Interesting read and definitely will appeal to Lilac Girl Fans. Story was interesting, writing good and overall a satisfying read... I will definitely keep on authors to watch list.

Absolutely beautiful book literary emotional.A book that drew me right into the characters lives their hopes and dreams .We go back in history into a time i knew nothing about but became immediately caught up in.#netgalley #lostroses #randomhouse

Beautiful and inspiring story. I have not read many "historical fiction" novels, however I was not disappointed that I chose this one.

I looked forward to reading this book because I absolutely loved Lilac Girls. I enjoyed this one. It was a good story but the characters didn't resonate with me the way the ones in the previous book did. I still recommend it as a good read for those who love historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Books/Ballantine for providing me an ARC of Lost Roses in exchange for an honest review.

I was certainly excited to recive "Lost Roses" as Martha Hall Kelly's "Lilac Girls" was such a remarkable novel. Kelly's writing is as always beautiful and poignant in Lost Roses. The format of "Lost Roses" is similar to "Lilac Girls" as it focuses on three strong, diverse, women and has several storylines going on at once.

I appreciated the way Kelly painted the different landscapes and classes of Russia. You could tell she put in ample research so that she would make her writing authentic and accurate. While I enjoyed the book, I didn't devour it like I did "Lilac Girls." I've spent time reflecting on why that was. I think in some part it was due to the different timeframe of this book. I think I prefer World War II stories to World War I. Also, I found I did not connect with these three characters as much as I did with the ones in "Lilac Girls." I found myself constantly wishing to just get to Sofya's perspective , and past Varinka's, in particular, I had a hard time finding empathy for Varinka, even with her own struggles and background.

While this wasn't a favorite for me, I certainly would still recommend others to read it as the writing is beautiful and an important story is told. I am already wondering what book is next for Martha Hall Kelly.




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I loved Lilac Girls, so I wasn't surprised that I also loved Lost Roses. It's a prequel about the Ferriday family. It's a different feel with the Russian aspect of it. It's a great piece of historical fiction that readers will enjoy.

I received a free ARC of this book from netgalley.com.

This book started a little slow, but then the horror of WWI in Russia set in and I missed the calm beauty of the beginning of the book. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but I haven't read as much from WWI so this was a fast introduction to me.
It was tough to side with the peasants or the royalty in this war because both had been degraded so much over the years. The book showcases the atrocities committed against the Russian royals, but it also hints at the decades of impoverishment on the common people in Russia. Another great read from this author!
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What a beautiful and well researched book!! I am so excited to read more about the amazing Ferriday family!
Lilac Girls was one of the hardest books to read but one of the most beautifully written; the follow up/prequel is just as inspiring. I have always been fascinated with Russia and seeing the palaces of the tsar, the rich and lower class interact was amazing.

Parts of this novel are seared into my brain.

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED and cant wait to read about Caroline's Great Great Gradmother and the civil war.

what a family!!!

From the moment I picked up Lost Roses, I was hooked. I absolutely loved Martha Hall Kelly's first novel Lilac Girls and when I saw she had a prequel about Eliza Ferriday, the mother of Caroline from Lilac Girls I was excited!

The setting of this book is at the cusp at WWI and the Russian Revolution and it follows Eliza Ferreday and her friend Sofya Steshnayva as their lives are turned upside down. What I love most about her books is that Martha Hall Kelly draws her characters from real people and the research and detail in her novels is what sets her apart.

The beginning was a little slow, trying to place all of the characters but after the first few chapters it really picks up and you won't be able to put down the book.

I highly recommend this and you don't need to read Lilac Girls in order to read this. I can't wait for her third book about Eliza's mom during the Civil War!

Kelly has done it again, creating a magnificent saga to follow LILAC GIRLS. Kelly digs further back into the history of the Ferraday women to focus on Eliza Ferraday and her friendship with Sofya, an aristocratic Russian displaced by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918.

The writing is strong and engaging, but the heart of this novel is the meticulous research that brought every moment to life. From the snooty enclaves of Southampton to the devastation of Russia, I felt like I was part of the story.

Each character is beautifully fleshed out, and serve as narrators, as each weaves her story into an extraordinary fabric of love, and relentless determination. Despite the barriers of America in the early 20th century, Eliza becomes a beacon of hope for the displaced Russians who had lost everything as a result of the revolution. It is Sofya who lives through absolute horror and privation to escape Russia and find her child. Poor Varinka, no more than a child is able to go through her own journey.

Having recently visited St Petersburg, it allowed me to sink into the descriptions and picture the people involved in the destruction of an entire society.

