3.5. Not what I expected. I did anticipate more on the centuries old curse behind those who come into contact with the Hope Diamond but instead focused on a female journalist at the turn of the century in New York City who tries to solve the mystery surrounding the burglary of the Hope diamond from Cartiers. Vera Garland (aka Vee Swan the journalist) is the protaganist, a wealthy heir who champions generally via Swan the injustices of the day: immigrants, the poor, the inequality of women--social, political and professional, power and privilege. Well written but had difficulty engaging.

I was surprised by some of the complex social topics that this book covered! I enjoyed being transported back to New York City in 1910, following a brave, female journalist pursuing the story of a lifetime. This book definitely had me wanting to take a trip to NYC (as usual), as well as to see the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian. I really enjoyed learning more about this particular era in the US.

Cartier’s Hope addressees women’s rights in the early 1900s and at the same time explores the world of glitz and glamour through diamonds. Vera Garland lives in two worlds fighting injustice and reporting fashion faux pas. Her father and uncle die and a new man enters her life and she finds her self opening up like she never planned too. An easy lite read with a few facts about the history of gemstones.

This book is a slightly different style than what M.J. Rose has written before. Rose puts together an entertaining tale of mystery, deceit and love. The mystery is the supposed "curse" surrounding the Hope Diamond. The deceit lies among the newspaper world, Vera, and her family. Love is exemplified in Vera's dedication to her fight for the truth and equality in the early 20th century. An enjoyable read.

Mystery, romance, family secrets and the Hope Diamond set against the backdrop of New York City's Gilded Age. M.J. Rose has outdone herself with Cartier's Hope! Beautifully written and a captivating lead character. A must read for historical fiction lovers!

New York City - 1911

Vera Garland, 32, is the daughter of the wealthy owners of a large department store. Vera’s father, whom she loved dearly, has recently passed away. Vera now resides in her father’s lush apartment above the store. Her mother has always wanted her to take her place as part of elite society, but that is now what she wants to do. After Vera graduates from Radcliffe, she is intent on becoming a reporter, exposing how many charities are being run by crooked people. As her family is well known, she adopts the name Vee Swann and wears a disguise. Soon, she has a job writing an anonymous weekly gossip column.

This is the same time that the Hope Diamond just sold for $250,000 to someone in New York. It is the largest known blue diamond and has a long history of ownership, including numerous curses. Louis Cartier, an elite French jeweler, has just opened a branch in New York City and the Hope Diamond resides in his store.

As Vera cleans out some of her father’s possessions, she uncovers a secret that shocks her and could tear apart the family’s standing in society.

Can she continue to dedicate her life to journalism and ignore any private life or love for herself?

I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to all of the women of this era who worked so hard to make changes for all women.

This is good story that covers a number of situations. I admit that I became angry with Vera at times, but one has to admire her strength and determination. Once again, M. J. Rose has written a stunning novel. Don’t miss it!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I found myself looking forward to my before bed reading so I could find out what happens next to Vera Garland, the wealthy socialite and undercover journalist.
New York City 1910 is the perfect setting for Vera's foray into public demonstrations for women's rights in the workplace as well as the glitz and glam of the upper crust. Around this time the famous Hope Diamond is acquired by Pierre Cartier. There are rumors and stories surrounding the diamond and the bad luck it brings to anyone that touches it.
Vera has recently been through some tough times, emotionally and physically but she is ready to jump back into her passion - to expose injustices in the world and be a voice for the less fortunate through her explosive articles. This is much to the chagrin of her mother, whom would rather Vera behave like a lady and find a nice man to settle down with.
Vera uncovers some dark secrets and vows to avenge her father and family that have been wronged by a terrible man. She also finds a little romance along the way.

I enjoyed learning about the gender inequality issues women faced out in the work force, specifically in journalism. Not surprisingly women were not taken seriously, were paid much less, and often sexually assaulted on the job. I also knew nothing about the Hope Diamond and the history. I love when books have real facts woven into the story line.
Although I did find some parts of the story a tad predictable I was still eager to see what transpired next. I recommend this book based on the unique story line, vivid setting, and historical background

The topic for this book was really interesting, the story behind the Hope Diamond as researched and reported by an early 1900s female reporter.. The parts about the history of jewels and how things are merchandised was very interesting. I loved the trip to the Natural History Museum that explained some of the things that I had seen there. I really liked these parts of the book and that is what kept me going. I did not care for main character. She is a society lady who uses a pen name to be a reporter. It talks about her articles that have helped the poor in the past but she came across as a really self centered person. She told lie after lie in this book and just made a mess of everything.. I wanted to know the end of the story about the diamond but could have cared less if she had a happy ending or not..

