This is an amazing book with a great story and interesting characters! As it turns out, based on factual history. Maybe I'm showing my ignorance here. But... I'd heard of Alexander Pushkin, but had never read his works, nor had I know that he had a wife! That's what really made the story interesting to me!

The story itself is well told and as I said, based on facts. The central character, Natalya, opens the story as a young woman living in Russia during the Tsarist times. She is aristocratic, beautiful and doesn't have much money. Enter Puskin and the fireworks begin. Pushkin was a self-driven man, much more worldly than Natalya.

So you have Tsarist Russia, two people in love and family. What's not to love!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Probably closer to 2.75 stars

There were parts of this I really enjoyed and at other parts, the story just didn't hold my interest. On one hand, I knew this was a shorter read at around 250 pages but on the other hand, I wanted more depth and detail yet that isn't quite possible in only 250 pages.

The formatting of the book made it difficult sometimes to discern a break in the timeline of the story as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This isn’t my usual story to read, but I loved the title and the premise was on a bit of a theme because I had “I Was Anastasia” in my queue, two completely different books but both about Russia, with roughly one hundred years between them. Neither is Pushkin on my radar, but the author’s premise that his wife had likely been painted by a tainted brush by history, was appealing. Very well researched and flawlessly written with a tragic ending that ripped at my heartstrings—but…and this is me and not the author, but the bugaboo of females in nearly every century is being forced into this submissive role where her marriage, at first, was only about changing houses and the view from the window. Gradually she learns how to be Mrs. Pushkin and survive in her role with revolution whispering around the edges of society…who wouldn’t go mad? The endless rounds of parties and costume making and setting up the marriageable sisters made my eyes cross after awhile, but that’s me. The story couldn’t be told otherwise, and I thought this was a great slice of historical fiction very well told.

Wonderfully detailed book on historical Russia that has no problem whisking the reader back in time to an age of Tsar's, poets, and grand society. I found the descriptions to be captivating, in both scenery, emotions, and detail, and had no trouble feeling like I was a fly on the wall to all the ins and outs of this historical fiction. It was intriguing.

And yet about 1/3 of the way in, all that detail and charm got lost. Instead of moving forward the story seemed to get bogged down with all the day-to-day nuances that no one wants to read about because we are living them for ourselves every moment of every day. I understand that it is part of the story, especially since this is based on actual events and characters. But that isn't why I read a book -- to experience someone else's mundane. I read to escape from my own. This same feeling, where the book raced along in the beginning but then slowed, continued throughout the whole book. It was never able to recapture its original pacing.

At the same time, it wasn't just the pacing that stopped, but also the emotional connection. Whereas the book was rife with every emotion within the human realm, somewhere along the line that all stopped. So rather than being invested the story became a chore. I stopped caring about them, and to a degree, I think the writer did as well. This is particularly noted in the end as Pushkin is laying on his bed dying in agony, even though it was days, all that is shown is a few lackluster conversations where the wife claims to be dying as well, devastated, but yet I never believed it. It was glazed over, lacked depth, and in a moment that could have really tied the whole book together and made it unforgettable, the reader is not given a single reason to feel bereft themselves. It is a shame.

Overall my rating is probably around a 3.5. It isn't an awful story, but there is enough lacking that I cant say it is an amazing read. It still needs some work to bring up the last 2/3's. Still lovers of Pushkin would appreciate the work that went into resurrecting him and his life, and would probably enjoy reading this one.

The Lost Season of Love and Snow is not a favorite but worth reading.

A 16 year old girl from a once prestigious family meets the famous poet Alexander Pushkin at a Moscow dance and loses her heart. Natalya or Natalie, as Pushkin calls her, devotes herself to the mercurial, passionate, often impecunious writer despite her mother's misgivings. Pushkin is clearly talented and his works beloved by many Russians, yet his support of anti-government rebels and his populist political views make him a possible threat to reigning Czar Nicholas who frequently censors his work. Natalie becomes his wife and she sets out to become a fixture at the society galas and balls in an attempt to further her husband's literary career. But Natalie's wit and beauty attract not only men who try to tempt her away from her husband but also the philandering czar himself. Her husband, often struggling for his craft and for the funds he needs to support their growing family, is often churlish and frequently excludes her, choosing to pursue flirtations of his own. Natalie is caught in a no-win situation. By participating in society and getting the attention she so desperately craves, she finds herself the subject of vicious rumors that wound her overly jealous, insecure husband. When a letter circulates around St. Petersburg labeling Pushkin a cuckold, the poet can take it no more. He challenges a man to a duel that ultimately costs him his life. Most are quick to blame the beautiful Natalie, the one who did little but be admired by powerful men. Many of the poet's biographers believe the poet's untimely death belongs at Natalie's doorstep, but Pushkin himself absolves her of all fault on his deathbed. So why is Natalie so reviled by the public and in the pages of history after her beloved husband's death?

Ms. Limm provides a fictionalized version of the Pushkins' love story that tries to provide a fresh, possibly more realistic look at Natalie's role in her famous husband's life. This sympathetic look is a welcome balance to the overdone narrative many historians would have us believe: that Natalie was shallow, grasping, and the mistress of the czar. The author's note reminds us that it's more than possible - even likely - that Natalie was the victim of snap, unfair judgement by those who never knew her. By labeling historical women as either saints or angels decades or even centuries later, historians have done these women, and society in general, a great disservice. Instead, we should consider them within the times in which they lived and understand that each woman's story is not necessarily as black and white or as polarizing as historians have portrayed it. This book is an excellent attempt to do just that.

