Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for this ARC.

The description of a "Historical thriller with a love story at heart", was what got my attention, what an intriguing combination! However.......there wasn't much in the way of thriller elements (and the pacing was slower). It felt more like a piece historical fiction. Don't get me wrong, it was a very good piece of historical fiction, just not what I was expecting with a "thriller". There were certainly things to like, the writing was lovely and the dialogue between characters was really well done. The storylines were good but was just not for me or what I was expecting.

Audio wise: The dialogue of this book was SO very hard to follow. The narrator tried to change her voice when speaking as another character but it didn’t work. I was so confused more often then not on who was talking, especially when there were many paragraphs of dialogue without attributions.

Story wise: the idea of this book is super interesting but wasn’t executed well. There were many times when the chapters would switch years and then only a paragraph or two was actually in modern day and it would drop into the past with very little warning. I also felt the modern timeline, 2003, could have been dropped entirely. It was just the catalyst to tell the past story which could have been done all on it’s own. This also would have significantly reduced the length of this too long book. I also struggled with characters in the past plot line completely disappearing and never being followed up with. I did truly enjoy the past plot line. It was interesting and about a time and an event I didn’t know about.

It would appear I'm in the minority here, but I had a hard time connecting with this book. It felt long, slow and predictable. Overall, it didn't draw me in like I had expected. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a good job bringing the characters to life. But this one just wasn't my favorite. Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book. The back and forth, the mystery of what might happen. I love how the book was written, while it went from past to future and back it was easy to understand and follow. The characters were great, you could feel how they felt and could understand their choices. I love that we get to see such a happy ending. The book kept my attention and I couldn't get enough of the book.

“She forced out the question she had come 6,000 miles and waited 50 years to ask.”

This genre conglomeration has all the elements I love and it did not disappoint in its delivery. Part historical thriller, part coming of age, part second chance romance novel, Come November combines all these pieces into an intelligent and thought provoking story.

Jeanne and John, two Chicago based young journalists embark on an adventure to cover the 1947 United Nations vote on Resolution 181: The Parceling of Palestine into 2 States (Palestinian Arab and Jewish). Danger and subterfuge lurk around every corner as a budding relationship forms, but obstacles stand in their way. Over a span of 50 years, mysteries remain as the players evolve exponentially, creating a web of intrigue, deceit and misinformation. In the final chapters, pieces begin to fall into place in the Italian countryside, but it might be too late for a conclusion everyone wants and deserves.

For those who enjoy a true genre mash-up, I imagine this novel will appeal to a wide range of readers this summer. Challenged by a range of ages, genders and nationalities, Nancy Linari’s audio narration was excellent!
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

A breathtaking depiction of life growing up after WWII, and the historic following years, culminating in a present day European excursion. The story brings to life a part of modern history and the after affect, leading to the creation of a modern country. Particularly enjoyed the pace of the book as it weaves it's way through the lives of all the characters!

This book was well written and the flow of the storyline flowed perfectly. The only reason it is dinged a star is because I felt like the ending was tidied up too quickly.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Scott Lord, and Greenleaf Audiobooks for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always one to enjoy great historical fiction, I turned to this novel by Scott Lord, which explores the creation of Israel at the United Nations, and a few young reporters who were there to watch it unfold. Lord uses a great deal of history and some memories from his mother to cobble together this piece, which keeps the reader connected to the events that caused a great deal of drama, with a peppering of a love story that spans decades. While I won’t deny I would have loved a more intense political lens, Lord does well to portray the situation and has me wanting to explore more about these times in 1947.

Jeanne has lived a good life and is shocked when she receives an email from an old friend, and lover, asking that she visit him in Italy. The trip is not meant solely to rekindle old flames, but to help pen a book about their shared experiences in 1947. At that time, Jeanne and John were young reporters, making their way from Chicago to New York for a monumental event at the newly functioning United Nations. Their journey there saw them fall in love, though there was so much more on the table.

At the heart of the United Nations agenda was a debate over partitioning the State of Palestine to offer the Jews their own homeland after the horrors of the Second World War. While some would see it as only fitting that the ancient lands of Israel be recreated, there are many who would rather die than see it come to fruition. Politics, religion, and regional squabbles come to the forefront here.

As Jeanne and John try to cover the events, they come across an assassination plot intended to skew the vote and ensure Israel never comes to be. The political actors all hold diplomatic immunity and hold harsh sentiments about the vote, making the investigation all the more problematic. However these two, brought together by a common passion to report the news and finding a deeper thread between them, must also work to understand the nuances of international politics on the grand stage.

