Charming story of a "lady pharmacist" Augusta Stern. The dual timelines from the 1920s and 1987 work well together, blending the story of her lost youth and reclaimed love. From New York to Florida, Loigman introduces readers to the lower East side 1920s Jewish gangsters during prohibition. At the retirement community in Boca, the ladies play Mahjong poolside but things stay complicated and romance reigns, even for those in their 80s.

I always have Lynda Cohen Loigman books preordered! The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern was beautiful. Dual timeline done perfectly. Love and hope and maybe a little bit of magic made this book unputdownable. People tease me because I give a lot of 5 stars, but I read books that bring me joy. Books that make me laugh and cry. I don’t have time for anything less and so I just don’t finish the ones I don’t love! I promise you want to add this one to your list!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The Love Elixir Of Augusta Stern

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a joy of a read: it’s whimsical, magical and heartwarming. I fell in love with Augusta Stern who is almost 80 years old and it's the first time I’ve read a novel with an elderly main character. Cohen has painted a wonderful character in Augusta who strives to be a pharmacist while growing up in the 1920’s and influenced by her Aunts homeopathic cures. I enjoyed reading Augusta’s reflections on her lost love to Irving and the mystery that surrounds why he left her 60 years previously. This is a funny, sentimental portrayal of the regrets we have in life. Such a gem of a novel. Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of ‘The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.” To say I loved this story is an understatement. This is my favorite read of 2024. It has honestly been awhile since I read anything in the romance genre, but since this involved a little bit of magic, I couldn’t resist. And can I just say it wasn’t cheesy witchy rom-com it was the perfect mix of real world pharmacology and apothecary magic. I feel like I can always spot a twist coming, but as I read I was surprised by every reveal of Augusta’s life. I felt like the switch between the 80s and the 20s of Augusta’s life was done to perfect. Just an overall beautiful book. If you’re in the market to read something to let you escape from reality and feel warm and fuzzy pick this one up!

This is a wonderful engrossing novel. Augusta has lost her Mother and her father owns a pharmacy. She is eager to learn all about the science of pharmacology. Her father's Aunt Esther comes to stay and with her brings the magic of herbal medicine with her . Augusta marvels at her cures . Full of wonderful characters and delicious food this story takes place between two timelines Augusta as she is growing up and her retirement to Florida. You will fall in love with the characters and surroundings

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is another 5 star read from author Lynda Cohen Loigman. I have read both The Two Family House and The Matchmaker’s Gift by this author. I loved them both, but this may be my favorite book of hers that I’ve read so far! The duel timelines were well done. I enjoyed getting to know the character of Augusta as a teenager and as an older adult in the late stages of life. This book is about love, loss, family, & everyday life, with a little bit of magic thrown in. I definitely recommend this book! It’s a wonderful read.

This dual timeline story of Augusta is heart-wrenching and a second chance at love. This reader was engrossed from start to finish about Augusta's childhood, the loss of her mother, her relationship with her aunt, learning pharmacy all the while with a crush on a boy. After retirement and a move, she sees her crush and has a chance to make things right. Beautiful and touching story. Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a whimsical story of long lost love, second chances, friendship and family traditions for healing and cooking all with a Jewish twist!
Augusta Stern, recently retired moves to FL and is horrified to face a long lost love at her new retirement community. The story goes back and forth into the past and we learn how a love potion gone wrong has disastrous consequences for the future.
This was an adorable story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy from NetGalley agreeing to do a review. I found the book a fast read due to the fact the author alternated chapters from present to past and I always wanted to discover what came next in the previous chapter. This is Augusta’s story, don’t call her Goldie. She just turned eighty (so have I) retired and moved to a retirement community (so have I) where she comes in contact with her one and only love of her life, who dumped her(so did mine). The present chapters detail this reconnection, while the past chapters detail their beginnings and introduce us to her family, especially her Great Aunt Ester, I can still smell her special chicken soup. Her father is a pharmacist but occasionally his pills don’t work but Aunt Ester’s chicken soup and herbs do. Loved this book but now I keep waiting for my first love to reappear problem is I don’t have a niece Jackie, read the book. “Tiny green specks sparkled like flakes of glitter in a snow globe” a sample of the author’s great writing, find it, it’s in the book.

