What a page turner! This is a wonderful historical fiction with a little romantic spice. I loved the characters and how the story was centered around the luxurious Greenbriar Resort! I absolutely loved how the author uncovered the secrets of the Zelner family. I am hoping there will be a sequel about Alan.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book centered on the Zelner family who was the only Jewish family living in the shadows of the Greenbrier in West Virginia, this book spanned several generations of this family and focused on different family members. The historical feature of this book focused on some of the history of the Greenbrier, which I found quite interesting, the story was intertwined with the story and secrets involving the Zelner family. I found this book quite interesting, although at times the shifting back and forth between characters and different time periods was frustrating. The story of the Zelner family was quite heartbreaking at times, but the story came full circle and had a satisfying ending.

In the Shadow of the Greenbrier tells a story that I hadn’t known about the Greenbrier Resort during WWII, which is the backdrop to the story of the one Jewish family in the town in which the famous resort is located.

Long a bastion of escape for the wealthy upper crust, during the war the resort was transformed into an internment camp for high ranking European officials who were not necessarily on Hitler’s side. Not a motley crew, but Europe’s elite and powerful come to the Greenbrier to wait out the war.

Simultaneously, we learn about the sole Jewish family in town, a complicated story that includes relationships with the Greenbrier residents of an intimate nature and of the romance between the Jewish daughter and her gentile gentleman. And, we learn of an unusual bunker being built on the grounds of the Greenbrier.

There is so much to this beautifully written, multi-layered story that I can’t really do it justice in a review. The characters are deep and beautifully developed. The history on which this story is based is accurate; I have to admit and somewhat ashamed to admit that I didn’t know this bit of history and had to research it. It’s a rich and moving story which I highly recommend.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. I look forward to reading more by this gifted author.

I have a pet peeve when it comes to hisorical fiction books that center on Jewish characters. Too often, the stories focus on the horrors of the Holocaust, to the point that it feels like we're trivializing the pains suffered by the Jewish people just to be entertained.

I found this book to be exactly what I wanted it to be: a novel full of complex, well-rounded characters; fascinating historical details; and a telling of the Jewish-American experience that I have not seen before (but have found myself relating to multiple times).

This was a 4.5 star, almost 5.. I didn't want it to end but it ended so well. All the feels about a Jewish family through the generations from overseas to West Virginia. It was very character driven and just an overall good story. Definitely one of the best books of 2023.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley I'm exchange for an honest review.

𝖨𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖲𝗁𝖺𝖽𝗈𝗐 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖦𝗋𝖾𝖾𝗇𝖻𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗋 is a multigenerational family saga that delves into the history of the iconic Greenbrier “resort” in West Virginia. Omg! This place has some serious history! 😱A lot has happened here let’s just say🧐. I was so intrigued by this story because my dad grew up in West Virginia & this place is one of the nicest places you can go in the northeast! The decor at the Greenbrier is absolutely my vibe. It’s so eclectic. Emily Matchar bio is what “sold” me on this book the most though. I feel like we would be pals. It’s so genuine & cute. I will attach it 👉

📌Okay, a little about the novel…We follow four main characters all in the same family spanning from the 1900s all the way to the 1990s and how they grew up being Jewish-Americans around this huge landmark called the Greenbrier. Nazis were brought in & kept in this “luxury prison.” It became a full blown hospital at one point. All these things are known if you know this place at all, but I don’t want to tell more. There is a mystery to the family & to the resort that will slowly unfold & come together.

You will learn so much. I spent a full week on this one because it deserved the time. If you like history, you will LOVE this book! Matchar did an excellent job at researching alllll the details in this novel. I can’t imagine what that entailed. The story of the family is completely fictional, but everything else is all real. I feel smarter for sure! 🤓

4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✍️Publication day for this one is in March 2024 so save the date, you history buffs. You are gonna love Doree & Patty the most.🩷

In The Shadow of The Greenbrier is a story of love, loss and incredible history as we learn about the Zelner family across multiple time periods. The book follows four generations of this Jewish-American family and covers the challenges of being the “outsiders” in the small Appalachian town of White Sulphur Springs. I really enjoyed the history and different viewpoints of each of the family members, but I was a little frustrated with Sylvia’s character (without giving too much away, I wish she would’ve fought a little harder for Doree and Pete, like she did with Alan). Excited for this book to be released in spring of 2024!

I enjoyed reading this book set by the Greenbrier in West Virginia and centered on a Jewish family who live there.

I enjoyed reading how Sol worked as a peddler when he first got to the United States, and his adventures on the road.

I found it interesting that German and Italian diplomats came to stay at the greenbrier during the war and how easy it was for Sylvia to have an affair with Jack.

The big mystery for Alan was to what was underneath the greenbrier! Which we find out based on Jordan’s investigation, room and board for congressmen if they need to leave Washington DC.

What a great story, I never saw all the twists and turns.

"The Shadow of the Greenbrier" is a magnificent story portrayed through multiple generations of the Zelner family. I love historical fiction but often find that these books generally start pretty slow and are tough to get into. I think the multigenerational stories really helped this story propel from page one and never felt that slowness. Plus, there was always the family secrets and mysteries that kept the story compelling.

