Quick and Dirty⁣
-intergenerational saga⁣
-female-focused fiction⁣
-multiple POVs and changing timelines⁣
-mystery, secrets, and lies⁣
⁣
Musings⁣
While I enjoy a good Russian novel as much as anyone, this one was a challenge at times. It's a great read, suspenseful, and highly intricate. At its heart, the book is a mystery novel. But there is also a love story at the core of the novel that reminded me of Anna Karenina and Dr. Zhivago, both of which the author references in her author's notes. I enjoyed being swept away in the story of this complex family living in an even more complex time in Russian history. That being said, it felt like A LOT! There were lots of characters, timeline/POV changes, name changes, political changes, etc. I know that's the point, but it felt like I needed to be taking notes at times. I don't feel like this book is well-suited for audio readers, and I feel like it's probably a better physical/e-reader experience. It's not a book you can put on and do things like cook/clean/etc; I found myself needing to dedicate my full attention to keeping track of what was going on every time I listened, which was not the case when I transitioned to the physical book. I also wanted more of the Pre-Revolution period. To me, it felt kinda rushed in the beginning, which may make it hard for some readers to truly appreciate how significant the change was for Tonya. Anyone interested in family drama/sagas and/or Russian history will probably really love this novel. Overall, it's a good book for the right reader!

Ugh this book.

This book is a combination of romance, historical fiction, mystery, and paranormal fantasy. There was way too much going on and it took until at least 50% for me to even get into the book.

Rosie, aka Raisa, decides to return to Russia after the death of her mother to try to find out who killed her father and sister 14 years prior. This story alternates with Tonya in 1917 during the Russian revolution who is in love with a Bolshevik.

The writing for this story dragged and there was so much going on that it was hard to connect to anyone. The first half of Tonya’s story was all a love story. Then it would jump back to Rosie who was in Russia trying to solve the mystery. I was annoyed because I was more intrigued by the mystery/present day but when it went back to the past it didn’t feel like we were learning anything to help move that storyline forward. And when we finally did get to the mystery being solved, it wasn’t?

The entire historical story is based around Tonya’s romance and I never connected with it. I didn’t understand why she kept putting herself in danger over and over again for the man she loved when it seemed like he wasn’t worth it. There also was a love story in the present day that felt like it came out of no where and was unnecessary.

Add in the random kind of sort of haunting that only appeared when it was convenient to move the story forward and you had a lazy story that was confusing and poorly written.

I truly cannot find a single positive thing to say about this book. It took me forever to get through and I would’ve given up on it had it not been for review. The second half of the book was definitely better than the first and the only reason this didn’t become a one star review.

*3.5 stars*

This was a beautifully written debut novel and I was so impressed by the writing. I didn't know much about Russian history prior, but it was so fascinating learning about Russian history in the last 100 years. The characters were so multi-faceted and realistic and I flew through this book quickly as a result.

However, towards the back half of the novel, I lost steam, and things got a bit twisted and the ending felt a little outlandish to me. I honestly had to read a few parts over again because the intertwining stories and timelines got confusing at the end. However, I'm still glad I read this. It was dark, haunting, and rich with history - and I feel like I have a whole new appreciation for those who went through the Russian Civil War.

Things I enjoyed:
-The characterization, especially of Rosie, her mother, and Tanya. all three characters were fully realized, which is especially hard to do in a dual-timeline format.
-The elements of Russian folklore woven throughout the book
-The slow way the stories bound together
-The sense of atmosphere Loesch creates in both 1917 and 1990s Russia. It's a unique look into two time periods of immense and rapid change.
-The emotional depth of the story.

It is slower moving, but I think readers of deep, historical fiction and atmospheric writing will enjoy it!

This book is a historical fiction that is a dual timeline, 1917 and 1991. It is about a woman named Rosie who is trying to find out more about her history after her mother dies. The story has to do with a porcelain doll and it’s just really intriguing Russian history. It’s quite tragic, and has a lot to do with stories that were told to Rosie in a fairytale-like fashion, but the Russian revolution was afoot when the story goes back to the past (character is Tonya ), and then we see what’s going on in the present as Rosie tries to figure out not only her past, but where her life will go in the future.

