I’m sad to say that it is not my favorite book in the Jane Austen Society Series.

This book has a large cast of characters and there are many storylines; I struggled to stay focused and couldn’t get into it. There is also a kidnapping plot that comes completely out of nowhere midway through the book.

I did learn a few things about the film industry during and after the war. I would’ve loved some historical notes or even an author's note at the end to provide more history and background information from the research that was done while writing this book. The historical notes are one of my favorite aspects of historical fiction novels. I was reading an ARC, so hopefully the finished copy has this information.

This is very different from the first two novels in the series; readers expecting the same might be disappointed by this one.

I received a free advance copy from the publisher; all opinions are my own.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner continues in the post-WWII setting of her previous novels, The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls. The current protagonist Vivien Lowry was one of the bookshop girls we met in book two, a writer with a tragic past. Her fiancé, David St. Vincent, the heir to an earldom, had been killed in the war.

When Vivien’s stage play flops in London, she escapes to Rome where she has been offered a job as a script doctor for a floundering movie at the Cinecittà studio. This world-famous studio was created by Mussolini as a propaganda machine and was then taken over by the Nazis. Now, in 1955, the studio is reviving, producing commercial films to international acclaim. A large number of American ex-pats, Hollywood-types escaping the restrictions and dangers of McCarthyism, have come to Rome to work at Cinecittà. Vivien is eager to work with these creative men and women.

She has another reason to come to Rome. She has just learned from her deceased fiancé’s sister that David did not die in a crash in Italy. He was reported missing in action and was likely a prisoner of war. At least for a little while. Vivien is certain he’s not still alive; he would have made his way home to her. But she’s desperate to learn the truth of what happened to him, and thinks she might discover more if she is physically in Italy rather than London.

While in Italy, she makes new friends, has a love affair, and struggles with the restrictions placed on moviemakers by the all-powerful Catholic Church. She also pulls strings to learn about David’s captivity.

Vivien’s story is interspersed with chapters about La Scolaretta, “the Schoolgirl,” a member of the Italian Resistance and a very successful assassin.

The storylines merge in a poignant way. Fans of Jenner’s historical women’s fiction, especially those wondering “what next?” for the Bloomsbury Girls, should love this novel. I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere – post-WWII Italy is an unusual setting for me and Jenner does a great job of immersing the reader in the time and place.

This book blew me away—it’s a bit of a slow burn to start but as the story started to come together, it picked up speed and the next thing I knew, I couldn’t put it down.
In 1955, Vivien has a chance to go to Rome and work in the burgeoning film industry there. But she also has an ulterior motive, as her fiancé never came home from the war. She hopes to find out what happened to him. An interesting cast of characters both fictional and real fill the pages, interspersed with a narrative from 1944. There’s plenty of heartbreak and Vivien, a playwriter, is a wonderful observer of the human condition.
Strong, vivid writing makes Rome come alive. Highly recommended historical fiction.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book review.

I thought this was quite the sad story. The narrative is split between 1943 and 1955.
I felt more drawn to the WWII chapters because I thought they were mired exciting and interesting.
I didn’t find the 1950s chapters as interesting because I thought they moved rather slow.
The novel’s message is sometime we regret decisions made.

I found this story to be slow. I was really excited to read this one but sadly it was not for me. I am sure others would appreciate reading it though.

I loved the peek into the Italian film industry of the 1950s. The characters had depth and the plot was riveting. A great historical fiction read!

I liked this book to some extent. The best thing it has is how great the author pictured 1950s Italy, with all its glamour and splendor. The other thing was the storytelling. Even with a dual timeline, you can see there was a great narration. What I didn't liked much was many of the characters this book has. Even though they were well developed, showing how complex people could be, I was a bit confused with some of them; it wasn't easy keeping storylines and characters straight. . Also, while everything is nicely explained at the end, I felt it a bit forced.

• ARC given by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

ve read all three of the books published by this Canadian author and I have found things to enjoy in all of them -- my forever favourite so far might always be her first one, The Jane Austen Society, but I wouldn't be a very good Austenite if I didn't say that and I'm a bit biased because all things Austen are perfect to me (except Mansfield Park, of course). This third book of hers is a bit different in tone and plot than her first two which were considerably more book-centric. Instead, Every Time We Say Goodbye (while still featuring a few of the characters from her first two standalone books) is set primarily (there is a dual timeline) in the post World War II world in London and Italy and in the world of visual arts - plays and films.

I enjoyed the characters in this story, especially once we got to the total reveal of their past lives at the end of the book, but I had a bit of a hard time keeping storylines and characters straight. I even alternated a bit between the e-book and the audiobook to see if it was just me, but I think some of the pacing of the events just didn't slot in quite right for me when compared to other dual timeline books in this genre. That being said, I always find it a bit refreshing to read a historical fiction book not exclusively set in the World War II world and especially those that look at the after-effects of the war which are heartbreaking but so moving as well. There was a lovely hopeful storyline woven throughout these pages that was special to witness as well.

