Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying on just the right side of scandal.
Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go even while knowing someone of her stature could never end up with someone of his.
Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches,
I had never read anything by this author before and probably will not again. What started as a poignant read progressed into a slow and drawn out one. I liked the beginning and the ending but the middle was much too slow for me.
I'm sorry to say that it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I gave this book 2.75 (rounded up to 3.0 stars) of 5.0 stars for plot, story line and characterization. If you're into slow historical reads you'll love this book but a more fast paced read is what I was looking for and the era is not one that I enjoy.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book by invitation.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I was captivated by the blurb of The Glittering Hour. The impression I from the blurb is that it was going to be a sweeping romance. While it was that, it was so much more.

The Glittering Hour got off to a slow start but morphed into a fast-paced, heartbreaking book. There was no lag to the plotline. There were also no dropped characters or storylines.

I am not the biggest fan of the dual plotline books. I can’t keep track of going on. Not the case in The Glittering Hour. The author made sure that I knew what year (aka character) I was reading. Even the characters that had smaller roles (like the governess or the gardener) were clearly labeled. I had no issue following along.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Selina when I first started reading her half of the book. She came across as spoiled. But, as the author got more into her backstory, I understood why she acted the way she did. I believe that is why she was so attracted to Lawrence. He gave her a sense of belonging that she didn’t get from her family. Her love for Alice was evident through the letters she wrote to her and Alice’s memories.

I felt awful for Alice. She was living with people who resented her presence. Her grandmother treated her awfully. She was so cold. It was painfully obvious when her younger cousin came for a visit, and he was indulged. I wanted to reach through the book and hug her; I felt that bad for her. My heart broke even more for her towards the end of the book.

I liked Lawrence, but I thought he fell for Selina too quickly. In an era where social and economic status were still barriers, I knew that he didn’t have a chance with her. I was mentally chanting, “Don’t fall in love, don’t fall in love.” But he did, and it was wonderfully sad.

There were a couple of twists in the storyline that took me by surprise. The one that involved Alice, I saw coming. But the other one blew me away. I didn’t see that one coming at all. When it was revealed, I had to put down my Kindle and take a minute to process it. I should have known something was up when Flick made an appearance!!!

The end of The Glittering Hour had me sobbing my eyes out. From the minute both twists were revealed, I was crying. What a way to end a book!!

I loved this book! Nine year old Alice is staying with her grandparents at Blackwood, the old family estate, while her mother and father travel. To help pass the time, and to teach Alice about her mother's secrets, her mother Selina and her maid Polly devise a "treasure hunt" consisting of clues about Selina's past. Told in dual timelines, I was thoroughly engrossed with both the stories of Alice and Selina. Though this was a lengthy novel, I read it fairly quickly because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Iona Grey's descriptive writing painted a vivid picture and her well-developed characters drew me in, not letting go until I devoured each and every page and keeping me guessing the entire book. This book has it all; a mysterious old house, a love story, family secrets, an entertaining story line with an interesting historical backdrop, strong women characters, and the pain of loss. Five solid stars. This was my firsts book by Iona Grey, but it absolutely will not be my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Iona Grey, and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this fabulous book.

“We’re all going to die sometime-that’s a fact. And the only thing we can do to cheat death is to live properly. Bravely. Love wholly. Living, instead of just existing- you said that, remember?”

This book blew me away- heartbreaking, hopeful, romantic all wrapped up into one. I’ve always enjoyed stories that travel back and forth from different years but I loved that his book followed a mother and daughter. The girl’s mother is on a long business trip overseas with the father and writes letters to her daughter with clues to take the girl on adventures to tell her story. Alternating chapters describe the mother’s life as young woman trying to find a place in the world. She grew up in a wealthy family but struggles with feeling as if she belongs. A heartbreaking love story continues with many plot twists that I did not predict. This is just an overall great book with great description, characters, and story line.

Thank you to Iona Grey, St. Martin’s Press, Thomas Dunne Books, and NetGalley for ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Iona Grey, author of "The Glittering Hour" has written an emotional, intense, captivating, and intriguing novel. The Genre for "The Glittering Hour" is Historical Fiction. The story takes place in England. The timeline for this story" spans" over two decades, and takes place just around World War Two.  There are two storylines, the past and the author's present that merge together, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together.  The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Some are selfish and self-centered. There are deep, dark secrets that can change everything for all of the characters.

