I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I remember when I read an ARC of Martha Hall Kelly's debut novel Lilac Girls. Her well researched engaging narrative style continues with this prequel that tells the story of Caroline's mother Eliza and her work to help Russian immigrant women during WWI.
Even though this is a prequel, it's not necessary to read either book first as they are separate stories and time periods. But I highly recommend both books and I look forward to reading the next book by this wonderful historical fiction writer!

I found this book SO much better than Lilac Girls. This is about Caroline’s mother, Eliza, and her Russian friend, Sofya. Set during The Great War it shows what happened in Russia during that time. I love that the author researches the “Woolsey Women” and tells their stories.

Lilac Girls is one of my favorite books. I was hoping that Lost Roses would not let me down, and for me, it did not!

This story is a Prequel to Lilac Girls and follows Caroline Ferriday’s (a main character in LG) mother Eliza and her close friend Sofya, a niece of the Romanov family) and a Russian peasant, Varinka as they navigate the Russian revolution.

Story is told in all three voices....setting the tone of strong women, all needing to do what they must to survive. Eliza, who learned from her Mother that being an aristocrat means using your money and name to help those less fortunate, says goodbye to her friend, Sofya in Russia only to arrive home and lose all contact with her. She helps organize the American Central Committee for Russian Relief. Sofya, who is Russian nobility, loses everything to the Bolsheviks. Varinka, who is the daughter of a peasant fortune teller, has a completely different story to tell.

I devoured this story, I loved it .... even devouring the Author’s Note and acknowledgements. I CANNOT wait for the prequel to Lost Roses, to be set during the Civil War!

Thanks to the Author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

I will admit even thought I am a history buff I am not as educated in early Russia and the events leading up to World War I specifically the Bolshevik Revolution. Martha Hall Kelly has taken care of that. If you want to know about the time period then definitely treat yourself to Lost Roses. The story follows two families, one American and one Russian from 1914-1920. All the characters are well developed and all have a strong storyline but the main characters are Sofya Treshnayva and Eliza Ferriday. The two women have a friendship that is strong and committed. Sofya and her family are related to the Tsar and the royal family so when Russia's imperial dynasty begins to fall there is no safe place for them. As they struggle to stay together and stay alive Eliza becomes concerned with the lack of communication from her friend. To compensate Eliza begins assisting the Russian immigrants, mostly women and children from soldiers and wealthy families. Eliza has her on trials and heartaches proving that wealth and security do not always bring happiness.
Kelly mixes history, fact and imagination to bring together a beautiful story that will keep the reader completely involved.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Interesting read and definitely will appeal to Lilac Girl Fans. Story was interesting, writing good and overall a satisfying read... I will definitely keep on authors to watch list.

Absolutely beautiful book literary emotional.A book that drew me right into the characters lives their hopes and dreams .We go back in history into a time i knew nothing about but became immediately caught up in.#netgalley #lostroses #randomhouse

Beautiful and inspiring story. I have not read many "historical fiction" novels, however I was not disappointed that I chose this one.

I looked forward to reading this book because I absolutely loved Lilac Girls. I enjoyed this one. It was a good story but the characters didn't resonate with me the way the ones in the previous book did. I still recommend it as a good read for those who love historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Books/Ballantine for providing me an ARC of Lost Roses in exchange for an honest review.

I was certainly excited to recive "Lost Roses" as Martha Hall Kelly's "Lilac Girls" was such a remarkable novel. Kelly's writing is as always beautiful and poignant in Lost Roses. The format of "Lost Roses" is similar to "Lilac Girls" as it focuses on three strong, diverse, women and has several storylines going on at once.

I appreciated the way Kelly painted the different landscapes and classes of Russia. You could tell she put in ample research so that she would make her writing authentic and accurate. While I enjoyed the book, I didn't devour it like I did "Lilac Girls." I've spent time reflecting on why that was. I think in some part it was due to the different timeframe of this book. I think I prefer World War II stories to World War I. Also, I found I did not connect with these three characters as much as I did with the ones in "Lilac Girls." I found myself constantly wishing to just get to Sofya's perspective , and past Varinka's, in particular, I had a hard time finding empathy for Varinka, even with her own struggles and background.

