Vika's Historical Romance Review: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
Ecopy via Penguin’s First to Read
Synopsis from Goodreads
Passion, redemption, and a battered suitcase full of secrets: the New York Times-bestselling author of A Hundred Summers returns with another engrossing tale.
Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Mad Men world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family’s past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.
Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant’s magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe’s fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband’s perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel’s shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.
As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt’s past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet’s story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future––and the love––she wants most
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8.5/10
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Just in time for the long weekend, grab your beach tote and a copy of The Secret Life of Violet Grant and have yourself a lovely summer day at the beach with a perfect book in hand!Beatriz Williams once again delivers a fascinating love story. It’s passionate and romantic, woven with history and family intrigue, best served with a side of mystery that will have you racing through the pages. And for the fans of Williams’s previous summer gem, A Hundred Summers, there is a special appearance by Lily Dane. So grab your copy and get ready to be transported in time.
The year is 1964 and Vivian Schuyler – socialite and recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College is ready to take on the world. She is vibrant and bubbly, vivacious and bold, but most of all she is determined to be a journalist at the Metropolitan magazine. Alas, she is only the fact checker girl and with all her charm, appeal, and sharp tongue she has yet to make a name for herself, before her mother prevails and has her married off to an appropriate suitor. But then Vivian receives an unexpected parcel, meets Mr. Perfect (a doctor no less!) and begins to unravel the mystery that began years before…
In 1911 young Violet Schuyler, an aspiring scientist came to England to pursue her education defying her family’s expectations. As consequence of her actions, Violet, disowned by her family and mostly ostracized by her peers at the institute feels often lonely, and aside the brilliance of her mind, her lack of experience and naivety in matters of heart quickly lead to a relationship and later marriage with one of her mentors. But that is only the beginning of Violet’s story; as the dawn of First World War dares to shake up Europe, Violet’s world is turned upside down, and what’s to come is a big mystery…
Mystery, intrigue, and secrets, love and romance, The Secret Life of Violet Grant combines it all in one whirlwind story that reconnects two women through years of lost history. All I can say - I am in awe of Ms. Williams’s ability to weave such incredibly fascinating stories. I’ve read both of her previous releases - Overseas and A Hundred Summers and been surprised by how much I enjoyed them. So this time my expectations were set high, yet I’m still surprised by how captivated I am with The Secret Life of Violet Grant, with its dual narrative and determined heroines whose lives had me mesmerized from the novel’s beginning to end. It is an exciting read and if you are looking for that perfect beach read, heavy on old-fashioned romance and intrigue this is the story for you.
Recommended
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Еще один прекрасный роман от Беатрис Уильямс, которая не перестает приятно удивлять меня своими книгами! Ее новая книга, Тайная Жизнь Виолетты Грант, увлекательна и романтична. Две героини, две параллельные истории любви, семейные интриги, и тайны... Так что, книгу в руки, и будьте готовы окунуться в эту увлекательную историю!Год 1964-ый, и Вивиан Шуйлер - светская львица и недавняя выпускница Брин-Мор колледжа готова к завоеванию мира. Она полна энергии, динамики и энтузиазма, но, в то же время, умеет реалистично оценивать ситуацию, даже если некоторые ее действия могут показаться дерзкими. Вивиан мечтает быть журналисткой, но путь к ее желанной карьере не так легок и прост. Однако, в один прекрасный день Вивиан получает неожиданную посылку - давно потерянный багаж своей тетки, о существовании которой Вивиан даже и не знала. Тут и начинается ее расследование... и карьера.
В 1911 году молодая Виолетта Шуйлер наперекор своей семье решается сбежать в Англию, дабы продолжить свое образование. Виолетте нравится наука и ей совсем не интересны разговоры о кавалерах, и, тем более, мысли о замужестве. Но, оказавшись в Англии, она чувствует себя совсем одиноко и достаточно быстро находит себя невестой своего университетского наставника и профессора - Гранта. Но это только начало ее истории...
Тайны, интриги, война, и, конечно же, любовь, - Тайная Жизнь Виолетты Грант совмещает в себе водоворот событий, объединив двух женщин через годы потерянной истории, семейных тайн и обид. Честно скажу, я в очередной раз в восторге от способности г-жи Уильямс описывать такие невероятно увлекательные истории. Так что, читайте, рекомендую.
