This story is about Isobelle and her mother Sofiya in alternating stories. Isobelle’s mother came from Russia with Isobelle when she was a very young girl. Sofiya never talked about Russia, about her parents, and knowing the the Romanov girls. Sofiya being of close age to the girls was allowed to attend art classes and to be friends with the Romanov girls. When the Romanovs knew they were going to have to leave Russia, Isobelle’s friend the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna gave her her tiara full of jewels. And most of all Sofiya never talked about Isobelle's father, only that he was the love of her life and meet him while he was convalescing in the hospital during the war. . After Isobelle’s mother dies in an accident, she decides to renovate the apartment they lived in and finds a non jeweled tiara inside one of the walls. That is where the story really gets on Isobelle decides she has to find out about the tiara,and who her father was. This is basically a good story and with some twist's and turns and a good plot. The only part of this book I did not like, and I put it down a couple of times because of it, were the sex scenes. I don’t think the elaboration was necessary. You can get the drift without it being stated so explicitly. For that I would give the book a 3 but for the story itself I would give it a 4.

2.5 stars rounded up

I felt like this book was missing a lot of things. It is a historical fiction told from the perspective of a mother and daughter. I should have loved this book as the last days of Czar Nicholas II and the pre WW1 time line are some of my favorite times and I absolutely did love this story line, it was exciting and followed Sofiya as she went through life in those troubling times. The other side is from Isobel who is Sofiya's daughter and it takes place in 1940's NYC. I found that there was a lot of plot in this book and not so much character focus. So we find out what happens to the characters but not how they feel about it or grow from it.

I ran into some issues with Isobel she was the type of main character that I don't particularly care for in books where she needs constant reassurance, and is forever doubting herself. Some of the description was a bit much in places it felt like it was used as filler.

I found myself wishing that there was even more of the actual mystery within the story. It just kind of fell flat for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for providing an arc for my honest review.

What a great story! The Last Tiara tells the story of how the Romanov tiara came into the hands of Isobelle Moon. The author switches back and forth between Sophia/Sofiya (Isobelle's mom) story and Isobelle's story. Sofiya's story begins in 1917 Russia. The tiara came into Sofiya's possession after her friend, the Grand Duchess of Russia gives the tiara to Sofiya before the Duchess goes into exile. Sofiya hides the tiara in her walls in her New York apartment that she emigrated to during the war. While renovating the apartment, Isobelle finds the tiara and goes to a local jeweler for help about its origins, as Sophia has now passed as it is 1948 New York in her story. Jules, the jeweler, has an agenda of his own - trying to get into the elusive Midas Society. Jules and Isobelle get into a personal relationship but Isobelle questions his motives as to why he is with her.

A great look into a mother - daughter relationship, as well as a great romance for history and jewel buffs.

The Last Tiara promised history, mystery and a little romance – all the ingredients of a great historical fiction book. Thankfully, it delivered yet it took me a bit to get in to it. This has happened with several books, which may be due to the worsening of the pandemic (again) and my inability to stay focused. Either way, once the mystery was revealed, I was able to hit my stride.

The story alternates between Isobelle’s life in America during and after World War II and her mother Sofiya’s life in Russia during the Russian Revolution. I liked the intertwined plots as I felt as if I was finding things out alongside the characters. I love books with mother/daughter stories as that relationship can be taut with so many emotions. It made me sad that Sofiya’s past was hidden from her daughter, although it made for the basis of the book and the mystery at its heart.

The well-researched history kept me engaged throughout the novel. And of course, the romantic plotlines that developed were a bonus. A few historical events that were mentioned had me doing some extra research as I read such as the first Faberge Egg and Ghost Army of WWII. Learning something new from historical fiction is one of the reasons I love it. Rose’s brand of historical fiction has garnered her a large fan base. She’s got a plethora of books under her belt to check out.

I have read some work by this author in the past and sorry to say, this one isn't one of my favorites. The plot and characters felt rushed, and to be honest I just didn't connect with any of it. I hate to give a bad review, it could just be me.

