It was an ok read for me. A little overwhelming in the beginning trying to keep track of characters and they're relationships. And a little slow. But wasn't a bad read.

At first I had trouble keeping the myriad of characters straight, but once I hit the night that Susannah had her coming out ball, I was hooked. Loved the parallel story lines from the two generations and loved the way the backgrounds of characters were slowly, but most effectively, revealed. The last quarter of the book was a true masterpiece. So much temptation and regret, secrets hidden that would forever change lives, and mother/daughter , husband/wife relationships to ponder. All in all a very satisfying read! Baby Hayes stole the book! Many thanks to Karen Kelly, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an ARC of this historical fiction novel to be published July 9th.

Hidden family secrets, deceit, love, faith, hope, reparation. Some twists and turns and heartbreakingly sorrowful family secrets. A thoroughly engaging read that I found impossible to put down.

Very interesting read. A woman moves into her husband's family home with their kids and his mother and grandmother. Things aren't perfect and through their struggles she is surprised to find an unlikely ally.

Bethlehem is a bit of an old school novel in a way. It's the kind of family epic that reminds me of bit of those big novels from the 1980s although this is a much more streamlined affair. However, it is still a sprawling and, at times, ungainly story about the steel industry, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and, of course, family. As far as large stories set in an industry that has seen extreme downturn and decay after its boom, Bethlehem is okay but the plot is not particularly original and the execution is a little ungainly. I did enjoy this, and think the cover is fantastic, but overall this is only going to appeal to die-hard historical fiction lovers who are specifically interested in American history, more specifically in American history that focuses on the rise and fall of an industry, and enjoy sprawling family epics. Which narrows the field considerably. If the story had been a tad less predictable and a touch more compelling, Bethlehem would be easier to love. For diehard fans only.

Family drama, set in the glittering world of a boom-era Bethlehem, PA. Not quite what I expected from the blurb. Slightly predictable. A few over-wrought descriptions.

Bethlehem by Karen Kelly
MAY 21, 2019KERRINHP EDIT

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book more than I did. First of all, the cover was intriguing, as the name of the novel.
3.5 Stars.

In the 1960’s a young nurse Joanna, who grew up in a middle class family, marries Frank Collier, whose family ran Bethlehem Steel and are very wealthy. Due to the death of Frank’s father, Wyatt Collier, Frank and Joanna, with their two children, move in with Frank’s mother Susannah Parrish Collier and grandmother Helen Parrish at the family’s grand mansion. Frank is a work-a-holic. Joanna gets bored and starts a friendship with a gardener at the local cemetery. There is a mysterious headstone for a baby at the cemetery. Susannah and Helen seem to be keeping secrets. Alternate chapters take place in the 1920’s when the Susannah was the youngest of Helen’s three teenagers who the constant companions of the Wyatt and Chap Collier, the sons of the Parrishes’ best friends, Charles and Frances.

I was at first confused by the fact that Frank’s family ran Bethlehem Steel. I thought perhaps this was a fictionalized biography of real people who actually worked there. A quick google search make it clear that this was not the case. I also didn’t like that almost every single character had a nickname. Doe = Dorothy; Susannah = Sassy; Hollins V =Kit; Hollins IV = Hep; Genevieve = Gigi; Helen = Heddy; Davida = Daisy; India = Itty; Francis was Frank and one of the three Charles was Chap. With so many names floating about it was hard to establish who was who at first. The women characters were certainly more interesting, but all of the characters were likable and believable. The families were close knit and loyal to each other.

My favorite quotes:

Doe: “I’ve learned a thing or two in my antiquity —- chief among them that things are seldom what they seem. Often the person who appears the most . . . impenetrable . . . is, in truth, the most fragile.”

Susannah: “When I was a young woman, my mother gave me an exceptional gift. She said it was one that her father had given her. It was just a simple sentence, but it helped me through some pitch-black hours. What she said was this: ‘I’m never here to judge you; I’m only here to help you.”‘

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but what I found was good. It was a slow-paced, character-driven novel, but it drew me in and while not too much happens, I found myself immersed in the story and cried at the end. If a book gets me to cry, it's usually a good sign :) Overall I quite enjoyed the storytelling and would recommend it.

Thank you to the St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

I had a bit of a hard time with this one. I had difficulty connecting with one of the main characters, Joanna. So I found myself enjoying the chapters set in the 20's but not really the ones in the 60's. While a historical fiction where 2 stories are being told in 2 time periods is normally my sweet spot I feel like this one could have done with a little more character development. I wanted to understand why Joanna was doing what she was doing because I didn't really get it.

A little predictable but a good, light summer read if you love historical fiction.

Wow! What a wonderful read for a debut novel. I was drawn to the book as I have been to Bethlehem, PA and wanted to know more about the town. Traveling between the 1920's and 1960's this book did not disappoint. Readers who like historical fiction, family and mystery will be taken with this book. Never is it easy when Joanna, a young wife and mother and her family moves into the home of her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. She struggles to find her way and to reach a stoic mother-in-law.
Mystery surrounds the family and Joanna is able to peal the layers away to reveal the truth.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review in exchange for my opinion.

I absolutely loved this book.

