The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
| Modern Age |
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 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
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American History > Modern Age > Jewish History
"Full of sweetness and charm." ―People
"The happiest I have felt in years inside the world of a book." ―Natalie Jenner, #1 nationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society
"A sparkling ode to second chances." ―Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures
On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs―an active senior community in southern Florida―she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy―and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.
As a teenager growing up in 1920’s Brooklyn, Augusta’s role model was her father, Solomon Stern, the trusted owner of the local pharmacy and the neighborhood expert on every ailment. But when Augusta’s mother dies and Great Aunt Esther moves in, Augusta can’t help but be drawn to Esther’s curious methods. As a healer herself, Esther offers Solomon’s customers her own advice―unconventional remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions.
As Augusta prepares for pharmacy college, she is torn between loyalty to her father and fascination with her great aunt, all while navigating a budding but complicated relationship with Irving. Desperate for clarity, she impulsively uses Esther’s most potent elixir with disastrous consequences. Disillusioned and alone, Augusta vows to reject Esther’s enchantments forever.
Sixty years later, confronted with Irving, Augusta is still haunted by the mistakes of her past. What happened all those years ago and how did her plan go so spectacularly wrong? Did Irving ever truly love her or was he simply playing a part? And can Augusta reclaim the magic of her youth before it’s too late?
Emily's Review
I was initially drawn to this book because the main character is 80 years old and I haven't read many books with elderly protagonists. And not only is she 80, but there is a romance between two 80 year olds!
This is a story about how a lack of communication can lead to heartache. I think the best part of the story was the 1920s setting. I really enjoyed that timeline more than the 1980s. We meet Augusta as a young teen, grieving the loss of her mother and throwing herself into learning how to become a pharmacist, just like her father. When her great aunt Esther comes to live with them, she learns that there is a sort of magic in traditional healing methods. She falls in love with Irving, who works for her father as an errand boy, but something goes wrong, and he marries someone else.
We meet Agusta again when she's about to turn 80, just retired, and is moving into an active retirnment community. That's when she runs into Irving for the first time in 60 years.
While the idea of reading about an 80 year old protagonist is what drew me in intially, I would have rather this just focused on the 1920s timeline - I think that was, by far, the most interesting part of the story. I thought Esther was the best character - she has an air of mystery and enigma about her that really draws you to her character. I could almost smell her chicken soup cooking!
If you are looking for a story that his heavy on the history and light of the romance, you might enjoy this book!
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