Yet, with all this, it is essentially a novel that is incredibly satisfying and defines feminism and female strength and resilience. I look forward to reading Kelly’s next novel as she delves into more ancestors of the indomitable Eliza Ferraday.

I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this brilliant novel.

For fans of The Lilac Girls, this story predates that of Caroline Ferriday to focus on her mother's generation and the aid that was provided to Russian emigres during and after World War One. While we've all learned the story of Czar Nicholas and his family during the Bolshevik Revolution, I had no real sense of how the entire aristocracy was affected. Beautifully researched and written again with varying points of views this book will satisfy any lover of historical fiction.

The world is in turmoil and edging toward World War One. This novel is a prequel to  The Lilac Girls and features the real life heroine Caroline Ferriday. In this prequel, we learn about Caroline's mother, Eliza and two other women that are thrown into the intense situations they faced in 1914. Eliza is the connection between the two novels, but this one could be read as stand-alone.

Eliza is a socialite and lives in Manhattan. Eliza enjoys traveling the world with her friend Sofya Streshnayva, who is a cousin of the Romanov's, the reigning dynasty in Russia. While visiting her in St. Petersburg, Eliza becomes aware  that a war is immenint and fears for Sofya, who seems unaware of the danger that could come. When war is declared, Eliza heads home to America.

Varinka Kozlov is a fascinating character that the Romanov family hire to help in their household. She is a daughter of well-known fortune-teller. I liked her character and tried to imagine the helplessness that she felt. Varinka and her mom are under the thumb of some dangerous men that are involved in the local uprisings. She has a kind heart, but she is being manipulated and threatened.

This is the story of these three strong, determined women and their quest for survival. While this story is not as fast-paced as the first, the characters are compelling, some of the situations were harrowing and I was invested to find out how each of their stories would end.

Fans of historical fiction and vivid historical settings should enjoy this one.
Blog and GR reviews posted on Jan 25th.

I really enjoyed "Lost Roses" by Martha Hull Kelly. Set during and immediately after World War I, the story brings to life the plight of the White Russian refugees who have to flee from the Bolsheviks and the efforts of American citizens who seek to bring them belief.

The story was enthralling and engrossing and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly, Author of “Lost Roses” has written an eloquent, poignant, intriguing, intense and captivating novel. In this prequel to
“Lilac Girls” where we met the heroine Carolyn Ferriday, we step back in time to be introduced to her mother Eliza. “Lost Roses” follows some of the characters from St, Petersburg to Paris and New York, around World War One. The timeline for this story is around 1914 and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The Genre for this story is Historical Fiction. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as resourceful, complex and complicated.

Eliza Ferreday gets the opportunity to travel to St. Petersburg with a good friend Sofya Steshnayva, a cousin of the Romonavs. The two women met in Paris years ago, and have become good friends. Sophia is hoping to show Eliza all the glorious sights of Russia.
When World War One breaks out, and there is revolution in Russia for power, Eliza goes back home to New York, and Sofya and her family go to the family estate. Sofya’s family hires a seamstress/ fortune-teller’s daughter Varinka as domestic help. Varinka has some deep dark secrets, and brings danger with her.

Eliza Ferreday, Sofya Steshnayva and Varinka are three strong willed determined women, especially during this time in history.

Eliza Ferreday helps the Russian women, some once royalty as they escape to America. They are known as the “White Russian Families.”They now are in poverty, having lost everything. Eliza becomes troubled when letters stop coming from Sofya. Varinka sees certain opportunity as devastation and troubling times set upon them.

I appreciate the author’s diligent research into this time period. I highly recommend this amazing and intriguing novel to those readers who appreciate Historical Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Lost Roses was incredible. It is the prequel to the best selling WWll novel, Lilac Girls, but can be read as a stand alone. Fans of the first book will enjoy learning a little more about Caroline as a child and all about her mother, Eliza, who is featured in the book. It is told through 3 alternating perspectives and gives a multifaceted view of the turmoil in Russia during the first World War. When done well, I believe that Historical Fiction is one of the most powerful genres and this story definitely exhibited this. I love reading about strong women who are full of grace and courage despite their circumstances. This book was profound and felt dear to my heart.

My head still hurts from crying! What a great way to end the reading year. I was fortunate to obtain an ARC from Net Galley since I was anxious to read this prequel to The Lilac Girls. In terms of being swept up in the story emotionally, I believe I enjoyed this book even more. Both books portray incredibly strong women, at the center of which are two generations of real life heroines, all of whom overcome incredible challenges and heartbreaks. How that happens is fantastical at times, but this is, after all, fiction. It is sad though to realize that the most horrific events depicted are most accurate, so maybe the incredible is just as likely. It was wonderfully engaging, and so exciting to read at the end that Kelly next will take us back another generation to the Civil War to continue the tale of the wonderful Woolsey women! Hats off to her for finding a thread of not very well known history and spinning it into this wonderful fabric of compassion and triumph over adversity. Your hard work is appreciated!

