This is one of my favorite books released this year! I immediately fell in love with Augusta and I am always looking for a second chance story! I also enjoyed the dual timelines - both were compelling and interesting and took some rather unique turns! 4.5⭐️

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The relationship between Augusta and Irving had a sweet genuine quality to it and I loved the idea that you are never too old to fall in love. I also loved the character of Augusta in both timelines, she is smart, and bold and curious and it was interesting to see how she had evolved over the decades. My one complaint about this novel was the magic/witchy component. What was there was enjoyable, but there was too little of it . I wanted MORE. Still I do recommend this sweet tale of love rediscovered. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc.

In The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern we get to meet Augusta in her earlier life as she worked for her father in his pharmacy back in the 1920's. Then we are lucky enough that we get dual timelines in this novel and follow Augusta in her retirement life as she moves to a Florida retirement village and just happens to come across the boy she loved all those years ago.

Oh how I love a second chance romance story.

And I really enjoyed how the story was told by the author with tidbits from each timeline to find out why things ended the way they did and why Augusta is the way she is now with a lot of reflection in-between. Some parts may have been a bit predictable, but it was almost a comfort because you grow to really love and root for the main characters in both timelines.

I listened to this one on audio and the narrator does a fantastic job bringing Augusta to life. I would definitely recommend the audio for audiobook fans.

Magical realism is one of my favorite genres! This was engaging, and the characters are relatable, with Augusta’s journey being both entertaining and heartwarming. While the plot may feel familiar to fans of romantic comedies, the inclusion of magical realism adds a fresh twist. Overall, it’s a fun and sweet read, perfect for those looking for a feel-good story with a touch of magic and exactly what I needed it.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This duel timeline love story follows Augusta from her youth in Brooklyn to her old age in retirement in Florida. In Brooklyn a young Augusta lives with her father and aunt. Her father is a pharmacist and the aunt is a healer. The aunt teaches Augusta all she knows about making potions while Augusta also goes to school to follow in her fathers footsteps to become a pharmacist. Young Augusta is in love with Irving who one days mysteriously marries the daughter it mitzy diamond. The story is well interwoven between time lines and ends happily ever after. Four stars.

This book was just plain beautiful. I loved the back and forth from the present and the past and getting to see exactly how Augusta came to be who she is. But this story also made me laugh in so many places and gave me hope that I'll be that spry when I am elderly. This story took ahold of my heart and still hasn't let go. I loved it so much!

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

By Lynda Cohen Loigman

What a wonderful story this was:

- Family love
- Friendships
- Love after 70
- Missed connections
- Heartwarming
- Modern medicine against Traditional

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the gifted copy.

I LOVED this book! Loigman does such a wonderful job writing dual timelines, it’s not at all confusing and the stories are so beautifully intertwined. Augusta was such a lovely character, and of course I was rooting for Irving the whole time. SO good. I will be recommending this to everyone!

Lynda Cohen Loigman NEVER MISSES! Another amazing book from an auto-buy author.

I loved the multiple timelines in this book and the way it read like a contemporary fiction book with historical elements rather than straight historical fiction. It was clear how much research and love Loigman out into this story! It was compulsively readable with characters I fell madly in love with and amazing casual Jewish representation. Loigman's books are so beautifully written and I loved how she incorporated elements of mystery, romance, and magical realism into the story in such a natural way.

This book was the definition of a feel-good book! Truly enchanting and so wholesome. It was such a joy to read!

Augusta Stern reluctantly retires from her job as a pharmacist, moves to a retirement community in Florida and finds that dating drama has no expiration.
This was cute enough; filled to the brim with improbable coincidences.
Thanks to # netgalley and #stmartinspress for this #arc of #theloveelixirofaugustastern in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
By Lynda Cohen Loigman

This is a sweet story. It is the romantic history of Augusta Stern and Irving Rivkin, two young Jews from Brooklyn who manage to spend over 60 years missing out on repeated opportunities to express their love and share their lives.

They first meet when Irving is hired as the delivery boy for the pharmacy owned by Augusta's father. Irving calls Augusta "Goldie", because, for him, she glows with a golden light. Although they are young, they soon realize that they are in love. In fact Irving has plans to propose when a set of circumstances forces him to abandon Goldie without a word, move away, and marry another woman.

