Cartier's Hope is a good book with a great plot, but unfortunately, it took me a little longer to read this one due to the fact that I just couldn't connect with the characters.

Absorbing and immersive. A wonderful read 😊 I was especially fond of the gilded age setting and the window into the history of women’s rights.

The heroine of this book, Vera, is a very ernest young woman living in the 1910s. Among the issues she's concerned about are: Abortion rights, spousal abuse, poverty, child labor laws, LGBT discrimination, equal pay for women, sexual harrassment in the workplace, and police brutality. I don't have any problem with novels addressing these serious issues, but in one book it was... a lot. Let's just say it was, in no way whatsoever, a fun read. "The Orphan Collector" by Ellen Marie Wiseman had a similar vibe and was another book I didn't really enjoy. I believe that very good authors can give us moments of humor or joy between the depressing scenes without compromising the importance of the issues.
I've seen Rose's books for years and since I like historical fiction I was anxious to give it a try, but this book has convinced me that she is not an author for me.

I am always a sucker for historical fiction! Unfortunately this did not do it for me, as I was finding a hard time connecting to the characters.

The historical background was well done. I enjoyed learning about Vera Garland - her drive to be taken seriously as a journalist.

I have always been an avid fan of MJ Rose so I was really looking forward to this. But it did not "wow" me as her other books have. I struggled with the MC and felt it spent too much time on "social justice" issues for my tastes.

If you love historical novels this a book for you. M. J. Rose has a tremendous talent for descriptions and storytelling. This book will set you down in NYC in the early 1900’s. I could see the glitter of the city and the grime and despair of the city in my mind. The characters are brought to life and are unforgettable. A story of a woman trying to get ahead in a time that women aren’t expected to accomplish much nor respected for their talents in a man’s world. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for my requested ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. #CartiersHope #mjrose

Actually, 2.5 stars
Vera is a journalist who aspires to be as great as Nellie Bly. Instead of writing fashion articles, Vera longs to write about serious issues and loves to go undercover to find a good story. One day, she chooses to write about The Hope Diamond. The Hope Diamond is not only known for its exquisite beauty but for its deadly curses. Vera has a personal link to The Hope Diamond because it may be connected to her father’s death. She teams up with a Russian jeweler to discover the truth about the diamond.

I found Vera to be an unlikable character. She was mostly a spoiled rich girl that used her privilege to uncover many stories. Vera mostly spends the novel complaining about how hard her circumstances are being a woman. Yet, I found it unbelievable because she was very privileged, and her wealth opened many opportunities for her. Vera is also very quick to judge people and holds needless grudges. Thus, I found her to be very annoying and being in her head really made the book unenjoyable. I think I would have enjoyed this book a little bit better if it had been written in third-person instead of first-person.

Overall, this novel is a romance with a dash of mystery mixed in. The mystery was a bit of a disappointment because it is very predictable. Even though the novel is average length, it seemed like it took forever to end. The plot is simple and slow-moving. It mostly focuses on the instant love story rather than the mystery. The romance was not even well-developed. The romance was very cliche, and the main love interest was the typical arrogant and brooding love interest. All of the characters were stereotypical and given no depth. Since I am a fan of M. J. Rose, I found this the most disappointing book she has written to date. While the premise seemed very interesting, it was not executed well. It was very formulaic with no creativity. I recommend this if you are interested in light cozy mysteries like The Anatomist's Wife, City of Jasmine, and In Farleigh Field. However, if you want to see M. J. Rose’s best writing that weaves romance, mystery, and the paranormal perfectly, I advise you to skip this book and read the Daughters of La Lune trilogy instead.

Set in New York in 1910, Vera is a journalist that wants to be taken seriously in a world full of men. She beings to investigate the new owners of the Hope Diamond, as rumors being to circulate about them and their plot to manipulate the price of the diamond. Can Vera find the answers, or will she fall victim to another person trying to get what they want?

Thank you to #NetGalley for this book. I did not read this book because I have The Cartiers by Francesca Cartier Brickell which is the biography of The Cartiers. No disrespect to the author M.J. Rose. I would just rather read non-fiction rather fiction of this family.

Well-developed characters and a fascinating plot made this an absorbing read. There were so few female journalists at that time in history, it was interesting to read about one. The NYC of the time made a great backdrop.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

CARTIER'S HOPE is a lively and enjoyable read. As its feisty and unconventional heroine probes her father's complex legacy, she must not only solve the puzzle of his past but also the enigma of her own personal and professional future. Rose paints an intriguing portrait of 1910 New York, evoking the harsh contrast between the lives of the haves and the have-nots, the challenges facing female journalists, and the treatment of those deemed "other" by conventional society. Glimpses of the history of Manhattan's fabled department stores and the lore of the Hope Diamond, which is for sale during the span of Rose's story, add a wealth of colorful detail. But some of the novel's most rewarding moments are quiet ones, as for example when knowledge she uncovers prompts protagonist Vera Garland to regard her conventional and highly critical mother in a new light. The novel's romantic storyline too feels convincing and well-developed.

