Lynda Cohen Loigman's 'The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern' is a captivating novel that weaves together elements of romance, magic, and self-discovery in a way that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

The characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own complexities and vulnerabilities that make them incredibly relatable. From the first page to the last, I found myself completely immersed in this magical tale, unable to put it down.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The protagonist--Augusta/Goldie--is a never wanted to be retired pharmacist who is turning 80 and relocated from NYC to Florida where she encounters a man who was very important in her youth. There are lingering misunderstandings from their previous life. The book is written as the dual timelines of Augusta's childhood--being raised by her great aunt-an alternative healer--and her pharmacist father in 1920's NYC and the timeline of her retirement in Florida where she meets two men who were critical in her earlier life. This is both historical fiction and some gentle magical realism. The book is well written and the story is sweet, life affirming and not at all "sappy". The author worked as an attorney and her previous books also explore Jewish life in NYC from a historical perspective.

What a unique book with multiple layers and complexities that add such dimension and depth to the characters and story. It pulled on my emotions - joy, regret, sadness, hope - to experience Augusta's journey from the beginning when it all went wrong, to the end when there is new hope for old wounds.

This one really got me in my feelings. It was so incredibly sad but also managed to put me back together? The plot will have you bawling but by the ending the heart might be mended.

**This was an ARC I received on Netgalley.

Absolutely wonderful! This was a nice change of pace. I loved how cohesive the time jumps were, as sometimes those are hard to do well. You never questioned which timeline you were in, as they were seamless. The characters were well written, and I loved Aunt Esther!

When I read, each character has a distinct voice, as does a narrator if there is one. This book started very slowly for me since the characters are very similar to people I grew up with in locations very familiar to me. In fact, I had to change all the voices to ones less recognizable. And suddenly I realized I truly liked the characters, and read the book straight through. Life is tough and yet happiness may be found under the oddest of circumstances, or happenstances, or in the most unexpected synchronicities.
Altogether an enjoyable book worth kicking back and reading

When Augusta Stern finally retires just before her 80th birthday, her niece encourages her to visit a Florida retirement community. She moves there and finds out her high school boyfriend who broke her heart lives there, she is not amused. She never married after that devastating event and threw herself into her work. But he's determined to rekindle an old flame. If he still loves her, why did he marry another woman, leaving her high and dry? Life is about to take a turn and prove to Augusta that it's never too late to find love or rekindle an old love. It was a heart-warming story with some very interesting characters. Loved it.

A 62 year love story in the making. What a beautiful story of enduring love, forgiveness, second chances, medicine and magical healing. Well developed, likable characters that you can relate to. This book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. My first time reading Lynda Cohen Loigman, but hopefully not my last.

Big-hearted and whimsical! A story of “it’s never too late for love.” Readers will adore this book set in the 1920s and 1980s about two star-crossed young loves who find their way back to one another—with a little help! —Dianna Rostad USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of You Belong Here Now

This is a lovely book about love, forgiveness, medicine and mysticism. The characters were endearing and I enjoyed the alternating time periods between the 1920s and 1980s. Although a bit predictable, this book was engaging and easy to read.

Lynda’s books are such a pleasure to read. Great story with great characters and unputdownable. This was no different. I loved this new one and it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. I was pulled in from the very first page and now I’m sad it’s over. You do not want to miss this one!

I really enjoyed how this book weaved two timelines together in a very seamless way - nothing was confusing or didn't add up between the stories from the 1920s and the 1980s. I also liked the comparative storyline of medicine from a scientific/pharmaceutical versus holistic standpoint. This book had other great aspects, like family and lost/found love (I absolutely enjoyed Augusta getting to reconnect with Irving), friendship, and a dash of mystery and magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Advanced Book Review! Thank you @stmartinspress for sending this book for review. Opinions are my own.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern isn’t out until October, but when I received an advanced copy, I picked it up, and it was exactly the right time.

I loved this book. The Jewish representation, the magical realism, the dual timelines of 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida – all of it. At its heart, it is not only a second-chance romance, but a tribute to the people of your past and the lessons they leave behind.

As a teenager in the 1920’s, Augusta prepares for pharmacy college just like her role model, her father. When she loses her mother, her great-aunt Esther moves in, bringing her unconventional healing remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions. I loved the stories of the people Aunt Esther helped. Trying to blend methods of her father and her aunt, Augusta searches for a way to save more people, like she wishes she could have saved her mother.

When Augusta turns eighty she retires to Florida where she gets a second chance with the love of her life, and calls upon the teachings of her long-gone loved ones to help guide her.

I highly recommend picking up this beautiful book when it’s published on October 8.

Entertaining story. It’s nice to read about eighty year ole people for a change. In this book they suffer as much angst as they did when the were teenagers.

This was one of the best books I have read for a while. This was Augusta's story, switching between her eighties and her growing up years. She was one of the few women in her time to attend college and earn a degree in pharmacy. While she devoted her life to her career, she always regretted missing out on love and her own family. There's so many layers to this story, you will have to trust me when I say do NOT miss this book. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read it. Definitely recommend!!

"The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern" is a feel-good novel with a feisty 80-year old protagonist, Augusta Stern. Augusta has been able to continue working by lying about her age, but when she is finally found out, the jig is up and she must retire. She moves to Florida to a community with a swimming pool, and reunites, accidentally, with an old love interest who broke her heart years ago. The story is about second (and final) chances, and the ways we are hurt and healed by love. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #TheLoveElixir ofAugustaStern

I so appreciate the opportunity to read this book that turns so many assumptions on their head. The author does a great job of showing that just because we get older, we still have romantic thoughts and are able to use our skills. It was nice to read a romance that focused on seniors in a realistic and lovely way. It also showcased strong women in non-traditional roles, on both sides of the law while still allowing for magic. The story with its two timelines is well-written, though I would have liked the action to have moved a bit faster, especially the Nathaniel aspect. However, it all came together in a familiar and satisfying way. A lovely book for anyone who enjoys romance with a side of intrigue.

Augusta Stern and the cast of characters who surround her will make you laugh, make you cry (a little), and ultimately, remind you of the power of words and finding your way.

This book was so beautiful and gave me all the feels. So many life lessons stuffed into such a wonderful story. I loved the dual timeline and being able to delve deeper into past happenings. And the romance was so sweet!

Augusta Stern has been lying for many years and now she has been found out. When the new administrator at the hospital where she works figures out that she is actually a full decade older than her paperwork states, Augusta is asked to retire. Her niece Jackie finds her a retirement community in Florida and Jackie thinks she will like escaping New York winters. When Augusta goes to swim on her first day at Rallentando Springs, she finds that the past is catching up with her in more unexpected ways. Sixty years ago, Augusta fell in love with Irving, a boy who worked at her father's pharmacy and now she discovers that he lives at Rallentando Springs too. As the memories come flooding back, of being a teen in love in the 1920s, the love of healing that she learned from her Great Aunt Esther, and the pain of Irving's abrupt departure from her live, Augusta has to figure out if the mistakes in the past will color her future. A moving heartfelt novel of finding, losing, and finding romantic love and finding yourself along the way.