Thank you Netgalley and Park Row for the chance to read The stolen book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick.
Another dual timeline novel, at first I wondered whether I would like this as it seemed to start off a bit slow, but I quickly became immersed in the two storylines: 1898; Evelyn, who ended up in a abusive marriage with William, who ends up stealing and publishing Evelyn's novels as his own; and 2006, Abby, who discovers that her mysterious father she never knew, may be a great grandson to poetess Evelyn Aubrey. She sets off to England to discover her Father, and the mystery behind the disappearance of Evelyn Aubrey. The two timelines wove seamlessly together, and I never had an issue switching from one to another. I found the ending both heartbreaking but in someways uplifting.

Thank you to the publisher for the free Netgalley!
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This was quite the interesting read. I loved Evelyn, as we watched her navigate a rough situation. Watching the development of her story and the way it ended was well done.

I also enjoyed the more current storyline. Abigail was kind of insufferable at first. She was extremely immature for 31, but her character development was well written. I also enjoyed watching her story unfold.

While the book dragged a smidge at times, this was a solid historical fiction with a twinge of mystery!

My Thoughts: This is a super satisfying fast paced read. Each of the two timelines are so well written that they could stand alone. Evelyn evolved from having it all together to enduring a crumbling marriage, a death, and the ultimate betrayal. Abigail experienced the opposite. An unknown father, a dead mother, and the inability to commit to anything made her uncentered. In her quest to discover who her father was Abigail uncovered more family secrets than she bargained for. Both Evelyn and Abigail had to choose to take gigantic leaps of faith in order to achieve the ending they desired.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

There is so much to love about this book. I love the dual timeline throughout the book and felt an instant connection with the characters. I was intrigued by the relationship so quickly developed between Abigail and her distant relatives in England. The twists at then end of the book were a wonderful surprise.

I have been reluctant to say too much, as I do not want to risk giving too much of the plot line away.

Great book. Highly recommended.

Dual timeline historical fiction with lots of secrets, mysteries and curses passed down through generations. Evelyn and William Aubrey live in England in 1898. They are both writers, or are they? It’s Evelyn’s story that starts Abby in 2007 looking for her family history. Courageous women, plot twists and interesting family dynamics are uncovered a century later.

A story of secrets, of wrongs, a mystery, and an excellent historical fiction. A book i couldn't put down and loved.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Evelyn was awestruck by the writing talent her husband William Aubrey possessed when they married in 1898 England. He was jealous of her talent when writer's block hit, and stole a draft of her novel to pass off as his own. Betrayed, Evelyn escaped the marriage and was presumed murdered. In 2006 California, Abigail thought she would never find out who her father was after her mother died. When she finds a photograph of him and the message that her great-great-grandmother was Evelyn Aubrey, Abigail goes to England in search of answers. Abigail soon believes that Evelyn had plans in mind when she left William.

Evelyn's and William's marriage starts out idyllic before his volatile temper begins to show. She was already relatively isolated in the manor, her parents not visiting, her writing her only comfort. When they do visit, disaster strikes, further isolating her. Abby lost her mother in an earthquake and was floundering since then, caught in dead-end jobs and relationships. When she loses her sense of stability, she takes off for England. These turning points in their lives set off journeys to search for meaning, who they are in relation to others, who they are on their own, and who they could be in the future.

Women's options were limited in the England of Evelyn's time, and Abby had limited her own due to fear of confrontations and a poor sense of self. While Abby wants to know more about Evelyn, it's always someone else that has to push her along the next step. Evelyn herself says her words are not her own, and she too loses herself for a while. Once she accepts that, she can plan ahead again. Abby's changes are subtle because she learns to be present, to care for others, and to be in the middle of the unpleasant. As she puts it, her cracks have been filled in. I like that image, and how her grief and loss no longer defined her.

This novel encapsulated so much. Mystery, horror, historical fiction, literary crit and more. I read in it a day, I just couldn't put it down!

