A solid 3.5⭐!!!

A wonderfully written novel that shows the repercussions of war, reflecting on the best and worst of human nature. Natalie Jenner's writing is very visual, and you feel like you're with Vivien as she explores Italy's beautiful landscapes and landmarks.

I didn't read THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY or BLOOMSBURY GIRLS beforehand, and I liked that I was able to understand the stories of characters that were introduced in previous books. I as able to jump right in and enjoy this novel's story.

It's a little slow in the beginning and middle, but the ending is worth it!!!!

This was a great book. Set in 1955, with look backs on things that happened during WW2. I really enjoyed the writing and have to go back and read the first two books in this series.
I was fascinated with Vivien’s journey in Italy. I was appalled by some of the things the Catholic Church did, and how they treated and also coerced people to do their will.
In all I really loved this book. It is a great read for anybody who liked historical fiction.

Jenner latest book is another great historical fiction. Set in post WWII Rome, in a heyday of film making, it weaves old Hollywood into a completely different setting. It was neat to see the nods and connections to Jenner's other works and I found it told a really unique story. I enjoyed it quite a bit, though I did find the last chapter a rather unnecessary connection to make. Fans of Jenner's work will certainly enjoy this latest one.

I'm so glad that I was able to read a copy of this book before the publishing date. I have read and enjoyed the two previous books in this series. I really loved the setting of 1955 Rome, and the movie industry set there. It was so glamorous, the flashbacks to life during the war in Rome, and Italy really helped to show just how much suffering the Italian people lived through and why the booming movie industry was really a salvation for so many people. I also really enjoyed how the characters from previous books got mentions and small appearances in this book, really tying together the world that Natalie Jenner has created.
I found that I couldn't stop thinking about this book when I had to stop and attend to my regular life, which is always the sign of a good book.

The last book I read by Natalie Jenner was The Jane Austen Society. I had enjoyed the writing so much that picking up the next book was a foregone conclusion. It has lived up to its expectations for me. This book too was an engrossing read filled with beautifully fleshed out characters and setting.
The book is set a few years after World War II in Europe particularly Italy. Vivian has arrived in Italy after the war. We met her in The Jane Austen Society as one of the characters in a bookstore in London and then in The Bloomsbury girls. Now she has moved on to working on movie scripts as a script doctor since the reviewers killed her play in London and ended her career. She has arrived in Italy on a project portraying the resistance during the World War. Meeting Vivian again is like seeing an old friend and looking forward to getting to know them more. That said, even if you have not read the first two books, it takes away nothing from the story and works well as a standalone.
Vivian and other characters, around her on the sets of the movie, are struggling to find a new life. The book is not set too many years after the war, so, as in Vivian’s case of looking for her fiancé, there are others searching for answers. Decisions made during those years due to the circumstances had consequences leaving many who are trying to come to terms with the new times. Like the director of the movie wishing to tell his fiancé’s story in the resistance or a young girl, trying to find some clue about her mother. The Catholic church has a huge role to play in every aspect of life in Italy and it makes its presence felt even in the film stories being told of the war.
All these lives and Vivian’s encounter with love again made an interesting read. The setting felt real and I could practically picture the lanes of Italy and the time it was set in. A lot of emotional scenes were beautifully portrayed and people’s desire to lay to rest the past while trying to move forward is brought home poignantly.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the book to read.

It was decent but wasn't a book that I will want to reread or get really excited over. At times, it felt slow and cumbersome and too much education was provided. I struggled a bit. Overall I'd recommend if you like historical fiction and learning alot. Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc.

Every Time We Say Goodbye is an ambitious novel with multiple subplots that takes place mostly in the 50s in Rome, Italy.
The novel's prologue opens in 1943 with a beautiful and brave young woman member of the Italian resistance who fights secretly to rid Rome of the Nazis.
Later on, the first Chapter is about Vivian from the Bloomsbury Girls (Jane Austen Society Trilogy book 2), who will rewrite a screenplay in Italy where she will find out many secrets about the Italian film industry.

The novel emphasizes the influence of the Vatican in the Italian cinema, but as well it is also about the unknown whereabouts of the people who dissappear during WWII and the pain and trauma that people faced during the poswar.

The novel is slightly connected to the two previous ones, so it could work as a stand-alone.

