Chicago, 1928. Pampered socialite Connie Shepherd lives the kind of glossy life other women read about in the society pages. Engaged to a handsome financier, she spends her days and nights in a dizzying social round. When eccentric Aunt Pearl, an amateur chemist, offers her an unusual wedding present—the formula for a home-brewed skin tonic—Connie laughs it off. But when the Great Depression … flings her privileged world into chaos and rocks her marriage to the core, will Aunt Pearl’s strange gift provide the key to survival for Connie and her baby?By turns heartbreaking and hope-filled, Moondrop Miracle tells the story of an extraordinary and unforgettable woman whose determination to succeed changes her life forever.
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Whenever I try a new-to-me author’s work, I’m always hopeful that I’ll uncover a hidden gem. Dear readers, I’m pleased to report that “Moondrop Miracle” by Jennifer Lamont Leo is one such gem of a book, and oh my, does it sparkle!
By the final page of chapter one, I noted the glimmer of something special. The multifaceted heroine Connie drew me in right away, and her adorably eccentric Aunt Pearl completely stole my heart! Using her skilled pen, Leo lets us tag along with these endearing characters as they experience the final glory days of the Roaring Twenties and the economic crash of the Great Depression. Connie’s growth and spiritual journey are beautifully developed. Toward the end, I was so engrossed in her life, friendships, and career that I could not put the book down. Seriously, y’all, this in-bed-by-nine-gal was up past midnight binge reading!
If you love historical fiction, period dramas, or grew up admiring the Mary Kay lady with her pretty pink cosmetics (just me? ), then you simply must try Moondrop Miracle!
Great read for historical lovers!
The end of this book brought tears to my eyes. Not tears of sadness, but of love and good feelings.
The main character Connie was a kind and love able character. I found my self truly affected by all her hardships. I was so happy that she pushes through them to a world of friendship and success. All the side characters in this story were wonderfully written. The plot was realistically set in 1920s -30s Chicago. The life of Connie from being rich socialite to poor during the Great Depression happened to a lot of people, and her story helped make history a little bit more real to me.
I love that the story supports being a successful woman while not relinquishing femininity. That a person can still stay true to vows and God despite their circumstances. Circumstances that will end in happiness when God is on your side.
The plot of this story was truly engaging. I was very glad for the twist at the end, and the religious aspect of the book was not forced or over bearing.
I highly recommend that every woman read this book. It has inspired me to be my best self, to keep my trust in the Lord, and to ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SPARKLE.
Can she make it through the fear of uncertainty?
In today’s society we prattle on and on about so-called ‘feminist’ ideals. Parading the big name change makers as paragons. But in it all we tend to forget about the little people. The women behind the scenes. The ones who effected change by doing and not by shouting. The women who bravely stepped out of the accepted norm, not to change the world at large but rather to help their families in whatever way they could. For these women, many of them wives and mothers, when the going got tough they truly got going. This is the fictional story of one such woman.
I picked up this book partly because of the cute title, Moondrop Miracle, and partly because I really enjoyed one of Jennifer Lamont Leo’s previous books, You’re The Cream In My Coffee, so much. And this latest book was no disappointment.
I think one of my favorite things about the story was the portrayal of how people all reacted differently to Black Monday and the ensuing problems. One character’s spiral into alcoholism and abandonment was sadly all to commonplace in the years following the stock market crash of ’29.
Another favorite was seeing the heroine start out as a pretty spoiled kid, who I wasn’t even sure I fully liked, watching her mature as life kicked her around, and finally come into her own as changes the lives of those around her. Can I also say just how much I loved Aunt Pearl, she was both a hoot and a fount of wisdom. Someone that I think we all wish we had in our lives.
Moondrop Miracle is a wonderful historical novel. But, it’s not what I would strictly call historical romance as that is not the main focus of the story. And surprisingly I actually liked that fact. Jennifer Lamont Leo has done a great job with this book and won’t hesitate to read more from her. . .
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
What a wonderful story! So interesting to learn about another period in time with so many problems but the people made it through with courage.
Tightly written, fast paced and event filled, Connie’s story may follow a familiar Women of Substance trajectory but does it with style and telling detail. The author’s love of place and time is evident. A big-hearted story.
Moondrop Miracle is a wonderfully crafted historical fiction novel set in the late 1920’s. Until recently, I have not given historical fiction the attention it is due as a genre. I am glad I stumbled across the writing of Jennifer Lamont Leo as she brought the storytelling a vibrancy that kept me engaged throughout.
The reader is lead through the life of Connie Shepherd (an eighty-one-year old woman) as she is reminiscing while waiting for, what she believes, is her turn to speak at a Young Entrepreneurs event. On many levels, this story is exactly like the life of my great aunt (Aunt Zoe). I absolutely loved it.
Girl meets boy (Connie and Winston), they get married, live the high life…until the crash of 1929. Winston was always working way too hard but when the crash happens, he seems to work even harder. Their lives fall apart in ways Connie cannot imagine – mainly because Winston does not believe in “bothering” his wife with things she will not understand). Connie remembers the “odd” gift her Aunt Pearl gave her at her wedding – a formula for a tonic. Being the ever resourceful woman (after all, Winston was quickly succumbing to his depression as a result of the crash and his inability to provide for his young family), Connie did what she had to, to survive and provide for her family (which now included an infant son). Now this is an oversimplification of the events because reading the story oneself is much more enjoyable.
