I read this book in one day!
Gaynor and Webb have found a partnership that works! This book is so endearing. It captures so many emotions. While this is not a book that fits what many would define as a "typical" historical fiction novel, it identifies with so many experiences of the past that often get swept to the side amidst larger events. Estranged sisters must learn to set their differences aside so that they may fulfill their grandmother's dying wish. As the tensions of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy increase, the girls embark on their journey. Gaynor and Webb immerse the reader in the splendor of the Queen Mary and the Orient Express. The girls uncover family stories and secrets while also uncovering more about themselves and each other. Each discover their own worth and that impacts their relationship with each other and those they surround themselves with. A momentous ending that will leave readers with all the feels. LOVED it!

I received an advance copy of this title via NetGalley.

Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb have become a dynamic duo of Historical Fiction! Three Words for Goodbye is their latest collaboration, and I was completely engrossed from beginning to end. Set in 1937, Clara and Madeleine are sisters who are a bit estranged, and as different as two sisters could possibly be! But they must set aside their issues with each other when their grandmother asks them to go to Europe on her behalf, to make peace with her past, and hopefully to help them become close again. Clara and Madeleine were each extraordinary characters, individuals trying to discover who they are, and what they truly want, at a time when everything around them is changing. Each leg of their journey leads to another adventure, another discovery, another chance for them to accept each other for who they are. Their trip to Europe also highlights the dichotomy of the elegance and beauty of Paris, Venice, and Vienna amidst the undercurrents of a world on the brink of war. I came to care for both sisters so much that my heart was racing, my emotions on a wild roller coaster of hope and worry! I'm not sure what these two wonderful authors will join forces on next, but you can bet I will be first in line to read it!

Pub Date: July 27, 2021
I was lucky to win a physical ARC from Goodreads and also a digital ARC from NetGalley. I love Historical Fiction and Three Words for Goodbye is the perfect example of this genre. This novel hit it out of the park! The story is brought out from the beginning with stories within. There is no lull in this story and it was hard to put down. Preorder this one ASAP!

NetGalley gave me a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this novel by Gaynor and Webb. They do a tremendous job of writing so that the reader is enveloped in the story and landscape. Maddie and Clara, 2 sisters who have been estranged for over a year, are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from their grandmother, Violet. She has unfinished business in Europe and wants the girls to handle it for her. In return, she will pay for ALL the expenses: lodging, food, travel, etc. and instructions within letters that the girls must follow. Violet traveled 40 years ago on an adventure inspired by Nellie Bly (be still my adventure loving heart!) and Violet needs the girls to help her say goodbye. Violet hopes that this trip will help the girls reconcile.
Maddie and Clara couldn't be more different: Clara grudgingly agrees to go on the trip so that she can hurry up and marry her fiancé (who is spying on her throughout the trip!) while Maddie is a journalist who wants to make a name for herself. The girls wonder throughout the trip if they will be able to complete it, given their own dilemmas, the growing political unrest in Europe, and the uncertainty of everything around them. An explosive family secret comes to light (no spoilers!) and it draws the two sisters together. As they prepare to return home on the Hindenburg, fate seems to potentially have other plans for these girls.
I love how Gaynor and Webb pull in so many well-recognized names and places throughout this novel. The Orient Express, the Hindenburg, Hitler, Mussolini, and sights throughout France and Italy are all richly brought to life. This was a wonderful read.

A moving story about what it means to be a sister through good times and bad. And how regardless of the paths taken throughout life, the bond between sisters remains strong. Set in the pre-WWII time period of 1937, Three Words for Goodbye follows the story of Clara and Maddie, two sisters who were very close as children but had grown apart as each has sought to find her place in the world as an adult. After not speaking for a year, Clara and Maddie are sent on the European trip by their dying grandmother who asks them to deliver three letters, her goodbyes, to certain people. From beautiful Paris, serene Venice and then on to Vienna where the ugly Nazi foothold is already underway, Clara and Maddie learn learn not only about their grandmother’s history, but what it means deep down to really be a sister. The characters are so realistic and the settings are beautifully detailed. It is a must read for sisters everywhere.

Two sisters are sent on a trip by their beloved Grandmother. They travel overseas on the Queen Mary to discover past lives of their grandmother, Violet. Along the way, the sisters, who have had a bit of a rocky relationship, discover not only the places of their grandmother's heart, but their own. A nice read by an author known for writing historical fiction about strong women.

This is a story of : hopes and desires, expectations and secrets, love, forgiveness, and the unbearable bond and connection of sisters. A beautifully written story with a purpose. I loved every page and didn’t want it to end.