The author managed to give full closure to each of the storylines and characters, but because of all the things going on in the novel, I couldn't connect fully with the main character.

I started reading the first half of the book, but I was struggling a bit, and I wasn't hooked enough. Later, I received the audiobook, and it worked better for me.
The audiobook is narrated by Juliet Aubrey actress and narrator, and her voice is sweet and harmonic.

This wasn't my favorite novel by the author, but I think it is resourceful, and historical fiction fans could enjoy it.
I think there were historical aspects that haven't been portrayed in other novels, so I found it original.

Thank you, Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the advanced ebook and audiobook.
Pub date: May 14th, 2024.

Having loved the first two Jane Austen Society books I was excited to receive an ARC for Every Time We Say Goodbye and dive back in. However I struggled my way through this one. The first red flag for me was opening the book to several pages of character lists. Though I will say, despite the long list, I didn't find them to be overwhelming when reading.

I was intrigued to get a story set in post WWII Italy. A location we don't often get. And the connections to Mussolini and the German occupation. As an added difference to set the book apart is that the plot revolves around the Italian film industry. Which was such an education for me ( which I love in books). I never know it was such a driving force in 50's film making. As well, the extent of the control and influence the Catholic church had. That said, I found myself unable to connect to the story or characters. There were multiple plot lines that bounced around. The one plot that interested me the most, that of the Scolaretta, was of course the one least fleshed out. I would have loved more of her story.

This one was overall just ok. Not up to par for me for her last two books. Would it liv eon my forever shelf if I had a physical copy - probably not. Will I still pick up future books by Jenner- definitely.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the #AdvanceReviewCopy

Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: May 2024

Summary: When Vivien’s latest London play receives not so great reviews she’s devastated and her career is jeopardized. To escape, she accepts a job as a screenwriter editor in Rome. While working for Rome’s Cinecitta Studios, she’s refuelled by charm, rising stars and glamour. But Vivien is also plagued by the past, the recent war and the whereabouts of her fiancé.

My Thoughts: This is told through dual timelines, with most of the book taking place in 1955 and occasionally going back 10 years. I found a bit of a disconnect as I tried to piece together the stories. It took a while for me to form connections to the characters, (even though some were already known) because there were way too many making it somewhat frustrating having to revert to the character list provided at the beginning. I can deal with character soup in Tolstoy’s books but that’s about where I draw the line. I also found the pacing to be a bit slow and this could be because of the lack of connection.

The book does immerse the reader nicely into the world of Italian film featuring Rome’s own famous studio. I enjoyed learning about the city and the film industry especially because I’ll be visiting there soon! The descriptions were vivid and made me look forward to my trip. I also liked that some characters were from the author’s book The Jane Austen society. I think this saved it for me as I loved that book and it was nice to have some familiarity. This is still considered a standalone in my opinion even though it’s labeled as book #3.

Overall, I liked it so landed on 3 stars. An interesting enough read if you don’t mind the slow pace this has to offer.

I DNF’d around 33%/Chapter 15. Although the history and setting were fascinating, the plot and characters simply didn’t hold my attention. I was most interested in Vivian’s quest to discover what happened to her fiancé during WWII, but once she gets to Rome, the storyline has largely focused on her blossoming romance with Lassiter. Historical fiction fans who like a stronger romance plot and are interested in film/film history. It was certainly interesting to see all of the politics at work in the film-making process in Italy at this time and the censorship, especially considering many American companies, writers, etc. we’re involved, and Italy was a “safe haven” for those targeted in McCarthy era USA.

Having read another book by this author I was looking forward to reading this one. The setting and the plot is about the Italian film industry and it’s stars. It did not hold my attention and interest like the other book. I struggled through it and from time to time really liked it but never really became a fan. I found the setting charming and culture well developed but the scenes dragged on way to much for me. I lost interest way too soon.

I wish to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every Time We Say Goodbye is the third book in the Jane Austen Society series by Natalie Jenner. Although we reconnect with characters from the first two books, this one can easily be read as a stand-alone. Set in the 1950s, post World War II, Italian film industry, the story explores the environment and culture of the time. Our main character Vivian has come to Italy to help as a script doctor. Her story alternates with that of La Scolaretta, a passion project the director wants to make into a movie. I enjoy reading historical fiction that brings to light a setting or event that is not well known. Natalie Jenner has brought the world of the Italian film industry to life in that way.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Natalie Jenner takes the reader right into the life of Viven and mid 1900s life as a Starlet that, while beautiful, is not exempt from the heartbreak and sorrow found in 1950s Europe. You'll find yourself in a life much like a cinema film, amazing on the surface with so many tragedies, sorrows, tales just below. A beautiful twist on historical fiction.