I found the characters well developed, with lots of what I like to refer to as “grit” – but then I suppose they had to have that quality to get by in those tough times. I loved Aunt Pearl – she was a woman ahead of her time. A bit of a cat lady with a scientific mind and a big heart. I had mixed feelings about one of the socialite ladies – “Zoe” – as she had the name of my great Aunt Zoe (and my daughter as a matter of fact) – who was so like Aunt Pearl – it caused me some consternation. Drusilla is Winston’s mom – and I found her to be a piece of work. Her character was well defined so that the reader had no illusions as to where she stood on the marriage between Connie and Winston!
As Connie’s life unfolded, I was amazed at how she adapted in the face of tragedy and life’s little triumphs. All throughout, Connie kept to her morals, setting a good example for her son Scotty.
The cover art is really enticing. I really wanted to get to know the girl on the cover. I was brought into Connie’s life in such a way that I did find it hard to put the book down to attend to mundane things like meal time or sleep.
History mixed with fiction seems to be my new interest. If you enjoy this genre, then this book will be a must read!
*I would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Jennifer Lamont Leo has hit a home-run with this story. When I first started reading, I was expecting a sweet, nostalgic story. But this was so much more. The depth of character, grit and tenacity displayed by the heroine took me by surprise.
With impeccable attention to detail, Ms. Leo pens the stock market crash of 1929 and its aftermath as the backdrop to her story. While many sunk in despair, including her own husband, Connie Sutherland finds hidden strength to provide for her family. The wisdom from Aunt Pearl and Ingrid prompt and guide the heroine’s spiritual journey, giving her direction and inner strength. This young woman from a previously privileged and self-absorbed background displayed compassion and found lifetime friendships in unexpected places as she struggled to survive during the Great Depression.
This is definitely my favorite book by Jennifer Lamont Leo and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Jennifer Lamont Leo is an author new to me, but I was looking for something a bit different, and the story seemed interesting with the juxtaposition of socialite and amatuer chemist in the same family. The story took on a bit of unexpected drama, however, when the plot intersected with history and the stock market crashed, ruining the heroine’s new husband’s career.
I have read few books about the Depression, and even fewer that have given me as deep an understanding as this one has. Part of the reason for this is how the author painted a picture of how life looked before the crash and how it changed afterward. I really enjoyed how the novel showed enough of a time span to allow me to truly understand the impacts this time had on those who had money as well as those who did not.
Connie starts the novel as a woman who has her life all planned out with the perfect fiancee, perfect wedding, perfect life. We get to follow her as she achieves everything she thinks she wants, only to find that there are some things missing in her life. With the start of the Great Depression, things take several drastic dips toward devastating.
The only thing that I didn’t care for in this book was what I felt to be a rushed ending. When I have invested time with someone’s story, I enjoy getting to follow them a bit longer into their ending, especially after so much suffering throughout the book. I wanted to spend more time there rather than having it somewhat encapsulated in the last couple of pages.
This is a difficult read in parts, but for those wanting to better understand this era in history, it is a good one for gaining insight. It is especially interesting for those who might want to see how it impacted those who were privileged before the crash and the changes required to survive in the new world in which they found themselves.
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
“Remember to Sparkle.” Just one of Aunt Pearl’s many words of wisdom.
Knowing that the Great Depression was going to happen, I could guess some of what was going to happen. However, Ms. Leo tells a wonderful story of strength, perseverance, and faith.
Connie’s husband, Winston, is a cad and abandoned her and their infant son after the crash. His mother is a horrible creature too. I cringed every time I read her name on the page.
I didn’t really like Winston before the left either, I liked him less upon his return. I digress.
This is Connie’s story, a somewhat spoiled, wealthy newlywed, suddenly thrust into a new life when her world and the economy collapse. She works with Aunt Pearl and a few other women to create a company, a strong company that feels like a family.
I appreciated seeing Connie grow in her faith and confidence. She faced tragedy and with Aunt Pearl’s help she learned to “put one foot in front of the other” and to “Be whoever God made you to be.”
I loved the respect for each other and the influence they had on the lives of other women.
I highly recommend this reading this book. It is both tragic and uplifting. Something we all are facing at yet another difficult time in the world.
*Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited”
This book was such a wonderful surprise! As I read the beginning chapters, I wasn’t at all sure I would enjoy it, not having much to admire or respect about a group of young, rich, and spoiled young people who partied their nights away. However, I could not stop reading as the story progressed and I became more and more wrapped up in the main characters and their lives. I have to say that what I enjoyed the most about this book was being able to see the growth in Connie, emotionally and spiritually, during the years in which the story took place. It is said that hardship can bring out the best and worst in people, and it was interesting to see how the author showed the different characters’ true colors come out over time. I adored Connie’s Aunt Pearl, and I could not stand Winston, and I applaud Ms. Leo for bringing out these and so many other emotions in me throughout my reading of this story, which I highly recommend to other readers. I received a copy of this book from the author and am giving my honest opinion.
This book was so good! It is well written and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It’s an inspirational read that shows how God and true friends will help you through your pain and troubles to start a new life. This book is a Must Read! I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Really interesting book about Chicago in 1928. Connie is a socialite living the good life. Depression comes and her life is changed forever. She has perseverance and succeeds in ways she never imagined.I loved this book! I received an arc copy from the author and thank her so much for the honor! this is my honest review.
Heart Warming Women’s Fiction
This is a wonderful story about a woman in the dark years of The Great Depression, created a business empire that supported many families and elevated many women from deep poverty. In those years, there were no safety nets. You might get help from soup kitchens, but women had a terrible time finding work. It was extremely unusual for a woman to own a business without her husband’s help, blessing, and credit. This is a great story that was difficult to put down. All of this authors works are just as great. I received this ARC for free from the author and this is my honest opinion.