The characters in this novel are unforgettable and the three strong narrators lend their voices to a story that will forever be in my heart. Violet- an old woman who is on her deathbed. She was adventurous in her youth, embraced travel, and loved hard. She knows that there are three people in her long life that she must embrace and tell her feelings to: her husband, a man she met in Venice, and her sister. Violet has told stories of her adventures to her granddaughters Clara and Madeline and knows that because of what these goodbyes hold, only they can deliver the messages and must do it TOGETHER. Clara is a sensible, well dressed, elegant girl who is engaged and has always done what is expected. She is a talented painter and wishes that Charles, her fiancé, would understand it’s not just a hobby. Madeline free spirited, wild, independent, and at the root looking for acceptance. These two sisters are different and fractured but they both hold a love for their Grandmother and will embark on this journey for her.

This is a book of learning about those you love, following your heart, never losing yourself, forgiveness, understanding and just what it means to be a sister

Coming in July- this is one that I will recommend to anyone who has a sister, has a dream, and who has hope.

Thank you to the authors, the publisher, netgalley for the advanced read.

I was lucky enough to read this with my chosen sister @mutti2girls I’m lucky to have her in my life. And know this story was written by two authors who are sisters at heart. Absolutely breathtaking @msheatherwebb @hazelgaynor

I really loved this book, I love to travel, and have been to the cities in this book, so it was fun to experience them again. And I think any woman with a sister, or even a long-term female friend, can appreciate the ups and downs in that type of relationship. This book was heartfelt, interesting, had a little romance, family drama, themes of female strength and independence, and two great MC's that you get to know and care for.

As a fan of historical fiction, I have long been drawn to Hazel gGaynor's books and was delighted to have a chance to read this one. It does not disappoint. the characters are engaging and well developed and the setting feels very real and evocative. Recommended!

First and foremost, historical fiction is my favorite genre and I would say I am rather picky when reviewing books in that area. I have read both Gaynor and Webb and before and once again I am not disappointed and the knocked it out of the park. I love stories about families especially when they have drama and this was just a beautiful novel and solid work!

The year 1937...two sisters who were estranged agreed to a request from their dying grandmother, Violet. Neither Madeline or Clara, despite their differences and estrangement, could deny their grandmother. A 3 month trip to Europe...Paris, Venice and Vienna to deliver goodbye messages for Violet and make her life full circle. Madeline was a would be journalist who saw things through a different vision than her sister. Clara was an artist, she was engaged and lived in a world of society. Both women took this trip not knowing what the outcome of their relationship would be...head strong in different ways, independent in thoughts, would their relationship shatter or become stronger? This is not your typical WWII story, we see it in 1937 when Europe is going through the beginnings of what is to come. The journey takes us to 3 amazing cities viewed through the eyes of two different women, giving us a new perspective of what was to become WWII. Written by the amazing Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, you couldn't ask for better! For me it was an emotional rollercoaster that started from the very first page and kept me glued to the end...loved it. My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

PUB DATE: 7.27.21 Thank you to and William Morrow for the advanced copy of 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝗪𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐁𝐘𝐄. 

𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄: At the bequest of an ailing grandmother, estranged sisters are sent on a trip to deliver 3 letters to Paris, Venice and Vienna in 1937.
 
My wanderlust is still on pause, so this hit a sweet spot.  I allowed myself to be carried away with them as they explored bustling cities, dined on local cuisine and met captivating strangers.  

I loved how the story was propelled through the eyes of both Clara and Madeline. The story and writing were easy to get lost in.  Their path to unfurling family secrets and reconnecting as sisters was intriguing enough to forgive any shortcomings.

Plus- right from the beginning you know that they are scheduled to return via the Hindenburg. I thought I knew how it would end, but . . .

Maddie and Clara are sisters who stay at odds with each other. Clara, being elder, has always tried to boss Maddie around, but Maddie has her own mind. It's been a while since the two of them have had much interaction. Their grandmother, Violet, has some unfinished business and wants the two girls to go to Europe and finish it on her behalf. She has paid for all of their transportation, lodging, and food, while giving them time to experience the beauties that Europe has to offer. She has supplied them with letters instructing them what she needs them to do for her. She knows her time on earth is short and wants nothing left to chance. Violet knows first-hand how important sisters are and that forgiveness is the only cure for estrangement.

Clara is engaged to be married to a man who has hired someone to surreptitiously spy on them and report back to him. He is a business mogul who wants pretty arm-candy that he can control and mold into the perfect little homemaker. I'm sorry--I wasn't using my inside voice on that last statement. He's a rather despicable little character who doesn't understand his fiancee at all. He sends her gifts along the way that show he has no idea who she really is. Even the engagement ring he gave her is not one she likes.