The themes in this novel are choices and consequences,  mother, daughter, sister relationships, communication, family, friends, love, loss, and hope. I would suggest having a box of Kleenex nearby.

Alice is a young girl who is staying with her opinionated and intolerant Grandmother while her mother and father are away. Polly,  Alice's Nanny is a wonderful friend and support for Alice. Polly mails Alice's letters to her mother, who sends back clues to a treasure hunt in the house.

Going back to the past, we meet Selina, Alice's mother as a young lady. Selina is daring and fun-loving and is friends with an elite group of friends. Of course, Selina doesn't like to follow any of the rules set by her mother. (Alice's Grandmother). There are a few times that the group gets into trouble. Selina reminds me of a person who is " footloose and fancy-free". She really doesn't give too much thought to what she does. Selina does meet a photographer, Lawrence Weston, who barely can make a living. Both Selina and Lawrence come from different financial worlds, wealth vs. poverty.

There are twists and turns, deep dark secrets, and shocking surprises in this novel. Some choices that are made have heartbreaking consequences. These are really difficult choices. One question that does come from this story, is what is love? I would highly recommend this thought-provoking story for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.

THE GLITTERING HOUR by Iona Grey
Story of Alice, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandmother as her parents are traveling for work.
Her dad has a ruby mine and he's gone to see what the problems are. Selina her mother accompanied him.
Love that Alice has Polly to help with the treasure hunt-I set something up similar for my young cousins who I was babysitting, so fun!
Mr. Patterson is a treasure as he teaches her so much and about cool things.
She learns one day so devastating news about her mother and she runs away. She had only wanted to see her mother...
Selina's past is played out in front of our eyes with the treasure hunt game that others set up. So deceiving that they couldn't tell the child the real reason why her mother was where she was...
Glad to hear about her real father and how he finds out and so many other secrets.
She has a bond with the Chinese house and she holds on to that and other things sent to her from her mother.
So heartbreaking and so loving at the same time. Ends with acknowledgements, about the author, other works by the author.
Received this review copy via the Publicist at St. Martin's Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheGlitteringHour #NetGalley

It is the Roaring 20's in London and a group of socialites called the Bright Young Things have captivated the press with their outrageous parties, treasure hunts and excessive drinking. Selina Lennox is one of these but on one of the treasure hunts she meets a penniless painter and falls madly in love with him. A secretive whirlwind romanance ensues, but then tragedy strikes close to home and Selina makes a decision which she spends the rest of her life regretting.
The book is told in alternating parts between present day with Selina's 9 year old daughter Alice, letters to Alice from Selina, and parts of Selina's past. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but once I did I couldn't put it down. If books sometimes make you cry then grab some tissues. I sobbed like a baby towards the end. This was a great book and I highly recommend it.

I enjoyed reading the first third of the book and the last third of the book but I found the middle long and boring. It’s about Selena and her life in two different timelines. In 1925, after the war, Selena and her friends are enjoying life, having a scavenger hunt. In 1936 the story is about Selena and her daughter Alice. The stories run almost concurrently which made it a little confusing at times. I so wanted this book to become one of my favorite reads but the long boring descriptions made me struggle to finish it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest opinion. I would read another book by the author because I think there’s a lot of potential.

Scrumptious novel that will linger. I adored Iona’s first book and this lives up to that brilliant offering. A breathtaking work that hits all the right literary high notes. Post WW1 / WW2 literary works are fast becoming personal favourites. Dare I ask what’s next?.

This was a truly interesting story. It's sort of epistolary which I love. Except it sort of flows better than an epistolary novel. Alice is staying with her mother's parents while her parents are traveling to Burma. The grands as they are referred to by Selina (the mother) are rather awful. Surely it wouldn't be that hard to take the 9 year old to Burma in the 1930s. But you'll get it eventually. I really became engaged with the characters, not just Alice and Selina, but also Flick and Lawrence and all of the rest. Just kidding. Not the grandmother. I definitely recommend this.

I received a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Glittering Hour (by Iona Grey) is about family dynamics during the 1920's and 30's in England's upper class. Ms Grey gives us part of the story in letters to her daughter. Fair warning, there may be tears. I want to thank Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an early copy to review.

This is my first Iona Grey book and I'm sorry but I just couldn't get into it. The writing was just sooo slow. I got 27% into it and I had to stop. I'm sorry but I guess it's just not my cup of tea or maybe I'm having an off day. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.

I love books like this. Epic and captivating stories - slowly peeling back like an onion.