Even as the vote goes ahead and Israel is created, the drams between the two reporters does not end. Spanning decades thereafter, the story explores their shared time in New York in November 1947 and the struggles to define what was and might have been. Ending in a quaint Italian town, the truth comes out and all is revealed in this story that is rich with romance, as well as some of the most intense politicking in the post-War world. Scott Lord does well with this piece, mixing politics, romance, and a connection through the ages to depict a well-crafted novel that many can enjoy.

I will admit, it was the politics that pulled me in when reviewing the dust jacket blurb on this book. I love a good thriller where there is a little struggle towards a larger political end. Scott Lord does well to depict this, using a strong narrative that spans decades, intermixing the storylines effectively to get his point across. There is a significant amount of development, both with the story and the characters, keeping the reader attentive so as not to miss anything. The characters are varied and well-placed throughout the book, providing something entertaining as their backstories come to life effectively. While based on historical events, the plots develop and keep the reader from knowing precisely what is to come or how it will settle, which offers up a great element of surprise. The depiction of time at the United Nations has me intrigued and wanting to know more, something I will have to look into when time permits. Lord does well to balance the romance, politics, and historical advancement, though I am always happy to see a political heavy thriller when time permits.

Kudos, Mr. Lord, for a great piece that has me eager to learn more!

This was very out of my comfort zone but I still really liked it. It was straight forward and easy to follow. The pasing felt right for the concept which is a huge seller for me.

What wonderfully descriptive language that transported me back and forth through the time periods of this historical fiction romance novel. I loved the development of characters, many of whom I fell in love with. Scott Lord grabbed hold of my feelings when there were misunderstandings - sometimes I wished I could have spoken up or kept them together just a few more minutes to clear things up. I didn't feel it was as much a mystery as a historical fiction novel. I did enjoy it! Rounded up from 4.5 stars.

Jeanne is in her 70s and has a health scare with her heart. Her husband is gone, her son isn't really there. The only one who knows all of her health issues is her almost ex-daughter in law. She is feeling down and insecure until she gets an email from a lost love. He wants her to help write a book about an adventure they had in New York over 50 years ago. She decides to go to Italy and see him and see what happens with the book and possibly if they can still be in love.

Her son and daughter-in-law are having marital problems but meet in Italy, Her daughter-in-law is trying for a chance to be an opera singer. Her son is given a ticket from Jeanne so he can spend time with his estranged teen daughter and hopefully rekindle the marital relationship.

The book vacillates between Jeanne- her past and present, and other members of her family. I enjoyed the audio but do not know how I would feel about the print text. Part of the charm was the narration. Her worry and excitement helped to get to know the characters.

I will mention this title to some of my friends.

I was given the opportunity to listen to the audiobook by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3.75⭐️

I had the audiobook narrated by Nancy Linari who did an excellent job.

Historical fiction with a love story at its heart.
In 1947 Jeanne and John fall in love , young newspaper journalists they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote by the UN to partition Palestine creating the State of Israel. They discover an elaborate assassination plot to swing the vote.
John and Jeanne reconnect 50 years later in Italy.

The storytelling is on the slow side, the narrator really adds to the enjoyment keeping my attention. I’m not sure reading the book would have kept my attention as well.
I liked Jeanne, she is portrayed as a strong independent intelligent woman, however she drew some not very bright conclusions too easily, I would have expected more communication and confirmation from her to be honest.

The romance theme was a bit predictable, but enjoyable,
I enjoyed the history element as it’s a subject that I know nothing about.
There’s even Italian opera thrown into the mix.

I would have preferred it more condensed, overall an enjoyable listen.

Colleen Chi-Girl
4 stars
Bookshelves: Historical Fiction, Strong Female Lead, Women Centered, Chicago, New York, California.

This was an interesting and enjoyable thriller set just after WWII in Chicago/New York. There are 2 prominent characters, Jeanne and John, who meet as newspaper journalists (and fall in love), as well as some family, work, and political characters. There are also 2 different timelines of current day and the 1940's when they first meet. The diplomatic plot that was woven into the story was a good reminder that it wasn't that long ago that Israel and Palestine were at war over land (frequently) and is timely as ever with the current fighting in the world. Jeanne is an incredibly strong, bright and well-rounded woman and I was happy to follow her life and journeys.

I rated this 4 stars because I felt the narration was off in a few spots and felt that the ending was a bit contrived and tidied up. It was often painful to be a voyeur in their relationship and I really wish it would have played out differently, but I won't give that away.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Scott Lord, for the advanced ARC audiobook. Expected publication July 18, 2023

​Publisher's Blurb: "November 1947: Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome..." Fifty years later, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy.