I LOVED this book!!!!! I've never read anything by MJ Rose before but that will definitely change. I started reading and couldn't put it down. I was fascinated by the historical details and really felt transported back in time to Gilded Age nyc. Vera was just a fantastic heroine, so smart and ambitious at a time when women just weren't. The love story was delicious and the subplots with her mother, sister, and journalist/women's suffrage made this book a 5 star. Truly impressed & highly recommend.

If you love historical novels you need to get your hands on M.J. Rose's latest novel Cartier's Hope. I will admit that it can be a tad long winded at times, but the story is solid and paints a beautiful- jewel themed picture that will not disappoint. Vera and her delightful secret pen name Vee Swann will make you proud of being a woman. She does not stand down from a fight and does anything to bring justice into the world.
I would like to thank the Publishers, the author and NETGALLEY for this book. It was given to me in exchange of an unbiased review.
Favorite Quote:"My father told me to hold on to love even when the world around me tried to snatch it away."

This one didn't quite live up to its potential. The idea for the story was a strong one, and I loved Vera, but overall it feels a little lacking. I think its because I expected more of a BANG when it came to her article and Oxly, but it was really anti-climactic considering it was supposed to be what was driving her for the entire book. For me the reveal of her romantic and professional past was almost more interesting than the main plot. I appreciate the way that the author wove in the history and lore of the Hope diamond while educating us about gemstones and how they used Vera and her ambition to give us a view into both the upper echelon of New York society and the social injustices of the time. I think that perhaps the author had a few too many things that they wanted this book to cover and instead of developing one or two ideas really well they just threw everything into the pot and hoped for the best which ended it in it becoming a bit lackluster.

A little revenge story, part of a series offering free publicity for various high-end jewelers. Protagonist Vera is a society lady with some sad love affairs in her past. She works in disguise as Vee, a working-class reporter who chronicles New York's tenements, unsafe factories, and other social issues. When Vera discovers that her father and her mother's brother were lovers being blackmailed by a publisher, she comes up with a plan to expose the publisher for his nefarious deeds without exposing her family to scandal. Along the way she has a romance with a jeweler who works at Cartier's, learns about paste gems, and gets beaten to revenge by her mother. The romance elements are either cringe-worth (the narrator recounts having her cellist lover play her like his cello) or without chemistry (her relationship with the jeweler seems added just so there can be an element of sex). The family relationships are messy and come and go in importance to the rest of the plot elements. The plot overall is convoluted and silly. For such smart and potentially interesting characters, I expected more intelligent thinking.

Magnificent descriptive writing especially the historical fiction. An exciting read that is hard to put down. In the age of New York City during a fabulous time in history.

I found this book to be full of mystic and mystery! This author knows how to capture your attention and develop characters that are authentic, interesting and unique!
I truly enjoyed the setting and era of the book, I found it to be educational concerning the Hope Diamond, jewelry making and lush surroundings. The mystery the author creates kept me wondering throughout the day what would happen next! Beautifully described and I wanted to be part of the plot! A must read!

Vera is a women making a name in the mens world of journalism. She is stepping outside of the norm of fashion and society. She is interested in discovering the secrets and rumors that the Hope Diamond value is being manipulated by Cartier. As she digs deeper she is trying to find her answers in a world that doesn't support women in mens careers.

Lush and lively, Cartier's Hope is a richly paced and enticing read, bearing all of MJ Rose's hallmark signatures of strong characterization and a compelling premise.

This was a wonderful book. Set in 1910. Vera Garland is a journalist and a modern women who is beset by societies protocols everywhere she turns. Actually a member of the upper class she uses a pseudonym to write important articles and try to effect social change. The Hope Diamond has arrived and she plans to use its story to revenge her father and other who have had society use and abuse them. A great look at early New York and a great mystery.

I was expecting this to be a lighter book, but it went a lot of different directions and certainly into more depth than I expected based on the cover. I enjoyed it greatly and had a hard time putting it down. The idea of secret identities and protecting the family name was quite interesting.

This is an interesting look at society in the Gilded Age. Vera is a socialite with a social conscience and wants to make her mark as an investigative reporter. It is also an intriguing commentary on Cartier and the infamous Hope Diamond. The characters are well defined and the setting is well described. A fascinating read.

I love being immersed in the Gilded Age with high society. This is a great book that features the famous Hope Diamond. Is it real, is it fake? Are the stories of it being cursed for real? Read the book and find out.

Cartier’s Hope by M.J. Rose is an intricate novel that is more then just a fictional story about the Hope Diamond. It is an historical fiction about the turn of the century 1900 in NY and gives us a glimpse of the two extremes that existed at that time. One sees how the majority lived: daily struggles to survive, eat, make a living, keeping safe, and the other half: the ultra-rich, the privileged. It also gives the reader a glimpse of how difficult it was for women at that time. It was near impossible to garner respect, equality, be available to opportunities that were openly given preference to men. Women were seen as objects, lesser beings, not as deserving, and had their “place” in the home and in the bed, not in the workforce. It is difficult to see how many obstacles women had to face on a day to day basis.
But, more then that, this novel is about the universal topics of hope, acceptance, respect, love, and redemption and the fascinating thing is that the author ties to all together to let the reader see that those needs transverse across “classes”. Those needs are just as important for the people living in the tenements and for those living in the gilded mansions.

