—Mini Book Reviews—
Mini Reviews
Author: Fiona Davis
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Historical Fiction
To get ready for author Fiona Davis’s new book The Magnolia Palace that comes out this Tuesday the 25th; I thought I would do some mini reviews on her #backlist books. If you are reading The Magnolia Palace and would like to discuss it . . . the @bookfriendsbookclub that I co-host will be chatting about in on the 30th of this month. Let me know if you want to join!
The Dollhouse
This was the author’s debut novel and what a debut it was. Fiona Davis effortlessly writes in a dual timeline that we’ve all grown accustom to and love in the historical fiction genre. The dollhouse was a nickname for the “Barbizon Hotel” that was an all women’s hotel in 1952 that housed women who were either going to secretary school or were models. Darby was there to go to secretary school and was feeling homesick and unsure of herself when she befriends a hotel maid. A hotel maid who introduces her to a seedy Jazz Club that of course leads to secrets galore! Secrets for journalist, Rose to later uncover in 2016. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Address
Sara is the head housekeeper in a London hotel and unexpectedly meets architect Theodore Camden when she rescues one of his children who got too close to an open window. Feeling indebted to her, Theo, invites Sara to America to work at The Dakota his newest project of grand apartments in New York. This is quite an opportunity for a girl like Sara in 1884. Sara wrestles with the decision to go because she feels close to Theo. Closer than she should for a man that is married with three children. 100 years later Bailey Camden a designer who is fresh out of rehab begins working with her cousin on a remodel of The Dakota. Of course, secrets come out. They always do. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Chelsea Girls
This one was less of a dual timeline and wasn’t one of my favorites. It’s more of a spanning book between the 40s-60s. It begins in 1945 with Hazel arriving to Italy to join the USO tour of girls that are the entertaining the troops. There she meets Maxine and they don’t hit off at first, but when a serious situation happens they quickly bond and become friends. After the USO tour ends, Maxine goes back to Hollywood to her acting and Hazel goes home to live with her parents. Until she gets bold one day and rents a room at the Chelsea Hotel and begins writing a play. Maxine is her muse! There are quite a few twists and turns in this one. It’s one of those books I enjoyed, but I’m not sure it will stand out amongst others or I will easily remember it; If that makes sense. ⭐️⭐️⭐️