I really wanted to love this book. It has all the elements of stories I tend to adore... time swaps, witchy magic, strong female protagonists, and respect for aging and mortality.

But mid-way through, I realized I was immensely bored by the nonstop, tedious exposition of ALL characters (I think just about every single action anyone ever did was described by a comment from character vs. crafted by the author). There wasn't a single likeable male in the entire story which would be fine if we weren't also supposed to believe that Augusta spent her entire life staying by the side of her father and pining after the first (unworthy) man she fell in love with.

Esther was the shining star of this story but we never really got the backstory on her and it's the narrative I wanted more than any other. The entire core plot of Irving having disappeared without explanation due to getting mixed up in a mafia wife's manipulative plan asks too much of the reader - it requires you to suspend belief while also holding some sort of warped sense of romanticism about the choice by squinting hard enough to see it as self-sacrificing for the sake of love.

Each time I read a story by Lynda Cohen Loigman, I am transported back to my childhood in New York with parents who grew up in Brooklyn during the 1920’s and 30’s. My childhood years included much time spent at my maternal grandmother’s in the Flatbush neighborhood of that borough and with all the references of Flatbush, Brownsville (my father’s neighborhood), Pitkin, Sutter and Pennsylvania Avenues and Thomas Jefferson High School (I still have my father’s high school yearbook from 1938), I literally went back in time. DID I LOVE THIS BOOK? YOU BET I DID, just as I’ve loved everything written by Ms. Loigman!

This is the story of Augusta Stern who grew up watching her father, a pharmacist, prepare remedies for the neighborhood families. After the death of Augusta’s mother, Aunt Esther came to live with the Sterns to help with the children and keep the household running. But Aunt Esther, who hailed from Russia, brought with her her own magic of potions and lotions so between her father and aunt, it was no surprise when Augusta announced that she too wanted to be a pharmacist.

A novel rich in Jewish culture and mysticism, this is a beautiful and tender story of family, friendship, romance, aging and never giving up on your dreams. There’s a little bit of something for those that enjoy multi genres including historical fiction, romance, family themes and a bit of magical realism.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and of course Lynda Loigman for the experience of reading this beautiful story which took me down memory lane, in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: October 8

Probably a 3-1/2 star book. A sweet senior love story with a bit of homepathic love potion magic. Think "A Man Called Ove" meets rom-com. Certainly very enjoyable, not a must-read but some sad, funny, surprising twists and turns.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, a novel that seamlessly merges dual timelines and settings to deliver a poignant story of love, loss, and redemption. Set in both the bustling streets of 1920's Brooklyn and the vibrant landscape of a retirement community in 1987 Southern Florida, the narrative follows the journey of Augusta Stern, a spirited young pharmacist grappling with the complexities of family, love, and identity.

At the heart of the story is Augusta's profound connection to her father's pharmacy and the unconventional healing methods of her great aunt, Esther. As Augusta navigates her burgeoning romance with Irving Rivkin amidst the backdrop of her father's traditional pharmaceutical practices and Esther's mystical remedies, she finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and her own desires.

Loigman masterfully crafts each chapter to effortlessly transition between timelines, inviting readers to delve deeper into Augusta's past while unraveling the mysteries of her present. The juxtaposition of herbal healing and traditional medicine adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, prompting reflection on the nature of healing and the power of love.

Through rich character development and vivid descriptions, Loigman brings both the vibrant streets of Brooklyn and the serene ambiance of Rallentando Springs to life, immersing readers in Augusta's world with palpable authenticity. As Augusta grapples with the ghosts of her past and confronts the truth about her relationship with Irving, the novel unfolds with gripping suspense and emotional resonance.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a testament to Loigman's storytelling prowess, offering readers a captivating blend of historical intrigue, heartfelt romance, and enchanting magic. With its exploration of women in non-traditional roles and the enduring power of love, this novel is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. A four-star read that leaves a lasting impression, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and heartfelt storytelling alike."

