Bethlehem covers the lives of Susannah, nicknamed Sassy, during the 1920’s, and Joanna, married to Susannah’s son Frank, in the 1960’s. Told in alternating time periods, the book shows how the often imposing Susannah developed her strong and courageous nature, and how she is able to understand what Joanna is feeling after moving her family to Brynmor to live with Susannah and her mother Helen.

I found Bethlehem fascinating, and appreciated Helen’s empathy and determination to protect Susannah during that difficult time after Chap’s death. The mystery and magic that all families hold was particularly evident in the love and support these women provided for one another.

I was not sure of this book when I started reading, seemed much too heavy hearted. . But, thank goodness, I have this quirk about reading a book till the end, I would have missed out on a great book otherwise. I may not have cared about them in the beginning but I sure did as I kept reading. This book creeps up on you, I remember thinking as I kept reading that I was so glad I'm a very fast reader, I would just bull my way through it and be done with it. By the last paragraph I was like, No, it can't be over, I want more of them. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last.

“Bethlehem” is a family saga which employs the current faddish mode of flip-flopping the time period a couple of generations. In this book the two time periods were 1924 and 1962, both in (or around) Bethlehem, PA.

It would have been a much better read if started in the beginning and told straight through. As it was, the reader is given a result in 1962 and then has to be taken back to 1924 not only to find out why “this is thus” but then to get the necessary (and excess) background.

I found it to be a very tedious read and was disappointed not to have the advertised history of the steel industry. At best it was a family saga. At the least it was a romance set in two eras. I’m sure many readers will enjoy the romance and the family connections.

I’m thankful to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the 1920's to the 1960's, the Collier and Parrish families have been very close. Living a life of wealth and privilege as major players in the steel industry in Bethlehem, PA.

They do everything together. Their children do everything together. Life looks perfect and every thing they touch is good.  

By the time Frank and Joanna Collier and their two small children come to live on the estate his own father has died leaving his mother and grandmother alone. While Joanna isn't at all on board with this plan and is quite miserable about it and who wouldn't be? No one needs 3 strong women under one roof! Every new wife and mother wants to be the queen of their domain but Joanna is feeling like an unwelcome guest and with Frank up to his ears in business, she finds herself wandering through the nearby grave yard and not only finds a mystery, but a handsome stranger.

I will own up to being a bit overwhelmed with all of the characters in this tale. There were a lot. There were also a lot of secrets. Nothing was what I thought it was. At the beginning I found myself whining about another book with a weak and whiny main character. I am so glad I stuck with it because it was nothing like that! These women were all strong. They had to be. The secrets they carried weighed heavy on them for decades.

And in the end I cried and cried. A tale of family, pain, secrets, forgiveness, and trust. Never has the saying, "We never know what is really going on behind closed doors" been more true.

A beautiful story!

NetGalley/ St. Martin's Press July 09,2019

Joanna Collier has reluctantly moved to her husband’s childhood home in Bethlehem, PA. What Joanna doesn’t know is that there are secrets that have laid dormant. Secrets that could tear her family apart.

I almost didn’t accept the invite to review for Bethlehem. The blurb didn’t sell the book. I also decided to read some of the reviews on Goodreads before making my decision. What made my decision for me was the cover. I thought it was beautiful.

I thought that Bethlehem was well written. The author did a great job of bringing the characters to life. The writing was descriptive and drew me right in. I love it when a story does that.

My issue with the book fell with the characters. While they were well written, I couldn’t connect with them. I must connect with at least one character in the book.

I did like the plotlines. I thought that they were well written and flushed out. I was able to immerse myself in the plotline. I also liked the dual plotlines. The plotline involving Susannah was heartbreaking. The one with Joanna was interesting.

There were dropped storylines and characters that seemed to disappear. The storyline that I am referring to was the one with Daniel and Joanna. I did think that it was going in a certain direction. Then it was dropped and Daniel was never heard from again. Drove me nuts. I needed to know what happened to Daniel!!

I didn’t like Joanna. She didn’t try to cultivate a relationship with Savannah or Hedy. She kept to herself. She pursued a relationship with Daniel instead of focusing on fixing the one with her husband. She flipped out when Gigi gave the kids their Christmas presents. Her attitude was horrible. She did start to change about halfway through the book but I couldn’t change my view of her.