While this wasn't an ultimate favourite for me, I'm still glad I read it and I will forever read her books because she touches on such great subject matter!

3.5 stars rounded up.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner is the third book featuring characters from The Jane Austen Society, Jenner’s debut, but can be read as a standalone story. I enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Juliet Aubrey even though I was sometimes confused by the large cast of characters and dual timelines, separated by just 10 years.

Seeking to escape a career-ending disappointment, playwright Vivien travels to Rome to finesse scripts for an Italian movie studio. In her work she interacts with a wide array of people, including movie producers, future film stars, and cast and crew who become dear friends. Vivien also finds some resolution as she grieves the death of her fiancé.

My favorite aspects of this novel were the Rome setting and the “behind the curtain” world of producing movies in 1955. I was very intrigued by the Catholic Church’s power to veto certain content in movies being produced in Rome.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for early access to the audiobook and to St. Martin's Press for the egalley.

An interesting setting and time for this one – Italy in 1955 where film making is as popular as it is in Hollywood and where many in the industry have fled the US to escape the McCarthy Era communist witch hunt. London playwright, Vivien Lowry, has her own escaping to do after her recent poorly received play so she finds herself in Rome working on a movie, but also trying to learn what happened to her fiancé who was shot down in Italy during the war.
Famous Hollywood names interact with the main character as she works as the screenwriter for a controversial film about a young woman resistance fighter during the war. As she learns more about Rome and tries to find out from official sources what actually happened to her fiancé, she also learns the part the Catholic Church played during the war with or against the allies.

EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Natalie Jenner took me by surprise with its unique setting-the Italian film industry in the 1950s. Post-war Italy, a place of glamour and transition, is vividly portrayed, with the former fascist regime evolving into a democracy heavily influenced by a church.

Vivien, a character we’ve encountered in Jenner’s previous books (THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY and BLOOMSBURY GIRLS), is a force to be reckoned with. Her journey to Italy, where she works as a script doctor and investigates the disappearance of her fiancé in WWII, is a testament to her strength. In a time when women were often silenced, Vivien’s voice and opinions were a beacon of empowerment. Her experiences of love, loss, and grief only made her stronger, a quality I found truly inspiring.

I had an eye migraine while I read this, so I listened to a library loan of the audiobook more than I read my copy of the book. I thought Juliet Aubrey did a wonderful job of being Vivien. Sometimes, I found myself getting a little lost and needing to relisten to parts, as I don’t usually listen to HF, but it was a good audiobook. Given the choice, I think I would read this one with my eyes.

Natalie Jenner always does a fantastic job of weaving a tale with history. I loved seeing Daphne DuMaurier, Sophia Loren, and more in the story! I always appreciate her author’s notes - they are long, but I learn so much! Just like I do reading the book! Plus, I found this book interesting because it was a new setting regarding WWII and its aftermath that I haven’t explored yet. More characters from the society need books, so I can’t wait to see what Jenner will teach us about next!

For whatever reason, I just couldn't connect with this book. Maybe my expectations were a little too high based on my enjoyed of the author's first two books or maybe I just miss the English setting!

In 1955 London, playwright Vivien is tired--tired of her past, tired of her present. So when Peggy Guggenheim suggests that she should go to Rome to work at Cinecetta Studios, Vivien jumps at the chance. Only in part because her former fiance was last known to be alive there. Post-war Rome is living la dolce vita, filled with ex-pats, tourists, and with a flourishing film industry hampered only by the Vatican's attempts to censor it. Vivien soon realizes she is far from the only one who has not quite recovered from the war. As she searches for clues in what might have happened to David, she meets other who are trying to reconcile their present with the past where so many suffered.

This is a fascinating deep dive into a time and place I knew little about. Real life people sprinkle the pages along with fictional characters. The plot meanders a bit, but it's so enjoyable it doesn't really matter. For fans of mid-century Europe, Rome, feminism, film--there's a little bit here for everyone. #EveryTimeWeSayGoodbye #NetGalley

“Every Time We Say Goodbye” is a novel about hope after tragic loss, it’s about recovery and finding a way forward.
It’s 1955 and Londoner Vivian Lowery needs a change. In Rome she finds an artistic expatriate community each 30-something, like her, finding themselves and carving out a new life after the atrocities of WWII.
Natalie Jenner has a command of the historical fiction and the reader will join a dazzling world filled with movie stars like Ava Gardner, novelist Daphne du Maurier and art collector Peggy Guggenheim. Walk the streets of Rome and work alongside Vivian at Cinecitta Studios where “Europe’s Hollywood” clashes with the censors of the Catholic Church. How will these characters find a life after all they’ve lived through and lost during the war?

