUITE as much as LILAC GIRLS, though it’s well-written and held my attention. Part of the reason may be the fact that I found the subject matter more interesting in the first book.
The next novel in this series promises to be about Caroline’s great-grandmother, Jane Eliza Newton Woolsey (another historic figure), who is known for both her abolitionist work during the Civil War and her efforts to establish the first nursing services in the US.
This is an excellent book that incorporates fiction and true history to bring it alive for the reader. It makes you truly understand both sides to the civil war in Russia.
I learned a lot of history in this book and The Lilac Girls…. what an awful piece of history that people had to live thru. The book was gripping with anticipation of the characters to find some peace and solace. I highly recommend this read
I didn’t care for this book. To me it didn’t live up to the Lilac Girls.
4 stars for this historical fiction book.
It is a prequel to Lilac Girls and tells the story of Caroline Ferriday’s mother, Eliza. The book takes place from 1914 to 1920, The book is divided into chapters titled with the 3 main characters, Eliza, Sofya and Varinka. Sofya is a cousin to the Tsarina and a member of the Russian aristocracy in 1914. Varinka is a peasant girl who goes to work as a nanny to Maxwell, Sofya’s son. Eliza is a friend of Sofya’s family and lives in New York and Connecticut. The Russian entrance into WWI and subsequent revolution change Sofya’s and Varinka’s life forever.
I enjoyed this book and found it to be an accurate portrayal of life in Russia, France and the US during this period. My wife read this book before me and was appalled at the way the Russian aristocracy treated the peasants. She did not like it as much as Lilac Girls. But I found it to be an honest portrait of the corruption and extravagant lifestyle that led to the revolution.
Some quotes:
“How is the tsar helping?”
I shrugged. “He believes if he supports the rich, prosperity will trickle down to the people.”
Eliza meeting an actor: “Had he marinated himself in cologne?”
“When I went back to the house I found it in Agnessa’s ruined townhouse. Kept it alive since I left Russia.”
Luba stroked a petal. “Poor lost roses. Liked us, I suppose.”
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley. #LostRoses #NetGalley
This book is about the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1916. Very well written with a lot of research. This book kept my interest from start to finish.
I read half of it & did not want to finish it. It just did not spark my interest.
Lost Roses # NetGalley
Martha Hall Kelly
This was the first WW Historical Fictional novel that I have read in which the storyline reflected the war in Russia in 1916, 17 and 1918 and how it affected the Russians. It was nice to have that perspective for a change in reading. The book is broken into 3 strong women whose lives overlap. I did have a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the different characters as there were so many. The author has done a great deal of research on this book and it shows. If you like this period of history, you will like this book. I definitely will recommend this book to friends and family who like historical fiction. I rate it 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy read of this book for an honest review of this book.
Honestly one of the best books I have read EVER
I enjoyed Lilac Girls so picking this up was a no brainer for me. This was Caroline’s mother, Eliza, story. There was so much I wanted to know about Eliza and it was fun getting to know her. I also liked how it became obvious that Caroline is just like her mom. This story was hard to read with all the tragedy that was in it but despite that, it tied up nicely at the end. I look forward to reading more by Martha Hall Kelly.
E xcellent read. Hard to put down. Also enjoyed Lilac Girls by same author.
My very favorite book of 2019
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly is the prequel to her first novel The Lilac Girls. The Lilac Girls tells the story of Polish girls sent to Ravensbruck where the Nazis perform disfiguring operations on their legs. After the war, American socialite Caroline Ferriday takes up their cause and brings them to New York City for corrective surgery.
In her new book, Kelly turns her attention to Caroline’s mother Eliza who was friends with Russian aristocrats, cousins of the Romanovs. Like others of their class, they lead a decadent and luxurious life. Kelly draws the daughters and their father to be sympathetic, their stepmother less so. With the toppling of the Tsar and the uprising against the aristocrats, the family finds themselves at the mercy of the Reds. The brutality of the Reds is depicted through two former prisoners who hold the family hostage.
Any ‘White Russians’ who could fled Russia. Meeting these refugee women, Eliza had compassion and organized to find them homes and employment.
The focus is on the aristocratic Sofya’s search for her son who was both rescued and separated from her during the uprising. The boy was in the care of a peasant girl, Varinka, who disappears with him. It allows us to see two sides of the revolution while engaging our sympathy.
The novel was the May Barnes and Noble Book Club Choice. At our local group, several readers were swept into the story. Others wished there was a better grounding in the historical background of the Russian Revolution. It was agreed that family trees would have helped them.
Kelly fell in love with the Ferriday family while researching her first book. She is writing a second prequel about the family set during the Civil War. This book adds to the Ferriday family’s history. I purchased a copy.
#NetGalley #Lost Roses #Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine
Martha Hall Kelly has written another great book! Lost Roses is the prequel to her book The Lilac Girls. This story is sent during WWI. It follows Caroline Ferriday’s mother Eliza, Sofya a cousin to the Russian Tsar and his family, and Varinka a peasant girl whose Mamka is a fortune teller. I didn’t want the story to end, can not wait for the next story by Martha Hall Kelly.