There are many things that drew my interest to this book: NYC, Penn Station and the early 1900's. I was recently in NYC at Penn Station and was in awe at all the beauty Vera describes in the book. I loved Pearl and the work women like her did for the future of women's rights. Reading about the conditions women worked in to provide for their families especially when the men went to war was heartbreaking. The author did a great job in researching the time frame and building characters. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC. The opinions are entirely in my own words.

Excellent book! This is a must read. The struggles woman went through to be able to vote. How do you love two men at the same time. Sometimes fate steps in and decides for you which you should chose. I will never be able to be in Penn Station in Manhattan again and not think of this book

Vera Keller was in love with Angelo since she scraped her knee as a child and fell in front of his newspaper stand.

Vera thought she would one day be his wife, but realized that her station in life most likely would prevent that from happening. Her father worked as a Sandhog with men that built the underground train tunnels, and her mother worked in a garment factory. Both jobs ruined her parents' health and their lives.

Vera grew up, and when she was seventeen, she thought meeting Angelo at their appointed time was going to be it. He was going to ask her to marry him, right? Unfortunately, that didn't happen. He introduced Vera to his fiancee.

The good news, though, was that Pearl was a Suffragette, and she wanted Vera to help her. Being able to help Pearl would allow her to be close to Angelo. It was very difficult, though. Her heart ached every time Angelo smiled at her, but then Vera found out something that changed everything.

THE WAY OF BEAUTY is a beautiful book about love, family, Suffragettes, the building of Penn Station in New York and has characters you will fall in love with.

Vera was my favorite simply because of her innocence, goodness, perseverance with dealing with the trials she had to deal with as a woman at this time in both her personal life and public life.

Ms. Di Maio has written another amazing, warm, heartfelt, well-researched, detailed book, that takes you with the characters on their journey and into their lives.

All of Ms. Di Maio’s books warm your heart and allow you to feel her passion about causes and the human race.

THE WAY OF BEAUTY is a MUST read. You won't be able to experience all the emotions that are inside unless you read it.

As for the title, it has the perfect word in it...BEAUTY. The book is a beautiful tribute to mankind, love, caring, and living a good life. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by NetGalley and the author in return for an honest review.

I’ve always believed a place can hold the ghosts and memories of the past, such as loves lost and found. In Camille Di Maio’s newest novel, The Way of Beauty, Penn Station in New York is just such a place. As it is about to be demolished, Vera and her daughter Alice each reminisce about the impact the station has had on their lives. Early in her life, Vera discovered friendship in front of the station. As she became an adult, that friendship slowly built into a burning love for her dear friend, Angelo. Years later, Vera’s daughter, Alice, met a mysterious man at Penn Station and fell madly into a passionate love that ended abruptly. Di Maio expertly portrays each character’s story while keeping the reader engaged. The characters quickly become beloved. This may go down as my favorite read of 2018!

MY REVIEW OF “THE WAY OF BEAUTY” BY CAMILLE DI MAIO

BRAVO to Camille Di Maio, Author of “The Way of Beauty”, for a Literary Masterpiece and an Absolute Treasure. I loved everything about Camille Di Maio’s novel. From the descriptive historical perspectives of the culture, people, landscape and architecture to the colorful cast of characters through three generations, and the significant political statements of the times, the author has woven several stories and themes into an amazing , captivating, intriguing and enjoyable novel.

I loved the generational stories of families, hope and love. The contrast between the have and have-nots and the disparity of the rich and poor are mentioned. I loved the romantic descriptions of people as time goes on.

I appreciate the Woman’s fight for the right to vote, and the consequences and heartache at that time. Also mentioned is War, and disabilities and hardships. There are also devastating conditions in factories and work.

I am impressed at the way Camille Di Maio uses the comparison of historical buildings, and beauty to the emotions, sentiment, memory and history of people who lived during that time. The symbolism of the decorative architecture that reminds people of first love, and the ups and downs and the various stages in life.

As modern time brings more conveniences, the buildings, the train stations, that men sweated to build seem to be pushed aside to make way for the new. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for the past to merge and have a renewal with the modern world?

I am left thinking of so many things that are brought up in this novel. I highly recommend this story to everyone. There are some Kleenex moments. I received an ARC for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2306832732

Adored this book. Loved everything about it. Now, after the book is finished, I’m still thinking about it. Beautifully written and researched. Loved the connection from past to present.

"The Way of Beauty" by Camille Di Maio was a beautiful read indeed. A wonderful family saga, with the backdrop of Penn Station in NYC: using clever symbolism from it's creation, to a lifetime of inspiration and then, to Penn Station's demise. Generations of strong women, fighting for women's rights and progress, as well as holding on to loyal family bonds, friendships, love, and much optimism. I really enjoyed this book, appreciated the strong message written in a gentle voice. Thank you NetGalley, the author, publisher and the "Secret Ninjas" for providing me with this early edition copy for my honest opinion.

