I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher, St. Martin's Press. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review.

Bethlehem is set during the steel boom of Pennsylvania. It spans 2 very similar decades in American history, the 1920s and 1960s. It is a story of family and coming to understand the people in our family and ourselves in the process. A fast paced tale that moves flawlessly between decades, not a word is wasted on bringing to life a grand steel family and their struggles.

5 out of 5 stars, highly recommended.

Fans of two interweaving story lines will definitely love this book. Fans of Ewan McGregor will rejoice as well. While this book wasn't exactly my style, I can see how lovers of these genres/styles would become immediately invested.

I truly enjoyed this novel about a wealthy family from years passed in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
The chapters span from the 1920's to the 1960's. Though it is a bit hard to follow all that is happening in the beginning of this book, it will all nicely come together as the story progresses.
Joanna lives in a beautiful old mansion in Bethlehem Pa with her husband, two children, Mother- in-law and Grandmother in- law.
It is not easy!
Joanna is not used to a life of privilege. She is not in charge of her own home any longer, but living with two matriarchs who dominate this home.
Susannah, her mother-in-law though lovely and polite, is just not a warm and fuzzy woman. Why?
As time goes forward, the truth and secrets long buried, will come forth and the family relationships will grow and change.
I absolutely loved this quote from the story: "The fact that some skin doesn't show scars does not mean there haven't been wounds." A message to take away, that is true in each person we meet daily.

Ultimately, I did not finish this book. The telling is a bit of a trope (two timelines, one historical, one more modern). I’m not invested in the story or the characters nearly halfway in.

I'm slowly starting to realize that I'm not a big fan of historical fiction that jump back and forth between decades and stories. I didn't feel much of a connection to any of the characters, and I think part of that comes from the constant back and forth between the chapters. Maybe if the story had been about one or the other, I would've cared more about either Susannah or Joanna, but I was sad to discover that I didn't have too much emotionally invested in them.

The concept is interesting, and I appreciate the author's commitment to it, but the bulk of what makes the novel interesting happens so late in the game that I found myself to be a little checked out by then. It's very slow, and there are so many characters that it became difficult to keep up with them, how they were related to each other, and who was supposed to be the protagonist. For a number of characters, there's a lot of build-up surrounding them only to never really be followed through later on. Daniel's arc is left to hang. (What's the story with his Amish mom? I would've loved to know a bit more of that backstory.) . We never find out how India reacted to Chap's death, especially since she was the one who was "supposed" to be with him.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped to, and I'm sad to admit it since I'd been anticipating reading it. Hopefully, there are people out there who will be able to connect with this book better than I did, and I hope to see glowing reviews from them!

A family drama, Bethlehem follows Joanna, a young mother of two and wife to a man whose family has made their riches from steel; and her mother in law, Susannah in the 1920's. Similar to other women's fiction, this book explores the bonds between mothers and daughters and the trials and triumphs of marriage. I don't want to say more about the plot because any hint could be too spoilerish.

I felt it did take awhile before I was really interested in the storyline and up until 51% of the book had to happen before securing this story in the 3 range. But that book cover is definitely a 10!

Publication Date 09/07/19
Posted on Goodreads 06/02/19

Set in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at the height of the steel age as well as modern times, this is the story of two families who work and love together through the ages. As with most families, these are no different. Along with love and friendship comes betrayal, hurt, and sadness. I really enjoyed this book but found the secrets and dishonesty a little sad. A great book for those who love epic tales and learning about the important growth times in the United States.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bethlehem is an interesting book by Karen Kelly. Ms Kelly tells us the story of Joanna in the 1960's and her mother -in- law Susannah, back in the roaring 20's. Bethlehem is a story that lingers even after it is finished. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author. I was given an early copy for a review.

Wow! This is a very awesome, emotional novel! I actually felt the joy of a fresh new love affair, the difficulty of dealing with in-laws, and the total devastation of heart-rending losses. This novel was so captivating, so detailed and intense with strong and intriguing characters that I couldn’t seem to put it down. I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Karen Kelly presents a budding novel that arrives on the first chapters with wiggling toes that barely seem to cause a ripple in the tide. I must tell you that I felt its initial stages to be slow going. There were so many, many characters to keep track of with the elbowing in of a time warp from 1960 back to the 1920's. I was ready to set it aside for a bit. But it was then that Karen Kelly deepened her characters with sharp edges and darkened shadows.

Bethlehem becomes a tale of the people themselves who benefitted from the onset of U.S. Steel both directly and indirectly. It is a story lined with the patriarch, Hollins Parrish, as a visionary implementing structural steel in city construction and in the timing and the mindfulness of the war efforts.

Kelly draws parallels with the Collier family who are intertwined socially and in the steel business with the Parrish family. In the 1960's, Frank and Joanna Collier and their two children take up residence at the family estate. They join the two elderly grande damas of the land, Susannah, Frank's mother and Helen, his grandmother. We find Joanna moving further and further back into the periphery of the luxurious rooms. She is, indeed, a fish slowly losing its gills.