A family drama, Bethlehem follows Joanna, a young mother of two married to a man whose family has made their riches from steel. The unexpected death of her father-in-law leaves her husband in charge of the business and Joanna and children moving into the family estate

The story switches between the present and Joanna's struggles to get to know her in-laws and adjust to small town life, and the story of Susannah, her hard to reach mother-in-law.

As the stories entwine the past is and its impact on the present is gradually revealed. It's hard to say too much without spoiling it.

I was absolutely gripped within a few chapters as both aspects of the story are told beautifully. The characters are still with me days later.

Thank you Karen Kelly, St Martins Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy in return for an honest review

A good historical fiction, seems to me very accurate too.
The writing style was very good, I enjoyed it very much.
The book is a constant jump between the past and the future, constructed like a bridge between the to time periods.
Indeed, a very good book, full of emotion and with a nice personal style touch from the author.

This is a beautiful story about a big house and families and their secrets. Set in Bethlehem, PA this book will take you on a journey to the 1960's and 1920's. It is a fairly quick read. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

In a word: FEH. Again in the distinct minority but for me, never engaged. FLAT. Disagree with blurb [that likely made me request] "...writing chops of Ian McEwan--who I consider a master of the English language! and story-telling of Lisa Wingate.

I do like a dual time line which this book has. And yes, there are secrets--but I pretty much figured them out. Very transparent. And I thought the main characters [this is a female-centric book though men do have roles] were not fully fleshed -- or, necessarily liikeable. I did like Doe, though.

Some reviews categorized this as historical fiction--well, somewhat. I did learn a few things, but not enough to make this a worthwhile read. It was interesting to read about Bethlehem as a steel town, and Lehigh University founded for the offspring of the engineers. I did learn two new words: demesne and annealed.

I could have put this book down and walked away AT ANY TIME. A well-enough written tome though slow. A see this as a mediocre family saga with much about social stratification and class society.

2.5 but cannot round up as I would not suggest reading.

Three generations of women raise their children in the manor home of the founders of Bethlehem Steel between 1918 and 1962. Their stories are different yet underneath their basics are the same.

I enjoyed piecing together their stories together as we bounced between eras but I had to make myself note the date as each chapter began in order to understand how old people were so their actions and relationships made sense.

A very sad life under the eaves of a wealthy mansion that looked so wonderful from the outside.

Bethlehem is the story of a strong family and two very different women from two distinctly different times who’ve now come together under one roof: 1960’s housewife Joanna and her 1920’s-era mother-in-law.
This is a slow-growing, character-driven story about the invisible ties that develop between people through our lives. The characters (there are a lot to keep track of and it felt overwhelming early on) are richly developed and intriguing, each with a unique history, motivation and voice.
Karen Kelly writes of each era and character in a way that brings them to life without slowing the pace or feeling too showy. The stories of both women are beautifully woven together until the finale beautiful end, which left me a little misty eyed.

I received a copy of Bethlehem from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for this great book via Netgalley!

I really enjoy historical fiction and enjoy when the author uses a few characters to write about a few different time periods like the author did here. I liked reading about the daughter in law and mother in law and how different life was in Bethlehem from the 1920's to the 1950's. From the descriptions of clothes, décor, parties and life I felt like I was there.

I love the great cover!

I don't want to spoil too much so I will say that this book will keep you glued to the pages! .

3.5 stars
This was one of those simple but enjoyable comfy type reads. I'm in the middle of moving and it was nice to sit down and relax and read a few chapters here and there. I really loved the last few chapters of the book as everything came together and there were some good, emotional moments.

One of the reasons I chose to read this book is because it featured a big, old house with multiple generations of a wealthy family living it. That's right up my alley because it usually involves long-held family secrets and that was certainly the case here. The story goes back and forth between two timelines, one in the 1960s and the other in the 1920s. Joanna has just moved with her husband and two children into the family home of her in-laws. While she and her mother-in-law, Susannah, have a cordial relationship, Joanna still doesn't feel at ease in her new surroundings. The 1920s storyline follows Susannah as she grows up with her siblings and some dear family friends.

The book gets off to a rather slow start and I think some of that is because so many characters were introduced all at once and it was hard to keep track for awhile. I personally preferred the chapters in which Susannah was the main focus as I felt like I understood her better than Joanna. I feel Joanna was a tad underdeveloped as a character and it really wasn't until the end in which I kinda got where she was coming from. The ending in my opinion changed this from a pleasant but only average type story into something more meaningful. I enjoyed the moments shared between Joanna and Susannah. Overall, I wouldn't say this is an absolute must read, but it was certainly good enough that I am glad I read it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

First, thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. This was a new author to me and I knew very little of the book before I got it. I was drawn in by the cover and then interested in reading more once I read the summary. I am so glad I was given the chance to read this title. I was immediately drawn into the story. I loved the jump in narration between the two time periods and how it provided different glimpses into the characters' lives. It was nice meeting the characters in the present time while the jump into the past helped to explain their story and how they became the person they are today. The story had it all with family and friendship bonds, romance, marriage, a little mystery to keep you guessing. It was a really enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Historical fiction has become one of my go to genres in the past 10 years or so, so when I had the opportunity to review this book I wanted to grab it as quickly as possible.

The author does a fabulous job of telling this story, even though it bounces between two different time periods. I had a hard time putting it down, mostly because I became emotionally invested almost from the first page.

If you are looking for a book that is unputdownable (is that even a word? lol) this is the book for you.