I fell in love with the characters in this book. Strong women characters supporting each other. The women's right to vote movement is in the book.

The Way of Beauty is a thing of beauty. It's an unbelievably good story loaded with characters that you truly begin to care about. Set in New York, the descriptions are so vivid that you feel as though you're there.
The story revolves around Vera, Pearl and Angelo. It's the bittersweet tale of first love and ultimately a story of sacrifice.
Vera is one of the working lower class who finds friendship with Angelo, who works at a corner newspaper stand. He shows the young girl kindness in simple ways.
Pearl is the daughter of a well-to-do family who enters into the world of Vera and Angelo. She is one of the first suffragettes fighting for the right of women to vote. Her heart and soul are consumed with this mission. I wasn't aware of some of the history of suffragettes so this was enlightening.
The story follows into the next generation and has a conclusion that ties up everything so well. This is the first book that I've read by this author and it truly is a wonder. I'll be reading her other books!
I received an Advance Copy Review from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars.

This is my third book of Di Maio's and The Way of Beauty is my favorite so far. She has a way with words that weaves a wonderful rich picture.

I felt like I was standing in Penn Station despite never stepping foot in that building.

I think one part that will stick with me for some time is the following: "The way of beauty. We are born shiny and new, and people marvel at us. How we small. How we look. They celebrate when we take our first step. Fanfare all around.........Our wrinkles tell our story, etched out like a road map. That's the way of beauty. Birth, middle age, decline."

I received an advance copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is no way that I’m going to be able to properly describe this novel other than to say that I absolutely loved it! It’s one that I’ve continued to think about even after I’ve finished it. The storyline and the characters so resonated with me.

Camille di Maio is new to me but I’m a fan! She weaves together believable characters with hopes and dreams. There is the hint and promise of romance, longing for a better life and the hope that women will have a better place in society.

I appreciate the reminder that this country is a melting pot comprised of people from different places and cultures. Each generation has helped forge a new path for the next one. I’m thankful that in this country a woman’s right to vote is “common place”. It’s an honor and a privilege.

The story made me want to learn more about the suffragettes and about those who built New York City. I’ll never pass through Grand Central Station again without thinking of the backbreaking work men did to create it as well as the men and women who fought to keep historical places like this one intact.

This book is about love and hope, blight and privilege, progress, remembering your roots and planting new ones.

I received an advance review copy of this book from Great Thoughts Ninjas. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book and Camille Di Maio is quickly becoming a top favorite author because of the breathtakingly beautiful books that she writes. Her descriptions are so vivid that you feel that you are part of the story. It's a fabulous book that will keep you up way too late if you start it before bedtime. This is an absolute must pre order so that it's waiting for you on release day. Happy reading!

I have read and enjoyed all of Camille Di Maio's books and this one did not disappoint. I was fascinated with the historical background of Penn Station in NYC. This was something I was not that aware of. I felt I was there with the characters as their lives evolved over the years and their love for the station.
I found the characters well developed. I stayed up very late each night as I could not put this book down. I would highly recommend this book to friends and fans of historical fiction.

When a book completely moves you and motivates you to make a difference or be a better person you know it's going to be one of the best. I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All thoughts for this review are my own.

THE WAY OF BEAUTY follows the lives and dreams of three remarkable women: Vera, Pearl and Alice as they navigate their lives in New York City. Vera, young at heart and a natural, loving mother starts her story as a young immigrant. She dreams of making a life and family with Angelo and settling in New York City. She loses and finds love, ignites all with her passion for her friend and her child and raises a strong woman of her own. Vera grows physically, emotionally and exponentially throughout the novel. Pearl- true heroine. She is a mother but her first love belongs to the plight of others. She provides strength and ferocity to the novel. Someone to be a pillar and provide a compass to the future. At times I wanted to tell her to settle down but at the same time urged her to fight. She was compassionate intelligent and smart. Alice. The dreamer. The one who will make it. I loved Alice and knew she would be the glue that held the family together.

Loved the backdrop of Penn Station. The images of the underground tunnels, the clocks and the hustle and bustle of people coming and going transported me to New York. I was part of it. My heart broke for the demise but cheered for the progress

I loved how the stories wove together. How there was a seamless coupling of all stories and the flow.

This was true epic family saga. My favorite. I think Camille is in a class of their own but Fans of Maeve binchey will love the story, fans of Leila Meacham will love the generational growth and family ties and fans of Kate Morton will love the ambience.

Written at a time when we need strong women to look up to and lead us. absolutely beautiful!!!