I haven't read a book like this before, and I really enjoyed it. We follow Augusta both in the 20's and in the 80's, and this dual timeline was really fascinating. I loved learning about her life both past and present, but I particularly enjoyed her teen years. As a pharmacist myself, I really enjoyed the background of how Augusta followed in her father's footsteps, and also learned so much from her Aunt. There are plenty of heavy topics here, but there is enough levity in between that I found this just to be pleasant and enjoyable all around. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Lynda Cohen Loigman has written a wonderful book about love and second chances that is filled with hope. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern spans over 60 years and has a dual time-line. The main character , Augusta Stern, is a woman ahead of her time. She becomes a pharmacist during an era when women only aspire to be a wife and mother. Some mysticism and Yiddish is thrown into the mix. I love this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Augusta Stern knows better than most how love can be wasted on the young. As a teenager Augusta worked in her father's pharmacy-it was there she learned how medicines can help people-and because of this experience Augusta also chose pharmacy as a career. But it wasn't just her dad that influenced Augusta's future-her mom Irene died mere months before insulin was introduced, a drug that might have saved Irene's life, and this early loss was a defining moment for Augusta. Another person to inspire Augusta was her aunt Esther who came to live with the Stern family after Irene's passing. A single woman with no children, Esther also devoted her life to helping people through the use of "medicines." Esther made potions of herbs, plants and flowers, and sprinkled them with a little of her "magic" to help with infertility, menstrual cramps, and other illnesses. But the thing Augusta dreams of most is a life with Irving-the delivery boy at her father's pharmacy, and her first love. Augusta was sure she and Irving would be married, but Irving abruptly left town and married the daughter of a local mobster, leaving Augusta confused and bereft. Decades later (and I mean decades!) Irving and Augusta are living in the same Florida retirement community. A mix of Practical Magic and "The Golden Bachelor" The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a sweet and sentimental look at the enduring power of love, how life can change in an instant, and the importance of pursuing your dreams no matter your age. The plot can be predictable, but the idea that true love is patient enough to wait a lifetime makes it worth it. Be like Augusta and discover the best "love potion" anywhere in The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.

Thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and @lloigman for the gifted e-book. Thank you to Macmillan Audio @macmillanaudio #MacAudio2024 for the gifted audiobook.

This enchanting tale is skillfully woven through dual timelines, transporting you from 1920s New York to 1987 Florida. Augusta's unwavering determination to pursue her passion for pharmacy, coupled with her fascination with her aunts' potion-making skills, makes her a truly compelling character. The poignant love story between Augusta and Irving unfolds seamlessly across the two timelines, keeping you hooked until the very end. The supporting characters add humor and warmth to the narrative, making it a truly delightful read.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this story through its narration, and the narrator's skillful delivery brought the characters to life in a way that truly enhanced the storytelling. Her voice and pacing were absolutely perfect.

If you're a fan of magical, heartfelt stories, I highly recommend this book! The book will be available on October 8.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a delightful blend of romance, history, and magic, wrapped in a nicely balanced dual timeline tale. It kept me under its spell from the first magical page to the last. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you Lynda Cohen Loigman, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year! I've loved all of Lynda Cohen Loigman's books so far, but The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is extra special! Though it's not marketed as a romance, it is most definitely a romance...between two octogenarians! The characters in this book came alive on the page. They made me laugh. They made me feel. They made me feel all the feels. Honestly, this book is an absolute gem. Run, don't walk.

It has been a long time since I have truly enjoyed and admired a character as much as I did with Augusta. I have liked other characters and enjoyed their adventures, but Augusta's character made me wish I knew her in real life. Even as a young woman, she's intelligent and is full of spirit. As an 80-year-old woman, Augusta still has all of that and more.

Augusta likes to stay busy, and because of that, she's still working at nearly 80 years old. Her job thinks she's barely 70 since she and her niece did some careful edits to her paperwork, but when the HR department asks her when she plans to retire, she knows she's busted. So she reluctantly retires and moves from Brooklyn, New York to Florida, and her new retirement community of Rallentando Springs. She hasn't fully moved in when she runs into Irving Rifkin, the first boy she ever dated.

This story has a dual timeline of Brooklyn in the 1920s and Rallentando Springs in the 80s. First, I enjoyed seeing both timelines. The author does an excellent job at bringing both places to life and it was easy for me to see everything in my mind, and this book would make a great movie. The visuals that were invoked were that good.

You could technically call this story a second-chance romance, but it's so much more than that. This story explores grief, and heartbreak, and makes you question what you thought you already knew all along. It was also interesting to see how even a minor miscommunication can alter the course of a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic. This one made me do a lot of thinking, and would likely be great for a book club discussion.

