I love when I’m surprised by how much I love a book. Don’t get me wrong— I read the premise of THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN by Lynda Cohen Loigman months ago and thought it sounded good. I didn’t expect it to be one of my favorites this year.

Augusta Stern, soon to be 80 years old, finally retires her pharmacy career and moves to Florida. In her retirement community, she reconnects with friends and an old flame from her teenage years. A past timeline set in Brooklyn in the 1920s uncovers what truly went wrong in the relationships between Augusta and her friends, and it provides the background for why Augusta had a love for healing as a pharmacist. There’s history, magic, and second chances and I couldn’t get enough of it. The backdrops and timelines of 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Boca Raton were perfect for this read. I absolutely adored this book! Adding all of her books to my TBR.

Many thanks to @stmartinspress for this #gifted copy (with signed book plate!) and thank you to @macmillan.audio for offering the audiobook to allow me to read and listen. The narrator was fantastic! I won’t forget this book.

I really enjoyed The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman, but this one was disappointing. After a long career as a pharmacist, Augusta Stern has finally moved to a retirement community in Florida as she's turning 80 years old. It just happens to be the same community where the man who broke her heart 60 years ago - Irving Rivkin - lives. Augusta's dad Solomon Stern owned the local pharmacy in Brooklyn where she grew up. After her mom passes at a young age, her Great Aunt Esther comes to live with them to help raise Augusta and her sister. Esther is a healer who mixes powders and potions into her very delicious chicken soup. Even though Augusta is studying to be a pharmacist, she's also fascinated by Esther's remedies. The turning point in Augusta's life happens when she uses one of Esther's potions to try to push her relationship with Irving forward. It definitely does not go as planned. She has had many years to reflect back on her choices and now she possibly has another opportunity to pursue a relationship with Irving. Will she once again use one of Esther's potions or make a different choice this time? Lynda Cohen Loigman's writing is good and easy to read, but this story was pretty shallow and silly. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Elixir Of Augusta, Stern by Linda Cohen Loydman, the book is set in two timelines one in the late 1980s in the other in the 1920s. In the 1980s Augusta’s niece Kathy convinces her to move to Florida to an old folks community something the taciturn Augusta eventually does. while settling in her niece, makes her promise that she will get out more and meet some of the other residents, and Augusta being painfully honest, keeps her promise. The only problem is wherever she goes or whatever activity she does she runs into an unwanted blast from her past Irvin. in the 1920s Augusta and her sister lost their mother and this is why their aunt moves in. At first Augusta is reluctant to embrace their ants kindness, but Augusta who loves to be with her dad in the pharmacy, especially when the cute delivery boy Irvin is around is amazed when neighborhood mother start coming to her aunt to get food that they swear healed their children husbands and even their self.. back in Florida Augusta is trying to avoid Irvin, but either Irvin can’t read the room or he doesn’t care because every where she turns even when she becomes ill due to not wanting to take his advice, he’s there. Will Augusta get rid of Irvin or finally have the love she lost? I didn’t know how to do this review because there’s no real big reveal and there’s kind of a finale, but it’s pretty much the one you think it’s going to be. Due to the authors, riding style and great sense of humor. This is a very entertaining read. Augusta is one of those characters that probably in real life you wouldn’t like but in a book like this one you can’t help but to root for. I loved her and Irving’s relationship the 80s because Irvin acted like he didn’t even know he was agitating her. I don’t want to simplify the story to just her and Ervin because there is a lot more to this funny entertaining read there’s her friends at the elderly home in the 80s in the past that her dad, her sister, her aunt the people in the neighborhood there’s lots to love about this book and I loved it all. #NetGalley, #CohenLoydman,#TheLoveElixirOfAugustaStern,

Who would’ve ever thought that I would relate too much so much to an 80-year-old pharmacist. This book was the sweetest, kindest, happiest book ever! Everything about it was wonderful! I know I will be reading this book again! I will definitely be buying this book as a gift for many people.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a heartwarming and magical read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It's a perfect choice for fans of historical fiction, romance, and those who believe in the power of love and second chances. Lynda's storytelling is as delightful as the elixir itself, weaving together past and present with a touch of magic. This might be one of my favorite reads of 2024


Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's 1987 and Augusta Stern is about to celebrate her 80th birthday. After running her family's pharmacy and working as a pharmacist in several hospitals, Augusta is gently informed that it's time for her to retire. She leaves Brooklyn and moves to a retirement community in Boca Raton, Florida. One of the first people she sees is Irving Rifkin, her first love. When this charming story shifts to 1922, Augusta has recently lost her mother, and her great-aunt Esther has come to help out the family. Teenaged Augusta helps out at her father Solomon's pharmacy. With the skills learned in Russia, Esther uses non-conventional ways of helping people including servings of her chicken soup and other herbal remedies. Augusta and Irving, the pharmacy's delivery boy develop a close friendship that evolves into something more. Through all their years apart, Augusta never understood why Irving broke her heart. Is it too late for forgiveness?

This is Lynda Cohen Loigman's fourth book, and I have enjoyed them all. The Matchmaker's Gift was one of my favorites of 2022. And now The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern has captured my heart. I loved Augusta, Irving, and the wonderful Aunt Esther. The novel provides a perfect blend of poignancy and wit.

As a child of Brooklyn who now lives in the Boca area, I find it remarkable how much Loigman's books resonate with me. Be sure to check out this delightful novel.

Augusta Stern finally retires from pharmacy work, a job she loves, at almost 80. She has been lying about her age for years so she can continue working. She heads to a community in Florida, and is immediately recognized by an old flame, Irving. He calls her Goldie, a nickname she hasn't heard for over 60 years. She had been in love with him, but he abruptly left her, married another girl, moved to Chicago, and raised twin boys. Now divorced, he is single again.
Augusta's story is told in 2 timelines, and details how her love for healing grew, through her father's job and store, and then her great-aunt Esther, who used apothecary and alternative healing methods. Augusta tries not to let her old love for Irving affect her, but he always seems to be around.
A very sweet story of lost and found love.

Augusta Stern is forced to retire at 70 but really she is almost 80. She has never married and when her niece finds her a nice condo in Florida she finds herself living in the same community with Irving, who was her first love.

I really enjoyed the book and there were some laughable moments with Irving and the whole community but I never warmed up to Augusta. I felt the character was a blur. She came across as having nothing in her life except her job and this started in her early teens. When she saw Irving instead of trying to find out what happened to him she seemed to always look for the worst possible explanation and never listen. Now Aunt Esther was another story. I found her fascinating and wished she had been fleshed out more.

The story takes place in Brooklyn in 1922 or so and then in Florida in the 1980s. As far as places go both are very different and the characters were in their late teens or 80s. I felt like just as I was getting pulled in the story would shift. I found the early years more compelling but the later years had the laughs.

So it's a 4* read but a low 4.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

Absolutely loved this story! I love talking to people from the 40’s and getting to know more about what lead them down the path they are on now. I have more older friends than I would like to admit but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They provide me with insight into life and what it takes to truly live for every moment and try to love and live with no regrets and that’s Augusta Stern did for me as well. Her aunt Esther is my favorite character in the whole book and the reason Augusta has hope for her future.

What a great way to honor apothecaries and their dedication to wanting to help people be their best selves. Overall, I was hooked from the first chapter and so glad to know there is a happy ending!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. The author sent it personally with a nice note and a necklace of a mortar and pestle.

I've been trying to win this book everywhere it seems and my patience paid off it seems. I've read all of her books and I've enjoyed them all so far and I'm hoping for this same with this one. I guess I'll see after reading the whole book.