This is a very well-told tale where the past is explored in a rather tragic fashion. For Rosie, her past was quite troubled. Things were difficult between her and her mother. After her mother’s death, she has decided to go back to her roots in Russia to learn about her own past and how Russian dolls play into that past. With regard to Tonya, the story shifts back to 1915 when everything about Tonya’s life underwent many difficulties.

What a powerful story! History has always been one of my very favorite subjects, and this book was one that gave me early insight into Russian history. I loved how the story was told, and the dual timeline fashion only made it that much more interesting. If a reader is not fond of history and how it in this case affected the lives of the principal characters, then this book might be a tough read. But for me, it hit the mark.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This story is for anyone who likes historical fiction, Russian history, or Russian folklore.

I found that I liked Tonya’s storyline more so than Rosie’s, but both were sad tales to read. Overall it was a complicated, hard, and emotional story to read. Not everyone will enjoy it, but others will get lost in the history, porcelain dolls, murder and family mysteries, love, and the family drama that unfolds.

Rosie and her mother left the Soviet Union in fear when Rosie—then Raisa—was just a girl. They never talked about the devastating events that precipitated their departure, and Rosie has gone on to graduate studies at Oxford, becoming engaged to a wealthy and steadfast Englishman.

When her mother dies, though, Rosie’s questions about the past become unquenchable, and she takes a job an assistant/translator to the firebrand Alexey Ivanov whose memoir has made him an in-demand speaker. With a key her mother gave her before her death, Rosie returns to a Russia governed by Gorbachev determined to find answers about her family.

Rosie’s story unfolds alongside that of Tonya, a noblewoman living in St. Petersburg on the cusp of the Russian Revolution who falls in love with one of the outspoken orators, a love that seemed doomed given their social classes.

As the two stories progress, they depict Russia at critical points in its history, showing the importance of historians even as—especially as—despotic leaders arise. I especially liked Tonya’s timeline, though it was darker, depicting both the terrors of the Revolution, Stalin’s cruelty, and the WWII siege of St. Petersburg.
Kristen Loesch did a particularly good job making the book feel like it had the DNA of Russian classics without sacrificing a modern readability. It’s amazing that this is her debut. If you enjoy historical fiction or Russian history, you’ll want to read this!

The Last Russian Doll is a sweeping, historical fiction saga.There are so many layers and players in this story... I think this one will haunt me for a long time.

Raisa, or Rosie as she now goes by, is returning to Russia for the first time since the murder of her father and sister. She is now living in England and even received a full scholarship to Oxford. Sadly, her mother passes away in the beginning of the story. She drank herself to death with the ghosts of her past, ghosts that are hidden within her collection of dolls and nonsensical handwritten fairly tales. Rosie is on a quest for answers to what truly caused the downfall of her family.

I enjoyed the format of the multiple POV of the different generations of women. While I enjoyed my time spent with Tonya the most, all the women in this story are so layered and their additions to the story essential. The Last Russian Doll explored parts of Russian history that were previously unknown to me. While the war in Ukraine rages on, it is interesting to note the despair that has been affecting the people of this region for centuries.

As always, I encourage all readers to check out the Author's Note to receive further insight into the background and her personal connection to the story.

There are no coincidences. Why has an elderly Russian dissident writer hired a young Oxford student to help him with research? How are their pasts entwined?

Rosie was born in Russia but fled with her mother to England after a family tragedy. After the death of her mother, she is hired by an elderly Russian dissident writer to help with research in Russia. This opportunity allows her to leave her "perfect" British fiancé behind and return to the country of her birth to track down her own family history. Unfortunately for Rosie, nobody is who she thinks they are, and everyone is lying. This story moves through two different timelines beginning in 1915 and ending in the 1990s. Fairy tales are also central to the story and provide an additional layer to the story. A thought provoking read showing the difficult life in Russia through the various revolutions and the changing whims of the different governments. This book is definitely worth the time investment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy. My opinion is my own.