I can confidently say this book is one of the best I've read all year. The writing is beautiful and the story is even better. If you enjoy second chances in life and in love, you'll love this one.

THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a beautiful, enchanting story filled with long-lost love, second chances, and a little bit of magic and mystery. I was completely immersed from start to finish. When Augusta is forced to retire and reluctantly moves to a retirement home in Florida, the last person she expects to run into is her long-lost love, Irving, who used to work in her father's pharmacy. Told in dual timelines, we learn what really happened between Augusta and Irving. With well-developed characters and layers upon layers, this novel shows us how things aren't always what they seem, and that there's always time for a second chance.

This was a very sweet, heartwarming book! I liked the dual timelines and the hint of magical realism (although, I wish there had been a little more).

What a lovely book this was! This is my first book by Lynda Cohen Loigman and will definitely be read in more. This was a dual timeline as well as chapters from different POVs. This book did a great job at having magical realism elements without going overboard. I loved the parts about the holistic medicine and honestly would have enjoyed more of that, but I won’t be nitpicky. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern will get you in your feels, make you laugh and keep you invested. I would recommend this book to anyone! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I flew through it once I started. It didn’t take long for me to feel invested in Augusta’s story. From the minute she hears “Goldie?” at the pool in Florida, my curiosity was peaked. The book is charming & witty, & I like the jumps in time that gradually reveal the events that brought Augusta & Irving to this point.
As much as I like their core story, I also like the insights into the love Augusta has for her work, & the other important people in her life. There are some great side characters woven into the story. How each deals with loves, losses, regrets, aging, facing fears, & believing in a touch of magic adds to the depth. Second chance is one of my favorite tropes, & this well-deserved one left me with a smile on my face.
Now I’m hungry for chicken soup…
Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy via NetGalley.

“You and I have not known each other long. You have seen only my most fortunate outcomes. But do not mistake a few successes for an unblemished past.”

Omg! It wasn’t until I started to listen to this and heard the authors name that I realized that this is the author that wrote one of my favorite books ever, The Matchmaker’s Gift. I can probably just rate this now at 5 stars. 😂👏🏻

Annnd I was correct. Five (million) stars. I did not want this book to end! I could have read/listened to another 700 pages of this story with these characters. They are so real to me now that I feel like I just watched a movie. I will be thinking of them for quite awhile.

The author’s note just gives this story the exclamation point after those 5 (million) stars. I couldn’t possibly rate this book higher! The end gave me literal chills.

“‘But you said . . . you told me that words could heal!’ ‘Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes, no matter the powders or words, a person’s time on this earth must end. There is no magic any of us have that can make someone live forever.’”

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I liked the dual timeline, and how the two wove together. I really liked Augusta and her relationship with the aunt was something I wish would have been fleshed out a little more.

At 12, Augusta Stern's mother died of diabetes months before insulin was available. Her Pharmacist father had no drugs to save her. Augusta's fascination with her father's career expanded when her great-aunt Esther came to live with them. Esther taught Augusta the ancient use of herbs to heal . This opened a 2nd career for Augusta who became a medically trained pharmacist at a time when women were not valued, and took over her father's pharmacy.

Augusta's life long friend and love of her life, Irving Rivkin, shocked her when he suddenly marries someone else. On Augusta's 80th birthday her niece arranged a party in Augusta's new apartment home back in NYC where she started life. Encountering old friends and new adventures brings hope and romance once again.

An excellent story of a life filled with loss and love.

This book is so good. So touching and informative. The author researched it well and added in personal aspects that are in the "author's notes." It's a love story and so so much more. It's about a woman's struggle to be accepted as a pharmacist. In a time when women were expected to stay home and have babies. To keep house. Men just weren't ready to accept that their wife would want a job.

There is also the healing/magical aspects to this story. As a female the main character, Augusta, was influenced by her aunt. After Augusta's mother died from diabetes her father brought in Esther to help him take care of his two daughters. Esther taught Augusta, whom she called Goldie, how to make potions that could cure or help in so many ailments. Esther came from Russia and learned these things from her mother. She was not accepted as a healer in her country either. Females were just not meant to help.... Right!

Augusta fell in love with a young man, Irving, but things just kept getting in the way. In his way that is. He wanted nothing more than to marry Augusta and have a long happy life together. Things were not going as expected. Then the unforgivable happened.

Sixty years go by and Augusta is on the brink of turning eighty. She's moved to a retirement facility and there she and Irving are once again reunited. She's filled with a lot of anger and he with a lot of hope. At least for a while. The two have such a past that it is apparent to the other residence that at least one is in love with the other.

You read about each character and how things happened the way they did and why. I loved Irving and Augusta. Augusta is very strong willed and angry at Irving but with good reason. She does share some of the blame for things though. She was told by her aunt not to do what she did.