When does desire overtake reason? When does it become a compulsion? When do we lose our ability to see that we have become victims of our own passion for that object, that response, that solution, that end?

Vera Garland has a double life. Always questioning and deflecting questions of her own, she is a secret reporter under the name Vee Swann. A pseudonym that her father gave her and one that her family protected. Her double life clashed in love and who she really was. Vera Garland lived a pampered life in the early 1900 Her father ran a successful store in New York and encouraged his daughter to be not the conventional woman like her mother and sister. Being a reporter allowed her to see the reality of women's suffrage, the care of children, and poverty. Those that took advantage of others and to give an outcry. In searching for these stories and for justice, Vera/Vee took personally the underdog. She was pulled by others secrets. She was fascinated by them and being a reporter meant finding those secrets. Knowing and keeping secrets can be your down fall and when she found out her father's secret, she was determined to use the Hope Diamond and the curse to bring justice to her father's death.

In the author's own words-Fiction has to be exaggerated to make its point. A book before it's time, however very well written. The reconciliation between Vera and Vee and how she came to terms with the world around her.

A Special Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

A 3 Star Sparkling Gem of a Book

Would you like to learn more about gems within a setting of New York City in 1910? The protagonist, Vera, dwells in two worlds. She is one of the social elite as well as an undercover reporter who strongly believes in equal rights for women, workers, and all people. She has written exposes that have helped to improve conditions for workers, identify healthcare issues for women and document life in the dangerous tenements. Her father supports her independence and her mother, while proud, just wishes her daughter would turn her pen to more genteel aspirations, find a husband and have a family.
The story is an easy-to-read historical fiction that traces Cartier's ownership and sale of the mysterious Hope Diamond, set against a contrasting backdrop of fashion, luxury jewelry and operas as well as suffrage marches, equal pay for women, sexual harassment, blackmail, and the morals and beliefs of the day. Vera is an interesting and believable character, and the other characters enhance the storyline as well. There is a central theme of society's acceptance of homosexuality that underlies the story, not graphic in any way. There is also a central theme of finding one's self, what truth-telling is, and honesty in relationships. There are a few (non-graphic) love scenes.
I kept finding myself looking up the jewels along with the Tiffany artworks that are mentioned, and wishing for links within the story (wouldn't that be awesome?!) This would be an excellent book for high school students studying this period of time, which although fiction, would certainly give insight into what it was like to live in 1910. The pacing of the book was solid and engaging.

Thank you to #NetGallery and to M.J. Rose for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #CartiersHope.

Set in the 1910's, the Vera, the protagonist is a journalist fighting for women's rights. She is a woman of wealth, yet does not embrace the associated social mores of marriage and motherhood. Vera with writes as a commoner under a pseudonym, Vee Swann, and exposes blackmail among a powerful publisher as well as legends behind the Hope diamond from the House of Cartier.

In 1910 New York, inspired by the work of journalist Nellie Bly, 32-year-old heiress Vera Garner, has a secret: under the byline Vee Swann, she's an investigative reporter exposing back-alley abortionists and child labor. After her father's sudden death reveals a tabloid's catch and kill scheme, Vera pitches a story about the sale of Cartier's Hope Diamond to catch an extortionist. Riveting.

Shocking family secrets abound in this novel that examines a prestigious family living in early 1900s New York. Oldest daughter Vera, who has devoted her life to causes worthy of fighting for, is reeling after her father’s sudden death. Often the only person who understood her, she is distraught as she struggles to regain her footing in a time and society that made even privileged women feel as if their smallest mistakes could leave them in social peril.
Despite the numerous obstacles in her way, Vera has adopted the disguise of Vee Swann, undercover reporter extraordinaire. As Swann, she has unearthed the underbelly that keeps society running, exposing crimes against women and children that many would rather overlook. During her digging for answers, both personal and professional, she realizes her father’s death may not have been as straight forward as it seemed. Determined to right past wrongs, she puts herself at further risk as she attempts to ruin those who ruined her beloved parent, with events bringing her into close contact with celebrated jeweler Cartier and the famed Hope Diamond.
Richly detailed, this story does not skimp on the drama. The plot is set from the first page and the characters, though unusual for their time period, still feel authentic and true to the setting. Vera especially draws the reader in and could easily be the star of her own series. The sometimes casually presented twists caused me to read certain lines twice to make sure I hadn’t misread, the lack of lead-up intensifying the bombshell.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary advance copy. This did not impact my review.