I am a huge fan of anything Romanov related, so when I saw that this book was available for review on NetGalley, I absolutely jumped at the prospect. The story revolves around two time periods - Sophia's life during the Russian Revolution, and her daughter Isobelle's life following World War II. The story is linked by the tiara referenced in the title of the book. This book explores how different objects can create a new view of our memories and who our lost family members truly were. The book was beautifully thought out and researched, and was complete with mystery and intrigue. I greatly enjoyed the previous release from this author and had been meaning to read more of her work for quite some time now.

I would highly recommend this read. It is cozy, warm, and very touching. It was also a very quick read despite the fact that it was almost 300 pages. If you, like me, enjoy Romanov history and love great historical fiction that is well-researched, this is definitely the book for you.

I loved this story of Sofiya and Isobelle, told via alternating points of view. It was very interesting and suspenseful right until the end! The information about the time periods and the role Jules plays in the story are very informative.

This novel wonderfully evokes two time periods: Russia in the late teens and early twenties and post WW2 America. The timelines follow Sophia and her daughter Isobelle at approximately the same ages in their respective lives. War affects both of them, as do family, romance, and intrigue. Sophia excised all things Russian from her life when she came to America. As a result Isobelle knows very little of her mother's previous life and is unsure how to proceed when she finds a tiara hidden in her mother's bedroom wall a year after her death. The author spins out this multigenerational tale of mystery and tragedy beautifully to a satisfying resolution.

When I started reading The Last Tiara I was convinced that it was a story about the Romanovs, which is a topic I enjoyr reading about tremendously. However, it soon became clear that the two eldest Romanov sisters did appear in the novel as side characters, but they were of no real consequence. Slightly disappointed I did continue, but that disappointment soon disappeared. This book was certainly gripping enough on its own without the addition of the mysteries around the Romanov family.

While reading you constantly learn a little bit more about mother Sofiya and daughter Isobelle. The mysteries around Sofiya’s immigration to the US and the Tiara that Isobelle has found in a niche in the wall are slowly unraveled while also digging into Isoballe’s struggling career as a female architect in the 40s and her difficult romantic life. There’s literally something for everyone in this book and I loved it!

When the publishing date comes around (February 2nd, 2021), I will definitely make sure to get a copy form y own shelev, because this is one of those books I just know I want to own and reread again in the future.

And MJ Rose is back with an intriguing historical fiction novel, The Last Tiara. I have been looking for just the right book to lift my reading spirits this winter and am so happy to have received this ARC. I found the writing to be fantastic and the characters truly absorbing. I have always had an interest in the Russian Czar Nicholas and his family, and felt this book was very well done in that aspect. I found the discovery of the jewels and their story captivating. I highly recommend this book! All opinions are my own.

This was an excellent read - I was gripped from early on in the book and almost couldn't put it down.

Told as two parallel stories that come together at the end: one set in the early 1910's when Sofiya Petrovich was a young nurse in Russia, best friend to the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, training to be a restorer of art at the famous Hermitage, and looking after soldiers wounded in the war at the Winter Palace; the other as Isobelle Moon is making her way in 1948 in Manhattan as one of the few female architects, and trying to sort her feelings out after her mother Sophia died, never having told her about her father or Sophia's life in Russia before she arrived in New York pregnant with Isobelle.

When Isobelle starts renovating her mother's apartment, and finds a hidden silver tiara that has been stripped of its gemstones, she begins a quest to find out who her mother really was, who her father was and how her mother ended up with a tiara that reported was part of the Imperial Jewels of the Romanov family.

I enjoyed the way each story was revealed in small snippets, with the history of the time exposed as we go. Both women are struggling with their respective countries at war, and the effects that has on their citizens.

Several romances, love stories and family dynamics are uncovered along the path, as Isobelle struggles to decide who to trust with her treasure and her information. Some surprising twists are encountered. One 'reveal' towards the end was pretty obvious to me, but didn't spoil the conclusion of the book.

The fact that the book was based on something real, that a Romanov tiara is still missing today, added to my enjoyment of this tale.

I look forward to reading more of M.J. Rose's works.