I rated this novel 4 stars because there are a lot of characters to keep track of and the conflicts don’t always move the narrative forward fast enough. I very much enjoyed the flashback storyline during the war. Lovers of WWII historical fiction will enjoy this novel without a doubt.

I have to admit it took me a chapter or two to get into Natalie Jenner’s EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, but after the first couple chapters, I was drawn into Vivienne’s life as she tries to rebuild and move forward after all she lost in WWII, heading for Italy to try a different direction in her career, as well as find out what happened to her fiancé before he died.
From the glamorous and exciting Italian Cinecitta Studio to Vivienne and other characters navigating their losses and grief, Jenner weaves a tale that kept me captivated and interested in finding out what happens next for each character.
Juliet Aubrey’s narration of the audio book took a little getting into (like the book, definitely related), but kept me listening after the first few chapters.
This is the third book in the JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY series. I read the first, but missed the second, and didn’t feel lost, so it can stand alone.
Thank you to the publisher and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and listen to an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#macaudio2024 #netgalley #stmartinspress

Natalie Jenner crafts such intriguingly woven, well-drawn novels. They’re always reflective, with whip-smart characters, and feel at once of another time yet also relatable. I enjoyed her third book, which had a dramatic flair adn kept me engaged the while reading.

In this 1950s historical fiction novel, readers follow screenwriter Vivien Lowry as her debut play succeeds with audiences but fails with the reviewers on the West End. With the help of her friend Peggy Guggenheim, Vivien takes a job as a script doctor for a film shooting in Rome which is beautiful and vibrant yet still recovering from the horrors and memories of World War II. As Vivien continues to work on the script and assimilate into the world of Italian cinema, she also seeks to discover what happened to her fiance, who died during the war. With so much at play on the Roman set, Vivien and the readers must discern what is real life and what is just movie magic and not as it seems. With complex characters, a mystery, and juxtaposing settings, Jenner’s backdrop of 1955 Italy and the complexities of their movie scene immerse readers in the setting of this novel. Her characters, complex, human, and motivated, are all unique and interact with each other in realistically complex ways, and Vivien is a particularly unique heroine. With many factors at play and a host of unknown and mysteriously complex characters, readers and Vivien will find it hard to emerge from and understand the ambiguity and mystery of Italian cinema.

The audience loved Vivien Lowry’s new play but the critics panned the production, which quickly closed. At a friend’s suggestion she takes a job as a script doctor in Rome, where movies are once again in full production since the end of the war. At the war’s outbreak Vivien was engaged to David, who later became a prisoner of war in Italy. His death was reported to his family, but she was never told how he died. This is a chance for her to finally find out what happened and find closure. This is also the story of La Scolaretta, a young girl who joined the partisans, became an assassin and was finally murdered by the Germans. Her boyfriend was Nino Tremonti, a director who wants to tell the story of her sacrifice. The Vatican, however, is censoring movie production, concentrating on positive family content and denying the horrors of war.

Natalie Jenner populates her story with memorable characters, both factual and fictitious. Vivien lives with the pain of not knowing David’s fate. She is an angry and damaged character. She enters a relationship with John Lassiter, a married man with a questionable background. She is friends with several associates at the studio, some of whom have come to Italy to escape prosecution by McCarthy and his witch hunt. There are appearances by celebrities such as Ava Gardner and a young Sophia Loren. Throughout the story the luxury and glamour is offset by the grim reminders of the war that touched everyone’s lives. Jenner’s story is beautifully told as Vivien comes to terms with David’s death and can finally look forward to finding her own happiness. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book.

This is the third book in a series. It is well written and can be read as a standalone.
I did enjoy the writing style so will look for more books by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Complex, compelling, and immersive!

Every Time We Say Goodbye is an alluring, atmospheric tale set in Italy, predominantly during 1955, that immerses you into the life of British screenwriter Vivien Lowery who, after having her latest London play fail miserably with reviewers, travels to Rome to start a new career using her writing talents in the film industry while also discovering the fate of her late fiancé who never made it back from the war.

The prose is seamless and expressive. The characters are compassionate, intriguing, and scarred. And the plot, including all the subplots, intertwine and unravel effortlessly into a vivid tale of life, loss, family, friendship, self-discovery, regret, grief, sacrifice, love, war, and the glitz and glamour of cinematic theatre in the 1950s.

Overall, Every Time We Say Goodbye is a lush, intriguing, absorbing tale by Jenner that does a lovely job of blending historical events, palpable emotion, and thought-provoking fiction.