Step back in time from the 1920s to the 1980s when Augusta Stern moves to FL after retiring at age 80. I'm not surprised that she followed her father in his footsteps in becoming a pharmacist considering he was one and she worked in the store for 20 years after her father died and then she sold the store. She moves to Florida after she retires and who is living in the same condo but her "friend" Irving, who was the delivery boy for her father in their pharmacy. She's shocked for sure after 62 years of not seeing him. Is everyone retired and in their 80s living in the same condo complex in FL? Coincidence? Probably. There's a rivalry between Irving and Nathaniel Birnbaum, also a friend from the past whose father was the doctor in her town. They were all the best of friends growing up and Nathaniel married Augusta's best friend. The alternate chapters from past to present made it interesting. How can I forget Great Aunt Esther from the old country who moved in with the Steins after Bess and Augusta's mother died when Augusta was 14. She was a healer and Sol didn't want her to mix up her potions for many ailments in competition with him. She did anyway with wonderful results. I'm not going to spoil the ending but it was wonderful and thanks to Great Aunt Esther, August sort of had a second career at age 81.

It was a good book but not as good as her others and I've read the reviews and some opinions aren't the same as mine -- good and bad.

“𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭, 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵."

If you're feeling like I am today and need a big hug, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡 is that in book form.

Lynda Cohen Loigman has crafted a story that combines dual timelines, a second chance romance, sassy senior citizens, an intriguing mystery, lots of Jewish joy, and a dash magical realism to create the perfect antidote to whatever has you down, just like Aunt Esther's her cure-all chicken soup in the book.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the copy to review.

**BOOK REVIEW***
First and foremost, I love a good dual timeline. We get to know these characters two-fold; in their adolescent youth and in their senior years. We get a look at how events of their youth shaped the rest of their lives. Second, I love a good independent, sassy old lady. I loved Augusta wholeheartedly. As a pharmacy professional myself I really just connected all around with the characters, the story, everything as Augusta grew up in her father’s pharmacy and later footsteps. I loved this story and was sad when it ended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 #netgalley #bookreview #arc #arcreview #botm #bookofthemonth

I enjoyed reading THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN, especially after loving Linda Cohen Loigman's wonderful THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT. This story captivated me with its blend of nostalgia, mystery, and second chances. I loved following Augusta as she wrestled with her past—a mix of old wounds, lost love, and family secrets—and watching her start a new chapter in Rallentando Springs. The seamless interweaving of 1920s Brooklyn and present-day Florida, along with Augusta’s memories of her family’s pharmacy and her eccentric Great Aunt Esther’s unconventional remedies, added so much depth. Loigman’s warm and enchanting storytelling brings heart and a touch of magical realism, making this a thoughtful, charming read about aging, healing, and rediscovering oneself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Augusta Stern is eighty-years old. She has finally retired from her hospital pharmacist job in NY and is moving to a retirement community in Florida. Never married, she finds herself face to face with the man she once loved. Irving Rivkin broke her heart when she was in her teens and she vividly recalls how devastated she was by his betrayal. Another old neighborhood friend also lives in the community and he’s a widower. The two men dislike each other and are at loggerheads over reconnecting with Augusta.

There’s humor and witty dialog that enliven each scene. Augusta can’t forget her past wounds but also can’t deny how much she once cared for Irving. Watching octogenarians act like romantic fools is great fun. Augusta may be worldly wise, but her heart is still young, recalling the touching moments she once spent with Irving.

The story of Esther, Augusta’s aunt, also figures prominently in the novel. Augusta recalls how her aunt, who was an apothecary, would make chicken soup and medicinal concoctions. She imbued her tonics (potions) with spiritual incantations and her successes could not be denied.
She was an inspiration to her niece and also a mentor. Even in retirement Augusta turns to the lessons she learned from her aunt; sometimes with unexpected results.

Loigman based her central character on her husband’s great-grandmother who was a rare, early female pharmacist. The author also used her husband’s father's life as fodder for her fictional setting. She wrote of second chances and a love re-kindled. This book will have appeal for people of all ages, especially those who are young at heart.

I enjoyed this genre blend of historical fiction, romance, and magical realism. Augusta was a very relatable character, and I loved the 1920s Brooklyn pharmacy setting. The family relationship dynamics were well written and added so much to the story. I don't typically love the whole miscommunication trope or the jumping from past to present day because it's been done so much, but I really appreciated how Augusta was still the main character in the 1980s portion of the book instead of having a granddaughter figure out her story through finding a box of old letters or something like that! It was refreshing to see a female MC still looking ahead and building a future at age 80!