Thank you Netgalley, to the publisher, and author for the ARC. I'm a big fan of MJ Rose's previous books, and I really wanted to like this book, and most of all I don't like not finishing a book. This book was promising, the cover was beautiful, and the synopsis got me hooked. However, what I struggled with was the development of the plot. Right from the beginning, the story strayed from the topic, and it was all over the place. Sadly, I had to stop reading at the 65% mark. Perhaps maybe another time I'll read it again and finish the book. Overall rating is 2 stars.

The Hope Diamond is believed to be cursed, once part of another, larger jewel that was cut, and now resides at the semi-new Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue in London. But it is only a small part of this story. Like her hero, Nellie Bly, Vera Garland is a journalist, intent on shedding light on the world’s injustices, no matter the personal cost. Though she was born to wealth and privilege as the daughter of a grand department store owner, she lives a double life, attending society gatherings to later utilize the gossip in her column. Though she also can be found in commoner’s clothes, attending meetings of fellow women writers and upholding their cause, especially with the way men try to make their physical claims on women in exchange for an opportunity to write a big story, or one under their own female names.
Personally, Vera has just lost her father and uncovered a decades-old family mystery and a scandal, involving blackmail over homosexuality, which is illegal at the time.
Then Vera meets a Russian jeweler with his own secrets who knows much about the diamond and jewelry, and is as handsome and alluring as the jewels he cares for.
This book is more about social injustice and fighting for rights of women and homosexuals in the early part of the 1900’s, than it is about the history or curse of the hope diamond, though they do play a large part in tying together scandals. It’s probably best for anyone who is passionate about these causes and wishes to read a historical fiction novel that is as well.
I received this ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are solely my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its affiliates.

I actually read this novel in about ten days near the beginning of last month, which was approximately four months after I was approved for the digital advance reader copy. Since I absolutely love The Daughters of La Lune series by M.J. Rose, I was super excited to see that she was returning to realistic historical fiction, which is also generally a favorite of mine. And then I found the digital advance reader copy on NetGalley, which increased my excitement. Of course, my head nearly exploded when I was actually approved for it! Unfortunately, the approval came while I was already pretty far down life’s rabbit hole, so I was very grateful that the publisher had left the title open on NetGalley for an extended period of time.

The novel itself did not disappoint in the least. The historical details felt well researched, especially since the novel touched so many different worlds. There was the society world of Vera Garland, the working world of Vee Swann, and the impoverished world of those whom Vee investigated. Each of the three seemed to be very well rendered. Add to that the stories of how Cartier became an established jeweler in New York City and of how the Hope Diamond came to be in their possession.

Being an M.J. Rose novel, I thought that Cartier’s Hope would have a happily ever after ending like the novels in her The Daughters of La Lune series, which are more magical realism and romance than historical fiction. But that was not a foregone conclusion in this novel, which had enough odd twists and turns to almost remind me of a Sarah Waters novel, like The Paying Guests. However, this novel didn’t have much - if any - on page intimacy, which distinguishes it from a Sarah Waters novel.

Overall, I enjoyed Cartier’s Hope. I hold M.J. Rose in even higher esteem (if that’s possible) after reading this novel. I will happily read anything that she writes, but I’m holding out for the next novel in The Daughters of La Lune series, which should be about the third sister and her unique magical gifts.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading Historical Fiction novels that are able to take me back to the time with vivid and rich writing and dialogue! Add the Hope Diamond and Cartier, well that is every woman’s dream and this really piqued my interest and had to read this book! And glad I did because I LOVED IT!!

Vera Garland was a woman ahead of her time working as a journalist and who is also from a wealthy and well known family. As she learns more about the Diamond, she unearths shocking mystery about her own family.

This book was a fast paced and fun read that is full of intrigue and suspense. Rose certainly delivered a bold and twisted revenge story plot that had me intrigued and completely glued to this book for days.

A wonderfully written book by M.J. Rose. The infamous Hope diamond, the year is 1910 and the struggle for women's rights. Lots to love in this story. Characters are well developed and the story moves along at a good pace. I'm a huge fan of this author and she never disappoints.
Highly recommend!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in NYC in 1910. Vera is from a wealthy family, and everyone thinks she is a social butterfly, but she has a secret life as a journalist. Vera is born into a time when women aren't being taken seriously, hence, why she has to hide her secret life.

I loved this book and being able to read about what life was like in 1910. It was interesting to see what it was like for women to try and have a career. This was a great book for anyone who loves historical fiction and mystery. I would highly recommend this book!

When I began reading this book I had such high hopes. The cover is gorgeous. The story sounded intriguing and suspenseful. However, some of the things presented in the book was not what I like to read about. But I think if some of those things were removed I would have really like the book. I would have love to see the story more centered around the mystery and curse of the Hope diamond. The authors writing style is wonderful, her historical detail is interesting and captivated my attention. I really wanted to like this book.