But Karen Kelly allows Joanna to cross paths with ol' Doe Janssen who resides as a caretaker next to St. Gregory's Cemetery that houses the remains of those industrial giants along with some weighty secrets of the past. Hence, the 1960's with side steps back into the 1920's.

Bethlehem takes on a fine-honed lustre as we reach the finale. All along in life, it's frankly been about the people who leave an imprint upon us of long or short duration and the guided or misguided devotion that we hold for them. As much as times change throughout the years, human nature, good...bad...or indifferent stays the same. The heart wants what the heart wants.

I received a copy of Bethlehem through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Karen Kelly for the opportunity.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Bethlehem. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! This novel can sure evoke emotion! I was vicariously feeling the constant happiness of a fresh new love affair, the cringe-worthiness of dealing with in-laws, and the total devastation of emotional losses. (These losses affected me deeply...actually sobbed and cried a few times!) I figured out some of the plot before it was revealed, however, this did not adversely impact my reading experience at all. I found that my expectations were actually exceeded by the unfolding of events because of the sheer depth of emotion and simple beauty in the telling. I may have spent about 4 or 5 days getting to know the characters of Susannah (Sassy) and Joanna, and now, I am really wishing there was more to the story. The weight of the tragic happenings in one of these women's lives in particular will certainly haunt my thoughts for some time even after finishing the novel. (I despise and refuse to provide spoilers, but I will say that I most appreciated the mother-in-law's half of the book.). I will most definitely read work from this author again. Fabulous storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Kelly for the ARC!

A good fast, light summer read, a little too predictable but the alternating storylines were interesting and well done. A good beach read recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is not a book I would have chosen to read. Even reading the blurb about it, I really didn't know what it was about. It was very slow moving. I was waiting for something interesting to happen. Plus there are so many characters and nicknames it was difficult to keep it all straight.

The story is set in two time periods: 1920s and 1960s. In the 60s is where we meet Joanna, who has just moved in with her husband and two children with his mother and grandmother. She feels out of sorts and lonely with her husband gone from the home working all the time.
In the 20s, we meet Susannah, (Joanna's mother-in-law) and have her backstory filled with love, family, guilt, and loss.

The story did pick up at the 50% mark, so I am glad I stuck with it. The ending was interesting, too.





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Comments

So compelling, so detailed and vivid with strong characters that I couldn’t seem to put it down. This was a rich gem of history that deserves to be told. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A very fast if not a bit predictable story!
The book alternated back and forth from past to present effortlessly. I thought each storyline was interesting. I thought all the characters were likeable. I really enjoyed the book!

Bethlehem is a page turning family saga that takes place in alternating time periods - the 1920's and 1950's - in Bethlehem, PA and follows the lives and decisions made by two families who share a legacy at Bethlehem Steel, It takes more than a few chapters to get into this novel to keep the many figures in the two families straight -many of whom have family nicknames that add a bit to the confusion early on. Ultimately, it is a relatively light story with intertwined family secrets of the new and established wealthy in this community over several decades. For me, this novel was less historical fiction and more women's fiction. I was hoping to learn more about the evolving steel industry and how it impacted the lives of those who lived and worked in Bethlehem during this period which spanned two World Wars and the Depression. On the historical side, it fell a bit flat for me but overall was an entertaining read. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to read this book because I grew up in Bethlehem, the very city where this novel takes place. Her descriptions of the city are very true to life. It did take me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I got going, I couldn't put it down. Well developed characters and plot. Great mystery story. Will share with friends & family.

Who would have guessed a novel named after a small Pennsylvania town-once home to America's second largest steel manufacturer (at its peak Bethlehem Steel employed 31,500 workers; today the town's population is barely 75,000 ) could be such an emotional roller coaster-filled passion, intrigue, star crossed lovers and devastating tragedy. Bethlehem is a multi generational story set in the 1920's and 1960's, with several characters appearing in both decades. But the heart of both plotlines is a conflict between desire and duty-between following your heart or fulfilling your destiny. Karen Kelly's writing is both tender and profound-and she excels at impartiality. You hope everyone gets their happily ever after, even though you know it's not possible. Bethlehem is a beautiful story that will resonate with many, and its July publication makes this the perfect read for warm summer days and lazy summer nights. Bethlehem is simple but sensational-just like its namesake.

This is a great read! The story seamlessly travels back and forth in time to tell a beautiful story. The characters are very real, they have flaws and feelings which makes it easy to like them. A great escape read. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored this novel! The author is brilliant at setting a scene, and masterful at creating a plot that sets the imagination on fire. I so loved the characters, who are human, raw, flawed and wonderful. I was absolutely heart-invested in their lives as I devoured each chapter. Just ridiculously good. A definite recommend.

Dear Karen Kelly,

I need everything you've ever written!

Love,

Stacie