Following the trend of so many recent historical novels, The Last Tiara has a split timeline--one set in the late 1910's during fall of the Romanovs, the other in the late 1940's after World War II. In the latter timeline, we are introduced to Isobelle, who has recently discovered, in her mother's belongings, a tiara missing all its jewels. The mystery of the tiara leads Isobelle on a journey through her mother's past as she tries to unlock the tiara's secrets. Every alternate chapter provides us with insight into her mother, Sophia's, life story during the last stage of Imperial Russia.

I was more interested in Sophia's story than I was in Isobelle's. I found myself rushing through the 1940's storyline so I could get back to the more interesting chapters about her mother. There's a lot of information about jewels in this book, which will appeal to anyone interested in that subject. The story is decent but not particularly memorable. I enjoy historical fiction, but I'm starting to grow weary of the split narrative device. It's becoming too formulaic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my opinions.

I loved this book from start to end! Reading about Russia and the fall of the Romanov era is my all time favorite topic to read about. The premise is a mother/daughter fled Russia decades ago and when Sophia(mom) suddenly dies, her daughter, Isabelle, realizes there is so much she doesn’t know about her mom, her dad and the events that lead them to America. Finding a tiara with the jewels removed and a “sales slip” lead Isabelle on a hunt to the jeweler for possible answers. I found the book mesmerizing and could not put down-the alternating chapters with past/present and POV is my favorite type of book to read-where information to solve the mystery comes in tidbits of info and I put it together while the character does the same. I even found myself screaming “imposter” at one point and thank goodness the main character heard me! The importance of the tiara found in the wall and the events leading up to the climax were perfection in writing. I was absolutely emotionally invested in these masterfully crafted characters, especially the tiara, and the outcome when the secrets of the past solved the mystery of the present. This book will resonate with me for awhile and will be on my favorite list of 2021!!!

The Last Tiara by M. J. Rose was the first book I have read by this author. It is classified as historical fiction and mystery, but it contained more romance than I expected. I chose this for the historical fiction aspect and Russian setting. I have read a few books about the Romanov family and am intrigued by them, but unfortunately they are only incidental characters.

The book employs the dual narrative that is so common in historical fiction of recent years. The two time periods are 1915-1922 Russia and 1948 New York City. Sofiya Petrovitch is a friend of the Romanov family who helps in a hospital for soldiers in 1915 Petrograd where she meets the love of her life. Meanwhile, her daughter Isobelle is trying to make a career for herself as an architect in New York City in 1948 in a male-dominated field after her mother's death. As Isobelle is renovating the apartment she shared with her mother, she discovers a hidden shelf with a mysterious tiara inside. The jewels are missing, which leads her to the local jeweler, and the mystery takes off from there.

I found the characters to be a little flat, and they were not developed adequately. The tone was melodramatic and the pace was a little slow until it neared the end, during which I found myself rolling my eyes due to the unbelievable circumstances. Despite all that the book was written pretty well, but apparently, I was not the right reader for this book.

I will recommend this to readers who like light romantic suspense set in a historical time period.

I thank Blue Box Press and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

THE LAST TIARA by M. J. Rose is a compelling and moving story of a mother and daughter in post-World War II Manhattan. The story is told in two timelines, 1915-1922 in Petrograd, Russia when Sofiya Petrovich was just a teen and a close family friend of the Romanovs and 1948 when her daughter, Isobelle is one of very few women in the male-dominated world of architecture. The chapters alternate between the voices of Sofiya and Isobelle. Sofiya is now Sophia Moon and she refuses to discuss details of her Russian life with anyone, including Isobelle. When Sophia dies suddenly and tragically one evening, Isobelle is left forever without answers to the many questions she has about her mother’s past. While renovating the apartment she shared with her mother, Isobelle discovers a hidden box containing a stunning silver tiara with holes where its opulent jewels would have been set. A receipt in the box leads her to a well-known New York jeweler she hopes can shed light on the origin of the tiara and how it relates to her mother. As Isobelle researches the treasure she has uncovered, shocking secrets from her mother’s past are gradually revealed. This well-researched and riveting story has the perfect blend of history, mystery and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging story of love and hope and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

The Last Tiara by M.J. Rose is an intriguing, well written historical novel!

