Book review: Bethlehem by Karen KellyAMBER LOVE 02-MAY-2019 This review is a courtesy provided by NetGalley. To support this site and my other work, please consider being a monthly donor at Patreon.com/amberunmasked; you can also buy my books through Amazon (or ask your local retailer to order you copies). I'm also an Amazon Influencer so you can shop through my lists of recommended products.Review:Karen Kelly has poetic and eloquent writing with consistent period vernacular of the 1920's and 1960's in Bethlehem: A Novel from St. Martin's Press. She masterfully created a single story that spans four generations which particularly highlights Susannah "Sassy" Parrish as a young girl, a young woman, then as a grandmother elder of the Parrish mansion known as Brynmor. Sassy's story is relatable despite being one of privilege and class during the steel boom era when her father Hep amassed the family wealth with the help of his best friend Charles Collier, Sr. This elder generation of Parrish and Collier kin finds its way into the 1960's marital troubles between Sassy's son, Frank and his wife Joanna.Joanna is the next character in line as a focal point. She's from a lower middle class background with a blue collar father and mother who was not interested in the rise of feminism. Joanna first believes that the class differences and her lack of adjustment to a lifestyle of maids and chauffeurs will be the biggest source of tension in her marriage. As she develops a surprising friendship with her mother-in-law, she realizes money is not the source of her trouble. Temptation to be unfaithful is the same regardless of how rich one is. Having your child dropped off at school in a Rolls Royce is no substitute for his father never being home.Karen Kelly makes Joanna and Sassy equally as sympathetic characters. Their unlikely friendship is a mirror to one prior, that of Sassy's mother Helen "Hedy" and Dorothy "Doe". Doe and her family are the local cemetery keepers who sell and dig the plots and tend to the grounds. The rich history of their friendship unfolds in glorious and shocking twists along with Sassy and Jo's relationship.One thing that Karen Kelly makes perfectly clear as the family secrets are revealed is that romance and love are not sure things and cannot be forced. Lovers being separated by distance and obligations leaves someone left behind no matter what year it is.Joanna wiped the sleeve of her nightgown brusquely across her eyes, further frustrated by her tears. They were born not only of the feeling that she was losing her identity and control of her life, but also -- and even more acute -- of the threat to a sacred expectation: if there was going to be a power struggle in the household, she needed to know that her husband would stand behind her.Kelly paints an elaborate picture of each scene. The decadence of the background at Brynmor mansion is especially brought to life in the chapter about Sassy's debutante ball. Rather than going for the bouffant chiffon and frills like her older sister India, Sassy makes her party a full flapper jazz extravaganza like the people have never seen before.Though readers get know all the male characters too, they pale in comparison to the strong, flawed, loving women around them. I found myself reading the final chapter and the epilogue several times trying to sort out how Sassy's husband Wyatt died. The how is not as important as what he was trying to communicate as death came calling. His love for Sassy was more solid than the his family's steel.Doe was teary again, her voice thick. "It's true what they say, you know. The smallest coffins are the heaviest."*Content Note*Readers are introduced quickly to Doe and her grandson Daniel at the cemetery. One of the plots that is of particular interest to Joanna and her children is a small headstone marked as Baby Hayes. Death of a child and miscarriage are subjects addressed throughout Joanna's investigation into who Baby Hayes was.

This is a cozy historical fiction read of a Bethlehem Steel original family. Their trials and tribulations, their failures and triumphs, their secrets. I especially liked it because I live in Bethlehem and it was fun to read about areas I know. It’s a fast read, comfortable, characters are believable. It really brings to one’s imagination what it must have been like during Bethlehem Steel’s heyday. A lovely period piece.

This book is set on the backdrop of the steel revolution! It alternates between 1920 and 1960. I live historical fiction and this book had it all. It was a little slow going in the beginning but I’m glad I stick with it

It took a little bit for the story to get going. I enjoyed the prose style writing, although it did lose me at times, and the beautiful imagery the words created. But I didn't get the point of the story at first. But when it got deeper and secrets began to reveal themselves, I devoured the rest!