As much as I hated to only give this book 3 stars, I honestly found it a bit forgettable. I had to reread the synopsis to remind myself what it was about, even though I read said novel only last week.

I felt that there was too much of the story dedicated to the "pre-Pushkin" Natayla and not enough of the life they lived together, no matter how short. I also wanted to know more about Natayla's "post-Pushkin" life and about her children. I read that her daughter was quite the character herself!

I look forward to more stories from this author, but hopefully with more exciting and entertaining characters.

A historical novel about Imperial Russia - one of my favorite things. I did not know much about Pushkin before reading this, but learning the story through his wife's eyes presents it in a whole new perspective. Very interesting book!

The first thing I did when I finished reading this book, was get on the internet and seek out more information on the Pushkins. That alone speaks volumes about how much I was affected by their story. I felt the author did a great job of bringing Alexander and Natalya to life and I became invested in seeing how their lives and love would unfold. I loved the beauty of Alexander's soul as a creative and honorable man. While Natalya was sadly blamed for her husband's death, I believe, as portrayed in this book, that she was most likely greatly misunderstood. I know the time in which they lived had much to do with their tragic love story...if only they had lived in a different time period what a glorious life they could have led. For those readers who not only enjoy historical novels, but also romantic tragedies, this book is a must read. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Alexander Pushkin was the greatest poet of Russia. His marriage was marked by duel, which ended in his death. What led to it? He encouraged his wife, Natalya Nikolaevna, to coquette with men of Saint Petersburg while he traveled away from his family to write in solace. His wife was not happy about this, but once she took part in the social life of Saint Petersburg, she realized that she enjoyed it. “Allegations of her inappropriate flirtations and even a possible affair with the handsome Georges d’Anthes” led to the infamous duel that ended the life of Pushkin and “lingered long after Alexander’s death. Though Alexander himself absolved his wife of any wrongdoing, Natalya was sometimes viewed as complicit and even responsible for the duel between the great poet and his perceived rival.” The history vilified Natalya as she “fell outside of the traditional norms.”

With this story the author sheds light on the social life, its rules and expectations, of the 19th century Russia. For example, the coquetting part which Alexander encouraged his wife to was seen as normal. The story starts in Moscow in 1828 with Natalya, age 16, meeting Alexander at a ball. It is followed by courtship, then marriage and children. It is all set against the backdrop of the rules of social life, which is an interesting part and it spices the story up. However, once Pushkin encourages his wife to take active part in social life, then the story changes its tune. It becomes a melodramatic romance and nothing more to it. The spice is gone.

Natalya's mother expects her to make a match that will improve the family's fortune, and a poet who must survive from poem to poem does not qualify. Though this Russian beauty tries to be cautious, she ultimately follow her heart, and must face the consequences of a life around court and marriage to a genius.

From the start, Natalya (also called Natasha or Natalie) is a character to sympathize with. At first she lives under the thumb of her exacting mother. Then, life wasn't easy with an income that came in as a trickle, a growing family to feed, not to mention the dinners she must be hostess to, and the dances/masquerades she must attend. It was fascinating and heartbreaking to watch as she danced to the tune of the court, which roves to bring tragic consequences.

The plot of the story is evenly paced. There are a couple sex scenes, which while not overly graphic in detail, but are enough to make a sensitive reader uncomfortable. There are many side characters, people who influenced this woman's life, but the focus is where it should be: on Natalya.

This was an intriguing read about a historical figure I'd never head of before. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a fictional look at a woman who was once looked down on.

To be honest, I really need to take a deep breath here. This book really touched my heart.

Natalya is a young girl desperate to get out from under her strict Mother and to pursue her own study of Russian poetry. Her wish is granted when she captures the heart of Alexander Pushkin, the greatest Russian poet of the day. Their beautiful marriage is all any woman longs to have, but one misstep could ruin it forever.

The Lost Season of Love and Snow is probably one of the best books I have read this year. I really cannot rave about this book enough. It was truly a beautiful romance.

Natalya is so relatable. She is a young woman wanting to improve herself intellectually and make her way in the world. She tries to stay true to herself even with everyone around her pushing her to marry a wealthy man and to maintain the best of appearances. A woman who loves her husband and her children dearly.

I want to live in 19th century Russia. Imagine going to balls and masquerades in a beautiful city accented with flurry snow.
The social pressures are very much the same as it is today. One small friendly or flirtatious act can completely ruin someone. Or if the Tsar desires one certain woman, how dare you refuse him? He has the power over you and your family and their destiny. Or the high fashion in Russian court is a low cut bodice.

Alexander and Natalya were real people. Yes, this story is fictional, but nothing thrilled my soul more than knowing that these people actually existed. In reading the author's note, I learned a lot more about them. This version of their history, though fictional, definitely puts a better view on what possibly could have happened.

What I love most about reading historical fiction is the opportunity to learn more about periods of history which I previously knew little about. This beautifully written book brings to life the history of Natalya Pushkin and her marriage to a famous Russian author. It also gives me great insight into what life was like for the wealthy Russians in that era. The story drew me in from the very first page and I would highly recommend it for any lovers of historical fiction.