The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey was an intriguing dual time period story.

In !898 we meet Evelyn Aubrey, the pampered daughter of wealthy parents whose father has educated her as if she was a son. She has thrown over her dependable but boring fiance for the debonair William Aubrey, a young writer whose debut novel has brought him accolades and acclaim. She marries William and they move into her family country home as a retreat for William to write his next masterpiece. Evelyn is too a writer, but only for herself. William starts to change from the dashing lover and adoring husband into a jealous, egotistical bully. William steals Evelyn’s novel and publishes it under his name in the ultimate betrayal. Then Evelyn disappears, never to be heard from again. Did Wiliam murder her to keep her silent, or did Evelyn plot the ultimate revenge?

In 2006 is Abigail the aimless great-great granddaughter of Evelyn, though she is unaware of the connection until she finds a book of poems and a picture of her never known father. The picture of Evelyn in the book could be a picture of Abigail. She has never known who her father is and her mother died tragically young leaving Abby to be raised by her grandparents. Intrigued by the chance to find out more about her father, Abby travels to England and follows the trail of the missing Evelyn.

I enjoyed the dual time periods of this book, though I will say I enjoyed the Evelyn storyline more than the Abby one. Abby was a tough character to warm to at least for me. Evelyn was a character that had grit and strength, especially for the times she lived in. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys dual time line mysteries and family dramas.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing Park Row, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

If you could get back at someone who profoundly wronged you, even if it upends your life, would you do it? This is the question facing Evelyn Aubrey, a once-adored wife in turn-of-the-20th-century Oxfordshire, England. For her, the opportunity proves too seductive to resist.

In 1898, after ditching her stolid fiancé, Evelyn dives headlong into a passionate marriage with William Aubrey, a writer basking in the success of his recent debut novel. She expects their life at his ancestral home, Abbington Hall, to center on their shared literary interests—Evelyn is penning her own book—but a bout of writer’s block transforms William into a cold, jealous creature who steals her manuscript and publishes it under his own name. Much later, in 2006 Berkeley, California, Abigail Phillips finds a photograph of her late mother with a young man—the father she knew nothing about—and learns he was the great-grandson of Evelyn Aubrey, a redhead with Gibson Girl looks who she strongly resembles. Abigail travels to England to learn about the mysterious Evelyn, who vanished the same day William’s scandalous final book was published.

As with many multi-period novels, the historical thread is the more compelling, with twists aplenty and a period-accurate theme of sexist double standards. “It still surprises him that I am his equal, and it surprises me that he would think of me as anything less,” writes Evelyn about her new husband in her journal—words that hit home. To give her a deeper character arc, Burdick makes Abigail a directionless woman in her early thirties (she seems much younger), and Abbington Hall’s current residents accept her story with astonishing ease. Abigail’s journey toward maturity is ultimately touching, and the mystery of Evelyn’s fate unfolds in both timelines with growing suspense. This gothic-tinged novel tells an empowering tale of betrayal and delicious revenge.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing and #ParkRow for the advance copy ebook of #TheStolenBookofEvelynAubrey, by Serena Burdick. A mystery told in interwoven timelines, Abby in 2006, and Evelyn in the late 1800’s. Back in a day when female authors were not taken seriously, Evelyn was a masterful writer, much to the ire of her husband, who was also a writer. Evelyn was the writer better of the two, and a stolen manuscript sets off a chain of events spanning decades, affecting the next generation. Abby sets off to England find out the truth about her family. This was a fun read that explores the family dynamic through several different lenses. With lots of twists and turns, it’s definitely a fun one!

Title: The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey
Author: Serena Burdick
Genre: historical fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5

What if you could write a new ending for yourself?

England, 1898. When Evelyn first married the famous novelist William Aubrey, she was dazzled by his brilliance. But their newlywed bliss is brief when William is gripped by writer's block, and he becomes jealous of Evelyn's writing talent. When he commits the ultimate betrayal--stealing a draft of her novel and passing it off as his own--Evelyn decides to write her way out of their unhappy marriage.

