I have loved Ruth Hogan’s books since I read “Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel,” so I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to read an ARC of her latest novel, “The Moon, the Stars and Madame Burova.” This novel, as in her previous ones, is full of delightfully quirky characters and a fascinating plot.

The novel alternates between two timelines: the present and 1972/1973. In the present, upon the death of her father, Billie receives a letter from her father sent to her by her father’s solicitor, which reveals that Billie was adopted. Shortly thereafter, the solicitor forwarded Billie a second letter from a stranger named Imelda Burova informing Billie that she had information to share that would benefit Billie and invited Billie to meet her in Brighton.

The 1972/1973 timeline focuses on Imelda Burova as a young woman making her living as a “Tarot Reader, Palmist and Clairvoyant”in a booth at Brighton Beach, following in her mother’s and grandmother’s Romany footsteps. Also in this timeline, several interesting characters are revealed, most of whom were seasonal entertainers at Larkins Holiday Park.

When Billie meets Imelda, Imelda shows Billie a photo of the entertainers taken at Larkins during the 1972/1973 season and tells her that one of them is her father, but Imelda doesn’t know who he is. Imelda will not reveal the name of Billie’s mother because she wished her identity to remain a secret.

The book is devoted to Billie’s quest to discover the identity of her birth parents, during which she befriends an intriguing cast of characters, whose actions during that fateful 1972/1973 timeline are explored in alternating chapters, providing tantalizing clues. This book will appeal to readers like me that enjoy a story populated by quirky, endearing characters. I loved the characters so much, I was sad for the book to end! To me this is a true testament to a book’s appeal.

thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for the arc of this book! This was a beautiful book. I loved The keeper of Lost Things, so I was okay with the slow buildup to the story - I was sure that the multiple stories and character-building would pay off in the end. The characters were great, and I was invested in them and their lives, both past and present. The writing drew me in as I knew it would and the story was intriguing because there was so much going on. I *might* have teared up at the ending. Thank you Ruth Hogan for writing such a great book.

This was an enjoyable read with an endless supply of quirky characters. While I know next to nothing about tarot cards, you could tell that the author took the subject and readings seriously (and did mention at the end of the novel that it was her goal to do so).

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big fan of Ruth Hogan’s character driven books. How can she create so many memorable deeply layered, vivid, realistic characters with extremely interesting back stories? Sometimes reading them make me forget the center of the story but it’s worth it! She’s quiet meticulous
story-teller takes us to fulfilled journeys at different time zones.

This time I had a little hard time to concentrate on my main story because I’d enjoyed to read multiple characters’ adventures ( Vivien, Cillian, Clive, Henry, Treasure etc.) which entertained me a lot even though I should have kept my focus on Madame Burova and Billie.

Let’s focus on the plot line: this book intercepts two different time zones and multiple deliciously enjoyable characters. One of is taken place in 70’s Brighton, as the other one is taken place in present time’s London.

In 70’s Brighton, we’re introduced to Imelda Burova, an eccentric tarot reader, clairvoyant, palm reader, who is ready to get retired after 50 years. She’s keeper of secrets. What happens in her tent stays in tent located in Brighton seafront. But something is bothering her for a long time: an envelope she keeps in her box of the secrets should be delivered to its recipient.

In the present time, we’re introduced to Billie, suffering from her losses including her job, her husband and now she loses her father which brings out a big secret makes her question her own identity. To answer her piling up questions, she follows the traces and her path crosses with Imelda who may be the only one can give her the ugly truth.

There are so many realistic and lovely character portraits drawn you into this story and enjoy the each chapter. Billie was my favorite! I loved to see her self growth and the way she finds her own voice and inner power!

It’s always pleasure to read a new novel of Ms Hogan and I’m looking forward to read the new ones in near future!

Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House/ William Morrow Paperbacks for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I am a huge Ruth Hogan fan and The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova was everything I hoped for and expected - beautiful prose and a dash of magic.

The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan is a great dual timeline novel that was so engaging, unique, and a narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This wonderful and vivid narrative weaves a tale of mystery, love, loss, family, acceptance, forgiveness, and second chances. Interlocking two different story lines, present-day and 1970s, the reader gets to go along for the ride as the author slowly reveals the mystery, suspense, and answers the questions that are presented that surround the lives of two women, separated by location, occupation, and circumstances. One would think that neither woman could possibly have anything in common, however, we find a common thread tying them both together. The author then takes us on this journey of revelation and realization.