Beautiful writing snd excellent use of dual timelines. Glad to have found a new author. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Yes! A sweet story - a woman about to turn 80 reflects on her life and the one who got away. I love Aunt Esther - she should have her own book! Nice to read a story that treats older folks with respect.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Loigman

"Because you can't have the highs without the lows. That's how love works."

Lynda Loigman is one of my favorite authors—and humans. And she's done it again! Remember her captivating, beautiful The Matchmaker's Gift? In her latest novel, Lynda also crafts a heartwarming story with characters readers will cheer across the finish line.

Pushing 80, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern moves from NYC to a Florida retirement community. She never expects to run into Irving, the man who broke her heart sixty years ago. August thought Irving loved her back then, but she had been horribly mistaken.

Based on the adage, "You're never too old, and it's never too late," this novel weaves stories set in 1980s Florida and 1920s Brooklyn. It is an enchanting read.

Beautiful. It’s the best word I can come up with to describe this book. This gem of a story is set between two timelines, 1920’s Brooklyn and 1980’s Florida. Augusta and her story, catch you by the heart strings and she doesn’t let go until that final page is read.

Jumping back to younger Augusta, we’re quickly thrown into her journey as she navigates the loss of her mother from diabetes. Wanting to help others in the way her own mother was unable to be helped at the time, she decides to follow in her father’s footsteps of becoming a pharmacist. Through all this, we also get the pleasure of meeting Great Aunt Esther. She not only introduces Augusta to the holistic side of medicine but also brings a bit of magic into play as well.

Jumping forward to older Augusta at a retirement home in Florida, the past quite literally runs (or in this case, swims) into the present. Irving was a delivery boy at her father’s drugstore in New York and also her first love. The second chance at love that Irving and Augusta are met with was like a cherry on top of an already beautiful story. But also, I would very much like to move to Rallentando Springs Retirement Center. The scenes in present time were too much fun to read! Where can I send my application and security deposit?

Overall, I think what I found most beautiful about this story was seeing how certain people leave such a lasting mark on your life. Whether they stick around for years to come or they’re just passing through, it’s amazing what type of impression a person can leave and how you decide to carry it.

Make sure to grab a bowl of chicken soup and curl up with this unforgettable story.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Loved this story. I got to meet Augusta and Irving. Two people that were attracted to each all of their lives but never seemed be able to tell each other their true feeling. There were two time lines. One 62 years prior 1920's (teenagers) and the other one 1980's (each now in their eighties. Of course a lot of misunderstanding, magic and lifes way of moving too fast. Loved the journey. Will be watching for more books by Lynda Cohen Loigman.

This was a wonderful love story told in a dual time-line about teens who fall in love in the 1920s who reunite over 60 years later and must work through the misunderstanding and miscommunications that led to their break up and what could've been a life together. The pacing and storytelling are well done and I enjoyed how it all unfolded. This would be a great title for a book club to select.
This is the first book I've read by this author but look forward to exploring more titles.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a fantastic novel that met all of my expectations!

When we meet Augusta Stern she is about to turn 80 years old and has just retired from her job as a pharmacist. The book takes us back and forth between her time as a teenager living in New York during the 1920s and her life in a retirement village in Florida sixty years later. Throughout the novel, we learn about the choices (and misunderstandings!) that lead her to unexpectedly celebrating her 80th birthday with Irving Rivkin, the man she thought she would marry in her early 20s. We also occasionally are given a glimpse into Irving's memory of past events, which satisfyingly rounds out the story.

I especially enjoyed seeing Augusta's desire to lead an independent life as a female pharmacist during a time when that was not accepted and also her willingness to combine her father's scientific wisdom with her great-aunt's traditional healing practices. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a testament to the power of female resilience and long-lasting love.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.