THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb

 

From Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, the bestselling authors of Meet Me in Monaco, comes a coming-of-age novel set in pre-WWII Europe, perfect for fans of Jennifer Robson, Beatriz Williams, and Kate Quinn.  

Three cities, two sisters, one chance to correct the past . . .

New York, 1937: When estranged sisters Clara and Madeleine Sommers learn their grandmother is dying, they agree to fulfill her last wish: to travel across Europe—together. They are to deliver three letters, in which Violet will say goodbye to those she hasn’t seen since traveling to Europe forty years earlier; a journey inspired by famed reporter, Nellie Bly.

Clara, ever-dutiful, sees the trip as an inconvenient detour before her wedding to millionaire Charles Hancock, but it’s also a chance to embrace her love of art. Budding journalist Madeleine relishes the opportunity to develop her ambitions to report on the growing threat of Hitler’s Nazi party and Mussolini’s control in Italy.

Constantly at odds with each other as they explore the luxurious Queen Mary, the Orient Express, and the sights of Paris and  Venice,, Clara and Madeleine wonder if they can fulfil Violet’s wish, until a shocking truth about their family brings them closer together. But as they reach Vienna to deliver the final letter, old grudges threaten their reconciliation again. As political tensions rise, and Europe feels increasingly volatile, the pair are glad to head home on the Hindenburg, where fate will play its hand in the final stage of their journey.

MY THOUGHTS: 

These two authors have written a beautiful novel that will take you on a very emotional trip. It makes you laugh, cry and even do a few eye rolls at the antics of the two sisters in the story. Told with such realism that you will feel you are with them every step of the way.

Quote from book: 

They can talk of the companionship of men, the

splendor of the sun, the softness of moonlight, the

beauty of music, but give me a willow chair on a quiet

deck, the world with its worries and noise and 

prejudices lost in distance, the glare of the sun, the cold

light of the moon blotted out by the dense blackness of 

night. Let me rest rocked gently by the rolling sea, in a 

nest of velvety darkness, my only light the soft 

twinkling of the myriads of stars in the quiet sky above;

my music, the round of the kissing waters, cooling the 

brain and easing the pulse: my companionship, 

dreaming my own dreams. Give me that and I have

happiness in its perfection.  (I think this is beautiful)

This is the story of two sisters who seem to dislike each other very much. A grandmother who wants them to be close again. A trip of a lifetime to do a favor for their grandmother who is dying. Two sisters who are as different as the stars in the night skies. But they are so alike also. In ways neither of them want to admit. Clara and Maddie are the granddaughters of Violet. Violet has lead a very good life but is at its end and wants to have some closure before she dies. She sends Clara and Maddie on a voyage to deliver three letter for her. Each has a meaning. Each tells a story. Each will make you cry. 

As you travel with Clara and Maddie you will learn a lot about each. From the things they love to do to the fears they each have. Clara, who is an aspiring artist, is engaged to be married but is it meant to be? Does she really love him and is he worthy of her love? Charles Hancock is a very wealthy man but he is somewhat of a jerk in my opinion. I didn't like him. Then we have Daniel who I liked and didn't like at the same time. At first I was very suspicious of him and then I got to know him. I kind of like him after all. So does Maddie who is a writer and wants to be a journalist and write for the newspapers. Being a woman at that time in history made it so hard.. 

The trip these two young ladies take will change their lives forever. The people they meet tell them a story about their grandmother that they had no idea about. This book takes you from the US through Europe, Italy and Austria. Then on the Hindenburg to come back home. When tragedy strikes you will find yourself again holding your breath as you await the outcome of these two sisters. 

This book made me do some pretty hard crying but it also made me laugh in several places. Hearing the crazy things these two sisters went through was both amusing in part and sad. Meeting family they never knew about and some they did know about was a very emotional experience. The sights they saw and enjoyed. Getting caught in the pouring rain. Being so stubborn. Loving each other made it all worth it. 

This is a wonderful book. A story that will touch your heart. It's beautifully written and full of so much emotion. It's just one of those that you are happy you read when you turn that last page. It's that good!

Thank you #NetGalley, #HazelGaynorHeatherWebb, #WilliamMorrowPaperbacks for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 HUGE stars and a very high recommendation. Grab this one.