💭I really enjoyed this historical fiction book! It takes place right before the Nazi party took over Germany.

Lily meets an American soldier and decides to eventually give her heart to him. He gets stationed somewhere else and isn’t allowed to tell her where. She finds out she is pregnant, as an unwed woman in 1920’s France, where she will be judged and ridiculed. Her man comes back shocked to see her pregnant and they decide they will go to NY to live. She has the baby and realizes her life in America is not what she imagined. She befriends a woman with a son a few years older than her daughter who is down on her luck and hires her as a nanny.

One brave mother will have to make a decision to sail back to Europe with two small children to where Hitler’s party is gaining traction.

There wasn’t much about Hitler’s party until the last 20%, and it seemed the story ended somewhat abruptly, but this is supposed to be the first book in a series, so I am hoping with the second book we will get more about that topic. I can’t wait to read it!

This is the first in a new series by Roberta Kagan. It takes place from about 1922 through 1930, the period between the two world wars. It begins in America and goes to Munch ,Germany and then Paris, France. It is the story of a German woman who finds herself in America with a child, fallen on hard times and the friendship that ensues when she becomes the nanny and good friend of a young Jewish woman named Lily. We learn Lilly’s story, as well, which is one of hardship and trauma. As usual Miss Kagan weaves a tale, which keeps you so interested that you can’t wait to turn the page to see what will happen next. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

What a wonderful book it had romance and was heartbreaking.

Lily leaves Paris with her husband Joe and their daughter Mimi leaving behind her Mother. Lily finds it hard to settle in America. Joe finally finds a job but it is illegal. Lily meets Gloria and a friendship develops between them.

I could not put this book down and really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read about the illegal trade in America at the time where you could not drink alcohol. The book was well written and I liked the characters there was sad bits in the book. I certainly wanted to find out what happened to them.

I look forward to reading the next book to see what happens to them all.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I can only say what an emotional story this is. Roberta Kagan has written many books set around war time and family struggles. This book is an excellent example of her writing. The characters are entirely believable as they struggle in difficult circumstances,. Set in the early 1930s, when the European politics is unsettled after the 1st World War. I can highly recommend this book, can't wait to find out what happens to Gloria, Nick & Mimi who I loved.

Another enjoyable book by this author. The characters were wonderful the story was believable considering the things that were going on in history at that time just prior to wwII. I’m looking forward to the next in this forthcoming series!

The Last Lullaby
By Roberta Kagan

Book #1 of a series. What can I say? Another profound story told as nobody else can do it. Roberta Kagan is the historical fiction author that nobody should miss. Her stories bring to life people and events and events within events that seldom people truly know about. Again, this novel hit the mark on all of these points and more. An interweaving story of Jewish ancestry, relocations of people to different countries and an outlook of the real America for foreigners during the great depression, this book has it all. From war torn France to Depression Era New York to life within prohibition to the rise of the mob this story keeps you turning the pages. This novel really nails the before WWII but after WWI period and all the things that happened during this time. It also touches on the rise of Hitler in Germany and the poverty of America, highlighting how poverty stricken the people of America were during the Great Depression, this book really sheds light on how Europe saw America as the “the golden road” at the end of a war-torn struggle and how America was anything but that to them. This novel will catch you at the beginning and not let go until you have read the last word which is true Roberta Kagan style. Ms. Kagan’s style is one of those true gems that keeps you engrossed and anticipating the next book in the series, which by the way I am now in that club. I will patiently await book 2 when it is ready to see how these people fare during WW2 as I am sure that is where this story is heading. Again Ms. Kagan has outdone herself with this book and I highly recommend it.

The Last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan is different than the other books by her that I have read. It took the entire book to tell the backstory for the Holocaust story I am sure is coming. Lily lives in France with her widowed mother. They are struggling but life is not over for either of them. Lily meets a man when she is out looking for employment. His name is Joe and he is an American soldier. He helps her find a job, as it turns out, he was paying her salary. The expected happens and she falls pregnant and Joe leaves, promising to return. She writes to him often, never hearing from him in response. One day she opens the door and here he is. They marry and after the baby, a girl they name Mimi, arrives, they leave for America. Then the cracks start to show. They travel steerage. They arrive at a tenement apartment they are to share with his mother. More cracks. Eventually Joe gets a job and things get better. His mother dies. His job pays even more. After several moves they are able to buy a house. Lily falls pregnant again and is a little overwhelmed. Joe allows her to hire a nanny and she hires her friend, Gloria, who she met in the park, along with her little boy who has become fast friends with Mimi. It’s not too long before Joe is sniffing around Gloria.

