coralrae18Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
This book was wonderful. I love how it mixes historical fiction with a little magic. It takes place in Paris in the early 40s during the war, and time lapses to the 80s. I fell in love with the characters and found myself hoping for certain outcomes. There's heartbreak, romance, and a little magic mixed in. Highly recommend this book!
ReensReviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
This book broke my heart and made me cry multiple times 😭😭 but I'm so glad there is a happy ending. Well, I hope I'm not ruining that for anyone. I mean it's in the title. Of course there is a happy ending, but before getting there, your heart will break so many times while reading this masterpiece. I absolutely loved this beautiful book. I don't even know how to describe it. Barbara Davis is a master storyteller and this is truly a masterpiece. There are two parallel storylines. In the past (during WWII), two young lovers separated by war and kept apart because of a cruel father's lies. Then in the present timeline (which is the 80s), a young woman is navigating life as a gallery owner who's suddenly lost in touch with her fiancee, who is doctor in a warzone, for several months. The two stories are woven together beautifully and when you finally see how the two are connected, it all makes sense. It's a lesson in dealing with past hurts, lies, and wounds, forgiveness, and acceptance. It's a story about love and not just between lovers, but between mothers and daughters, grandparents, brothers and sisters. All kinds of love are explored in this story.
It was a bit of a slow start, but the second half of the book picked up and you are pulled into the scene and feel all the emotions. I love the quotes by the dress witch at the beginning of Soline's chapters. They are all little nuggets of wisdom about love, life and perspective. I found myself highlighting some of them and rereading them again and again. I think I need to reread this book again to truly appreciate the details of the story. I missed a lot of things in the middle, especially when I was listening to some of it on audiobook. The voice of Soline has a heavy French accent so it's sometimes difficult to hear what she's saying clearly. But I like that they used the French accent to make the character come to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be checking out more of Barbara Davis's books. This is the second book I've read by her now and I've become a huge fan.
StephanieReviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
This book was gorgeous and unexpected. The twists and turns it took kept me guessing the whole time. The only reason I took a star off was because it was darker than I anticipated, and I wasn’t in the mood for something depressing. Lol! But the story had me hooked and the writing kept me turning pages. In the end I absolutely loved it! I’d recommend it when you’re mentally ready for a book that’s dark, but becomes the light by the end. 💚
Patti A PalmerReviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
This book was phenomenal! Soline suffered so much loss and somehow kept pushing forward. A very strong spirit and loving soul. A whole family brought together with a touch of magik and Rory’s intuition, and listening to her inner voice. What a magical story. I cried so many tears throughout the story. I recommend this to everyone, no matter what kind of books you enjoy reading. You will never regret reading this. 10 stars to Barbara Davis!!
diana jaycox (my friends call me DJ)Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis is a first read for me. It has been on my TBR shelf for some time. The circumstances of life around me , had me searching my shelves for a book that would remind me of happily ever after. The Keeper of Happy Endings touched emotions deep inside of me; you could say it touched my soul! There is magic in Barbara's words, and she weaves it throughout this tale of women who can predict a brides chance of happiness and spell a charm to protect it in the future. It is not just an enchanting tale, it is a powerful drama crossing several generations. I devoured it as though it was food for my soul!
Barbara's characters were so well-developed it was like watching my own interactions with my mother played out on a stage in front of me. I was moved to tears as bittersweet memories of many a soul searing discussion with my own mother played out before me. But the real magic is in how Barbara Davis through the interactions of Rory, Camilla and Solene, shows not tells, the reader of the power of love, forgiveness and strength of family, brings the happy endings. It is as Solene points out:
"for there have always been mothers who knew best. Just as there have always been daughters who knew better. It’s a contradiction that is part of every woman’s journey—the need to shape in one’s own image versus the aversion to being shaped at all."
Barbara Davis offers a new perspective on how little daughter's truly know the and understand the lives our mother's lived before us.
Barbara's novel hit many a raw nerve but then offered calm, soothing healing as love and forgiveness as the story played out over time.