Finished ✔️ The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch

4 ⭐️’s
Kindle Unlimited: No
Haunting, epic novel about betrayal, revenge, & redemption that follows three generations of Russian women
Enjoyed the characters
Truly brilliantly written and told
Engrossed me the whole way through the book
Yes, I’d recommend

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Thank you @berkleypub, @letstalkbookspromo, and @netgalley for the gifted e-arc of The Russian Doll! The novel released on March 14!

As a fan of the historical fiction genre, I ordered a @bookofthemonth hardcover of the novel.

This haunting, epic novel speaks to intergenerational trauma that we see follow the story of three generations of Russian women which span from 1917 revolution to the last days of the Soviet Union.

Told in dual timelines, we follow the story of Rosie who witnesses the death of her father and sister - events which prompt her mother and her to move to England, which becomes a safe haven during the time of crisis. Things take an unexpected turn when she discovers a note hidden in her mom’s porcelain doll collection promoting her to search for answers about her past. She returns to Russia, leaving her loving fiancée behind after losing her mother to understand who she is. With her, she brings her mother’s tales of story and a single key.

Russian history, especially the downfall of the Czar, and the mystery of Princess Anastasia has always been something of interest to me. I was drawn to Rosie’s story because it explores the socio-political and cultural aspects of everyday people who are affected by historical events that shape their lives. For me, Rosie’s determination to seek her truth spoke to me at length, especially when truth is kept hidden from you - whether to protect you or for different reasons.

⁉️: Do you subscribe to Book of the Month? Which books did you get this month?

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✨ Review ✨

A big thank you to @berkleypub @netgalley for this #gifted copy of #TheLastRussianDoll !!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch

A haunting, epic novel about betrayal, revenge, and redemption that follows three generations of Russian women, from the 1917 revolution to the last days of the Soviet Union, and the enduring love story at the center.

What it has to offer:

🪆 Historical
🔎 Mystery
🗺️ Quest
💋 Romance

Quick thoughts:

✨ This book was incredible!
✨ It reminded me of Anna Karenina at times.
✨ The characters were likable and memorable.
✨ The parallel storylines were equally captivating.

Russian history is wrapped around a glowing, visceral love story.

Overall thoughts:

📝 I was absorbed by this story from the very beginning. The writing was mesmerizing. I loved the fairytale quality of it and the use of fairytales to segue some chapters.

⏳ Parallel timelines play out seamlessly. Usually when I read books like this I end up liking one timeline more than the other but in this story they were equally captivating.

🪆 The elements of Russian history were interesting but not overwhelming. I thought the atmosphere was well established and transporting. At the same time, the characters were able to really shine through the different historical moments.

🔎 There was an overarching mystery in this story centered on family and secrets kept. There were some parts that felt eerie and many parts that were puzzling, all in a transfixing way.

🗺️ Right from the beginning a quest of sorts is initiated to discover pieces of the past. One by one clues lead one of the protagonist’s deeper into her family’s past, helping her understand herself better along the way.

💋 Swoon-worthy romance fills this story! This intense love spills off the pages and pulls you through the book, absolutely hooked to whatever happens next. Both timelines have their own romances which I loved.

🧵 There were a few loose threads in the end that I wish were wrapped up better. I think the ending could have been a little longer and more detailed.

💜 I LOVED this book! I had a hard time putting it down and kept thinking about it even while I wasn’t reading.

If you enjoy historical fiction or are thinking of giving it a try, read this book!

All I needed to hear was Russian myth and folklore and I was here for this novel. It didn't disappoint.

It's told in a dual timeline, between Rosie in 1991 and Tonya in 1919. it is filled with wonderful storytelling, family secrets, and women you will root for.

The Russian Doll is the portrait of a devastating family history that spans the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, the siege of Leningrad during WWII, Stalin’s purges, and into the 1990s. Its dual timelines focus on Rosie in the 1990s trying to understand her mother's murky past and her family's tragedies, while the second timeline focuses on doomed lovers Tonya and Valentin starting in the early 20th Century.

As a child in Russia, Rosie witnessed the brutal death of her beloved older sister and father. Soon after, she and her mother escape to England where she is raised as her mother falls deeper and deeper into the liquor bottle. Upon her mother's death, she discovers a note hidden in a porcelain doll and a mysterious key. At the same time, she's offered a unique internship working for a renowned Russian author and speaker in Russia. Rosie seizes the chance to look into her family's history and track down "that man" who ruined their lives.

