I received a temporary digital advanced copy of The Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz from NetGalley, Graydon House and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Emma Jansen returns to her childhood home as it is slated to be demolished by her former best friend, Leo. Emma and Leo grew up on the property, but not in the main house, as they are the children of household staff. Her return also reunites her with Henry, grandson of the owner, and her first love. The three must work through this love triangle that has complicated their friendships over the past fifteen years, while coming to terms with who their parents truly were in Nazi-occupied Europe.

From the synopsis, I thought The Audrey Hepburn Estate was going to be a love story, but it was so much more. I was enthralled in the plot line of the "secret." I gave the book four stars instead of five, because I did have questions on the timeline and with of some of the explanations of the secret. The evidence and a few of the characters needed to be fleshed out in much more detail, specifically Fleur and Stella.

A good story, well told! I very much enjoyed reading Brenda Janowitz’s latest novel, which is somewhat inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s life and movies. Interesting characters, a strong sense of place, and absolutely delicious and fun sounding food and drink supplied by the protagonist Emma’s catering business, all add up to a satiating tale. I also appreciated both the informative author’s note and the list of “Easter eggs” relating to Audrey Hepburn. All in all, truly entertaining!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Graydon House / Harlequin Trade Publishing for the complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Audrey Hepburn Estate
by Brenda Janowitz
Pub Date: April 18, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Emma Jansen discovers that the grand Long Island estate where she grew up is set to be demolished, she can't help but return for one last visit. After all, it was a place filled with firsts: learning to ride a bike, sneaking a glass of champagne, falling in love.

But once Emma arrives at the storied mansion, she can't ignore the more complicated memories. Because that's not exactly where Emma grew up. Her mother and father worked for the family that owned the estate, and they lived over the garage like Audrey Hepburn's character in the film Sabrina.
This was a great book! I loved the history and suspense and the characters.
4 stars

This book was just not for me. I almost DNF'd but pushed though til the end. The three main characters just seemed dense and oblivious, and for the majority of the book, very little happened. I found the book to be a tedious read, and the ending was too fairy tale. I did appreciate the author's notes at the end. Thanks to Graydon House and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot give positive feedback on this book. I didn't like the premise and the estate did not belong to Audrey Hepburn. The connections to the movie Sabrina were weak and I found the main character unlikeable.

Movie lovers and fans of Audrey Hepburn may now the movie Sabrina. This is the film that inspired this novel’s title and some of the story line. Much like Sabrina, Emma has grown up on a luxurious estate where her parents are servants/staff. Also, as in Sabrina, there are two men who capture Emma’s interest. Henry is the grandson of the estate’s owner while Leo is the son of the estate owner’s driver. Will she find true love with either of them?

The story takes place in the present with many chapters that detail the past and Emma’s experiences as she grew up. Emma was not immune to tragedy but neither were Henry or Leo. Leo and Emma discover something rather unsavory about Leo’s grandfather; are they right about his connections in the past? Also, what happened to beloved cook Fleur? A niece of Fleur’s also wants to know.

When the story opens, the grand estate is part of a plan for a luxury housing development. Emma is aghast and goes to an open house to learn more. She would like to prevent the sale. While there, Emma is reconnected with Leo and meets Fleur’s niece. Readers, the pages just turn from here as relationships build along with the plot.

I very much enjoyed this novel. Fans of women’s fiction with some historical context, should mark their calendars for this title’s release date.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I could see many people enjoying this book immensely. It’s a cute romantic tale with a few twists. It was too light for my taste; my mistake in choosing this one. As it is not my typical genre.

This book was a bit of a slow start for me. I really did like how it picked up mid book. It is one that I would recommend to my friends to read. Loved the characters and plot line.

Basically, anything Audrey Hepburn, I'm immediately hooked and this did not disappoint.
This lovely story about going home to cherished memories and second chances, mimics the classic movie, Sabrina.
For those who haven't seen it, Sabrina is about the daughter of the (wealthy) family's chauffeur who crushes hard on one of the (wealthy) sons. Eventually, her father sends her to Paris for a bit to grow up and mature. When she comes back, she's more self-assured and grown up, but her heart seems to have turned toward the younger brother.

But the book, although it weaves a bit of the Sabrina storyline into it, spins its own tale with main character Emma, returning to the house where she grew up before the entire place is to be demolished.

Per third person omniscient, we learn incremental bits of her life as she grows up in the house as her parents work (as main and butler) for the (wealthy) family who owns the estate.

She befriends their grandson, Henry, and the two are like "two peas in a pod", doing homework together, hanging out near their favorite tree, and generally growing up around each other.

But then enter Leo, the new chauffeurs son, and Emma's and Henry's dynamics change. Those dynamics last for years and come back into play the moment Emma comes back to see the house for the last time.

Immediately, the three see each other and words fly.Not only does the past come to light, but secrets blur the lines between what is true and what we want to believe. (Isn't that always the case?)

Author Brenda Janowitz, takes us back and forth between past and present as the story moves ahead at a quick pace. There were times I planned to only read a chapter or two, but ended up reading far more.