It's a heart-breakingly beautiful story about a woman trying to find her place in her new family and an unlikely confident when the waters start to rise. I highly recommend picking this up when it's released in July!

A family with high society obligations and dark secrets that really weren't so well-kept after all. Karen Kelly has crafted a beautiful story of two families whose children are the best of friends and whose destinies seem determined to be woven together. The Parrish and Collier families were brought together in the 1920s when Charles Collier was hired by Hollins Parrish, the CEO of Bethlehem Steel. Not only did the men become colleagues, their families also became close and their children inseparable.

The story is set in the 1960s and the most recent generation of the Collier has moved back to the family estate so that Frank, the grandson of Charles Collier AND Hollins Parrish, can help with the business now that his father has passed. Frank's wife, Joanna, comes from much more humble beginnings that her husband and finds it rather overwhelming, being thrust into a high society lifestyle. Her husband's new work responsibilities and the fact that she is living in the same home as her husband's mother and grandmother leaves Joanna a bit at a loss. She can't put her own touches on her living space and rarely sees her husband due to the long hours he is putting in to get a new shop up and running. All of this serves to set her up for a serious interpersonal struggle. In a moment of weakness, Joanna tells her mother-in-law, Susannah, everything, only to find a very sympathetic friend. Susannah's own past is shrouded in secrecy and it is only too easy for her to sympathize with Joanna's plight.

In a moment of clever literary planning, the reader is in on Susannah's secret long before Joanna. Kelly brilliantly alternates between the 1960s and the 1920s, telling Susannah's story in small pieces in between the story of Joanna's adjustment to her new circumstances. Kelly has crafted characters that are easy to become attached to and you find yourself hoping desperately that their mistakes won't have too negative an impact.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Bethlehem travels between two generations of Bethlehem steel families, one in the 1920s and the other in the 1960s. Karen Kelly weaves the stories together seamlessly and builds the relationships of friendship and love in both times. Secrets from one generation impact the next and build bonds among people that, at first, seem unexpected. It’s easy to become wrapped up in this book, wanting to know more, to learn the truth. Kelly’s literary debut satisfies a book lover’s yearn to keep turning pages while at the same time providing fitting closure at the end. Now that I’ve been to Karen Kelly’s Bethlehem, I will definitely recommend it to others. I also look forward to reading any future books she writes.

In 1962 Johanna and her family move in with her husband's mother and grandmother. Her husband is gone alot to the family's company. Johanna doesn't know how to fit with her new surroundings. Little does she know, she has more of a connection with her mother-in-law than she thought. There are some secrets meant to be shared.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed Bethlehem! Karen Kelly did an amazing job. I will say at first I was a little lost but within three chapters it all fit in place. The connection between the Colliers and Parrishes were so relatable. I reminded me of neighbors I had growing up. The most captivating character had to be Susannah Parrish, Joanna's motherinlaw. She was so strong and resilient. Witnessing Susannah's triumphants and heartbreaks made me feel closer to her that any other character.

I highly recommend this debut novel!!! I can't wait to see what Karen Kelly writes next!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I wish this book had a different title. The town is called Bethlehem after the steel plant that is in the town. Secrets play a major role in this novel about relationships, family, and choices that ripple through time. This tale would make a good summer beach read.

The epic history of families inextricably linked that follows generations of family members as it unearths long buried secrets of love, loss and healing.

Set in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and spanning over forty years, author Karen Kelly has created three families, the Colliers, the Parrishs and the Janssens whose men and women are blessed with good looks, copious charisma and futures that appear to hold unlimited promise.

It is their stories of devotion, yearning and lies, that are so perfectly drawn, the reader will find themselves unable to extricate themselves from the fascinating series of events that make these often lost and lonely souls easy to relate to and difficult to forget.

I always enjoy the story's that jump in timelines, back and forth, as the story is unraveled. I only guessed the ending very close to the end. The need to keep the secret decimated this family ultimately. It shows how important open and honest communication is.

Normally, I can't put a book written in this style down. However, this novel had a very slow start to it that made me less engaged than I am with this type of story. Once it got going I liked the main character, but I just couldn't get into it enough that I couldn't put it down. That just made this book alright.