There is romance, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and finally acceptance and hope. I am glad that Vera was finally able to experience that. A fitting end to an interesting novel.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

This is posted to my GR account immediately and will be posted to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.

MJ Rose's Cartier's Hope did not live up to her previous books. There was a lot of good about the book but it bogged down in places and took a long time to get to the main point. Vera Garland is a wealthy socialite. She has a conscience and fights for many rights for women, welfare reform, and better working conditions. Vera's uncle and then her father die, and Vera has had an accident and has hurt her back. She hears that Cartier's Jewelers has just acquired the Hope Diamond. She decides this could be her comeback article. But when she discovers her Uncle was being blackmailed she is out for revenge. Cartier's Hope is not one of MJ Rose's best works., but I would still recommend it.

This book absolutely, positively goes in my keeper file. A second chance romance that really puts this couple through heartbreaking emotional and physical pain.

I love M.J. Rose she is one of my favorite authors. While I enjoy her books that have magical realism a bit more this book did not disappoint. It is filled with well drawn characters and wonderful historical fiction. it centers around the Hope Diamond and its history. It is absolutely wonderful.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This was such a unique, beautiful book! The history and worldbuilding was excellent and I was quickly swept up in the drama. It felt similar to the historical fiction of Fiona Davis -- highly dramatic, lush, romantic -- and I loved it. I've never read any M.J. Rose before, but this made me eager to explore Rose's other titles. Look forward to recommending this to others when it's released!

Cartier’s Hope by M.J.Rose

A delightful story about Vera Garland, a.k.a Vee Swann, an intrepid newspaper woman in New York City. Her life’s mission is to investigate and report on the societal wrongs of the early 1900s, just at the cusp of the Woman Suffrage Movement.

The infamous Hope Diamond is central to one of Vera’s stories as she sets out to uncover the evil doings of the blackmailer Thelonius Oxley. Going under over as writer Vee Swann, Vera sets a plan in motion which will rock her world, as well as expose Mr. Oxley.

Rose’s characters are likable, her story line is good, and her writing is strong. Hope is the pivotal theme to this tale, which plays well to the clever book title. All in all, this novel gets a solid 4 star review from me.

This fictional story, set against the backdrop of NYC’s Gilded Age, brings the glitter on the outside including Cartier’s jewelry store and his rich clientele. But there is a lot of corruption underneath, including mysterious diamond, causing much havoc, and mistreatment of less privileged and their injustices. Poor immigrants crammed into tenements contrast drastically with millionaires living in mansions on 5th Ave.

NYC, 1910: Vera Garland is the daughter of one of the wealthiest merchants in the city. And she is very ambitious. She chooses profession over marriage. As if married, it was expected of a woman to leave her position (if she had any) behind. And that was not what she wanted to do.

She takes a pseudonym of Vee Swann and works as an investigative journalist. Those positions are very limited for women. Women journalists are seen as accidents in the industry, only to be tolerated. Still considered second-class citizens, paid less and treated unfairly in regards to assignments and promotions. She and other brave women fight to change it.

Her assignment on illegal abortion puts her article on the first page, which is a double success for a woman. Her career takes a giant leap forward.

Now, a family situation gives her an idea for a new assignment, which would avenge her uncle’s and her beloved father’s deaths. It is an assignment involving Mr. Cartier’s overblown sales techniques. In the process of investigating Mr. Cartier, she develops feelings for his assistant Jacob Asher. But Mr. Asher turns out to be much more than just a jeweler.

The story beautifully comes to its end. The disagreements are better understood, what or rather who seemed perfect turns out to be with flaws, secrets revealed make more sense - all that happens, when you get to know someone better. And in some situations if you only let your heart be open. After the death of her father, Vera finds a letter from him, which is very heart-warming.

Well-developed protagonist, who defies conventions. She is focused on a career, rather than motherhood, and meeting man’s expectations of a wife. She speaks out. She argues. She could be too challenging for a man, who most likely would like to tame her. She is a free spirit and bohemian breaking conventions.

Enjoyed many aspects of historical background including: the short story of the French Blue (Hope diamond) and how it changed owners; short introduction of Cartier family; about a paste copy to make imitation gems; the contrast of those less fortunate and those very fortunate; and women’s movement for equality at work.

Typically, I don’t read mystery, as the mysterious tone is not necessarily an engaging read for me. Therefore, the five stars is a testament to very skillful and talented writing.

A spellbinding tale. Kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the last 150 pages furiously. This historical fiction novel is not just about the Hope diamond, but captures a rare look into life in America in the early 1900’s...,mostly of the multimillionaire class, but also of injustices done to women and those living in tenements. The author has a very unique writing style. I look forward to her next book, hoping it continues where this one left off.