I love it when authors really do their research while writing their books. I feel like the author does a fantastic job accurately portraying what life was like in each of the time periods. I loved the diversity of characters and how much depth they had. The author touched on so many important topics.

Loved this book!

4.5 stars

In the Shadow of the Greenbrier follows four generations of one family as their lives intertwine with the historic Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia from the construction of the resort to present day. I see Jordan as the primary narrator - he is a Washington Post reporter that gets a tip that "there is something underneath the Greenbrier Resort" and goes to investigate it. As he does, we see his and his family members perspectives through the years and the mystery of what happened at the Greenbrier Resort in 1942 and 1959.

Emily Matchar does a great job of moving through each perspective with ease and holding the audience in anticipation of what happens next so that we can figure out the hidden mysteries surrounding the family at the center of the story. I loved getting to know each character and seeing how one person's decisions in 1909 might affect another's in 1942, which in turn affects those in 1959 and 1992. The twist at the end for the Greenbrier Resort was not surprising as it is a real place, it was the twists in turns of the family over the generation that made this book a truly wonderful read.

Review has been posted on GoodReads and will be posted on Instagram in the coming days.

Enjoyable read about a multi generation family. Satisfying complex plot. I would have given 5 stars except that the chapters jumped back and forth from one time period to another and that was a bit confusing. I believe the story would be just as good if it were unfolded chronologically.

I was immediately intrigued by this book's title. I am from Virginia and my great grandparent's from a small town in West Virginia and worked in the coal mines. My grandfather later was an executive in the coal mine and often went to the Greenbrier and I myself remember many stories about this resort. I was able to visit in my college days as well and I was excited for any gleams of history into this special place.

I loved all of the grandeur in the beginning, "The fleet of bottle-green Rolls Royces. The dining room so big waiters used to ride horses through it. The Swiss chefs who flameed crepes suzette tableside, just like in Monte Carlo. The crisp G stamped in the fresh white sand of every ashtray. The massive brass lobby doors swinging open and welcoming her inside." However, the number of names and characters introduced in the first 4% was a little heavy. The back and forth narrative of the 3 generations also felt complicated at times. Ultimately, half way in to the book I didn't feel very connected to any one of the characters or the story and very little had been revealed to make you want to hold on to the mystery of what could be hiding under the Greenbriar. I wish there had been more to grab me initially.

I really really liked this book!! I am from the DC area, went to school near Baltimore, live in MD now and have ties to WV and knew about the greenbrier prior to reading this so the setting appealed to me. The entire location and time periods were all super interesting to me and just made the story that much more rich. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this but did find the "reveal" to be less 'wow' than the buildup, although also realistic. I wish I had connected with some of the characters a bit more, and I really wanted more about Sylvia and Alan post "incident". Overall this was a great book though, will definitely recommend to my groups!!

An amazing debut! My favorite historical fiction books bring me into a time and place unfamiliar to me and expose me to new, interesting stories. In the Shadow of the Greenbrier follows a family across four generations and their connection to the Greenbrier resort, their Jewish faith, and each other. I was quickly hooked in to the story and couldn’t wait to find out the book’s central mystery. I’ll be talking about this book for a while and can’t wait to see what Emily Matchar does next!

In the Shadow of the Greenbrier by Emily Matchar is a wonderful historical fiction that involves The Greenbrier Hotel.

As a WV resident born and raised, I know a lot about this hotel, and it was great to read an intriguing novel involving this landmark.

This book weaves its story between several characters within the same family throughout multiple decades, and ties it all together in the end.

The author did a great job weaving a story in between multiple generations, voices, and integrating numerous concepts revolving around relationships, family, secrets, love, loss, religion, and forgiveness. She presented it in a way that was not overwhelming, yet was intricate enough to keep my interest. There is history, mystery, suspense, and I really enjoyed it.

4.5/5 stars


Thank you NG and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons 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 on 3/12/24.

With the history of the Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia, this multigenerational novel begins. Spanning the years from the beginning of the 1900's until the 1990's, one family 's history is told through different periods while the resort is built. A unsolved mystery brings all the characters of the story together . Knowing so little about the Greenbrier, I was fascinated with this book. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction.

"In the Shadow of the Greenbrier" by Emily Matchar is a spellbinding exploration into the depths of human nature and the mysteries concealed within history's shadows. Set against the backdrop of the enigmatic Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, Matchar introduces us to a cast of characters who are as fascinating as they are flawed. The story follows a young investigative journalist, as he embarks on a quest to unravel the hidden secrets of the Greenbrier's past as well as several generations of his family surrounding the well-known resort.

The author's meticulous research is evident throughout the book, creating an authentic atmosphere that brings the Greenbrier and its historical context to life. One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to transport the reader to a different era. Matchar's vivid descriptions create an immersive experience, making it easy to lose oneself in the world of the Greenbrier, imagining the grandeur and splendor of the past.