This book did not end up being for me. I tried to start it many times and my attention was just not sustained enough. Maybe I will attempt to read it at a different point in the future.

Natalie Jenner’s Every Time We Say Goodbye is an evocative novel that explores the enduring bonds of love and friendship across time and distance. Set in post-World War II England, the story centers on a group of characters brought together by circumstance, whose lives are forever changed by love, loss, and the difficult choices they must make.

Jenner’s strength lies in her ability to create characters that feel authentic and deeply human. At the heart of the story is Grace, a young woman torn between following societal expectations and pursuing her true desires. Surrounding her is a richly drawn cast of friends and family, each grappling with their own struggles in a world still reeling from the war's aftermath.

The novel shines in its exploration of complex relationships and the quiet resilience required to rebuild after heartbreak. Jenner deftly weaves together themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and the courage to let go, crafting a narrative that is as tender as it is bittersweet.

The prose is lyrical, and Jenner’s attention to historical detail immerses readers in the world of post-war England. The period’s challenges and cultural shifts provide a poignant backdrop for the characters’ journeys. While the pacing occasionally slows during introspective moments, these pauses enrich the emotional depth of the story.

Fans of introspective historical fiction, especially those who loved Jenner’s The Jane Austen Society, will find Every Time We Say Goodbye a moving exploration of love and the choices that shape our lives. It’s a story that lingers, reminding us that goodbyes are often the beginning of something new.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner is set in 1955 and tells the story of Vivien who is making her way in the movie industry in Italy as she works to reconcile herself to the fate of her fiance who died and as part of that process coming to understand what happened.

I found this story to be very readable and I enjoyed the substory of the Catholic Church of the 1950s. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Every Time We Say Goodbye in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner is set predominantly in 1950s Italy. Its main story followed Vivien as she transitioned from a London playwright to a cinematic writer at Cinecitta Studios.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, but found this book hard to connect with. I felt it jumped around in the storyline making it hard to empathize with the characters.
It was interesting to read about the Italian movie industry and the influence of the church on it.
Overall I would give Every Time We Say Goodbye 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I tried several different times to read this, and could never get past being bored and disconnected from the characters. DNFing at 10%. Thanks anyway for the ARC.

Stunning cover! What we all written historical fiction novel. Thanks for the #gifted arc in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved Natalie Jenner first 2 books. So I wasn’t disappointed in reading her next offering. Love this writing!!

Every Time We Say Goodbye was a mixed bag for me.
I enjoyed the historical back drop and learned things I didn’t know about 1950s Italy. I had no idea that Italy became a hub for American filmmakers at that time.
I thought there was interesting commentary on the papal role in that industry as well. I could talk for a bit how intriguing this all was (and makes me want to learn more about).
For some reason, I didn’t feel connected to the characters. The romance didn’t work for me. There were moments that I kind of cared and then I wouldn’t think twice about it when I wasn’t reading the book.

All in all, a 3.5 stars from me. Mostly because it stuck with me more than I expected.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a feee copy in exchange for an honest review. :)

Set in the 1950's in Italy, "Every Time We Say Goodbye" by Natalie Jenner is an interesting peek into the film industry of that time. Full of personal conflict and morality, eccentric characters, love, and betrayals, this novel was delightful. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

I read the first two books in this series and really enjoyed them both, especially the first one (The Jane Austen Society). I had high hopes for Every Time We Say Goodbye, as it carries on the story of one character, Vivien. Sadly, I found the book quite disappointing. I am an avid reader of historical fiction and can usually appreciate books that have multiple plot lines and jump between times. Not so with this one.

I learned quite a bit about the post-World War II film industry, censoring by the Roman Catholic Church leaders, and about how the Italians were so divided during and after the War. However, the characters were very difficult to connect to. There were several storylines at once, which is usually not problematic, but they felt poorly linked and the characters of each were never explored in a way that I felt connected to any of them. A kidnapping felt random and left an unsatisfying plot hole that was never closed.