Selina is a Bright Young Thing - floating from one party to another, dancing deep into the night, swimming in champagne. She marries - to satisfy her parents and to go with the conventions of the time, but she is rather unhappy. Her daughter Alice is born and Selina is enamored from day one.

When Alice is 9, her mother and father leave on a world wide business trip. Alice is left at her grandparents house and under the care of a stern nanny/governess. Luckily, Polly, her mother's maid and friend is there to comfort Alice. Selina and Alice start exchanging letters - and Selina sets up the task of Alice finding out the truth of her and her mother's life.

This book is beautiful. It perfectly captures the "Bright Young Things" of London - you can see them in their glitter and falling out of cars. It perfectly captures the loneliness of a little girl left with a nanny.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It seems to be my week for reading about the ‘Bright Young Things’ of pre-WWII England. This story is told primarily from the viewpoint of young Alice Curlew, who has been left at the estate of her mother’s parents while her parents go on a trip to India for her father’s business. Alice feels unwelcome by her grandparents, but spends her time on a treasure hunt with clues provided by her mother and Polly, who has been with the family since her mother was a young girl. Alice’s mother, Selina Lennox was one of London’s Brightest Young Things. Fearless and somewhat reckless after the death of her beloved brother in the Great War, she is living for two people. On one fated night while on a treasure hunt of her own, Selina meets Lawrence Weston, an artist, and it changes the paths of their lives forever. Lawrence is not a part of Selina’s class, and she is to marry a friend of her deceased brother, Rupert Curlew. Will Selina follow her heart, or will she do the safe thing? The story starts out rather slowly, but then the clues start to appear, and when they do, the story unwinds in a most unexpected way. Historical fiction, mystery, romance, this book has it all. If you like Iona Grey’s first book, then this one is a must. Thank you #netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This is one of the best books that I've read this year. The author has woven together a complex story of love , loss, relationships and the social British society between the two world wars. The characters are so well defined and the poignancy of their situation is palpable. I could not put it down and kudos to the author for this breathtaking story. Wonderful novel for book club discussions.

I normally compose my reviews right after finishing a book but after finishing The Glittering Hour I had to wait – I had to compose myself first. So with tears still in my eyes, I would like to share how deeply this book moved me. First of all, it completely transports the reader to both timelines - in 1925 when we meet free-spirited Selina and then in 1936 when we meet her daughter Alice. Both timelines are equally interesting and engaging. The life of Selina and her fellow Bright Young Things is well captured. The world of young Alice is also so well described that you can perfectly visualize her grandparents' decaying estate. Each character was just perfect as was the whole book – right to the last page. I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin’s Press and Ms. Grey for an advance copy of this wonderful book.

This book took it's time for me to connect with it. I was THIS close to putting it down for another time. I am so glad I did not. Selina who we see over the years from 1925 to 1936 started off as a flat one dimensional character. She was a 'bright young thing' AKA a rich(ish) white woman with no rights but lots of drunken fun. 1936 has her daughter Alice who is learning about where she came from. Selina has to travel out of the area so set's up a treasure hunt to save Alice the boredom she faced in her youth. I really do not want to say too much more because if I do I will go alll spoilery. This book does wonders to see how far women have been able to come and also how first impressions are most definitely not always right. If you are a fan of historical fiction with dual timelines I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

The Glittering Hour is a romance that tells the story of Selina Lennox, a Bright Young Thing in London in the 1920s, and Lawrence Weston, a painter whose passion is photography, which there's no market for at the time.

The story is told in turns from Selina's perspective in the 1920s, and her daughter, Alice's perspective, in the 1930s. Her daughter doesn't know much about her mama's path until she has to stay for a time at her grandmother's house, as her parents travel for business, where her mother has left a scavenger hunt for Alice to complete, which reveals stories from her mama's past and Alice's beginning.

The story was beautifully told, and at times broke my heart. Highly recommend.

I appreciate what this book tried to do a lot, and I really enjoyed a chunk of it. Unfortunately, I am not a big historical fiction fan no matter what disguise it's wearing, and so ultimately I just couldn't drag myself to the finish line unscathed. I finished the book because I am not a quitter, but - through no fault of the book's - I was ultimately bored.

The Glittering Hour is a tearfully, stunning historical fiction with a dual timeline.it weaves the loves of Alice and her mother.
The author does just a beautiful job, that you feel that you are actually there.
Their was a lot of truth in this beautiful and moving story of love , loss and redemption..
Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
This is my honest review and opinion.