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cartier's Hope
By: M. J. Rose

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Cartier's Hope is a fascinating story. The time period and setting of New York City in 1910 makes a perfect backdrop for all of the intrigue. The lavish lifestyles and extravagant excesses of New York's upper crust are hard to fathom. I love the unique premise of this book and the engaging spirited characters. Overall, this is an excellent story that I would recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! I had heard of the Hope Diamond but didn't know much about the mystery and folklore behind it. I really loved the main character, a society heiress who went undercover to fight for women's rights and human rights issues. The love story was romantic and well written. I would definitely recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

One of the most interesting things about Cartier's Hope was M. J. Rose's ability to move her heroine seamlessly from actual historical events to her fictional storyline and back again.
Vera Garland is a wealthy socialite of good breeding who is close to her family -- her supportive father, her loving sister, her cousin who is more like a brother and her very controlling mother. Yet she choses to pursue a career as a mudraking reporter -- similar to her hero; Nelly Bly. To do this she has to maintain a completely fake identity as women of her set would never work to begin with, let alone in a seedy, dirty profession like newspaper reporting.
Vera becomes entangled in what she believes to be a hoax and a blackmail scheme regarding the Hope Diamond (and it's curse) which is currently in the possession of Cartier --- the famous French jeweler --- who has a store in Manhattan as well.
The storyline covers women's fight for equality, better rights for workers and Vera's own struggle to live independently and make her own choices. Remember, at this time society women were tightly bound by strict rules that only served to keep them dependent and subservient to the men in their families.
The story also involves homosexuality, abortion, anti-Semitism and abuse -- all things you don't usually encounter in historical fiction (at least not all in the same book!) but Rose does a good job of weaving them into her plotline while making a statement on morality at the same time.
Cartier's Hope is a good read, I recommend it.

Wonderful story development, rich characters, and a plot that hooks you and never lets you go. I love it when I can immerse myself within a book and just forget about real life for awhile and “become” a part of the story. This book totally delivered!

This book was good, but it was not my favorite of hers. I think that is because it lacked the magic of her other books.

1910 Manhattan New York’s Gilded Age

Vera Garland grew up in a world of fashion couture, priceless jewels and charitable luncheons. A circle where “knowing your place” is as important as being in that place. Her father had established Garland’s Emporium on Fifth
Avenue. The success of this business, along with his generous spirit assured her position was well placed in New York Society.
Her alter ego, Vee Swann, is a news reporter struggling to make her place in a world dominated by aggressive men. They take credit for women’s work, treat them poorly, and the only articles they credit women for are fashion and gossip articles.
In this era of struggling immigrants packed into tenement houses, children being exploited for labor and the Women’s Suffragette Movement gaining a foothold on the country, Vee Swann risks her safety to bring light to the grit and grime of the city.
When Pierre Cartier brings the 45-carat blue diamond to New York, the city is buzzing with the mystery behind the “cursed stone”. Vera steals the opportunity to write an article about Cartier’s exaggeration of the curse in order to manipulate her boss into blackmailing the jeweler.
Hoping to uncover the scoundrel responsible for her father’s and uncle’s deaths, Vera tries to heal her shattered heart with revenge. Betrayed by her first love, manipulated by her mother all her life, Vera uses the pain of losing her father to propel her change to a world that prefers to turn a blind eye to the unpleasantness outside their circles.

M.J. Rose dishes up an entertaining blend of history, mystery and romance in Cartier's Hope. I was initially drawn by the premise of the myths of misfortune revolving around a world famous diamond. But found myself captivated by Vera Garland's grit, determination to fight for social justice.

While the mystery of the diamond ended up not being the main focus, I enjoyed the story filled with long buried secrets and complicated family relationships. While initially Vera's voice was one poignant with loss, it became filled with strength and resilience.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Progressive Era women's fiction is becoming a mainstay, but Cartier's Hope stands out among a growing field of titles. The book pulls you in with its elaborate attention to period detail. Soon enough, you find yourself rooting for our heroine, a young woman making her way back from a well-intentioned tragedy to retake her place in journalism, one of the few careers open to women of that era.

Yes, there is the Hope Diamond, and its whereabouts get shady amid a plot with plenty of family and character secrets. What is surprising is the layers of complications that lead the reader through the world's injustices, leading to a shocking bit of history that propels our heroine into action.

The book runs on beyond a reasonable finish to its story, in large part to give us all the ending we secretly crave where love and rebellion intersect. The author's research is sound, and sometimes striking in its depth. Leading a life of pursuing liberty can be thrilling to watch.