This was an unsatisfying read. One that I wanted to be done with about midway through. I hate to write reviews that aren’t complimentary, because I know so much work goes in to every book. However, I cannot recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

The writing was very well thought out and put together when it came to historical research, I felt I was right there with the Italians and Vivien enjoying everything Rome has to offer. There were many moments I felt Jenner was reaching out and forcing us to stop and think about what the victims of the Nazis must have endured and how we cannot let history be repeated again. All of the women characters proved to be incredibly strong including the Scolaretta. I was in fear of what they could have gone through and wondered what I would do in her situation.

The beginning dragged a little too long and I would have wanted to hear more from previous characters to see how they are doing, including Evie and Grace (possibly through letters), but other than that, once the pace picks up, I was soaring through each page wanting to know if Vivien would ever find her David.

Thank you to MacMillan Publishers, Natalie Jenner and NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm a huge fan of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls, so I was very excited to read Every Time We Say Goodbye and continue Vivian's story. I don't think it had quite the same magic as the first two, but I did enjoy it. I did love the happy ending, and I wish there had been more focus on the characters involved in those storylines throughout the book instead of the time spent on other things.

For fans of her other books: you'll enjoy this. If this is your first one, I'd suggest reading the other two first bc I don't think you'd like it as much. It has to do with style, tone and topic for me and that's why I recommend not starting here. It's an interesting look at film making in the 50s, particularly Italy under the Vatican so stay for some historical takes that I can't say I've really ever studied before.

Upon reading this I did not know it was the third in a series. Regardless, it is a after World War Two book that was really good. I felt like it took me into the book and I was seeing everything like a book should. I think someone who would enjoy this would have to like historical books. I like most everything. I felt like it was missing something but it could be because I have not read the first two Jane Austen books before this. Something which I plan to remedy very soon. I would highly recommend this for my history lovers!

This was an ARC read for Netgalley. This is my own honest review and I was not paid to review it. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

I read this book without reading those before it but still enjoyed the book. In this book, we follow Vivien and her career as a playwright. After poor reviews on her play, she ends up in 1950's Rome hoping to be a part of successful film making. However in Rome at this time, there are their own issues post WWII 1950s with the Catholic church having a say in filmmaking. In additional with the dual timeline, there is a story on Vivian's search to find to what happened to her fiancé who was pronounced dead during the war. Many actresses we are aware of appear during this book as well including Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner and Daphne DuMaurier. Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for a chance to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner is a post World War 2 novel. The author did a fabulous job making the setting come alive. Readers of the genre should enjoy this novel. The novel was a bit hard to read and not my favorite. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Being the third book in the Jane Austen society I had high hopes. I adored the first book and the characters, but I struggled to get into this one it had the 1950’s aspects and the WW2 mentions but just not the feeling I was looking for in the first book.

I didn't realize that this book is part of a series. I love this time in history in general, but especially so when it's a woman's perspective. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!

Every Time we say Goodbye - Natalie Jenner

Where to begin with this wonderful read? Set in Italy following World War II it shows a side of the war that I was not aware of. The movie set scene of Italy following the War.
As we follow a well defined, well developed up and coming actress while she navigates the Italian "Hollywood" movie sets as well as love and loss and all the haunting memories that war will cause in a person's psyche. Does she have what it takes to open up her heart?

I would highly recommend this book. Though it does start out a little slow it will not be long until you are thoroughly engrossed and wanting to know more. This post war novel will haunt you long after you turn the last page and make you happy that you stuck with it. Delving deeply into the Italian Movie scene, it educates and informs of Europe's movie scene following the war and how one lady easily navigates the scene. It is a book that will guide you, enthrall you and most of all keep you wishing for more.

Every Time we say goodbye is a good historical fiction read. I didn't realize that it's the 3rd in the Jane Austen series - I hadn't read the first 2 and it mostly worked as a stand-alone book but there are a couple of times characters from the earlier books make an appearance so I wish I'd read them. I did enjoy this one enough to go back and read the others. Vivien has gone to Rome in the 1950s to help with a movie but also to find out the truth about her former fiance who was presumed dead in WWII. Vivien makes interesting friends, takes a lover with a mysterious adopted daughter, and finds the answers to some mysteries.

The only thing I didn't like was that some of the chapters ended on cliffhangers that the characters clearly understood, but weren't obvious to the reader. But other than that, it's a good one!