While this wasn't a favorite for me, I certainly would still recommend others to read it as the writing is beautiful and an important story is told. I am already wondering what book is next for Martha Hall Kelly.




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I loved Lilac Girls, so I wasn't surprised that I also loved Lost Roses. It's a prequel about the Ferriday family. It's a different feel with the Russian aspect of it. It's a great piece of historical fiction that readers will enjoy.

I received a free ARC of this book from netgalley.com.

This book started a little slow, but then the horror of WWI in Russia set in and I missed the calm beauty of the beginning of the book. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but I haven't read as much from WWI so this was a fast introduction to me.
It was tough to side with the peasants or the royalty in this war because both had been degraded so much over the years. The book showcases the atrocities committed against the Russian royals, but it also hints at the decades of impoverishment on the common people in Russia. Another great read from this author!
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What a beautiful and well researched book!! I am so excited to read more about the amazing Ferriday family!
Lilac Girls was one of the hardest books to read but one of the most beautifully written; the follow up/prequel is just as inspiring. I have always been fascinated with Russia and seeing the palaces of the tsar, the rich and lower class interact was amazing.

Parts of this novel are seared into my brain.

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED and cant wait to read about Caroline's Great Great Gradmother and the civil war.

what a family!!!

From the moment I picked up Lost Roses, I was hooked. I absolutely loved Martha Hall Kelly's first novel Lilac Girls and when I saw she had a prequel about Eliza Ferriday, the mother of Caroline from Lilac Girls I was excited!

The setting of this book is at the cusp at WWI and the Russian Revolution and it follows Eliza Ferreday and her friend Sofya Steshnayva as their lives are turned upside down. What I love most about her books is that Martha Hall Kelly draws her characters from real people and the research and detail in her novels is what sets her apart.

The beginning was a little slow, trying to place all of the characters but after the first few chapters it really picks up and you won't be able to put down the book.

I highly recommend this and you don't need to read Lilac Girls in order to read this. I can't wait for her third book about Eliza's mom during the Civil War!

Kelly has done it again, creating a magnificent saga to follow LILAC GIRLS. Kelly digs further back into the history of the Ferraday women to focus on Eliza Ferraday and her friendship with Sofya, an aristocratic Russian displaced by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918.

The writing is strong and engaging, but the heart of this novel is the meticulous research that brought every moment to life. From the snooty enclaves of Southampton to the devastation of Russia, I felt like I was part of the story.

Each character is beautifully fleshed out, and serve as narrators, as each weaves her story into an extraordinary fabric of love, and relentless determination. Despite the barriers of America in the early 20th century, Eliza becomes a beacon of hope for the displaced Russians who had lost everything as a result of the revolution. It is Sofya who lives through absolute horror and privation to escape Russia and find her child. Poor Varinka, no more than a child is able to go through her own journey.

Having recently visited St Petersburg, it allowed me to sink into the descriptions and picture the people involved in the destruction of an entire society.

Yet, with all this, it is essentially a novel that is incredibly satisfying and defines feminism and female strength and resilience. I look forward to reading Kelly’s next novel as she delves into more ancestors of the indomitable Eliza Ferraday.

I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this brilliant novel.

For fans of The Lilac Girls, this story predates that of Caroline Ferriday to focus on her mother's generation and the aid that was provided to Russian emigres during and after World War One. While we've all learned the story of Czar Nicholas and his family during the Bolshevik Revolution, I had no real sense of how the entire aristocracy was affected. Beautifully researched and written again with varying points of views this book will satisfy any lover of historical fiction.

The world is in turmoil and edging toward World War One. This novel is a prequel to  The Lilac Girls and features the real life heroine Caroline Ferriday. In this prequel, we learn about Caroline's mother, Eliza and two other women that are thrown into the intense situations they faced in 1914. Eliza is the connection between the two novels, but this one could be read as stand-alone.