She paints a lovely story of friendship and love, of what happens when childhood memories crash with adult realities and how her characters navigate this messy thing we call life.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
I also featured it in the December 2023 on San Antonio Living (link included).

I think a lot of people will like this book, but unfortunately I wasn’t one of them. It was fine, but I enjoyed it less the more I read. I struggled to feel invested with Emma as a lead character and find it annoying when someone digs in their heels in an extremely stubborn way without any basis in fact to feel that way.

I did like the love triangle and most enjoyed the parts of the story that were from her childhood. But had a known the direction the book was going and the secrets that were to be revealed I most likely wouldn’t have picked this book to read since it covers subject matter that I don’t like reading about. Again, all of this is my personal preference and others may adore this one.

Having recently read Brenda Janowitz’s the Liz Taylor Ring, I was excited to receive this advance copy of her next novel. Although I have never seen the movie Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, I’m sure I will not be the only on who reads this book and then immediately wants to see the movie. I love how the World War II history is a backstory to the love triangle of Emma, Leo and Henry. I look forward to her next story!

My heart is still filled with love for everything about this book!!!

Brenda Janowitz writes an amazing story of Emma and Henry and Leo. I was rooting for all of the characters and loved learning their stories from childhood to current. So many secrets - told and untold - shape the course of the lives of these three and makes for a captivating story that I could not put down!!!

I have loved everything I’ve ever read by Brenda Janowitz but this is my new favorite book of hers!!!

Thank you SO much Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Grayson House for the honor to read and review this masterpiece!!!

Brenda Janowitz continues to be an autobuy author for me, both as a consumer and a bookseller. Her talent lies in her research into the Hollywood icons she weaves within her stories.

Emma, the main character, grows up on the estate rumored to be the one that inspired Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn. This was such an engaging storyline!

What I continue to love about Brenda's books are her author notes- you know she has spent countless hours researching and reviewing her subject.

I loved this book. I loved the then/now back and forth, I loved the history and suspense, and I loved the relationships between the characters. Brenda Janowitz writes books that are fun to read, flow well, and keep me engaged. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Audrey Hepburn Estate!

I am always happy when I am reading a novel by Brenda Janowitz. This book deals with the demolition of her historical childhood home to make way for a new residential complex. Her writing style of using then and now set a fast pace to the story. Two men are in love with Emma and we witness their interactions of the three of them throughout the years. Her parents work for the owner of the house which allows them to live on the property. Not everything is at it appears as discoveries and secrets are revealed. Emma must decide what truly matters in her life. The author’s love for old movies and movie stars is apparent and has made me want to rewatch the movie Sabrina. I love how she relates the various chapters to the star. #TheAudreyHepburnEstate #BrendaJanowitz #NetGalley

Wow! I absolutely loved it. Having grown up on Long Island, and reading about Long Island was truly special, this author has such a way with weaving past and present and she has become one of my stop everything, read her book authors.

Story about past and present childhood friends and finding out where home truly is.

I definitely recommend this book

Emma grows up on a huge Long Island estate, with her parents, who both work for the owners. She and the owner’s grandson Henry grow up as siblings, inseparable, until Leo with his parents start working there and now there are three. Both boys grow up in love with Emma who only has eyes for Henry but she and Leo are the best of friends. One day Emma and Leo find a secret pantry filled with dishes with the Nazi insignia and from that moment on Leo is convinced Felix the owner is a Nazi hiding in America. In adulthood the three are estranged until Emma learns Leo has bought the estate and is preparing to demolish the main house.
I loved reading about the three friends growing up together, but as adults the characters and how they behaved irritated me to the point it took away from my enjoyment of the book. They all seem to have grown up in body but not mind. The ending is a little too wrapped up for my taste as well.

Readers looking for a fun escapist read are sure to love THE AUDREY HEPBURN ESTATE. Also perfect for bookclubs.

Our protagonist, Emma, grew up on an estate rumored to have inspired the film Sabrina. The author includes fun parallels between Emma's life and Audrey Hepburn's.

Told through flashbacks, the story sweeps up the reader in a mystery as well as a love triangle, Emma spends time with her best friend, Leo, and her childhood sweetheart, Henry. I especially enjoyed how they discovered the secrets of the mansion. Ultimately Emma must face the truth about her own family and figure out what her future (and the future of the mansion) might look like.

A sweet and charming read.

Wow! Loved this book! As a crumbling mansion is to be sold, the maid's daughter, the chauffeur's son and the owner's grandson each have an opinion about the sale. Is it great memories, heartache or greed that bring them together after years of estrangement?
Reminiscent of Sabrina (one of Audrey Hepborn's iconic movies), Janowitz brings in the love triangle along with some mystery.
I found myself cheering for each character then questioning myself. Several plot surprises along the way just as you think you know.
Told with flashbacks to when the 3 were on the estate together, Janowitz draws us right in!
Highly recommended!
pub date April 2023

Thank you Netgalley for this early read!

#TheAudreyHepburnEstate #NetGalley Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out. Beautiful, lovely, and vivid.