My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When an elusive stranger arrives in 1960s New Rochelle, three generations of women are forever changed.

Lost Souls at Neptune Inn is a family drama that spans decades. Three very different women, Mother, daughter, and granddaughter find their way in the small town of New Rochelle. Dillard Fox, a witty and charismatic good-looking stranger finds his way into their town, and gains the attention of all 3 women, but for very different reasons. He is just what they need to bring all three of them back together. Emilia Mae is wanting a family of her own, Geraldine is wanting to feel beautiful and admired and Sweet Alice is looking for a father figure.

Though Dillard Fox is able to give all three women what they so desperately want, his own desires and needs are put on hold.

The author does a great job of not only creating such depth to these characters but also she does an amazing job of creating empathy for them. I did feel a disconnect as none of the characters are like me, but I did feel deeply for each one.

I am so glad this book crossed my path, I find myself reflecting often on this book, the characters, and what I have learned from it. It seems to continue to simmer with me. I will definitely be recommending this book to many readers.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Book Group for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Lost Souls at the Neptune Inn is a refreshing and engaging novel about three generations of women and their often complicated relationship.

The story is set in New Rochelle, outside New York City, starting in the 1920s when Geraldine Wingo is a young woman who makes men’s head turn. She gets pregnant, but she resents her new-born daughter, Emilia Mae, who she is convinced is the devil. As years pass, their relationship doesn’t improve, although the birth of Alice, Emilia Mae’s daughter, brings her back to live under the family roof.

Dillard Fox is a man with a talent for music looking for a bit of normalcy. When he arrives in New Rochelle, Geraldine, Emilia Mae, and Alice are all drawn to him, but could his refusal to talk about his past risk their chance to be a happy family?

I really enjoyed this novel. The characters are very likable and they feel authentic. Geraldine’s hope to be desired often alienates her from her family. All Emilia Mae wants is to be loved, but she often finds herself heartbroken. Alice looks for the father she never met. And Dillard is ready to sacrifice is true self to have a family and normal life. I loved these characters and I was completely drawn to their stories.

In Lost Souls at the Neptune Inn, Betsy Carter explores the complicated relationship between mother and daughter, people’s search for love, accepting one self, and the importance of family and close friends. It is a compelling, thought-provoking, immersive story with beautiful characters that come to life thanks to the author’s brilliant and addictive writing style and I couldn’t recommend this book enough, so please go and buy a copy!