Fast forward. Jo and Lily are killed and Gloria attempts to take Mimi to France to her grandmother. On the boat she meets a man who is too good to be true and he makes her life considerably easier. This man is returning home to Germany to meet a man he admires: Adolph Hitler. No one knows at this point what the future will bring. Lily is a naive, simple young woman who believed Joe even when good sense said she shouldn’t. Joe is a driver for a mobster whom he thinks can be outsmarted, by him. He is wrong. Gloria is a simple young woman who got pregnant and was disowned by her family. The women are sympathetic characters. Joe is a jerk. Time will tell where this goes, although based on what Kagan writes, the handwriting is on the wall. Good characters, as always, and an unexpected plot. Kagan writes a compelling, mostly third person, novel with a twist on her usual topic.

I was invited to read The Last Lullaby by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #RobertaKagan #TheLast Lullaby

What a beautiful book cover The Last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan was. This was a book that just caught my eye and I am so glad it did. It was a beautifully written book and was full of emotions - You will need tissues and lots of them.

“I can’t leave you, Mama. I can’t go,” Lily sobbed. “Then don’t say goodbye,” Chloe whispered, pressing the cherished family heirloom into her daughter’s palm. ”Just until we meet again.”

I need tissues. . . . .

Set in Paris, in 1923. Lily Levin boards a train with her baby daughter Mimi and American husband, they are leaving behind her beloved mother Chloe for a new life across the ocean. Lilly carrying her mother’s precious diamond pin close to her heart, she holds Mimi close and she sings Yiddish lullabies to her.
Now, Lily faces an uncertain future in a country she’s never even seen, only heard about.

Now, in New York, Lily is struggling to fit in, she finds an unexpected ally in Gloria, she is a young mother who is hired to care of Mimi. The two women forge a good friendship which is deeper than blood, they spend hours together sharing their dreams, fears, and their fierce love for all their children.

Then. . . . . . . tragedy shatters both of their world.

One brave mother must make an impossible choice that sends her and two children on a voyage. This is to Europe where Hitler’s Nazi Party is gaining power and darkness is rising.

WoWow. . . . . and Breath - pass me a tissue!!! No make it the Box!

I highly recommend this book. Just beautiful!

Big Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

Paris, 1923. Lily Levin boards a train with her baby daughter Mimi and American husband, leaving behind her beloved mother Chloe for a new life across the ocean. Carrying her mother’s precious diamond pin and the Yiddish lullabies she sings to Mimi, Lily faces an uncertain future in a country she’s never seen.

In New York, as Lily struggles to fit in, she finds an unexpected ally in Gloria, a young mother hired to care for Mimi. The two women forge a friendship deeper than blood as they share dreams, fears, and their fierce love for their children.

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of pieces of stories, sometimes they feel disconnected, but I think the other has plans for this to be part of a series and I look forward to reading more!

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Set in Paris and also New York, this story is set during the 1920’s about a family who move to New York for a better life. I enjoyed Roberta Kagan’s writing style however I did find it slow at times and was disappointed that the book ended with a cliffhanger, hope a second book is made thst is set during ww2. While I enjoyed this book I feel like it was advertised wrong, the cover has swastikas on it indicating that the book is set during ww2 but it’s not, this book has nothing to do with the book war
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, al opinions are mg own.

What a read!! This made me feel a whole range of emotions and I loved it. Very well written with greatly established characters.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is the story of Lily who, after the loss of her father, now must ensure that her mother and herself survive.

When she meets a soldier who is American, she really likes him and he too really likes her. After a while, Lily is leaving the country she’s lived in, and her Chloe, her mother behind.

Lily, with her husband and baby, to go and live in a country she’s never seen before, not knowing what’s in store for her there.

Thinking it’ll be easier than the life she left behind, but she soon finds out that it’s not. Lily realises that her husband isn’t who she thought it was, and wishes she was back home with her mother.

When she meets Gloria, they bond quickly and soon her life changes..

The story was well written, emotional and you read about life after WWI and before WWI.

I highly recommend this book.

