Sara Smythe works in a grand hotel in London. When she saves a guest's child, he responds by offering her a job in New York, manager of the new Dakota apartment building, a major promotion. Sara accepts and soon is busier than she thought was possible in a new country where she knows no one except Theo Camden, the man who offered her the job. Theo is an architect and the Dakota is one of his jobs. Over the years, Sara and Theo develop a relationship although she knows he is married with children already.

In the 1980's, Brooke Camden is at loose ends. She is fresh out of rehab and fresh out of her decorating job. She accepts her cousin's offer to redo her apartment in the Dakota and live there during the renovation. Melissa is wealthy as Theo's great granddaughter while Brooke did not share in the estate as her Camden ancestor was adopted. As she stores the original woodwork in the basement, Brooke discovers old trunks from Sara, Theo and his wife. She discovers that Theo died young and Sara was the one who killed him. What could have caused this and is Sara her ancestor?

Fiona Davis is an author known for her books set in New York. In this one, she highlights the iconic Dakota apartment building, known for its famous celebrity occupants. Told by two women in alternating chapters a hundred years apart, it highlights the disparity between the rich elite and those struggling to make a living. Brooke's detective work uncovers much more than she ever expected and it becomes a personal discovery. This book is recommended for historical fiction readers.

Didn't work for me. Not even sure why I requested, as it's not my usual sort of book.

Sorry for the long delay in feedback. I'm working on clearing out my Netgalley backlog. I am DNF'ing all books that just don't work within the first 50-100 pages. Trying to find the joy in reading again by going through the hundreds of abandoned books here.

While I was a little confused at first as to what was going on in this book, (I wasn't paying attention to the dates) as it's a dual time period and person point of view, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in just a few short hours and would definitely recommend it. It's a historical fiction mystery book. While I'm not a huge mystery fan I still enjoyed it. The plot was well thought through and rounded. Once I picked up on the dual era that was easy to follow. I loved the characters so much. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Another great book by Fiona Davis. A brilliantly woven tale that subtly melts into you and take you along for floating just above the women's lives during the first half of the 20th century.

This is my second Fiona Davis book. I really enjoyed both. However both books do follow the same formula of a famous landmark, dual timelines and a mystery behind one of the women residents. The Address is set at The Dakota (the Dakota Apartments) which was constructed in the late 1880s in the Upper West Side which offered maids, butlers, tailors, drivers, chefs, etc. The story centers around Sara who is the building manager, one of the architects, and a dual timeline of the descendants. There are lots of family secrets to unfold.

First thing, the cover art is great! I have seen multiple versions of the cover and with each one, they make me want to pick up the book and read it again!

I have read other books by Fiona Davis. She did not disappoint with this novel. I really enjoyed it. It kept me turning the pages throughout!

The characters were simply amazing. The development of the characters were great.

The pacing started off slow. But as I kept reading, it picked up. the ending was worth the wait. The twist at the end was really worth finishing it!

I have recommended this book to several people and my local library to get.

Wow! What a great ride this book was.
The Dakota is well-known in New York. It's where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived. It's where he died.
We are taken from the inception and construction and opening of the Dakota to modern times.
I came to really feel for the characters, especially those from long ago. Yes, there's a romance too.
But there is a connection between the old story and the new one. I don't want to give away more than that.
At times heart-breaking. And a good immersive read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review. This is not my first Fiona Davis novel and it will not be my last! The story is told in two time periods, a century apart, with really compelling characters. Loved the historical aspects and learning about the Dakota in NYC!

RATING: 3.5 STARS
2017; Dutton/Penguin Group

The Address is (so far) my least favourite of Fiona Davis's dual-timeline novels. I did still enjoy the book a lot, but the 1800s story wasn't a favourite. At times I did find that it dragged a bit so would lose my focus. Overall, if you like dual-timelines, well-researched novels or any of Davis's books you need to add this one to your list.