This book is absolutely adorable. It told from back in the twenties and in the eighties. You learn everything about what happened before Augusta and Irving are finally back together. Face to face and possibly finding a new way to work things out. Even in their golden years could they possibly find love.

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, #MacMillan, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this story.

Five big stars.

I love this author's books. This is her fourth book and she has become a comfort read for me. This book and her last one have had a touch of magic realism. I am a logical, black and white person. I did not think that magic realism could appeal to me. Apparently, it does, especially if it isn't too much over the top.

There are 2 timelines. One is in 1923 with Augusta, the main character, as a young girl showing interest in her father's occupation as a pharmacist. The other is 1987, Augusta has been forced to retire from her job in a hospital pharmacy because she has aged out at 80.

The past and the present collide with characters from Augusta's past showing up in her present. It is interesting watching relationships in both timelines evolve. Usually, I prefer the past, find it more interesting. But, in this case, both timelines are fun to read. The present timeline is humorous (at times)as Augusta settles in to her new life in the seniors' complexq. The past timeline is about Augusta's interest in pharmacology and “natural” cures and about her family relationships.

The writing and the story flow well in both timelines. The major characters are all interesting. I especially enjoyed Irving and Nathanial, two of the men at the seniors' complex. And, Augusta's Aunt Esther is a reticent treasure. Still waters run deep, her waters were very deep but fascinating.

This is a fairy tale, a story of second chances with your first love, it's about miracles. And, it's a little bit about magic. You have to believe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Reading The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is like drinking tea while wrapped up in your favorite blanket. Or you are spending time with your beloved grandparent. It’s also a reminder that you can’t control everything and don’t always know what someone else is doing.

Augusta is approaching a milestone birthday when we first meet her. She’s forced to face reality and has to finally retire. Then, she’s a teenager grieving over the loss of her mother. Her journey is one that many of us can relate to, making her story all the more compelling.

Each chapter begins with a clear timeline, guiding us through Augusta’s life. In the 1980s, she was a woman dedicated to her family and a career in helping others, yet she struggled to accept love from anyone outside her family, particularly men. In the 1920s, she was a girl navigating grief and adolescence. These timelines vividly illustrate how Augusta’s experiences shaped her character.

A few chapters focus on Irving in the 1920s and 1980s. This gives us the chance to see his side of the story and understand his actions and regrets.

Ultimately, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern delves deep into the human experience, touching the reader’s heart and soul. It’s a story that resonates and lingers long after the final page is turned. For this profound experience, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. I eagerly await more literary gems from Lynda Cohen Loigman.

I thought this book was just lovely to read. It's historical fiction with some magical realism, and it was just a cozy and heart-warming read. A lot of romance, too, and discussions on ageism and second chances.
I thought the characters - all of them, from both timelines -, were relatable and realistic. The conclusion was just...cute. Adorable.
Oh, and funny. There are some unexpected funny moments!

It's a perfect read to people who enjoy a little magic (and potions), autumn vibes and elderly characters, all wrapped up in a dual timeline historical novel with a delightful conclusion that will put a smile on your face.
I liked this one a lot more than I expected, considering that this book is a little out of my comfort zone.

I can easily recommend this book to anyone who is into light fantasy, light magical elements and romance within a historical story.
A perfect book for this season or even the holidays.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this lovely novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

Augusta Stern, forced to take retirement from the hospital pharmacy wben it was discovered she was older than she claimed, has relocated from her native New York City to a retirement community in Florida. There she runs into her long ago boyfriend, Irving, who she had thought was the one. But there is also Nathaniel, who used to be married to one of her best friends. Still haunted by the past, Augusta can't forgive Irving for seemingly abandoning her to marry someone else.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a fun yet touching book about family, growing up Jewish in the last century in New York and second chances. It was a quick read and you do get involved on what happens. The book alternates between the present and the past and delves into her Great Aunt Esther's old school treatment in contrast to her father's pharmacy skills. I thought it was fun and was rooting for the main character.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a perfectly fine albeit not great little book that tells the story of near-octogenerian never-married Augusta Stern, a recently retired pharmacist who, with the help of her only niece, had lied about her age to keep from retiring and now, finally retired, moves to an apartment in a Florida seniors community. There she meets two men from her youth, one who married her close friend and the other the love of her life. Told in alternating chapters set in the mid-1920s and late 1980s, we learn of those relationships as well as Augusta's relationship with her great aunt, who comes to live with the family after Augusta's mother dies of diabetes, leaving her two tween and teen aged daughters. Aunt Esther is a superb cook and an even better developer of potions designed to cure any illness or love issue. Loigman's work reads quickly but at times I thought I was reading a book geared more for the YA market than one for adults. I didn't love The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, but I think that many readers, especially those who like a little magical realism or fantasy, will, and they will devour this book.