I loved this book. Part mystery, part family drama, part historical fiction-- after getting to know the characters, I was hooked, and couldn't put it down. The story travels between two time periods, and the author does a lovely job of giving us a glimpse into the grandeur of the leading families of the steel era. The characters have great depth and heart, and their stories are somehow both surprising and familiar. Bethlehem is a haunting and vivid debut novel, and I am excited to read what Karen Kelly does next!

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 enjoyed riding along with this book and seeing a peek inside these characters life. Severely realistic and I couldn't put it down.

I live in Eastern PA so was interested in this book for its history of the area. Usually love historical fiction but I just couldn't get engaged with this book.

Slow to begin, this family centered drama was lushly written and evocative of its historical settings.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

The story is gripping but I didn't like the narration that much. Overall an enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc .

Bethlehem by Karen Kelly is a wonderful story of family, secrets and love that endures. Historical fiction about a family in the 1920‘s to 1960‘s surrounded by romance, tragedy and mystery.. I enjoyed the suspense of the situations involving the characters and how their lives are affected. I loved this book so much I immediately searched for other books by Karen Kelly and purchased her first book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

This was a good book. You will have to pay attention closely in the beginning because you are introduced to a lot of characters in quick succession and it can be somewhat tricky to remember who are the friends and who are the relatives/family members. The book focuses on the Collier and Parrish families in Bethlehem, PA -- Hollins Parrish ran Bethlehem Steel and Charles Collier was the head engineer and their families were inseparable, with Wyatt Collier and Susannah Parrish ultimately marrying. The book alternates between the 1920s when the children were teenagers/young adults and 1962, when Susannah's son, Frank, and his family have returned to the family home following the sudden death of Wyatt Collier. Frank's wife, Joanna, is not used to the lifestyle in which Frank grew up and she is not entirely comfortable living in a home that already has two mistresses of the house -- Susannah and her mother Helen. With Frank out of town for prolonged periods with work and the children in school, Joanna finds herself drawn to the local cemetery, and Daniel, one of the caretakers.

The characters are well-crafted and engaging; in fact, Susannah's siblings, Kit and India, could easily be subjects of short books themselves detailing their adventurous adult lives. The plot progresses steadily and alternating between time periods works well in this book (not something that all authors can manage well). Some of the events of the book are predictable, but there are a fair share of surprises as well.

The book deals with family secrets and how keeping secrets, even if done with good intentions, can have life-altering effects. It also addresses the depth of sacrifice some people are willing to make for the ones they love. The ending of the book is incredibly powerful.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Two strong women are drawn together through life's experiences. Two family histories and secrets are entwined in the town of Bethlehem.
Later, the secrets are revealed. It would have been better to have been open about the events in the first place. So much easier in the long run. At the end of the day, it seems that the secrets weren't even really secret.
Well written. Strong characters. Interesting and enjoyable.

I find it hard to believe Bethlehem is Karen Kelly's debut in the literary world. Every part of this book is note perfect. The descriptions, the characters, the dialogue - spoken and unspoken, the situations; everything was just so right! Make sure you have tissues at the ready when you read this beautiful and haunting story. I breezed through it in little over a day simply because I couldn't hear to put it down.

Bethlehem is essentially a story of women who discover love, loss, strength, yearning and possibly themselves. There are two main stories told in two time periods linked by one house and by family ties. Susannah straddles both worlds but her defining story takes place in the 1920s; Joanna, her daughter-in-law finds her challenges in the 1960s. They each in their own way and time struggle with love, hurt, betrayal, and loneliness. What do we give up for love? What do we gain? How do we connect? Is it possible to find our way back to those we love?

The story takes place in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania often in Brynmor House, a mansion built by the family who founded Bethlehem Steel. The history of the town, business, and family is really the history of two families, the Colliers and the Parrishes. Together they combined business and personal into one. what happens in the 1920s affects the people in the 1960s. Two seems to be a recurring theme in this novel. Two families, two time periods, two women facing challenges, two brothers, two sisters, two siblings (twins), two children, two deaths (close together), two chances, two choices.