From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig comes The Ashford Affair, a page-turning novel about two women in different eras, and on different continents, who are connected by one deeply buried secret.A New York Times best seller!As a lawyer in a large Manhattan firm, just shy of making partner, Clementine Evans has finally achieved almost everything she’s been working towards—but now … almost everything she’s been working towards—but now she’s not sure it’s enough. Her long hours have led to a broken engagement and, suddenly single at thirty-four, she feels her messy life crumbling around her. But when the family gathers for her grandmother Addie’s ninety-ninth birthday, a relative lets slip hints about a long-buried family secret, leading Clemmie on a journey into the past that could change everything. . . .
Growing up at Ashford Park in the early twentieth century, Addie has never quite belonged. When her parents passed away, she was taken into the grand English house by her aristocratic aunt and uncle, and raised side-by-side with her beautiful and outgoing cousin, Bea. Though they are as different as night and day, Addie and Bea are closer than sisters, through relationships and challenges, and a war that changes the face of Europe irrevocably. But what happens when something finally comes along that can’t be shared? When the love of sisterhood is tested by a bond that’s even stronger?
From the inner circles of British society to the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the red-dirt hills of Kenya, the never-told secrets of a woman and a family unfurl.
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This was another classic Lauren Willig! I adored it! Can’t decide which story-line I was drawn to more. The characters were so well developed, and the writing crisp and entertaining!
Still reading this book and finding It fascinating. The family dynamics and characters interesting.
I love multi-generation stories, especially the ones with secrets, and this one was riveting. A little slip-up from a grandmother on her 99th birthday intrigues a very curious granddaughter. From there the story flips between the era of the grandmother’s childhood, and the granddaughter’s life in the present. From England to a Kenya coffee plantation to New York, the story was a fascinating adventure!
The Ashford Affair is a period saga that stayed with me, even though I read it some time ago. From present-day attorney Clemmie to her British grandmother Addie, who lived in Kenya, these characters are well-rounded and enjoyable. Lauren Willing is such a fine writer, particularly of historicals; I always enjoy her prose and historical details. Fascinating details about Keyna. A good rainy day, atmospheric read.
5 Stars
is is the second novel I’ve read from bestselling author Lauren Willig and it was just as compelling as the first.
Like the first one, this is part mystery — involving two story threads that happen years apart. One thread takes place between the years of 1906 and 1926. Six-year-old Addie comes to live with her wealthy, aristocratic aunt and uncle at their great British estate, Ashford, after her parents are suddenly killed. Though an outsider, Addie develops a close friendship with her slightly older cousin Beatrice – who takes Addie under her wing. As they grow up, glamorous Beatrice, becomes known as “Debutante of the Decade” — sought after by titled men and a recognized fashion setter among her peers. Addie, with no title and no inheritance, stands in Bea’s shadow. This is our glimpse into the pre-World War I world we know from Downton Abbey. Addie and Bea’s stories go on to include romance, the war, and later, a coffee plantation in Kenya.
A second story thread involves Addie’s 34 year old granddaughter, Clementine, an ambitious attorney living in New York City in 1999, expecting to soon become a partner in a prestigious law firm and hav
ing just broken up with her boyfriend. When Addie’s health begins to decline, long buried family secrets begin to surface. And most of the book involves moving back and forth in time as the reader slowly collects pieces of a very complex puzzle.
I can’t say this is great literature, but it is very good story. Imaginative and full of unpredictable plot twists to keep you reading. For me, it was a two-day read. And I plan to read some of Willig’s many other novels.
I enjoyed this book.
It made me contemplate the journey of life and that the journey itself…the middle part…is where the living and the joy comes from.
It was well written. The characters were well developed and while not a “page-turner” per se, I was entertained and enjoyed the story.
This was a delightful book, hard to put down with interesting twists. It was predictable but that didn’t really matter as you had to read fast to find out what happened. Good read.
I really enjoyed this book. I had trouble putting it down.
good story
England, family, cousins, past 1920’s, present day, affairs, secrets, Kenya, British society, romance….has it all.
despite the title I found this book to be very interesting and the characters well drawn…I enjoyed it more than I expected from the title.
More tedious exploits of the pale and stale. Didn’t finish.
Lauren Willig is always a good read.
I expected more from this story. Characters were interesting, but the ending was disappointing for me. I enjoy reading this previous books, but this one was just ok.
It’s fine, but not great