World War II. New York City. Lily Rose comes from a family of wealth that has certain expectations on her for how her future will unfold, but this isn't what she dreams for herself. She enters a NYC restaurant and is happily working when the men started getting drafted and a large promotion comes her way, but what will happen with the men come home from war? And especially a certain man that Lily Rose is pining for.

I really enjoyed this book as it took a unique look at NYC during World War II. Most books set in this time take place across the pond and the impacts that war had in the countries where the war was being fought, but as the United States became involved, it is interesting to see how home life changed and evolved while men of a certain age left to help fight the fight.

At this point in my reading life, I have read quite a number of World War II books, so I can appreciate when a book takes a different angle and informs me of a different experience during this time period that I have read so much of.

I have read quite a few of Ella Carey's books and I am a fan that is hoping for many more to come!

A great companion read to this one would be one I recently read and reviewed, The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan as it takes a reader into home kitchens in Europe and women are teaching others how to create meals with the rations provided.

I really enjoyed this book though it is a slow burner but once it got going i couldn't put it down and the cover to a point reflects the book.

Ella Carey writes an amazing novel that will entrance you from the very beginning with a beautiful story told in the main character, Lilly Rose’s perspective. This unforgettable novel is based on events during America’s WWII in NYC and told in a frame where Lilly has two lives. I am honored to have read this prior to publication as the novel is a truly inspiring story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature bringing us together. I was so excited to hear that this is Book 1 in Daughters of New York series because the story is not over.

This novel is truly amazing and one I could not put down. Make sure to put it on your must-read list this year. I highly recommend this book to those who love WWII period genre novels. An emotional and utterly unputdownable novel, inspired by true events, about the courage, love and friendships that will see you through war and tragedy. One that reminded me of my late grandparents.

4.5 out of 5

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture & Ella Carey for the opportunity to read this story! It was a breath of fresh air and a different perspective to WWII compared to so many other WWII stories.

Lily Rose wants to be a chef but in the 1930’s, kitchens in New York’s finest restaurants were run by men. And then America joined the war and women began to take the place of men in the work place. With big dreams and cooking as her passion, Lily becomes the head chef at a NYC staple, Valentino’s. She longs to prove herself and in the months leading up to his drafting, she manages to fall in love with her Italian coworker Tom. Her mother, Victoria, has other plans. She insists that her daughter marry a high profile New York socialite and be the daughter she expects her to be. Lily has other plans though. She wants to be brave and independent like her Gram Josie, who she idolizes. Josie is the biggest supporter of Lily’s dreams. Things are great professionally while the boys are away at war but Lily longs for Tom who goes MIA. When the war is over, everything is turned upside down and Lily has some decisions to make....of which I’ll keep you hanging.

I enjoyed this story very much. I couldn’t stand certain characters but the reader was meant to not like them. It was a very different time and place back then. I really enjoyed reading of how restaurants had to adapt to war time, from staffing to rationing...it was all very interesting.

One word of advice...have a snack handy because this story will make you hungry....the food and recipes are very descriptive!!

I really enjoyed this book by Ella! I believe I found my new historical fiction author....... Wow! So beautifully written. And the characters were so engaging.

Lily works in the kitchen of Valentino’s. As war progresses, the men are drafted (including her own beloved) and she rises to Head Chef, staffing the kitchens with women just like herself. But what happens when the fighting stops?

I wanted to read this book as I’m a fan of Ella Carey and I love a good trilogy! This one sets things up nicely for the next instalment, while remaining a good stand alone- just as a trilogy should be.

I particularly liked the character of Josie and loved the descriptions of her home. I was pleased that the book didn’t really focus on the love aspect and instead it was just a small part of the overall story of a woman determined to succeed.

I didn’t completely get Victoria. I felt maybe she needed fleshing out more as her behaviour was very odd and not really explained.

The book is well paced and nicely written- though it will make you hungry with the lovely food descriptions!

I look forward to seeing what happens to Lily next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

This book is a fine example of good historical fiction. It’s extremely well written and tells a interesting and entertaining story. I loved all the food descriptions. You can tell the author really did her research and enjoyed writing this novel. If you are looking for a detailed solid historical novel this one is for you, highly recommend!!!