Hmm, I’m not sure how I feel about this story. It follows a woman after The Great War, who married, got pregnant, and moved with her husband to America. They struggled at first, but he eventually gets a well paying (though not legal) job, and things start to look up for them. But his philandering and dishonest ways cause problems. Which then leads us down a whole different rabbit hole with another set of characters. Then it just ends, with the premise that another book will follow with these characters. I will not go out of my way to look for the sequel, to be honest.

Roberta Kagan’s historical fiction novel, “The Last Lullaby,” explores mother-daughter bonds and women’s sacrifices. It’s a story of love, friendship, and heartbreak, but the uneven pacing, predictable plot points, and underdeveloped characters hinder the reading experience. Though it’s the first book in a series, I doubt I’ll read part 2.

Set between the wars, it tell of Lily and her journey to the U.S.A with her American husband and the promise of a better life there. However things don't quite go to plan and then we switch back to the rise of Nazism in Europe. I didn't realise it was the first book in a series so felt a wee bit down at the end but then elated as there would be another one!
Thanks t{ Netgalley for the ARC to review.

Though I found this book a bit difficult to follow at times, I enjoyed the story. As if world wars weren't enough, the added hardships faced by families during this period were immense. I was drawn in cover and originally thought the book was going to be set during WWII, but it spans a much longer period. Families had to make tough decisions, many leaving loved ones behind. This book offers a fascinating look into what some went through in their struggle to survive. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Adult historical fiction, set in the period of time between the two World Wars.
It was an interesting book, for the most part. The two children, Nick and Mimi, are little heart-stealers!
I must admit, though, through a good portion I kept hoping that the “point” of the novel would be reached. Event after event would occur, but they didn’t really create a flowing plot. Towards the latter quarter I looked at the percentage left and thought that the conclusion could not be successfully reached. At the end, the author explained that this was the first in a series, so that made a bit more sense.
When the other books are released, I’ll probably read them, if only to follow what happens to Nick and Mimi.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Rating 2.5☆
I wanted to like this book so much however unfortunately it wasn't for me.

The cover and blurb were misleading for this book, 'The National Socialist German Workers Party' is only mentioned in the final 40-50 pages by a new character. Then, Chapter 58 (of 64) Hitler and the 'Nazi Party' are mentioned. I spent several moments in the book checking the blurb because of this.
I felt the dialogue at times was a bit stiff, reminding me more of an awkward read through of a script, and the timing was up and down throughout.
However, the author does explore some powerful issues of the era. The immigration of Jews to America, men struggling to find work after the war, male dominated marriages, and discomfort of the imminant WWII. Although a lot to cover in one book, I was happy to see such a powerful representation of the times.
At the end, the author says this is part 1 of a new series. It would be interesting to see how this series works out, but it's not something I'm likely to pick up in a hurry.

Between the world wars in France, Lily meets and marries Joe. Their best chance at a future is to live in America...or so Joe says. Lily's heart breaks as she leaves her mother behind, not knowing whether she would see her again. She carries a cherished piece of jewelry and memories as she sails to New York. Her bruised heart is shattered even further once she realizes her choices have lasting consequences. Joe hires Gloria to care for their young child, Mimi. The two women become fast friends, united by trauma and shared experiences. But what brings them together drives them apart. New York's underbelly exposes itself and it isn't pretty. Glimpses of joy are few and far between and waves of sorrow crash around them.

Vivid sadness is painted beautifully and the main twist took my breath away in the best possible way. It was very easy to be swept into the story along with the characters, feeling what they felt. I was in the mood for a poignant and moving story and that is precisely what happened. I really, really liked this novel and look forward to the next installation.

4.75

The Last Lullaby is an emotionally charged historical fiction set in the turbulent period between the two world wars. We follow Lily who makes the heart-wrenching decision shortly after giving birth to her daughter, to leave her mother in Paris and travel to America with her husband Joe. Joe doesn't turn out to be the sweet kind man he was presumed to be in Paris.

In The Last Lullaby, we see women struggle for safety and emotional healing in the face of domestic abuse. Joe is not the safe haven Lily had hoped for. She builds a friendship with Gloria and her son. Gloria eventually becomes the nanny. Their friendship runs deep. Something tragic happens and we see just how far Gloria will go for Lily.

This book will have you in your feels. It is so emotionally charged and perfect for anyone who loves messy historical fiction love stories. I absolutely recommend The Last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan.