When Isobelle Moon's mother Sophia dies in 1948, Isobelle soon learns that her mother, a Russian emigree' who came to New York during World War I, has been keeping secrets from her. Isobelle, a female architect struggling to make her mark in a profession that is not particularly welcoming, must balance her professional and personal lives as she tries to discover what her mother has been hiding from her all these years.

Moving easily between post-World War II NYC and revolutionary Russia circa 1915, M. J. Rose's historical novel has mystery, history, and a touch of romance.

Wow! The Last Tiara is a captivating book. I love this story. It is told in two different time lines; one by the mother Sophia Moon (Sofia Petrovitch) who has been secretive about her life in Russia and, the other by her daughter Isobelle. It isn’t until her mother dies and Isobelle decides to renovate her mother’s room she finds the hidden Tiara. It is the Tiara that brings the story of Sophia to life and answers that Isobelle had long for her entire life.

Thank you @NetGalley, @BlueBoxPress @MJRose for the Advance Readers Copy for my honest review

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in return for a fair, frank, and honest review.

This book was my first foray into historical fiction, and I was really unimpressed. I felt that the author spent too much time describing areas, towns, houses, and other people where more time should have been invested into character development. I did not like Sophia at all but felt for Isobelle and the trials and tribulations she is put through and how she deals with her Russian roots and what they mean for her future.

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The first third of the book was not great. None of the characters were all that interesting or sympathetic to start with, and the writing style in the past sections of the book was tough to read. I never got into the relationship between Sofiya and Carpathian. This is why I didn't give the book 4 stars. However, it picked up significantly in the middle and the end was FANTASTIC. I loved the details about hunting down information about the tiara in DC, the action packed ending, and Isobelle's relationship with Jules. Overall, it was a great read, if a little slow to start.

Two women going down two seemingly different paths, one tale told from the past, the other a little first down the road, each path parallel each other, eventually becoming interwoven into a bittersweet tapestry of heartbreak, loss, and love. And it all links to one thing: a tiara.

It's a premise that had me instantly intrigued, and for the most part The Last Tiara held my attention, but there were several things that bothered me about this novel, particularly the scenes of intimacy. I'm one to use my imagination in those instances of intimacy, and prefer fade-out scenes or language that alludes to what transpires, and do not necessarily care to hear details, so when the moments in this novel got graphic for me I skipped ahead. I understand that intimacy is a given, especially given the timeline, but it made me very uncomfortable, and really brought down the novel as a whole in my mind.

There was also quite a bit of repetitiveness that started to feel tired, and I really struggled to connect with several of the characters, the reason why still unknown in my mind. All the men were fairly self-assured, but all the women came across as insecure, immature, and overly emotional which frustrated me to no end. Don't get me wrong, these traits aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves, especially if there is some form of growth that comes from a life lesson, but I didn't feel any depth or change whatsoever. You would think there would be at least one strong female, but sadly none stood out to me, and this is another point that broke my heart.

What did redeem this novel for me was the historical details, which were masterfully integrated and you can tell were meticulously researched. Honestly, without this fact, I don't think I would've rated it as high as I did. Other than the history, the only other thing that kept me reading was the overall mystery of the tiara. How could I not read on and find out the whole story behind it??

As far as the ending, I was pretty pleased, especially with the twist, which was a pleasant addition, even though I did have a feeling it was coming. I've heard from some readers that the dual timeline was a bit bothersome for them, but it didn't bother me a bit, and felt like it added a layer of dimension that was much needed. I also enjoyed the author's writing style, as well as her talent for capturing the readers imagination, I just wish the emotional relationships could've felt more developed, the intimacy could've been toned down, and that I could've better connected with the characters.

A very enjoyable dual time period historical novel. In 1948 New York City, Isobelle is still mourning the death of her mother who was always hesitant to talk about her past in Russia, when she discovers the empty frame of a tiara hidden in the wall of their apartment which leads her on a quest to find out more about the tiara and her mother’s life. Her chapters alternate with those of Sofia in Russia during WWI, the Bolshevik revolution, and after, as she goes from being friends with the Tsar’s daughters to a volunteer nurse to trying to get by during tough times. There’s history, a little mystery, and some romance in both time frames, and an enjoyable story throughout. I have never read MJ Rose’s older series, but I enjoyed her last two standalone books, and I enjoyed this one even more. Fans of authors such as Beatriz Williams, Lucinda Riley, and Sarah Jio would enjoy this one.

I will always pick up a piece of historical fiction that involves switching back and forth between two different characters and timelines. However, I usually prefer one character/timeline over the other. This book is one of those rare cases where I was equally invested in both. I enjoyed every page of this book and even audibly gasped multiple times when various twists were revealed. If you like historical fiction, especially historical fiction about the Russian revolution, then I highly recommend reading this one.

The cover is very striking and makes me think of a fantasy book.
Beautifully blended work of history,mystery and romance.
Dual story line connecting a mother and daughter. Set during the Russian Revolution and 1940's post war New York. The story revolves around a hidden tiara and the secrets her mother kept .
The writing is vivid and very descriptive and I found the book hard to put down.


Pub Date 02 Feb 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A dual-POV historical fiction mystery that jumps between a daughter in post-WWII America and her mother in revolution-era Russia. Both POVs are easy to connect with though I will say I gravitated more to the daughter's of the two. The love interest has his own subtleties as well which is good when compared to many that aren't built out as their own characters.

I enjoyed the writing immensely, as I always do with this author. I did find it a bit different than Rose's typically more luxurious style but that's not a bad thing though. The pacing in this one is also quicker which suits the plot well. The ending was satisfying and sweet. Overall, a wonderful read that I'd suggest to anyone interested in historical fiction.

Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

Sophia's past was almost unknown to her daughter. Other than the fact that she escaped almost at the very end, arriving in New York and joining Aunt Lana her daughter Isobelle knows very little.

When Sophia dies suddenly in a freak accident, Isobelle is left grappling with her absence. Turning to refurbishing the apartment she lives in, Isobelle discovers hidden niches containing clues to her mother's past.

The story is told in two time lines - that of Sophia and her Russian past and the New York present and then her daughter Isobelle's present. Isobelle is at a cross roads professionally - being a female architect in 1948 New York was no easy task, especially dealing with a male chauvinist like her boss, who uses her one lapse as blackmail against her. Isobelle despairs of ever finding love and building a strong relationship and she also hankers to know more about her father. The subject of her father was a taboo subject and no amount of persuasion could get Sophia to talk on the subject.

With the discovery of the frame of the tiara, Isobelle goes to the jeweller who handled the transaction and slowly layer upon layer is uncovered of her family's history - the so traumatic past and how her father was betrayed by his own. The world of famous jewellers is also part of this story - albeit small but intriguing.

Several strands from the past - not just personal to Sophia but also history of the Tsars and the Revolution are woven together bringing it to present times very satisfactorily.

The Last Tiara is historical fiction set around a tiara. The piece was supposedly ordered by Czar Nicholas and created by Faberge as a final gift to the Grand Duchess Olga.

Isobelle Moon is a young architect, living in New York City with her mother, Sofia Moon. After Sofia passes away after a freakish accident, Isobelle begins demolition prior to redecorating the apartment. Hidden inside a wall in her mother's bedroom, Isobelle finds the skeleton of a tiara with all the gems removed. In another wall, she finds the business card of a jeweller, and becomes obsessed with discovering the history of the tiara.

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this title to anyone who loves historical fiction.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#TheLastTiara#NetGalley

Perfect blend of mystery, history and romance. This split time novel focuses on Isabelle's discovery of a family heirloom and the journey it takes her on as she uncovers secrets of the past. While I enjoyed their stories, I did not quite feel a connection with either Isabelle or her mother, Sophie. It was the mystery surrounding the tiara and its rather surprising ending that kept me turning the pages, lost in the world of the art and jewels that disappeared during the Russian Revolution and WWI. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and a love for stories surrounding the Romanov family.

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

This gem is absolutely striking from beginning to end. What a journey to take with this mystery filled historical fiction that will pull you in as you travel back in time with this piece.

This was a fun trip discovering Isobelle's Russian roots with the tiara and the secrets or mystery that she has to discover after her mother's death.

I loved the Russian history and it made so curious that I continued my research after I finished this book.

Thank you so much for the ARC.

This was a wonderfully done story of Sophia and her daughter Isobelle and Isobelle's search for clues of her mother's former life.
It is a dual plotline story of Sofiya in 1920's Russia and Isobelle in 1940's post WWII NYC. Sofiya was close to the Russian Grand Duchesses and attended many of their balls because her mother was their art teacher. Sofiya works in a hospital in WWI and meets several soldiers that she allows to become close to her. One soldier has amnesia and she helps him remember who he is. He wants her to remain a part of his life even though he was previously married in the other life he lived.

Isobelle has just lost her mother after an unfortunate accident and she decides to remodel their apartment only to discover something very unexpected from her mother's past.

This story has a little romance, some Russian history as well as some mystery thrown in. It was a well done story that held my interest until the end.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review

This meticulously detailed story weaves the history of a mother and daughter through two different timelines, by alternating narrators. This can be tricky for an author to pull off.

MJ Rose traveled back and forth between the last days of the Romanov Empire and Post WWII New York City seamlessly

1915 Petrograd: Young Sofiya Petrovich works as a nurse, alongside her best friend the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia tending to wounded soldiers when the Winter Palace was turned into a makeshift household. She falls in love with an “unknown” soldier suffering from amnesia.

1940s New York: Isobelle Moon knew she wanted to be an architect the day she visited her Uncle Paul at the construction site of the Empire State Building. For a woman in a “man’s world”, earning respect from her peers is bitterly impossible.

Following her mother’s sudden and mysterious death, Isobelle throws herself into the task of remodeling the apartment they shared. When the skeletal remains of a gemless tiara is found in the wall of her bedroom, so many unanswered questions loom before her. Sofiya Petrovich, later Sofia Moon, never discussed the past. So many details of their life, her father, and Russia are unknown to Isobelle.

Desperate to uncover the story behind the mysterious tiara, Isobelle is increasingly frustrated and angry about all the things she doesn’t know. Who was her father? Why did her mother refuse to discuss the past?

This glimpse into the last days of the Romanov Empire was well written. I like how the author centered the story around the still missing Romanov Tiara to create a wonderful version of where it ended up. I would have enjoyed Sofia’s character being developed more into this story; to read more about her life in New York. I sympathized with Isobelle and her desire for answers that she may never have. At times her insecurities around her boyfriend seemed childish and annoyingly like a teenager with a crush.

@mjroseauthor @netgalley #blueboxpress

In 1915 Russia, Sofiya Moon volunteers to assist wounded soldiers at a makeshift hospital in the St. Petersburg Winter Palace. When she meets a wounded soldier, they fall in love, but he has no memory. When he remembers working for the House of Fabergé, they head there to get some answers as to who he was.

In 1948 New York, Isobelle Moon finds a tiara hidden in the apartment she shared with her late mother, Sofiya. She begins to research it to try to get a better understanding of who her parents were. Isobelle meets a young jeweler who also wants to find out the origins of the tiara, but for his own personal reasons.

The Last Tiara by M.J. Rose is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. Told from two perspectives, I really enjoyed both Sofiya’s and Isobelle’s journeys. I loved the dual timelines, and I enjoyed trying to figure out how their stories would come together. The premise of this book was wonderful. I loved learning about the historical aspects, but at times, they could be a little hard to follow. I cannot say much more without giving the story away so I’ll just say that I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review. I actually decided to listen to the audiobook, and I’m glad I did. Tavia Gilbert beautifully narrated it.

I LOVE historical fiction and this one was no exception! Though the story was captivating and I loved the characters, the pacing or maybe the writing style was a little off so it could have been more engaging, but ultimately I still enjoyed the story.

This is such a outstanding read that I highly recommend for all that love historical fiction. The author has crafted her charcters and story so well to each timeline that she transports the reader to her world. The story is told from the two timelines of 1915 Russia and 1948 post war New York. I loved the atmospheric descriptions and the rich charcters.

The story is centered around two strong woman protagonists. Sonia, a restorer of art and furniture. Sophia was friends with Russian royalty one of whom gave her a precious tiara. The tiara is the focus of the story when Sophia finds it stripped of jewels leading her on a quest to answer unknown questions about her Mother. At the core of the story is the Mother daughter relationship, romances and lives lived well in their time.

A rich story well crafted to each time line and enjoyable to conclusion. I loved this book and hope to read more by this author.