California, 2006. Abigail always wondered about her father, his identity forever lost when her mother unexpectedly died. Or so Abigail thought, until she stumbled upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey, leading Abigail on a journey to England in search for answers. There, she learns of Evelyn's shocking disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve.

When I first started reading this, Abby was such a self-absorbed, selfish person that I almost stopped reading. I held out until she went to England, and then, as she started growing, I got more interested. Following the mystery of Evelyn made her a much more interesting character—and learning more about her own parents, especially her messed-up mother, allowed her to work through her own issues.

Evelyn was my favorite character: she ended up caught in a very tough situation, but she was smart enough to figure a way out. I wanted to smack her husband—and his mistress—several times, but she somehow managed to turn the other cheek and make a life of safety for herself. This ended up being a fascinating and engrossing read—despite the slow (due to a character issue) start.

Serena Burdick lives in Massachusetts. The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Park Row in exchange for an honest review.)

This book is amazing!!!!! So hard to put down!!!! Historical fiction fans will love this just as I do.

Serena Burcick's dazzling multigenerational tale is full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.

THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey is deft, lyrical, and supremely satisfying— a bittersweet tale of loss, destiny, and the strings of deep love that bind us together across the years.

Multi-layered, alternating with dual timelines and POV, each equally as compelling. I loved every minute of this book!

England, 1898. Evelyn marries the famous novelist William Aubrey. However, he has writer's block, and Evelyn was a writer. He steals her work and claims it as his own. This man is a monster. She is devastated and somewhat trapped being a woman in this era, but she has a revenge plan!

Would William rather be remembered as a murderer than be exposed as a fraudulent writer?

California, 2006. Abigail (Abby), lives in her grandparent's guesthouse, wandering through life to find her place. Her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey. She never knew her father, and her mom never told her. Years after her mother's death, she finds a photo and a message.

She is tenacious and decides to take off for England to seek answers to the past.

She shows up at Abbington Hall and meets the caretakers, Sally, and brother Thomas. They are not blood relatives of the Aubreys but are related by marriage. They invite her in, and Abby stays with them for an extended period while researching her past. I loved the three of them together! I also loved Lesley's character and his relationship with Evelyn.

Did William murder Evelyn? Were the house and the women cursed? Many of the women died. Abby had been conjuring ghosts her whole life, so maybe here inside these ancient whispering walls, they would finally tell her something.

Serena Burdick's twisty plot will keep you guessing even as her characters steal your heart.

I loved Evelyn! I usually like the past timelines better which here there was so much intrigue. Still, I also found the present timeline with Abby fascinating as she searched desperately for her heritage and past.

The two timelines and tales intertwine beautifully and come together seamlessly.

Powerful and spellbinding, in this gorgeous ode to books, storytellers, and literary secrets, we see the power of women through generations who must take charge of their lives and future.

Burdick is a born storyteller with well-developed characters, keeping the reader on the edge as she expertly unveils the truths and lies driving this gripping, lyrical, and captivating tale!

You may be reminded of the movie/book The Wife by Meg Wolitzer, an author whose husband steals her work. Get this one on your list. Whether you enjoy historical, literary, or women's fiction, thrillers, suspense, mysteries, or family dramas, THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey has it all!

Thank you to #ParkRow and #NetGalley for an eARC to read, review, and enjoy. #CoverCrush

Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 1, 2022
My Rating 5 🌟 STARS
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Abby has never known the identity of her father, her mother has been dead for years, and now, at 31 and adrift in a sea of dead end jobs, she's on a quest to find him, propelled by the discovery of a photograph with an inscription. This dual time line novel tracks her hunt with the more compelling the story of her great great-grandmother Evelyn in the 1890s and early 1900s. Evelyn thought marriage to William, a writer, would be wonderful because they shared a love of writing but it isn't. Not at all. He's frustrated at his inability to write a second novel while she's prolific, albeit in private. And then he steals her work. She's trapped by circumstance and economics, especially after the death of her father, with only one friend, a boy she meets when he is 10. In the present day, Abby travels to the UK and spends time with the caretakers of the Aubrey estate, who allow her to burrow through all the material in the house. This does have some improbable turns, a couple of unanswered questions (big unanswered questions) but it's a page turner. No spoilers from me. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's a great read.

