A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean offers a deeply emotional journey through interwoven timelines that blend romance, family secrets, and historical tragedy. Set between the 1960s and present day, it follows Gwen, a museum curator dealing with personal loss, who uncovers a hidden chapter of her famous relative, Scarlett Fontaine. Scarlett, an iconic actress presumed to have lived a short but glamorous life, may have actually experienced a year in exile in Alaska—a chapter tied to the devastating 1964 earthquake in Valdez.

This novel captures the stark beauty and haunting atmosphere of Alaska, combining meticulously researched history with evocative storytelling. The dual timeline adds depth to the unfolding mystery and to Gwen’s journey as she reconnects with her family’s legacy and her own sense of identity. The descriptions of Alaska’s landscapes are breathtaking, offering a vivid sense of place that enhances the story’s emotional impact.

Readers who appreciate stories of resilience, self-discovery, and historical intrigue will find A Storm of Infinite Beauty both captivating and moving, with a narrative that resonates well beyond the final page   .

This is a dual-timeline narrative that I actually enjoyed. I have been off the concept for a while now, preferring to have the story told in one streamlined format.

We begin at the crucial defining point, a time when a terrible earthquake happened in Alaska. We then move to the current timeline, where Gwen is setting out to meet Peter. The latter is going to write a biography on Gwen's famous relative. He found a grainy photo that might show proof that prior to becoming Scarlett, Valerie might have spent some time in Valdez, Alaska, secretly

In order to confirm parts of a story very few might know about, Gwen and Peter take a trip or two to find the missing pieces.

The story builds slowly with every visit to the past. Characters grow into their descriptions and reveal secrets.

I liked the twists and overall writing style in the book. I would definitely recommend it to fans of dual timeline narratives.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 1am. This author writes such amazing books and is my go to author!

I absolutely love a fiction book that has real life events in them…and especially an event I knew little or nothing about. This one had the earthquake of 1967 in Alaska. A 9.3 magnitude earthquake. I had no idea.
This book was good but there was just something that kept it from being a full 5⭐️ favorite. I’m not sure what. Maybe because Valerie was suppose to be this icon but we didn’t get a look at her life except in Alaska. I’m not sure.
However, I still really enjoyed this book and this story.

Gwen Hollingsworth runs a museum dedicated the life and career of Scarlett Fontaine, an iconic old Hollywood actress and singer. Gwen is a descendent of Scarlett, the leading expert of Scarlett’s life, and the sole heir to her fortune. When a paparazzo named Peter Miller finds a picture that suggests Scarlett—then known as Valerie—had a secret baby in Alaska, Gwen shocked but intrigued. Peter has plans to write a biography on Scarlett, so he travels to Alaska with Gwen to uncover the truth.

I really enjoyed the alternating timeline in this story. It goes back and forth between Valerie’s time in Alaska in the 1960s to Gwen and Peter’s research in 2017. The reader always knows a little bit more than Gwen and Peter, but we learn the truth right along with them. The parallels between Gwen and Valerie add an extra layer to the story, but I didn’t care for the subplot with Gwen and Eric. It’s pretty obvious how the love story is going to turn out, and I think the same message could have been made without including Eric at all. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Julianne MacLean for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley. I was excited to read this book due to the Alaskan setting alone. The story was great and characters were well developed. The writing was very descriptive especially about the beauty of the surroundings. Overall and ok read.

The heir to a famous actress’s fortune goes to Alaska with a journalist to true to find the truth of the starlet’s history.

I wanted to like this one more because it has so many positive reviews, but I just couldn’t get into it. I liked the prologue so I was like yes. But then, when we got to Gwen and Peter, it just didn’t intrigue me as much. It could just be a personal preference about writing style.

There was too much going on in this book. I didn’t dislike it. It was a good read, but sometimes got confusing. I didn’t find myself rushing to pick it up. Just ok for me!

I enjoyed this but I didn't find myself as emotionally connected to the story line as I have with the author's other novels. It was the type of book that while enjoyable to read but was easily forgotten once it was over. It has been a couple of weeks since I read it and I don't find myself continuing to think about the story.

I loved this book! Such a beautiful and intriguing story of family secrets being unfolded while an unlikely romance brews.

Julianne MacLean’s A Storm of Infinite Beauty was lovely read. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

What a wonderful book!
From beginning to end the author captivates us with a story of love, loss and redemption.
Told in dual timelines I was totally immersed in all of the characters as well as the wonderfully descriptive scenery of Alaska.
This novel tells the story of Hollywood legend Scarlett Fontaine's year secretly spent in Alaska when one of the most severe earthquakes in history occurred. The second timeline involves her descendant Gwen who uncovers information regarding Scarlett's secret year away as she works through her own grief over a lost baby resulting in the end of her marriage.
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Julianne MacLean
A Storm of Infinite Beauty
2023
4.5 Stars



Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Lake Union for my copy of A Storm of Infinite Beauty. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: A family saga of heartbreak and a light romance.