I did figure out what was going on with Susannah about halfway through the book. I did think that it was sucky what she did to Wyatt. But, at the same time, she did remain true to herself.

The end of Bethlehem didn’t sit well with me. It seemed rushed. Joanna’s change of heart was not believable. I did like how the author brought together the main storylines. That wasn’t rushed.

I would give Bethlehem an Adult rating. There is sex (mentions of it, nothing graphic). There is not language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I am on the fence if I would reread Bethlehem. I am also on the fence if I would recommend it to family and friends. I would read other books by the author.

I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Bethlehem.

All opinions stated in this review of Bethlehem are mine.

Have you read Bethlehem?

What are your thoughts on it?

Would you be able to uproot your life for your SO?

Let me know!!

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is an interesting and different choice for the setting of a book. I believe there are many stories about the Moravian influence on the area, but not too many fiction books use Bethlehem as the main focus.

Bethlehem is a complicated debut novel by author Karen Kelley. The book emotes with lyricism, as it alternates between two time periods. This family saga focuses on Joanna in the 1960’s and her mother-in-law Susannah’s story is presented in the 1920’s.

Joanna’s husband is Susannah’s son, and he is part of the next generation in the Bethlehem Steel family dynasty. Joanna’s family moves into the ancestral home in Bethlehem when her husband’s father dies. Joanna is overwhelmed by the total change in her lifestyle, her husband’s increased work, and the need to adapt to both her refined mother-in-law, and grand-mother-in-law.

If that attempt to summarize the plot sounds complicated, it’s because the first part of the book is slow-moving and quite detailed and confusing. Many characters who are closely-related and share names and nicknames are presented and readers must get to know them in the 1920’s and the 1960’s.

The plot features many over-wrought and soap opera type moments. The author uses obscure descriptive words, too. Having said all that, many readers will enjoy the history and even I was intrigued enough to keep reading and see how the story resolved.

There are some memorable thoughts in the book. Sadly, it is true that there are indeed times when the peal of the bell cannot be unrung. And it is important to help and not judge others. Secrets may not always protect people- they may hurt them.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press. This is my honest opinion.

As a resident of Bethlehem during my college and post-grad years at Lehigh, I was excited to see a novel set in the city! I really enjoyed reading this book because it is not a time period that had much written about it. I found Karen Kelly’s writing really drew me in, and felt myself relating to the main characters. Most historical fiction I tend to read is about large events such as wars or genocides, it was nice to read a really well-written story for a change. Bethlehem was a touching novel and I look forward to reading more of Kelly’s books in the future

I gave up on this one, I found the writing to be boring with too many characters. To be fair, my husband has been in the hospital for over one month and I am distracted.

Even under the best of circumstances it couldn't be easy for a, young wife and mother to move in with her husband's mother and his grandmother. That was were Joanna found herself, her husband Frank and their two young children living in 1962. Her father-in-law had died unexpectedly and her husband didn't want his mother and grandmother living alone. Joanna's marriage was in trouble and she felt she was losing her identity. Unexpectedly and from an unlikely source, a shocking confidence was shared with Joanna. Would it change her perspective?

The well crafted story is told in two time frames, 1918 through 1925 and in 1962. The earlier years have a heavy impact on the events of 1962. With precision, the closely held secrets and deceptions are revealed and readers are drawn into a world of loss and heartbreak. The intricately drawn characters are believable and often intriguing. This is a generational story that clearly shows just how strong the bonds of family can be.

I found this to be a fascinating and masterfully told story. Highly recommended.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

A very slow moving book about a woman raising kids during the early sixties. She lives with her mother in law and her husband works very long hours. I can’t say I enjoyed it but it was a way to tune out to real life and visit someone else for awhile.

Karen Kelly has written a very nice debut novel of families, love, loss, and endurance. Alternating between the 1920's and the 1960's, she tells the tale of Joanna and her mother-in-law, the daughter of a Bethlehem Steel magnate. This is a good family saga, with secrets from the past slowly coming to light, and the new generation facing their own choices. There are some predictable plot lines, but there are enough surprises here to keep you interested until the final page. I also loved the look at 1920's society. Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc.