I loved Martha Hall Kelly's first novel, Lilac Girls and was extremely eager to read Lost Roses. I was not disappointed. One thing I really loved about Lost Roses were the simple nods back to Lilac Girls! They were subtle, yet had you read the first book you got them right away! Like little Easter eggs...
Lost Roses follows the stories of several Russian women in the early 1900's. I will say at times it was a little challenging to keep up with who was related to who, but not so much that it took anything away from the story.
You grow to love Sofya and Eliza as you progress through the story and root for them! There is then the character of Varinka. When we first meet Inka, you do take a liking to her, even if it is in a more pitied manner. Without giving any spoilers away, that like goes away pretty quickly...as we realize her intentions are not for the best.
One of the things that Martha does best is truly research her stories. While this is a fictional historical novel, the premise behind it is based on nonfiction which helps truly bring the characters to life. She is also such a descriptive writer so you do feel like you have been encapsulated in the story and become part of it.
Lost Roses is a story about love, friendship sisterhood, family, loss, struggle....you just about name it and it is in there. There will be pages that will make you want to scream and tear the page right out of the book, and there will be pages you may need that torn out page to dry tears with. It is a wonderful story and very well worth the read! Looking forward to her next novel.

I had a hard time getting into this story unlike The Lilac Girls. I don't know if it is the period it is set in it something else but it just never kept my interest. I had problems feeling any sort of empathy for the characters.

I loved Martha Hall Kelly's first novel, Lilac Girls, and was so excited when I heard she was writing a prequel to it. Lost Roses lived up to all my expectations. Once I began reading Lost Roses, I found it difficult to put it down.

In Lost Roses, Martha Hall Kelly told Caroline's mother, Eliza Woolsey Mitchell's story.. It followed Eliza's life and how she first became involved with her tireless charitable help she offered the "White Russian" immigrants who were escaping the horrors of the Russian Revolution. Eliza devoted much of her life to helping these women find safety in both housing and work..Caroline Ferriday was just a young girl when the story began. It was nice to discover how Caroline's mother's charitable endeavors influenced and shaped Caroline's life. Eliza's and Caroline's relationship evolved into a close and nurturing one over the course of the story.

Lost Roses alternated between the stories of Eliza, Sofya, Eliza's childhood friend and a cousin to the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia and Varinka, a Russian peasant girl. It was told over the course of World War I and the Russian Revolution. Through the voices of these three strong women one learns how their lives were inter-connected and influenced one another. Transported back to the Bolsheviks uprising in Russia, Paris where many "White Russians" escaped to for safety, Southhampton and Connecticut, the descriptions and details make you feel as if you are actually there.

I fell in love with Lost Roses as soon as I began reading it. It was quite different from Lilac Girls but every bit as good. Hinted at that another book is in the planning stages, I can't wait for its debut. I highly recommend Lost Roses. It was amazing!

I feel so fortunate to have received a complimentary copy of Lost Roses from Random House LLC through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction is my favorite genre and nobody writes it better than Martha Kelly Hall. She stole my heart with her first novel The Lilac Girls and has me feeling all of the same feels with her new novel The Lost Roses.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced readers copy of The Lost Roses in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this story quickly within a couple of sittings. Sadly my time had been broken up by holiday obligations and adulting or I would have not put this novel down.

Things I loved-

The way Hall portrays strong women in every social class.

The story is told from multiple points of view. Allowing the author to show the war from all sides.

The timeline spans the years before during and after the First World War. I appreciate that the author in both of her novels didn’t just end the story with the end of the war.

All of her characters, even the side characters are well developed. And I was invested in every single one.

The Ferriday women are fascinating. Always strong and willing to lend that strength to those less fortunate. I find myself wanting to know all I can about them. I can’t wait for Hall’s next novel about this same family set during the civil war.

Things I didn’t love-

That the book ended. How I didn’t want it to end lol

I urge you to pick this up. You will not be disappointed. You don’t need to read The Lilac Girls in order to enjoy this book but they are better together =)

Also, please read the authors note at the end of this book. It’s so important to the story in my opinion. I appreciate all the time and research that Hall has put into this novel to help with the storytelling and historical accuracy. Although many of the characters are fictional they are drawn from real life people.