This heartwarming novel opens as Augusta Stern, on the cusp of turning eighty, relocates from New York City to a retirement community in Florida where she reconnects with old friends including Irving Rivkin, the boy who broke her heart. Told in chapters that alternate between 1920’s Brooklyn and 1980’s Florida, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern captures the full scope of its protagonist’s life story.

After losing their mother to diabetes shortly before the discovery of insulin, Augusta and her sister are raised by their pharmacist father who teaches them the importance of his work. When Augusta’s Great Aunt Esther comes to New York to help raise the girls, she brings her old world healing knowledge with her, and soon her soups and tinctures are rivaling the pharmacy’s medicines and pills. Aunt Esther never had the chance to go to college and study pharmacy, so she learned her craft from folktales, comparing herself to Baba Yaga, the witch of the woods who concocts spells and remedies with her mortar and pestle. Esther is able to help customers when modern medicine can’t, curing influenza and infertility with her magic words and potions. She teaches Augusta all she knows, cautioning her about the limits of the craft and explaining that it can provide comfort even when it cannot cure. Augusta’s world is turned upside down when she tries to use Aunt Esther’s love elixir to help her boyfriend Irving see and feel more clearly. When they meet again in the retirement community and old sparks fly, Augusta is faced with the temptation of using the “not love potion” once again to reveal the path their romance should take.

I loved this sweet novel which perfectly captures the soda counters of 1920’s Brooklyn and the retirement community of 1980’s Florida. The octogenarians are fully drawn characters with rich pasts and dramatic futures, and Loigman artfully weaves their backstories into the movement of the plot. By placing senior citizens at the heart of a romance novel, the author transforms the way we understand age, showing that when we are in our eighties, we also retain some sense of who we were at twelve, fourteen, and eighteen years old. In addition to being a romance, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is also a book about navigating the inevitable changes of life, overcoming loss and grief, and understanding the enduring love of family. Pick up a copy of this hopeful story; you won’t regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

When pharmacological science combines with herbal remedies, the effects can be amazing. Augusta Stern wants to be a pharmacist like her dad, but when her Aunt Esther moves in with them, Augusta sees another side of healing. Her life does not turn out liked she had hoped. When she finally retired, at 80, and moved to a retirement community in Florida, Augusta runs into her first love. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, by Lydia Cohen Loigman, takes the reader back and forth from 1920s Brooklyn to 1980s Florida to tell the story of Augusta’s love lost and love found. It was an interesting read.

It's been such a treat to follow Lynda Cohen Loigman's writing career over the years, and it is evident that the success of The Matchmaker's Gift unlocked an influential shift towards magical realism writing that continues in this cozy fall book release.

Loigman's prose sparkles on every page of this new novel, offering readers lightly embedded historical research details, insights into treasured Jewish foods and customs, and assured timeline and viewpoint shifts that make it easy to slip into.

Readers have the opportunity to unravel a sixty-year-old mystery surrounding two childhood sweethearts. Their seemingly destined love story never came to fruition, but they are now offered a surprising second chance in their eighties.

As a child, Augusta shadows her pharmacist father, assisting him in caring for the town's residents. She discovers he is the keeper of the town's biggest secrets and the only one with the remedies. But, when her mother unexpectedly passes away, their household falls apart, and her aunt is called upon to fill in as their caretaker.

The dynamics in the home and town change more significantly than expected because Aunt Esther knows a few things about healing what ails people. However, her methods are mysterious, unconventional, and a little witchy. The magical results are astounding when many women find themselves in situations where remedies lie in Esther's magical chicken soup or carefully concocted powders ground with her unusual mortar and pestle. This homeopathic operation begins straining these family members as alliances shift between these dueling pharmacy operations. But as Augusta becomes more curious about her aunt's work, she brews a love potion with disastrous results, leaving her single and brokenhearted.

Now in her eighties, Augustus is a spunky firecracker of a woman who was forced into retirement when people discovered she doctored her records to prolong her pharmacist career. She's starting her new chapter at a retirement community where, it turns out, the love of her life, Iriving, has lived for years.

Prepare for laugh-out-loud witty banter as they navigate their old feelings and chemistry. Loigman skillfully weaves intricate secrets about their separation over sixty years, creating a thoughtfully crafted plot for the reader. But one of the most refreshing aspects of this story is the vibrant portrait of life in your eighties. There is no talk of creaking joints or slowing down. Instead, there are daily swims, book club, fabulous meals, and a cocktail or two.