At first in 1915 Russia, Sofiya Petrovich and her best friend Grand Duchess Olga Nicolaevna are volunteering in a military hospital. Sofiya meets a soldier at the hospital and they soon fall in love and begin a romance that lasts years even though Russia is in turmoil.

In 1922, Sofiya is pregnant and her father makes the decision to send her to America for her safety and the baby's safety. She leaves for America with few possessions, the most precious being a tiara given to her by her best friend Olga right before her family's fall from Romanov power. Sofiya arrives in America and immediately changes her name to Sofiya Moon and leaves her Russian past behind. She refuses to respond to her daughter's questions about her past life and moves on with her new life.

In 1948, Isobelle Moon, Sofiya's daughter is an architect living in New York City and has moved into the apartment that she shared with her mother. Sofiya has passed away and Isobelle decides to renovate the apartment when she finds the precious tiara hidden in the wall of the bedroom and begins a quest to find out the story of where it came from. From here the chapters alternate between the present and the past as the story of the tiara unfolds and Isobelle discovers her history.

I am a fan of historical fiction and have always found the Romanovs to be an interesting and engaging topic. This story combined engaging fiction and historical facts, a gentle and passionate romance, and a interesting mystery that kept me guessing until the very end! I would recommend this excellent book to anyone who is into reading any of the genre mentioned above!

Thank you NetGalley for providing a ARC and giving me the opportunity to give an honest review!

If you love historical fiction then you will love this book. The author M.J.Rose is able to transport you back in time to allow you to follow two women.
In 1940’s New York City Sophia Moon is about to renovate her mothers bedroom following her death. Whilst doing so she finds hidden the framework of a faberge Tiara. The jewels are no longer there but the receipts for there sale are.
This sets Sophia on a journey to discover more about the tiara and her mothers life growing up in Russia before she arrived in America. In visiting the jewellers she meets Jules the new owner. He falls for Sophia and wants to help her. However, he is torn. He belongs a secret group. ‘The Midas Society’ which aims to reunite treasure with there rightful owners.
The story flips between Sophia and her mother. Sofiya Petrovich in 1915 St Petersburg’s. Sofiya was a friend of the Grand Duchess Olga of the Romanov family. We find out how she came to have the tiara and her life.
This book kept me gripped. I loved the two women in the story. Also how real life events were seamlessly woven into the story

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

This is the story of a young woman who, in renovating her mother's apartment, finds a tiara without its jewels. She wants to find out about the tiara, and how her mother got it, but finds herself in a situation where it seems the tiara may have been stolen. Meanwhile, the book also tells the story of the mother, who grew up friends with the Russian royal daughters.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For a week, I have been trying to read this book and get into it. Finally, I got into it and finished it. The first 1/4 of the book is very slow to me but after that it picks up and I didn't want to put it down.

It goes back and forth between the early 1900's and 1948 & the beginning of 1949. Isobell's mother, Sofia never told her about her past life in Russia. When her mother dies unexpectedly, Isobel is left with questions. Who was her mother, really? Why wouldn't she tell her anything about her life in Russia?

Isobel finds a tiara hidden in a wall of her mom's bedroom. Where did it come from and why would her mother have it? This sets the story off. You learn of how Sofia got the tiara and why through the book going back and forth in time.

Rose had amazing character development. I fell in love with the main characters. Rose's book is a mix of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. There are moments that I thought I knew something only to find out later I was wrong. As I stated earlier, the first 1/4 of the book was slow and I just couldn't get into it. I am glad I continued reading because I ended up enjoying the book.

It will be released February 2, 2021. I recommend you pick it up if you like historical fiction with a mystery and a little romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Rose for the ARC Kindle version. All thoughts and opinions are my own.





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I love historical fiction. This one is a keeper. I know nothing about Russia and its history. I keep meaning to do so but i get side tracked :) (hummm i wonder how). Main characters from the present day were a little cold for me but it was a different time and she did get hurt a few years back. . Lovely story about life, future and past. I really didn't want it to finish.