***I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

The address is a novel set mainly in the Dakota hotel in New York City. It is set in two different centuries. It begins in the late 19th century when the Dakota opened. Sara Smythe is asked by Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the Dakota, to come to America and work at the Dakota. She is anxious to escape her life in England, and therefore accepts the offer.The story is also told in the late 20th century, where we meet Bailey Camden and Melinda Camden. There is a mystery as to the descendants of Theodore Camden, and exactly what happened between Theodore and Sara. I enjoyed reading about the history of the Dakota, as it is one of the most recognized buildings in Manhattan. However I thought the story was very predictable. I also thought the writing was basic. This story did move along very quickly, and was a good read. I did learn a lot about the Dakota, as well as the Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum.

The Address is told from two women’s perspectives, one hundred years apart, revolving around New York’s infamous luxury apartment house, The Dakota.

I enjoyed both timelines, but I especially loved the 1884 setting. Sara Smythe captured my heart. The realism and desperation of her situation left me emotionally raw.

The Dakota has a fascinating history, which was nicely woven in so that the building felt like another character.

The final twist caught me totally off guard, provoking all sorts of feelings.

Because I’m so behind on eARCs, I wound up listening to most of this book on audio. The two narrators do a fantastic job of bringing this story to life.

I had read all of the books Fiona Davis has written except this one, and when I was looking through my NetGalley, I realized this was on my list! It started off a bit slow for me, and a lot of the story was predictable, but I got really into the story towards the end and overall really enjoyed it! There were a few things that really surprised me towards the end, and I thought the ending itself was really interesting.

The Address by Fiona Davis gives the reader background on the famous Dakota residence in New York City. The story is told in two time lines , 1886 and 1996. The earlier time line tells the story of Sara Symthe, who initially resides in London, working at a posh hotel. It is there that she meets Theodore Camden, one of the new architects of the Dakota. Theo is so impressed with Sara that he offers her a job at the Dakota while it is still being built. Sara decides to take him up on that offer and travels alone to New York City to begin her job as the "managerette".
The second time line in 1996, tells the story of Bailey Camden who believes she is a descendant of Theodore Camden and perhaps entitled to his fortune. While staying with her cousin Melinda at the Dakota, Bailey investigates some old relics she finds in the storage room.
I like how the author worked the history of the Dakota into both time lines. I enjoyed reading about the history from the start of the hotel. The connection between the earlier times and the later times were blended very well.
This was a book that I probably would not have read if Net Galley didn't allow me to read it for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Address brought to life the sort of Upstairs/Downstairs relationships that could have happened in the late 1880s. This book mainly followed the relationship of the female manager and the architect of the apartment house The Dakota. I enjoyed the history and background of living in this time in NYC.; however, near the end the book got a bit drawn out. I typically enjoy Fiona Davis novels, but this one was not my favorite.

The Address by Fiona Davis was my first book by the author. What a good story. I love every piece and all the characters.. The novel is full of color and smart. Best introduction to a new author to me

I really enjoyed The Address. Set mostly in the fabulous Dakota apartment building in New York City, a shifting timeline line from the opening of the building to the mid-1980s, weaves a wonderful historical fiction tale with a little family detective story. In 1884, Sara Smythe finds herself with an offer she just can't refuse, a chance to leave London and head to New York to become the manager of The Dakota. She ends up becoming involved with her benefactor. I loved the Gilded Age visit to New York, including time in a lunatic asylum and a women's prison. In 1985, Bailey Camden finds herself unemployed and fresh out of rehab. Her cousin Melinda offers to let her stay at the family's Dakota apartment as long as Bailey takes over as the interior designer. Bailey finds three trunks down in the building's storage area and then she finds herself on a quest to unravel a family mystery with the potential to change Bailey's life.

Thank you Fiona Davis for allowing me to read this book. The only thing I knew about the Dakota was the John Lennon murder, and this book gave glimpses into the history of the Dakota..This book was well-written. The story alternated between 1886 and 1986. Both story lines were interesting, but I liked Sara's story better than I liked Bailey's. Sara was a sympathetic character - I was rooting for her the whole time. Bailey was harder to like,and Melinda was horrid. I liked the mystery, and the reveal was pretty wow. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good mystery inside an historical novel.

Sara Smythe knows she has to be on top of every detail at the Langham Hotel if she wants to continue working there but her paths will cross with the Theodore Camden, the American Architect visiting London, when she rushes to help his family to avoid a tragedy. He takes notice of her and makes her an offer that will take her across to America and a new beginning.

Theo has a vision for The Dakota Hotel, where tenants will come and have everything they need within their grasp and he believes Sara will be the perfect “Managerette” for his hotel. The two work tirelessly to ensure that every piece of glassware and all furnishings are ready for the grand opening. This closeness they share will lead them to rely on each other more and see each other as more than employer and employee.

The book is a dual narrative with chapters alternating between Sara’s story in 1884 and Bailey Camden’s story in 1985. Bailey, A former party girl, finds herself without much of anything after finishing a stint at rehab and has to accept her wealthy cousin’s offer to remodel The Dakota. Bailey may be the poor relation and as such doesn’t have much of a say into the renovations her cousin wants to make to The Dakota but she doesn’t agree with them.

When she starts clearing out old remnants left behind she finds a trunk which will lead her to start looking into her family history a bit more and find out who exactly Sarah and Theo were.

I read this one a while back and although I didn’t think the whole connection plot line of Bailey’s family heritage was too surprising what I have found is that I still remember a lot about Sara’s story. Probably not so strange as I do enjoy historical settings. I thought this was very readable and certainly would love to revisit New York one day and pass by and see this iconic hotel.

BREEDING. IT’S IN THE BLOOD.

Past and present collide in this well-researched, not to mention well-written, jewel of literary perfection. The Address draws the reader into the esteemed sphere of the nineteenth-century Gilded Age with all the aristocratic snobbery and cultured etiquette of a purebred Astor.

I am entirely impressed with this captivating work of historical fiction, and I commend the talents of its respective authorship, Fiona Davis. I loved The Address so much that I hated to part ways with the storyline upon reaching its conclusion; but, as they say, ‘All good things must come to an end.’
Even though The Address is a tale of historical fiction, it is also inspired by any number of actual events, some of which the reader may have never known about until now.

Set in both London and New York, and transcribed in the journalistic style of a diary, The Address is a period novel that extends 100 years in sequence—from 1884 to 1985. And the script unveils the lifelines of a family named Camden, which has its wealthy foundation rooted in the work of a famous architect named Theodore “Theo” Camden.

Dear reader? Shall we?

LONDON, 1884.

The breathtaking story commences unfolding when our leading lady, Sara Smythe, head housekeeper at the renowned Langham Hotel, notices a small child wobbling on the window ledge of one of the grande inn's fifth-floor accommodations. Terrified that the female child is in danger of plunging to her death, Sara immediately runs back into the hotel and upstairs to the child’s room to coax the little girl back inside while summoning the help of two members of her housekeeping staff. After luring the frightened child back into the room, Sara then meets the girl's beautiful mother, Minnie Camden, an elite socialite of the aristocracy who soon returns to the opulent suite and learns of the near-tragedy that resulted from the family’s maid who neglected to mind her post.

Enter Theo Camden, a renowned architect and Minnie's husband, who too receives a briefing on the goings-on concerning his child after he succeeds his wife into the family suite. Theo and Minnie both thank the relieved Sara, and everything returns to normal.

Sometime later, an indebted and charismatic Theo, apprentice to the great Henry Hardenbergh, by the way, invites the lowly Sara to have tea and cake with him to (1) express his gratitude to her for saving his child's life, and (2) offer her a more prominent job position in his native America. Theo Camden assures Sara that she’ll be working for him in the Dakota, a newly-built, elaborate, and luxurious apartment house that he and his partners are constructing from the ground up. And needless to say, Sara is grateful and excited for the opportunity. Dakota is the talk of the town. And unbeknownst to Theo and Sara, it will be the same Dakota that would serve as the setting place for the real-life murder of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time: John Lennon. Nearly one-hundred years later, the extremely-troubled Mark David Chapman would gun Lennon down outside the ritzy walls of the Dakota, heightening its fame.