This delightful novel is a tribute to her husband's great-grandmother, a 1921 Fordham College of Pharmacy graduate and the namesake for her entertaining character. She stuck the landing with this book, and I count it among my new favorites from the writer—I can't wait for you to escape into this fabulous story.

I loved how this book went back and forth in time. I really felt for Augusta. And pulled for her to be happy. And the Jewish component was very special. Plus it is so nice to read a book about older characters. Highly recommend this book.

What a wonderfully lovely story written in a magical way. The author intertwined two stories as a brilliant weaver, past and present. A strong female lead, warm and well developed characters …. I felt like I was there with them. A story of love, friendship, family, redemption, and a touch of magic.

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to have read this book in exchange for an honest review. My heart is full after reading this one.

Such a great story about a retired pharmacist who runs into an old flame. I loved jumping back in time and the world building for the 20’s was great. I loved Augusta and her story.

Imagine retiring and moving to a retirement community only to run into your ex flame! Such a cute story that will make you laugh and cheer for Augusta.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

This book is a delight! I couldn't put it down. Told in a dual timeline format, we are taken through the life of Augusta Stern. In the 1920s she is an emotional, ambitious young woman who works in her father's pharmacy with hopes of following in his footsteps. She is also greatly influenced by her Aunt Esther, who takes an old world, homeopathic approach to helping people. Toss in Augusta's great first love with the pharmacy delivery boy, Irving, and the seeds have been planted for her life's path. Flash forward to the 1980's, and now Augusta is retired and living in Florida. The ghosts of the past have come back as she revisits the lessons and disappointments of her youth, with a glimmer of a chance that things can be made right after sixty two years.

Full of great messages, the most important being "it's never too late," The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern takes the reader on a terrific journey of regret and redemption. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel for review purposes.

This is such a poignant, sweet novel written in two timelines. The switch between the timelines is smooth and intuitive.

I enjoyed the touch of mysticism combined with the sharp scientific mind that make up the two sides of Augusta. The historical aspects of the story are written in such a way that make it easy to picture the time and events.

The tension between the characters is well managed and keeps the level of interest engaged.

Pharmacist Augusta Stern is almost 80 and recently retired. She has moved to a retirement community in Florida. Much to her surprise and discomfort she finds her old love, Irving Rivkin, is a resident. She finds herself reexamining the past, recalling her mystical Aunt Esther and wondering what went wrong.

Loved this story of love lost and found. Nice to have a book written about senior citizens that shows them alive and well and actively living life. Love can still be found in retirement!

Augusta Stern, age 80, is finally retiring. Never married and having worked from a very young age, she's not sure about this retirement gig. Her niece finds a retirement village in Florida and Augusta makes the move from New York City to Florida. One of the first people she sees is her former boyfriend, Irv. Augusta is not happy to see him as he is the reason she never married. The dual timeline, New York in the 1920s and present-day, makes for an interesting story. Augusta's Aunt Esther practices her own brand of healing, using herbs and possibly a bit of magic. Augusta's father is a pharmacist and Augusta becomes one as well (finding a school that accepted women into the pharmacy program was difficult.).

As the story unfolds, we learn more about Augusta of the 1920s, and we learn what happened to Irv and why he and Augusta never married. Is there possibly a second chance here?

Courtesy of Netgalley, I received the ARC of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman. This dual timeline story spans 60 years, starting in the 1920's with the introduction of Augusta Stern in her young teen years as she helps her father in his pharmacy and then becomes entwined with the herbal medicines of her aunt. Themes of family, relationships, obligations, miscommunication, expectations, missed opportunities, and healing dominate this coming of age love story, while the aroma of chicken soup permeates throughout! Highly recommend!

Dual timeline, Jewish rep, NYC/FL, soulmates/fated love, prohibition, death of loved ones, mystery/intrigue & a touch of magic

The story follows Augusta "Goldie" Stern in two timelines, first in the 20's when Goldie is in her teens/early 20's and later in the 80's when Augusta is in her 80's. She loses her mother which shapes her future and affects everyone around her. But the story isn't about grief in as straightforward of a way. Her father throws himself into the pharmacy after he can't save her mother and Goldie has dreams of becoming a pharmacist too. She has to contend with stereotypes of women in a time when career women were rare.