#arc #netgalley #MacMillanAudio

Another book of history that we learn so much from. The time in 1955 and 1943, a time of World War II. Vivien Lowery is a writer of plays. But she travels to Italy for a job in script doctoring. She also has another reason to travel to this country. She wants to learn of the last days of her fiancé. He fought in WWII and never returned home.

While in Italy she meets many people at the Cinecitta Studios in Rome. And the challenges it takes make movies in this country. So many rules that are controlled by the Catholic Church. As you read, there are many actress and actors names you will recognize that traveled to Italy for acting and to live there.

Parts of history in this country that I never knew about makes this a great read. Why does this happen and why. Natalie Jenner, thank you for bringing this part of history alive for us all. The research you did is remarkable.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this historical novel before publishing this Spring.

I read both The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner so I was thrilled to get an early copy of Every Time We Say Goodbye. I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed. I loved everything about the first two books, the characters, the English setting, the time period. This one takes place in Italy. I never warmed up to the characters even Vivian and a few others who appeared in the other books. They and their storylines just did not capture my imagination. I did find it interesting that there was a strong American influence in Italy’s film industry as many left America during the McCarthy era. The influence and control the Catholic Church had over the industry was fascinating too. I remember as a child that they had the Legion of Decency which controlled what movies, books etc you could watch, read. Overall this was an ok read for me.

Vivien leaves friends and her bookshop in London, fleeing negative critical reviews of her second play. She accepts a script writing job with the Italian cinema, working with Americans escaping the Red Scare and Italians who have survived the horrors of Nazi occupation. Just before leaving England she had learned her fiancé had not died in battle; rather, he had survived as a POW in Italy. While searching for answers, she is assisted by her new friends who, like her, have secrets from the past. She is deceived by some and witnesses others seeking new identities. She experiences first hand the power of the Church in preventing certain movies from being produced. She mingles with real and recognizable figures of the period. Vivien discovers that the true power of storytelling is to teach something new to the reader and to the teller as well. I would say Natalie Jenner shares this belief in all her works. Once again I have learned much and look forward to her next novel.

I"m a big fan of Natalie Jenner, but this Italian film setting just didn't quite grab me. I found the plot slower than her other books, and I didn't fall in love the her characters like I usually do.

War changes so much in people, not just those who are directly involved. In either case, there are losses. Many of these take years and some are never reconciled. Vivian, a young English woman, is trying to make peace with the past and the loss of her beloved fiancee and follows his trail to Italy where he was captured, reported missing, and ultimately dead. She is also dealing her unsuccessful career in play writing. In Italy she attempts to remake her life by getting involved in film making and rewriting scripts. Her path crosses some famous people and she seems to be enjoying her gay life style, but she is not able to get over the anger of her losses.
There is a second story running through this plot of a young Italian girl who works with the resistance as an assassin against the Nazis. As the two stories merge through their shared characters, things really begin to get interesting.
Making peace with the past sometimes means letting go of losses and guilt and understanding where ones strength and hope lies. The author does a wonderful job of building this story in each of the characters who seem to come alive on the pages.
This is a lovely and well written story of hope and life in the aftermath of loss. I think it would be a good read for nearly anyone who appreciates historical fiction.
Although I have not read the author's previous books with some of these characters, I do plan to remedy that soon. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I’ve enjoyed Natalie Jenner’s previous books so was very excited to receive this one. Perhaps due to the time-hops, perhaps due to the drier topic, perhaps due to the era when it was set, Every Time We Say Goodbye was not my favorite. Best for enthusiasts of theatre and political aspects surrounding WWII.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was my first Natalie Jenner book. I have since read the Jane Austen Society. I think the writing is good at combining fiction with historical events. This was a unique book for me because it was set around the Italian resistance in WWII. It is not the perspective i typically read from when it comes to WWII books.

It was a little slow and it did take me time to get into it, but once I did I really began to enjoy it. I also thing the slower pace allowed me to spend more time getting to know the main character.

Overall a solid read.