A NEW YORK SECRET by ELLA CAREY is a WW11 story which shows us how the war affected the inhabitants of New York and how a group of women chefs ran the élite Valentino's restaurant for three years while men were away fighting.
We get a look at the wealthy and fashionable, like Lily Rose's mother, who is such a snob and who tries to manipulate Lily into living a life of ease married to a rich socialite, as opposed to Lily's grandmother and Tom and his family who love Lily for herself.
Both Tom and Lily live to cook. I like to see how Lily makes delicious meals out of the ingredients available during wartime shortages. I also like to see the friendships between those who work so hard together.
It is an interesting book, with quite a bit of social intrigue, and in which we are reminded of what the war is doing to the world, but without graphic descriptions.
It is another way of looking at WW11 and a worthwhile read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

"A New York Secret" by Ella Carey
Release Date: 3.12.2021

Lily Rose lives the perfect life in New York with the love and support of her family, a career she loves, and dreams of running her own kitchen with Tom Morelli, her coworker.

Tom receives his draft telegram; he is going to fight in Italy. Lily is devastated.

Lily looks to her parents for support, and her mother is furious that Lily would even consider someone like Tom. Her mother demands that Lily marry the man her parents chose; if she chooses Tom, Lily loses her family and inheritance.

It was refreshing to see a novel about World War II with the focus in the United States, sharing how women and families fared while their fathers, husbands, and sons were off in Europe. Much research went into this story. I rooted for Lily the whole story, happy she was finally standing up for herself and putting her wants first.


Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #2021bookreleases #historicalfiction #worldwariinovels #2021historicalfictionnovel #anewyorksecret #ellacarey #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleynovels

What a wonderful story, it gripped me from the first page until the last. I loved it. The scheming mother the snobbish friends and the rivalry of the chefs in the restaurant. This book was so good I’m going to read more by this author. I hadn’t heard of her before I read this book but after researching I found out that she has written loads and so I shall read those in the future. This book was set in America during the Second World War so it was perfect for me. I wish I could give it more stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

‘The New York Secret’ is book one of a new trilogy, The Daughters of New York, available this year by renowned author Ella Carey. Inspired by true events, this novel explores the courage, love and friendships that will see one through war and tragedy.

As World War Two rages in Europe, Lily Rose leads a sheltered life of luxury with her wealthy family in a prestigious neighbourhood in New York. Her parents have picked a suitable husband for her and plan on her keeping house and raising children. The problem is two-fold; firstly, Lily doesn’t love Nathaniel and has no intention of marrying him and secondly, Lily wants a career. Her dream job is working uptown as a restaurant chef. As men are being called up for war, Lily is hired at a glitzy upscale restaurant and works her way up to chef. It’s here that she meets the love of her life, Tom Morelli. Disgusted with and embarrassed at their daughter’s choices in life her parents offer her a heartbreaking ultimatum: break up with Tom and leave the restaurant or lose her family and inheritance forever.

In the middle of war, Lily is left in an impossible position. Then Tom receives a devastating telegram that changes everything. The son of Sicilian immigrants, he is drafted to fight in Italy. You’ll have to read this phenomenal book to find out what choice Lily makes and how it impacts the rest of her life.

I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two of Ella Carey’s books in the past few months and loved them, so I was extremely excited to be chosen to review the first book of her new series. The setting of 1942 New York is an exciting time. So much is changing for women as the men head off to war. Carey has written a historically authentic novel where the plot, characters and setting are true to the time. She has so masterfully captured the time period that I believed the story to be real and that the events really happened. This proves that she has captured the essence of storytelling. You’ll be cheering Lily as he finds her inner strength to pursue her passion and gets caught up between her world of glitter and glamour and the harsh reality of a world at war. Next, you’ll be dazzled by a young woman who strives to survive in a world where everything is against her. As you turn over the last page, you’ll be wanting more. Good thing the next two books are due out within the year!

I especially loved all the passages about food! It’s obvious Carey has a passion for food and understands the love that goes in to creating a dish. She had me drooling several times! It was interesting to read about how, as a chef, Lily struggled with wartime rationing and dwindling restaurant staff as the men were called to war.

This is a must-buy on March 12, 2021.

Thank you Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for my honest review.