Her aunt Esther comes to live with them and through her Goldie learns about a different kind of medicine. There are many other wonderful characters, including her sister, niece and friends and we get to see more of them later.

Augusta finally retires at the age of 80 and moves to a retirement community in Florida. She quickly discovers her first love, Irving, also lives there

Jackie, her niece, visits for her 80's birthday and all of the secrets unravel. I was intrigued throughout!

I am in love with this book and have to read more by this author.

The chapters jumped timelines from 1920's New York to 1980's Florida. It told of their love for each other, and how communication issues led them to lead separate lives.

They reunited sixty three years later. But the story in between! It was so gripping, it had me up late at night and consumed my waking hours until the last page.

I thought an older romance would turn me off, but it was like I was watching a movie, I could picture every scene. It was like that one movie with Ryan Gosling. But no one died in the end. With a little added drama.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern follows Augusta Stern, an 80 year old pharmacist who is finally forced to retire after an incredible career. Moving to a retirement community in Florida, Augusta finds herself reunited with her first love, Irving Rivkin. Will the reunion result in a second chance or another disappointment?

I found this book absolutely heartwarming. I love the idea of being able to find love at any stage of life so reading about Augusta and Irving’s second chance at love was very sweet. Also loved this book’s description of Jewish life in Brooklyn in the 20s. As a Brooklyn girl, I found that very special.

Augusta Stern wants to follow in her father's footsteps and become a pharmacist in 1920's Brooklyn.
However, she's also mesmerized by her great aunt who is an unconventional healer with herbs and potions.
She becomes a pharmacist.
Sixty years later as she reluctantly retires to South Florida, she reunites with her teenage beau.
This is a lovely story with well drawn characters! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel...

This was such a delightful read for me. This story is about unrequited love, the loss of many decades of friendship, and perhaps love, due to misunderstandings and "not clearing the air". It is about family and those relationships. It is a story about life and the regrets we might have if we don't "throw caution to the wind" and embrace our own need for connections and love. Through the narrator Augusta Stern we go back and forth from her past as a teenager (after the passing of her mother) in the 1920's until her present day in the late-1980's. We are taken from Brooklyn New York to a Florida retirement community. The flashbacks paint for the reader how Augusta came to be the person she is now; nearing her 80th birthday.

I dearly loved the characters in this story. They are such vibrant characters even in their "old age". As they say, age is a matter of the mind; if you don't mind, it doesn't matter or something to that effect. This is a richly told story of heartbreak in different ways: loss of innocence, loss of loved ones, a broken hearted teenager, etc. Throw into this mix a possible mobster during prohibition and you have the makings of a beautifully told story.

I adored this story. Despite the use of three of my least favorite literary devices/romantic tropes (flashbacks, heavy miscommunication, and exes) I couldn’t help but feel compelled to read this from start to finish. It took less than a day.

The plot is fascinating. As the story progresses, each chapter alternates (sometimes timelines and sometimes character perspectives) in such a way that it tells the tale beautifully. This story is funny, intelligent, and incredibly unique.

I really think it will appeal to a range of fiction readers. Lovers of historical, of NYC stories, of lost love romance, and contemporary drama. Most of all, it reminded me that after a point, age is a symptom but a healthy mind remains the same. We all love and we mourn and we move along, regardless of our time on earth. You are never too old to pursue something you enjoy, and much like this story it all comes full circle in the end.

#NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy. This was such a feel good heartfelt story about lost loves and the power of forgiveness, with a little bit of magic thrown in. The story goes back and forth between Augustus newly retired and about to celebrate her 80th birthday. When she moves to Florida she finds the man who broke her heart also lives
In her new community. The other part focuses on her as a young woman and paints the picture to not only how she lost the love of her life but the magic her aunt brought into her life.

I loved this story and the character development that happened throughout. The characters were perfectly flawed and I loved the magic that was woven throughout this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martins Publishing for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

While not my usual sort of read I absolutely loved this book! A reflective account that firmly showed that age is but a number. The blending of past and present was well done and always in a way to help further the development of the present. Characters were lovable with some absolutely stealing my heart. The metaphors and imagery was flawless. Groaning and laughing out loud this book was a delight

Thank you St Martin’s Free Press via NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review