Eliza is a socialite and lives in Manhattan. Eliza enjoys traveling the world with her friend Sofya Streshnayva, who is a cousin of the Romanov's, the reigning dynasty in Russia. While visiting her in St. Petersburg, Eliza becomes aware  that a war is immenint and fears for Sofya, who seems unaware of the danger that could come. When war is declared, Eliza heads home to America.

Varinka Kozlov is a fascinating character that the Romanov family hire to help in their household. She is a daughter of well-known fortune-teller. I liked her character and tried to imagine the helplessness that she felt. Varinka and her mom are under the thumb of some dangerous men that are involved in the local uprisings. She has a kind heart, but she is being manipulated and threatened.

This is the story of these three strong, determined women and their quest for survival. While this story is not as fast-paced as the first, the characters are compelling, some of the situations were harrowing and I was invested to find out how each of their stories would end.

Fans of historical fiction and vivid historical settings should enjoy this one.
Blog and GR reviews posted on Jan 25th.

I really enjoyed "Lost Roses" by Martha Hull Kelly. Set during and immediately after World War I, the story brings to life the plight of the White Russian refugees who have to flee from the Bolsheviks and the efforts of American citizens who seek to bring them belief.

The story was enthralling and engrossing and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly, Author of “Lost Roses” has written an eloquent, poignant, intriguing, intense and captivating novel. In this prequel to
“Lilac Girls” where we met the heroine Carolyn Ferriday, we step back in time to be introduced to her mother Eliza. “Lost Roses” follows some of the characters from St, Petersburg to Paris and New York, around World War One. The timeline for this story is around 1914 and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The Genre for this story is Historical Fiction. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as resourceful, complex and complicated.

Eliza Ferreday gets the opportunity to travel to St. Petersburg with a good friend Sofya Steshnayva, a cousin of the Romonavs. The two women met in Paris years ago, and have become good friends. Sophia is hoping to show Eliza all the glorious sights of Russia.
When World War One breaks out, and there is revolution in Russia for power, Eliza goes back home to New York, and Sofya and her family go to the family estate. Sofya’s family hires a seamstress/ fortune-teller’s daughter Varinka as domestic help. Varinka has some deep dark secrets, and brings danger with her.

Eliza Ferreday, Sofya Steshnayva and Varinka are three strong willed determined women, especially during this time in history.

Eliza Ferreday helps the Russian women, some once royalty as they escape to America. They are known as the “White Russian Families.”They now are in poverty, having lost everything. Eliza becomes troubled when letters stop coming from Sofya. Varinka sees certain opportunity as devastation and troubling times set upon them.

I appreciate the author’s diligent research into this time period. I highly recommend this amazing and intriguing novel to those readers who appreciate Historical Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Lost Roses was incredible. It is the prequel to the best selling WWll novel, Lilac Girls, but can be read as a stand alone. Fans of the first book will enjoy learning a little more about Caroline as a child and all about her mother, Eliza, who is featured in the book. It is told through 3 alternating perspectives and gives a multifaceted view of the turmoil in Russia during the first World War. When done well, I believe that Historical Fiction is one of the most powerful genres and this story definitely exhibited this. I love reading about strong women who are full of grace and courage despite their circumstances. This book was profound and felt dear to my heart.

My head still hurts from crying! What a great way to end the reading year. I was fortunate to obtain an ARC from Net Galley since I was anxious to read this prequel to The Lilac Girls. In terms of being swept up in the story emotionally, I believe I enjoyed this book even more. Both books portray incredibly strong women, at the center of which are two generations of real life heroines, all of whom overcome incredible challenges and heartbreaks. How that happens is fantastical at times, but this is, after all, fiction. It is sad though to realize that the most horrific events depicted are most accurate, so maybe the incredible is just as likely. It was wonderfully engaging, and so exciting to read at the end that Kelly next will take us back another generation to the Civil War to continue the tale of the wonderful Woolsey women! Hats off to her for finding a thread of not very well known history and spinning it into this wonderful fabric of compassion and triumph over adversity. Your hard work is appreciated!