I loved this concept and the way the author was able to bring together Madame Imelda Burova and Billie, both flawed and wounded in their own ways, both experiencing their own losses, mistakes, hopes, and relationships.

The complexity of the characters as well as the story itself really kept me engaged and drew me in. I also really enjoyed the how it progressed and how it all ended up. There were moments of cheeky dialogue, moments of sadness and heartbreak, and moments that I found myself smiling with the heartwarming aspects that really made the book the treasure that it is.

A fantastic novel that really hit home.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow and Custom House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan was an okay read. I enjoyed it, but hard time staying interested in the prose.

I absolutely adored Ruth Hogan’s novel, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, so I was quite eager to read The Moon, The Stars and Madame Burova.

Around the plot, Ms. Hogan looks at some emotionally resonant issues. These include identity, race, the nature of love, how to treat others and also how to treat one’s self. All is skillfully done and is not too heavy handed.

Madame Burova’s mother, Shunty Mae, was a reader of tarot cards, palms and crystal balls. Her daughter, Imelda (aka Madam B) has taken on her mother’s vardo and profession. She is very good at it and her booth becomes a confessional for many. In the present, Imelda Burova is considering retirement; in the past she led an active life.

Imelda spent time at Larkin’s, a family holiday camp, when she was a young woman. There were many people and acts there. Imelda was close to Jeannie, a talented young singer and to Cillian Burke, a man who was of great importance to her. Readers will find out how Cillian influenced the title of the novel. Also at the camp is Vivienne; she wants Cillian and is used to taking whatever she feels that she needs.

In the present, Billie’s parents have recently died. She finds something out in a note that her father left her. This leads her to connect with Imelda and connect they do! In the present, Imelda offers Billie some answers and all the wonderful aspects of the kind of person she is. Readers will root for both of them.

This book is not a cliffhanger. It is a slow-ish read that I enjoyed and recommend. Not quite as good as Sally but very good nonetheless.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Imelda Burova is hanging up her crystal ball and tarot cards, after a lifetime of readings on the Brighton seafront. She has spent years telling other’s fortunes and keeping their secrets. Imelda is now ready to discover who she is outside of her fortune telling. But before she can be fully done with her past, she needs to share a couple of secrets from her past, a time in 1973 when she and her friends were young and carefree.
At the same time, Billie is also making a fresh start. Her marriage has recently ended, her university job is no more and her parents have both recently died. Billie is starting to figure out what is next when she receives a letter from her father’s solicitor. Suddenly life is even more up in the air. In a search for answers Billie is brought to Madame Burova's door. With the past and present intermingling in the story, the secrets will be revealed.

Usually, I love the books that go between two times to unravel a story, but this one just didn’t grab me like I wished it would. I am not sure if it was the book itself, or just my mood while reading this book. The story is interesting and honestly until the end I didn’t have it all figured out, which is always refreshing. The characters are definitely loveable and the reader will connect with them.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Ruth Hogan wins again with this romantic, magical novel that surrounds Imelda Burova, a fortune teller who keeps confidential the secrets she learns from her clients. After her retirement, she realizes it is time for her to keep the promise she made by getting in touch with a woman who has no idea she was ever adopted. Imelda was associated with the mother. But mystery of who the father was has haunted her for decades. As Hogan does, the story flashes back to the 1970s when Imelda and the other entertainers at Larkin's had a colorful time.

Imelda is such a lovable character. I grew teary at the end when all was revealed.

I love the covers of Ruth Hogan's books. They are always so elegant and beautiful. I immensely enjoyed her novel Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel and was very excited to read this newest novel. The premise of a fortune teller and the inclusion of magical elements was exciting! I was hooked as a I read the "prologue" (it's not actually labeled as a prologue but it's before chapter 1). However, the story changes POV quite often and there is no indication of whose POV it is. You just have to figure it out as you read. I found this a little distracting and made it a little difficult for me to stay engaged in the story. If you can get past that minor issue, the novel is full of emotional story telling and a magical ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.