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.

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.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had everything that I wanted from a historical fiction novel. I appreciated that this uses a senior community and thought it had a overall great feel to it. Lynda Cohen Loigman has a great writing style and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. It had a great overall feel to the plot of the book and glad it was so well done.

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