Book Review for The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Published:  October 8, 2024 by St. Martin's Press

 

Taken from Goodreads:  It's never too late for new beginnings.

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?

My Thoughts:  It is never too late for love.   Eighty-year-old Augusta has moved into the same retirement condos where the love of her life now lives.    From their first time seeing each other, the attraction is there.  I love that they have both lived a full life and are older but they both cannot stay away from each other.  Augusta does her best to put Irving off at every attempt.  

The dual times were wonderful.   The past timeline shows how they met, what their lives were like, and gave hints at why they could not be together.  I truly did not put it together, the reason why they did not stay together, until it was revealed.   I love not knowing.    I love having to work through the whole story before putting it all together, the wondering what really happened, and when would it all be revealed.   The clues that were given were just enough to keep me intrigued and guessing while also letting me get to know the characters more and learn more about their young lives.

Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a quick and fun book.   It was so easy to read.  The storyline moved along at a good pace.  The characters are so fun and relatable.   I recommend picking up your own copy.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet Lynda Cohen Loigman (taken from her website):  Lynda Cohen Loigman graduated from Harvard College and Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, The Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman's World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine.

Her most recent book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, was named a Best New Book by People Magazine and a Best Book of Fall by the New York Post, Parade Magazine, Buzzfeed, and Good Morning America.com. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is her fourth novel.