Goldie never recovers from the loss and never marries. Instead she follows her career path and becomes a pharmacist, just like her father. The years pass and, as life winds down, Goldie is forced to retire. At her niece's urging she move to a condo in a seniors complex in Florida. And who does she find living there? – why, Irving of course. Some things just seem to be fated.

Through alternating chapters, their story from the 1920s to the 1980s unfolds. These two have truly been ships passing in the night. The story is sad and tender at the same time. Can Goldie and Irving finally get their happily ever after?

If you believe in the triumph of love over adversity, this is a must read.

Told in dual timeline, we get to see Augusta growing into womanhood and transitioning into retirement (rather unwillingly). Augusta is independent and out to prove everyone wrong.
I loved everything about this read. The cast is great, the comedic moments offset some of the sadness that comes through, and there’s a good peep at long lasting love.
I read and listened to this book simultaneously. The narrator (Gabra Zachman) made this book that much better! I loved her intonation and the way she brought the story to life.
Thank you to Macmillan for the complimentary audiobook and SMP for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Sweet story of how it’s never too late to discover, or rediscover, the love of your life. Augusta is a young girl in the 1920s determined to become a pharmacist just like her father. Not only does she learn about traditional medicine for healing, she is also mentored by her aunt who is skilled in non traditional medicines. The story transitions back and forth between the 1920s and the 1980s when Augusta is turning 80 years old.
I loved the discussion of women in STEM and the struggles they faced in both timelines. The romance was sweet but not spicy at all. There is a little element of magical realism to this story as well.

Augusta Stern is approaching her 80th birthday when she relocates to Florida. The last thing she was expecting was to encounter her first love at the community pool but when she does it brings up feelings that have been bottled in for more than 60
Years. Told in alternating timelines the story is an exploration of young love, miscommunication, the power of science and the importance of woman’s work as healers. Defying convention Augusta learns to appreciate both mystical and clinical treatments for ailments as she learns that once your heart is broken there is always hope to repair it.

Loved it!!! This book was everything and so much more. I loved all of the author's previous books and couldn't wait to read this. The book definitely didn't disappoint. I loved how the story alternated between Augusta growing up in the 1920s and adult Augusta in 1987. Great-aunt Esther was exactly what the family needed. Everything she made sounded delicious, especially the chicken noodle soup. Esther had a very different approach to healing than Solomon. Solomon trusted the medications in his pharmacy, while Esther relied on herbs, spices and whatever else was inside her trunk. Imagine Augusta's surprise when she arrives at her Florida retirement community and runs into Irving Rankin. What's the chances of Augusta living right next to him after all those years? Augusta is still feisty at eighty. She's led a very interesting life and would still be working if she wasn't pushed out of her job. Love the relationship she has with her niece. From the moment I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. This was such a beautiful and magical book. I loved everything about it. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely loved! I read The Matchmaker's Gift a few years ago, and it's one of my favorite books. I had high expectations for this one that were absolutely met. I'm so happy we picked it as our book club book!

This was such a sweet book about life and love. It also shows the sad reality about what can go wrong in life. It was a little slow throughout and they refer to the aunt as a homeopath even though she's an herbalist which is pretty bothersome.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a love story with a bit of historical fiction, magical realism, and a mafia involvement. The story moves back and forth between Augusta as a teenager and Augusta turning 80. The story of the past is one of healing and of heartbreak. The story of the present is a feel-good love story. This book does not have the strength of The Matchmaker's Secret or The Two Family House, but a sweet story nevertheless.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/11/the-love-elixir-of-augusta-stern.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

I thought it was a fairly sad story. Separated from the one you truly love had to be tortuous for Augusta.
She became a workaholic until forced to retire she moves to Florida and discovers the man who broke her heart over to years before.
Told between the 1920s and 1987, Loigman weaves the story of Irving and Augusta.
I liked that the book was based off a real life person’s stories.
I liked the ending because it’s better late than never but I wish it had been sooner for Augusta.

If you’re looking for something light and wholesome, look no further. This book is a sweet, cozy hug. Set in a now/then timeline between the 1920s and 1980s, it was so well researched and 1920s Brooklyn really came to life. Augusta was a strong MC and I loved the lesson that it’s never too late to learn and grow. I especially loved all the Jewish foods and have been craving chicken soup.