Mr. Camden's job offer is too good to pass on, therefore, Sara agrees to it.
No longer will she be subjected to her small, oppressive bedsit at the Langham, no, Sara will voyage to America. She will voyage to a better life on the other side of the pond. And she will be happy.

Or will she be?

After informing both her unsupportive mother and her imperialistic boss at the Langham of her new job offer in the developing U.S., Sara sets sail on her voyage to the good old land of opportunity.

Oh, if things were only so simple and easy.

NEW YORK CITY, 1985.

Fresh out of a fancy rehabilitation clinic (a stay that was funded by her employer), Bailey Camden, possibly a fourth-generation descendant of the renowned Theo Camden via Sara Smythe's womb, is a gifted interior designer who battles with her own personal demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. After humiliating not only herself but also an honored client of the design firm for which she works, Bailey is fired by her distinguished boss and left out on the street with nothing of value to cushion her unexpected downfall. Enter Melinda Camden, Bailey’s so-called cousin, and a young woman who is as ignorant as she is arrogant. Melinda, having knowledge of Bailey's dire plight, offers her “lessor" relative a job—in addition to free room and board—at the Dakota, which, by the way, is now under the authority of the greedy, spoiled, hateful, spiteful, and materialistic Melinda. Bailey’s job duties would include updating the famed property from its classic Gilded Age decor to tacky and unsophisticated ornamentation, much to the disdain of the building's current residents. Incidentally, Dakota has become a co-op. And not all are pleased with it in its current state.

In only a matter of days—when they turn 30 years of age—both the covetous Melinda and her twin brother, Manvil, stand to inherit millions from the Camden family trust. But what about the cash-poor and down-on-her-luck Bailey? She's a Camden too, right? Her great-grandfather Christopher, who was the lovechild of Theo Camden and Sara Smythe, and the father of Bailey's father, Jack, had a right to the legacy—which was to be divided among all the heirs of Theo Camden—too, right? Yes, that’s right. But who is entitled and who is not entitled to the fortune will all boil down to the male bloodline.

Who is the real Camden? Melinda or Bailey? Who truly has a right to the multi-million dollar estate?

Who really murdered Theo Camden?

While searching through all of the old trunks hidden away and forgotten in the basement storage container at the Dakota, Bailey finds treasures in the vintage personal effects of not only Theo Camden but also his widow, Minnie, and Sara Smythe. And these hidden treasures can prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Bailey is indeed a Camden by blood, and not just symbolically.
With the help of Renzo, who just so happens to be the building's superintendent and Melinda's archenemy, Bailey sets out to determine her findings by law, through DNA, much to the disdain of her so-called cousin, Melinda. And the revelation will shock them all.

OVER A CENTURY OF ELEGANCE.

Graced with an elegant storyline full of twists and turns, not to mention a splendid cast of unforgettable characters, The Address is fast-paced and engrossing from start to finish. It is one of those rare reads that you'll hate to put down or be away from too long. And no lover of historical fiction should have his or her bookshelf void of it.

On the pages of The Address, the talented Fiona Davis transports her readers from the nineteenth century to the twentieth-century in a mind-blowing tale brimming with love, lust, hatred, deceit, ravenous cunning, bitter jealousy, and heartbreaking brutality. Especially challenging to read were the stories about the inhumane treatments suffered by the inmates at Blackwell's Island Asylum.

A gorgeous work of literary art, The Address is destined for legendary status. And just as I regretted concluding it, I’m nearly certain that many other readers will as well; therefore, I highly recommend The Address as it is a novel very commendable.

Five gilded stars.

 • It is my kindly pleasure to thank Dutton Books, as well as NetGalley, for the advanced copy of "The Address," in exchange for my honest review.

 Analysis of "The Address" by Fiona Davis is courtesy of the Review Period with Cat Ellington: http://catellington.blogspot.com/

 Date of Review: Thursday, April 27, 2017

One of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because I just love reading about historical New York City. This novel definitely reflects the time of a developing city and a sense of place.