A novel written in dual timelines with Evelyn's written from the early 1900's and Abby's written in 2006, one hundred years after Evelyn's disappearance. Fortunately the two timelines were very distinct and it was easy to tell them apart, especially because the family heritage on Evelyn's part was a tad confusing. Of the two, Evelyn's story was more gripping and keeps the reader engaged, but Abby's part is needed to act as the foil to move things along.

I enjoy books with alternating POV's, and so I enjoyed this one with Evelyn's story in the past (England, late 1800s/early 1900s) and Abigail's in the "present" (US, 2007). Both storylines were well developed, as is the character growth with these strong, independent women. Evelyn's storyline was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed it a little more than Abigail's. There is a gothic feel to the book. Some plot points were a bit confusing, but this was an enjoyable read overall.

"What if you could write a new ending for yourself?

England, 1898. When Evelyn first married the famous novelist William Aubrey, she was dazzled by his brilliance. But their newlywed bliss is brief when William is gripped by writer's block, and he becomes jealous of Evelyn's writing talent. When he commits the ultimate betrayal - stealing a draft of her novel and passing it off as his own--Evelyn decides to write her way out of their unhappy marriage.

California, 2006. Abigail always wondered about her father, his identity forever lost when her mother unexpectedly died. Or so Abigail thought, until she stumbled upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey, leading Abigail on a journey to England in search for answers. There, she learns of Evelyn's shocking disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve.

Rich in atmosphere and emotion, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey tells the story of literary secrets, a family curse and the lengths women will go to take charge of their future."

Family secrets and mysteries, yes please!

The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick is a tale with dual, alternating narrators: Evelyn Aubrey is the first and speaks through her mysterious, lost journal at the turn of the 20th century, and her great-great-granddaughter Abby (Abigail) Phillips, who has been desperately seeking her father ever since her mother died when Abby was just a teenager, is the second. With the chance finding of a book and a photograph in her grandmother's dresser drawer, she's off first to England, and then back to America (this time the East Coast) in order to meet relatives and forge connections she's dreamt of for most of her life.

The narration and the difference of style between Evelyn and Abby helped to make the characters feel real, and the descriptions of the surroundings grounded the reader even more into the story. I confess to having been far, far more interested in Evelyn's story, even though I easily guessed what she would do. I suppose it only spurred me on to read quicker, to watch her exact her revenge against all those who had harmed and used her.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick is a twisting, dual POV, mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

The story is told from two timelines: Abby’s story in 2006 and Evelyn’s story in the early 1900s.

I very much enjoyed this story! I was definitely more interested in Evelyn’s story than Abby’s, though. I found some of the family background confusing. Maybe I didn’t read closely enough, but Nicholas/Henry/Sally’s lineage was very hard to follow. Also, some loose ends were left with Henry, Lesley, and Marion that didn’t sit well with. I would have loved a little more in the epilogue about Evelyn since I was far more invested in her story than Abby’s.

I loved the plot of the book and how the story unfurled. The writing was good and I could hear a clear difference in the two narrators, which was great, as that is something that I feel is hard for a writer to pull off.

I encountered some annoying formatting problems in the e-ARC that was I provided. There was a weird space between every “f” and “l” in words with those letters. Ex: f lood, f leeing. Some sentences and paragraphs were hard to read because they were broken up with the title of the book randomly inserted. I’m certain this won’t be a problem in the final product, though.

All in all, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey gets 4/5 stars from me. Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.