I was intrigued by Rosie's story and how her past was so connected to the present. The slow reveal of the past kept me turning the pages until the very end. The end of the Tonya/Valentin story line was romantic if a bit unrealistic to me, and I found that I still had questions at the end that I'm not sure were explained completely.

Much of this story - especially in the historic timeline - is quite brutal and raw. The downfall of the Czar and the resulting turmoil and the years of Stalin's work camps were gut wrenching. Russian history is filled with events like these and it's a difficult story to digest. But for history lovers and fans of historical fiction, it's also a unique and fascinating glimpse into the past.

This was a soul wrenching historical fiction tale of star crossed type love and betrayal told through dual timelines spanning 3 generations of Russian Women from 1917 to the early 1990 with the use of fairytale like parables throughout. The story will break your heart and then piece it back together slowly. The Russian history relating to the Russian revolution during this time is a time period I have not often read about and found completely fascinating. While it took me a hot minute to understand the meaning of the parables speckled throughout the book, once it got going I had a hard time putting this one down. The story is told in an atmospheric and haunting way and I really enjoyed it!

This was a beautiful read. I read it in one day and was fully engrossed in the stories within stories that family history becomes. Tonya and Raisa are strong and haunted characters that leapt off the page and into my bedroom. The fairytale vignettes were beautiful and after reading the Author's Note very thoughtfully created. I thought the pacing, especially at the beginning, felt a little rushed and I didn't fully invest in either of the romantic side characters. However, these minor points do not diminish in any great way the heart of this story and the poignant homage to incredibly powerful historical moments. The reveals had me turning page after page and even after I've put it down, I hope that Raisa, Tonya, and Valentin have finally found their peace.

I’m not familiar with much Russian history, and I found The Last Russian Doll fascinating. The story spans multiple generations of women, beginning in 1917 with Tonya and ending in 1991 with Rosie. In between, the reader learns a remarkable amount of Russian history, all while Rosie is on a quest to find out who murdered her father and sister 10 years prior in 1981, which caused her and her mother to flee to London.

It's a very strong story, combining elements of historical fiction and mystery while bringing the reader along for quite the ride.

I will say, go into this knowing it’s much more historical fiction than thriller, so if you’re looking for a straight mystery, this probably isn’t the book for you. But it’s a fantastic historical fiction story.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

Wow! I'll be thinking about this one for a while. The Last Russian Doll is dual timeline story covering the lives of three women in Russia/the Soviet Union from shortly before the Bolshevik Revolution to the fall of the USSR. This book was a slow burn for me, and at first, I was not as interested in Tonya's story as I was in Rosie's. I'm so glad I stuck with it as the book became a moving portrayal of life in a country in the midst of political upheaval and financial instability as well as a love story and a mystery. With so much going on, the story does get a little confusing at times and I occasionally had trouble remembering who certain characters were when they reappeared, otherwise this would have been a 5 star review. Still, the story and the history lesson made real are well worth sorting through the layers and characters and I highly recommend this novel. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkely Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy of The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch.

I was intrigued when I saw this as a Book of the Month pick and it sounded interesting, over a 4 rating on Goodreads and had everything I love in great historical fiction. Dual Timeline, family secrets and a topic I'm not as familiar with.

Unfortunately, this book fell a bit flat for me. It was very well-researched but there were so many characters and it was a bit slow in the beginning and I never really got into the story.

This, thankfully, is a very quick read. Because there is a lot going on for a fairly average length novel. One timeline starts in Russia in the 1910s. A young woman with a rather disagreeable, but rich, husband, embarks on an affair with a young political activist. The later timeline starts in London with a young woman who seizes a chance to return to the USSR in search of her family's murderer. There is a mystery to this in the sense that, aside from the murder, it takes a while to piece together all of the characters into a coherent story.

If you have any interest in 20th century Russian/Soviet political history, I definitely recommend this. It also moves swiftly, so any historical fiction lover will be kept interested in the story.

If you have a thing for creepy porcelain dolls, this might be perfect for you.