The settings described in rich detail throughout the novel again demonstrated Barbara Davis's artistry with words. Boston and the North Eastern Coastal area were described as a Master would have painted. Again it was feast for the senses and had me planning my next vacation to Boston!
I am afraid my own words pale in comparison to Barbara Davis. I always thought I was so good with words, but the depth and breath of Barbara Davis's talent puts me to shame.
I highly recommend you pick up The Keeper of Happy Endings. But keep the tissues ready for the emotional roller coaster you will experience.
Constance W. BaldwinReviewed in the United States on November 23, 2024
I enjoyed this easy to read book about a family - mostly unknown to one another- who find their way to one another. The story kept my interest and I felt the happiness of discovery & re-discovery. Well done!
JabberwockReviewed in the United States on September 22, 2024
A charming and engrossing read. The author has a pleasing style of writing and has crafted characters that will make you want to know what will happen to them and make you read quickly so you can find out. Very satisfying.
PatReviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024
Four generations of strong women who keep love alive in their hearts and live out their dreams. A great book that I strongly recommend
BRReviewed in Canada on September 10, 2024
Excellent book. I loved it. Thank you for a wonderful escape filled with magical converging lives leading to such joy.
samantha g.Reviewed in Brazil on July 9, 2024
It was the title that first got me, but the way the story was beautifully woven was something I could not imagine. What a piece! I loved every bit of it. Will surely reread in the near future. loved it
ElisaReviewed in Mexico on November 9, 2023
I just love it, it perfectly blends romanticism with harder realities…I especially liked the magic references to “La Mere”… magnificent
JasminReviewed in Germany on December 16, 2024
Das zweite Buch von Barbara Davis welches ich lese und erneut bin ich einfach nur begeistert <3
Auf das nächste
Sue SReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2024
I couldn't put this down. Just magical. Brilliantly written, a story of romance and tragedy, heartache, loss, deceit, love through time. It made my heart ache for all those lost, the bravery of those who put their lives at risk for our freedoms. This is a story which could have actually happened. Bravo.
coralrae18Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
This book was wonderful. I love how it mixes historical fiction with a little magic. It takes place in Paris in the early 40s during the war, and time lapses to the 80s. I fell in love with the characters and found myself hoping for certain outcomes. There's heartbreak, romance, and a little magic mixed in. Highly recommend this book!
ReensReviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
This book broke my heart and made me cry multiple times 😭😭 but I'm so glad there is a happy ending. Well, I hope I'm not ruining that for anyone. I mean it's in the title. Of course there is a happy ending, but before getting there, your heart will break so many times while reading this masterpiece. I absolutely loved this beautiful book. I don't even know how to describe it. Barbara Davis is a master storyteller and this is truly a masterpiece. There are two parallel storylines. In the past (during WWII), two young lovers separated by war and kept apart because of a cruel father's lies. Then in the present timeline (which is the 80s), a young woman is navigating life as a gallery owner who's suddenly lost in touch with her fiancee, who is doctor in a warzone, for several months. The two stories are woven together beautifully and when you finally see how the two are connected, it all makes sense. It's a lesson in dealing with past hurts, lies, and wounds, forgiveness, and acceptance. It's a story about love and not just between lovers, but between mothers and daughters, grandparents, brothers and sisters. All kinds of love are explored in this story. It was a bit of a slow start, but the second half of the book picked up and you are pulled into the scene and feel all the emotions. I love the quotes by the dress witch at the beginning of Soline's chapters. They are all little nuggets of wisdom about love, life and perspective. I found myself highlighting some of them and rereading them again and again. I think I need to reread this book again to truly appreciate the details of the story. I missed a lot of things in the middle, especially when I was listening to some of it on audiobook. The voice of Soline has a heavy French accent so it's sometimes difficult to hear what she's saying clearly. But I like that they used the French accent to make the character come to life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be checking out more of Barbara Davis's books. This is the second book I've read by her now and I've become a huge fan.
StephanieReviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
This book was gorgeous and unexpected. The twists and turns it took kept me guessing the whole time. The only reason I took a star off was because it was darker than I anticipated, and I wasn’t in the mood for something depressing. Lol! But the story had me hooked and the writing kept me turning pages. In the end I absolutely loved it! I’d recommend it when you’re mentally ready for a book that’s dark, but becomes the light by the end. 💚
Patti A PalmerReviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
This book was phenomenal! Soline suffered so much loss and somehow kept pushing forward. A very strong spirit and loving soul. A whole family brought together with a touch of magik and Rory’s intuition, and listening to her inner voice. What a magical story. I cried so many tears throughout the story. I recommend this to everyone, no matter what kind of books you enjoy reading. You will never regret reading this. 10 stars to Barbara Davis!!
diana jaycox (my friends call me DJ)Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis is a first read for me. It has been on my TBR shelf for some time. The circumstances of life around me , had me searching my shelves for a book that would remind me of happily ever after. The Keeper of Happy Endings touched emotions deep inside of me; you could say it touched my soul! There is magic in Barbara's words, and she weaves it throughout this tale of women who can predict a brides chance of happiness and spell a charm to protect it in the future. It is not just an enchanting tale, it is a powerful drama crossing several generations. I devoured it as though it was food for my soul! Barbara's characters were so well-developed it was like watching my own interactions with my mother played out on a stage in front of me. I was moved to tears as bittersweet memories of many a soul searing discussion with my own mother played out before me. But the real magic is in how Barbara Davis through the interactions of Rory, Camilla and Solene, shows not tells, the reader of the power of love, forgiveness and strength of family, brings the happy endings. It is as Solene points out: "for there have always been mothers who knew best. Just as there have always been daughters who knew better. It’s a contradiction that is part of every woman’s journey—the need to shape in one’s own image versus the aversion to being shaped at all." Barbara Davis offers a new perspective on how little daughter's truly know the and understand the lives our mother's lived before us. Barbara's novel hit many a raw nerve but then offered calm, soothing healing as love and forgiveness as the story played out over time. The settings described in rich detail throughout the novel again demonstrated Barbara Davis's artistry with words. Boston and the North Eastern Coastal area were described as a Master would have painted. Again it was feast for the senses and had me planning my next vacation to Boston! I am afraid my own words pale in comparison to Barbara Davis. I always thought I was so good with words, but the depth and breath of Barbara Davis's talent puts me to shame. I highly recommend you pick up The Keeper of Happy Endings. But keep the tissues ready for the emotional roller coaster you will experience.
Constance W. BaldwinReviewed in the United States on November 23, 2024
I enjoyed this easy to read book about a family - mostly unknown to one another- who find their way to one another. The story kept my interest and I felt the happiness of discovery & re-discovery. Well done!
JabberwockReviewed in the United States on September 22, 2024
A charming and engrossing read. The author has a pleasing style of writing and has crafted characters that will make you want to know what will happen to them and make you read quickly so you can find out. Very satisfying.
PatReviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024
Four generations of strong women who keep love alive in their hearts and live out their dreams. A great book that I strongly recommend
BRReviewed in Canada on September 10, 2024
Excellent book. I loved it. Thank you for a wonderful escape filled with magical converging lives leading to such joy.
samantha g.Reviewed in Brazil on July 9, 2024
It was the title that first got me, but the way the story was beautifully woven was something I could not imagine. What a piece! I loved every bit of it. Will surely reread in the near future. loved it
ElisaReviewed in Mexico on November 9, 2023
I just love it, it perfectly blends romanticism with harder realities…I especially liked the magic references to “La Mere”… magnificent
JasminReviewed in Germany on December 16, 2024
Das zweite Buch von Barbara Davis welches ich lese und erneut bin ich einfach nur begeistert <3 Auf das nächste
Sue SReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2024
I couldn't put this down. Just magical. Brilliantly written, a story of romance and tragedy, heartache, loss, deceit, love through time. It made my heart ache for all those lost, the bravery of those who put their lives at risk for our freedoms. This is a story which could have actually happened. Bravo.