This is my first Julianne MacLean’s book, and I have to say I actually enjoyed it.
Set in Alaska in the late 1960’s where the main character Valerie is shipped off to Alaska as an unwed pregnant woman. Here her story intertwines with her relative, a distant cousin who curates a museum around Valerie who became famous and changed her name to Scarlett. The book is told from both Scarlett and Gwen’s perspectives.

This book was something different to what I usually read and I liked the struggles and conflict in the story as Scarlett deals with the cards she is dealt. I enjoyed following Valerie/ Scarlett’s journey. My only complaint is that I wished Scarlett was able to defend herself later on in the book to Gwen. I felt Scarlett’s life was too short, and for me, her ending seems unfinished. She deserved more air time.
I like the way Julianne touches on domestic violence with Angie and Joe and Jeremy. It was part of the era unfortunately and I felt Julianne made the characters here believable.
I enjoyed the way the story flowed from start to end. I was invested in the story and could visualise the story as it unfolded. The writing wasn’t convoluted or difficult to follow, the subject was interesting. Finally my favourite character was actually Jeremy. I loved his part in the story, such a loveable rogue.

Sometimes you read a book and it is just that - a book. Other times you read a book and it rocks your world and has you look at things in a different way. A Storm of Infinite Beauty is just that book! Julianne MacLean has written a book that sears you to the bone.
“...basking in the comfort that life was a gift - horrendous at times but also beautiful in its everyday miracles.” (Location 4180)

The book’s descriptions were lush with colors and feelings. The storyline was interesting with the two time periods: each allowing for revelations. The book was full of the emotions of hope, devastation, grief and love. Gwen’s character was well drawn and complete.

Gwen was the curator of a museum about Scarlet Fontaine. Gwen’s familial relationship with Scarlet was a blessing and the museum allowed her to showcase the actress/songwriter’s life and talents. Until one day a man, Peter comes to her with a picture of Scarlet (real name Valerie) from an earthquake in Alaska. From here the story takes off exposing both Valerie and Gwen’s private travails as Gwen and Peter search for answers. What makes this book stand out is that it does not get mired in the negative, but allows the reader to see the hope and love shine out of the gloom.

This is a five star book hands down. A book showing exquisite life and healing. A book to read and enjoy. A beautiful story called A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean.

Another beautiful story from a fantastic author. I felt transported to the 1960s reading the recounting of Valerie’s earlier days in Alaska. I grieved with Gwen through the trials of love and life, and I celebrated with her as she re-discovered life’s beauty and joy. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Julianne MacLean for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

This is a voluntary review for a complimentary ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and the author/publisher.

Having been to Alaska and knowing its beauty I looked forward to reading this. The plot is intriguing, and the writing is so beautifully descriptive. But as the story chased down its mystery, it just didn’t work for me. Many will find this book interesting though.

While this book kept me reading it was slow at times and wasn’t one I couldn’t put down. Being from Alaska, I was as able to draw vivid pictures of the setting in my mind which helped to keep me involved during the slower parts of the story.

The storms of life can lead to life changing decisions and experiences. Intense, unbearable sadness can lead to second chances and the ability and desire to experience and appreciate the infinite beauty that is all around us.

I loved the vivid descriptions of Alaska. Even though I have never actually visited, I sure feel like I did after immersing myself in this book. Life in Alaska came to life for me. I heard the white thunder, felt the ground tremble and saw the raw and vast beauty.

I grew very attached to Peter and Gwen, who had traveled to Alaska to unravel a mystery and uncover some closely guarded secrets. As they worked together, they enjoyed each other’s company. As they breathed in the fresh air and new possibilities, they exhaled what they needed to let go of.

Years ago, Alaska was a place of new beginnings for someone who had arrived with secrets and burdens. Maybe, just maybe, some new beginnings were happening again…the kind of new beginnings that make you happy and grateful to be alive.

I really enjoyed this immersive and emotional book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I loved this book and would recommend to others . The author writes beautifully. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for lending me read this book

Fantastic romance novel set in two different timelines. I can be a bit unsure of split timelines like this but MacLean did a stunning job and I was constantly torn between which timeline I wanted to stay with when they changed. I'd highly recommend this book, the setting, characters and plot are all incredible but some of tragic events could trigger some readers. As a mum I found the first chapter nearly made me DNF but glad I persevered. It's a good way to gauge if you can cope with other tragedies in the book.

Julianne MacLean has become one of my automatic reads! I’ve loved every book by her and this one was no different.

Gwen runs the museum for her family about their famous actress/singer Scarlett and thought she knew everything about Scarlet. But a tabloid photographer, Peter comes to Gwen doing research for a book he is writing on Scarlett’s life and has discovered a photo of her from Valdez Alaska when an earthquake happened there. Story is told from alternating time lines of the present and Valdez Alaska in/around 1967, flows well and very easy to follow. Characters have depth and are so relatable. Will he thinking about them for some time to come.

Fun cozy mystery, some romance, soul healing as loss is discovered and worked through and just everything you need.

I’m not a fan of huge long lengthy descriptions of scenery and the author describes Alaska so beautifully with just the right amount of words that I am looking into planning a vacation there next year. It was perfect!

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union publishing for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.