This book tells the story of a steel magnates family from two perspectives. One is from the 1920's as the young Samantha grows up with privilege and eventually falling in love with the son of a close family friend. The second is of Samantha's daughter-in-law taking place in the 1960's. The story intertwines the histories and ghosts of both women.

Like some of the other reviews, the story flow started out with spits and sputters. About half way through, the pace picked up. Though predictable, it was an easy read.

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease copy of Bethlehem.

This is a lovely debut novel about two families--one in the 1920's and the descendants in 1962. When Joanna moves back to Bethlehem, PA with her husband and two children after her father-in-law's death, she feels threatened by the opulence she sees in the grand house inhabited by her husband's mother and grandmother. Not wanting her own children to embrace the lifestyle they witness, she is reluctant to expose them to the grandeur inherent in the family legacy. But in alternating chapters, we see the family as they grew up in the 20's--the secrets they kept and the heartaches they endured. Are people always doomed to repeat the past or can families forge their own destinies? This is a hauntingly lovely look at the qualities that make us human as well as the power of redemption.

Bethlehem by Karen Kelly
Always been fascinated by the steel industry in our travels.
Enjoyed this read from a new author to me for many reasons.
I learned new words, love hearing of the location that we've by many times, the mine stories and the history.
Drama of the women and who they marry, their lives before and after as they grow older.
Secrets kept and pain they do cause over time.
Very detailed descriptions I can picture the scenes in my mind. Would like to read more from this author.
Received this review copy via the publicist from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Bethlehem is a complicated family saga spanning decades and several generations of two families. It explores the themes of ghosts--not just the ones from loved ones past, but from the ghosts of our former selves...the ghosts of dreams. It's ultimately a book about loss, forgiveness and love.

see review on my blog: https://authentikatebooks.site123.me and Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2724151222

Very complex and interesting story of a wife and mother following her husband due to his job duties. Book is very captivating and revealing. in nature. Very powerful story

A very charming and intriguing historical fiction novel set in the 1920s and 1960s; told between two women's intertwining perspectives. Engaging, thought provoking, but a bit predictable. Worth a read! Thanks for the ARC!!

Bethlehem by Karen Kelly

This story grabbed me a little way in and wouldn’t let go. A family saga covering three generations in one house, Brynmoor manor, Karen Kelly tells a wonderful tale of the Parrish clan and their best friends, the Colliers. Subtle humor is everywhere, so don’t miss it.

Taking place alternating between the 1920s and 1960s, you will find the author’s use of language perfect for each era and the times she writes about. Kelly has a sharp perception of human nature as well, so she creates likable characters with strengths and weaknesses you’ll understand.

The author will show you that sometimes the ones you least expect will be the ones to surprise you the most and that there really are no secrets in life. Five stars from me for a tale well told.
My thanks to #netgalley and #Stmartinspress for an advance copy for this review.

This is a wonderful book! The writing style is engaging. I loved the way the history of Bethlehem was woven into the story. The story centers around two close well-to-do families in the steel industry in the 20's and in the early 60's. It bounces back and forth between the two time periods and generations. The characters are likable and relatable. It is easy to follow along between the two settings. I enjoyed following the storyline and liked the choices that the characters made for the most part. Both the families were interesting and their close relationships were beautifully described. It was easy to become invested in them. Some have described this book as "fluffy" or a "beach read" and I can understand that to a point, but I think these characters had more depth than a typical beach read and the story was less predictable and better defined than a typical quick read. I look forward to more from this author!

#Bethlehem#NetGalley#stmartinspress
I was attracted to this novel by Karen Kelly when I realized her book Bethlehem is in Pennsylvania., an area I know quite well. It alternates chapters that take place from around 1918 to 1962 and forward.
The story begins in a graveyard and,if you read the epilogue, ends there as well. There is a tiny marker without a full name that arouses curiosity immediately. It is a story of a wealthy, loving family who made their fortune with Bethlehem Steel. There are many secrets to discover..The heroine, Joanna, marries into the family. She and her husband and two adorable children move into the estate with its hugh home, servants and many acres of land. The ballroom, on the third floor, becomes a playroom with a secret all its own. Family on the floor below can easily hear conversations taking place in that room! Two sisters in the mansion fall in love with two brothers who they have known since childhood. As you might expect there will be a conflict. The characters are well developed and interesting people. A good entertaining read.