Maddie is an aspiring journalist who has a serious dislike for Clara's intended. She knows that he's not above running rough-shod over people to further his business. Maddie is also a woman who lives by her own rules and doesn't care who knows it.

Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb have collaborated on this entertaining novel that captures the readers from the very beginning and doesn't release them until long after they have finished the book. The characters who populate the story are relatable and believable. The settings are beyond imagination and the intrigue is just enough to carry the story through. These ladies have used actual historical events to give color and interest to the narrative. The time period of the novel is one of the darkest eras in modern history.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a trip through Europe to say "good bye."

William Morrow and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This book was amazingly well written and such a beautiful story about sisters and the strength of that relationship. I loved how this had two extreme examples of sisters who spent so long with no reconciliation, and two that saved themselves from that same fate.

Both characters had full personalities and depth and I enjoyed reading each perspective so much. The story line was very fluid and really felt that there were no loose ends. The situations that occurred had meaning and I felt that all of the little things brought the story full circle.

Now I HAVE to go out and read more by these authors because I was blown away.

This book was so very good! I couldn’t put it down!
Maddie and Clara are sisters and so different. They travel to Europe to take three letters for their Grandmother. Along the way they change, grow and learn what they really want.
From the beginning of the book I liked one sister more than the other. By the end of the book I was rooting for them both.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb have written a story that holds us in it’s grip to the very last page. A dying grandmother sends her two granddaughters on a trip to Europe to deliver three very important letters to help reconcile her past as well as reveal her own personal history. She also uses this opportunity to bring her two estranged granddaughters together as they embark on their journey. The time period being just before the Second World War allows us to experience the unrest in Europe. The two sisters are as different as can be but through their travels they find a deeper understanding of life and women’s role in society with Nellie Bly being an important role model. Their return from Europe on the Hindenburg adds a tense element to the end of the book. Well written and not to be missed! I am looking forward to more books from this dynamic duo! #ThreeWordsForGoodbye #HazelGaynor #HeatherWebb #NetGalley

I loved THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE by the dynamic duo Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.

The story is set in 1937, a volatile time in history as Hitler consolidated power. Against this backdrop, two sisters in New York are asked by their dying grandmother to deliver three letters across Europe as her final farewell. They’re tasked with traveling to Paris, Venice and Vienna via the Queen Mary and the Orient Express — a “hardship” I’d take on gladly!

But the Sommers sisters — Clara, an artist, and Madeleine, a journalist — have been estranged, and discover explosive family secrets along the way. What’s more, they’re slated to take the ill-fated Hindenburg home.

I will not spoil this gripping story, except to say that if you love historical fiction, if you remain riveted by Europe before the war, you MUST read THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE. Out July 27.

5 of 5 Stars
#ThreeWordsforGoodbye #NetGalley

Thanks to the authors, William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

I really enjoyed this historical book! My first from these authors, and I am looking forward to checking out their other works.

Estranged sisters, Clara and Madeline, are sent on a world traveling trip by their grandmother, Violet, as one of her final requests. She has 3 letters to be delivered to three people in her past, a final goodbye. The trip starts out rocky, but the adventures and experiences the girls share brings them back together. Madeline is a hopeful journalist and Clara is an artist. It was interesting to follow their dual stories to see how they each viewed their journey. The writing is beautiful - you feel like you are on the journey with them. There are surprises along the way, some heartbreak, a new love, a new family and lots of adventure. The girls finish their mission, delivering the three letters - the three goodbyes and head for home. But their adventure isn't over just yet!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book in return for my opinion.

In Three Words for Goodbye, we follow the story and the journey of two sisters, Clara and Madeleine, as they travel through Europe to deliver goodbye messages for their dying Grandmother. I loved that their adventure took place during 1937 as tensions were on the rise due to the rising threat of Hitler and the war.

Even better, we got to see it through both Maddie and Clara’s perspectives. I enjoyed the fact that they were two very different people, and their often tumultuous relationship felt relatable for someone with a sister of mine own. This was an incredibly moving story as we watched each sister experience their own set of ups and downs on their journey of self-discovery. It was easy to feel and relate to their feelings and there were plenty of moments in this book that had me laughing as well as tearing up. It also had me incredibly anxious as I neared the end knowing that they would be taking the ill-fated Hindenburg after coming to care for them so much.

This book also made me feel like I was exploring these countries and cities with them, but at the same time made me crave going there to see it all for myself. This truly was a great book that was easy to get lost in. I really did love it and would definitely recommend it, especially to those with a sister.

A special thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.