This book really took me by surprise! When I first started reading The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it, whether it was my kind of book and if it would hold my interest. But I have to say, I absolutely loved this story and I think it was because of a couple of different reasons. First being that it’s an old romance that gets rekindled over 60 years later. And the second thing I enjoyed about it was that its main character is an 80 year old woman. I think that now that I myself am aging, I really enjoy reading books about the older generation. The fact that the storyline all seemed so real and believable was also a plus. And the character of Aunt Esther, I felt added a touch of magic to the story that made it all the more interesting. I really enjoyed reading this and it’s a book I will definitely recommend to other readers. I’d like to thank Rivka Holler, Associate Marketing Manager @ St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books for the widget and invite to be an early reader and NetGalley for the arc. This was a great story that shows that it’s never too late to find love and that happiness is possible if you are willing to open your heart and mind and let it in. I loved this story and am giving it a much deserved 5 star rating and would love to add a physical copy to my home library upon release.

First, let's just admire this pretty cover! Anything will plants or flowers will always grab my attention. Next, the story. The Love Exilir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman was a good book, like a cozy sweater on a chilly fall night. I really enjoyed the story of Augusta.

The book features two timelines, 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida. In the 20’s, Augusta is a young woman with her whole adult life ahead of her. She is determined to be a pharmacist like her father, especially after getting her heart broken by her first love, Irving.

In Florida, decades later, Augusta is retired and just arrived at a senior living center where she runs into who else? Irving.

Her heart is still broken after all of those years, she wants nothing to do with him. But she will learn that things didn’t quite happen as she assumed…

I typically cannot stand any kind of “magical realism” however, in the story, Augusta learns about potions from roots and plants and how/when to use them so it's not technically magic.

This was very enjoyable!

Synopsis:

On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs — an active senior community in southern Florida — she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy — and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.

As a teenager growing up in 1920’s Brooklyn, Augusta’s role model was her father, Solomon Stern, the trusted owner of the local pharmacy and the neighborhood expert on every ailment. But when Augusta’s mother dies and Great Aunt Esther moves in, Augusta can’t help but be drawn to Esther’s curious methods. As a healer herself, Esther offers Solomon’s customers her own advice — unconventional remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions.

As Augusta prepares for pharmacy college, she is torn between loyalty to her father and fascination with her great aunt, all while navigating a budding but complicated relationship with Irving. Desperate for clarity, she impulsively uses Esther’s most potent elixir with disastrous consequences. Disillusioned and alone, Augusta vows to reject Esther’s enchantments forever.

Sixty years later, confronted with Irving, Augusta is still haunted by the mistakes of her past. What happened all those years ago and how did her plan go so spectacularly wrong? Did Irving ever truly love her or was he simply playing a part? And can Augusta reclaim the magic of her youth before it’s too late?

Having really enjoyed THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT, I looked forward to reading THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN. Augusta and her family live in Brooklyn during the 1920s above her father’s drug store. Her Aunt Esther, moves in after Augusta’s mother passes away. She uses natural remedies to help people. Thus a bit of conflict is developed with Augusta’s father. I enjoyed the storylines more during this time period than the second period set in 1987 when seventy-nine-year-old Augusta moves to a retirement community in Florida where she encounters her old boyfriend and father’s delivery boy Irving Rivkin. I always learn a lot when reading Loigman’s stories. There were a couple of twists I did not see.

Wow!!
What a fabulous story! An 80 year old moves to a Florida retirement village and surprise! Her long lost love lives there too! But why are they star crossed lovers? Loigman takes us back and forth in time as their tale unfolds for the reader. Full of hilarious moments I loved this story with an older protagonist and enjoyed how the author wove this tale together with some surprises!.

4.5⭐ rounded up

Refreshing and heartwarming. Augusta Stern, a newly retired pharmacist, retired to a south Florida senior community, and astoundingly runs into the boy/man who broke her heart 60 years ago Told in two timelines from her youth to present day with just touch of magic, the story kept me engaged throughout.