I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
I really like the list "cast of characters) at the beginning, not that I will remember, but just to give you an idea of who's what, where. There are many conversations that are weird or that you need to read between the lines and I was confused and exhausted. There are many tragedies in this story, including specific details of the horrors of WWII, which can certainly be triggers for some of us. Vivien's story is mixed up with the people from the two previous books so the stories are best read in order because of the continuation. The end is simple and predictable with almost no backlash to the past.

I really wanted to like this book, and even made myself skim from about 90% to the end of the book just to finish it. There was nothing gripping about this story that kept me wanting to read more. I kept thinking there was going to be a twist or a turn of some kind that would pull me in, but that point never came. This read more like a diary or a memoir that simply…ends. The number of characters was overwhelming, and without the reference at the beginning of the book, I never would have been able to keep up with who was who and how they fit into the story. I enjoyed the writing style of the author, but wasn’t a fan of the story or the characters. Unless you truly enjoy historical fiction for the simple fact of telling a historically based story, I wouldn’t recommend this one.

I've enjoyed Natalie Jenner's novels and I was eager to read this forthcoming installment which peeks into the lives of the Jane Austen Society that we met in her novel of the same name. This time the action takes place in post World War II Italy. Failed playwright Vivien travels abroad to work re-writing a film script at La Cinecitta, Rome's largest film studio. She also wants to learn more about the death of her late fiance during the war.

Vivien's story is juxtaposed with the script for a film about a young girl turned assassin who is sheltered by the nuns. With references to the Hollywood Blacklists and the power of the Catholic Church, this is an intriguing story that is sure to keep Jenner's fans reading.

I really loved "The Jane Austen Society" and "Bloomsbury Girls" by Natalie Jenner. I even compiled a list of "forgotten" female authors while reading the latter. I could hardly wait for more books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, I read an advance reader's copy of "Every Time We Say Goodbye." One of the characters in the dual timeline was a young woman who worked as a sniper in WWII. Gruesome, I know, but she was a fascinating character.

I think one of the big differences between Jenner's first two books and this one is that there is no happy ending. In the post-war timeline, Vivien has been dealt a rough hand. The London audience loves her play but the critics don't. The play closes. Unable to do the work she loves in London, she decides to seek work as a scriptwriter in Italy. Going there also gives Vivien a chance to investigate where and how her fiance died. She had their baby after he left and gave him up for adoption. She has an affair with another woman's husband which seldom comes to a good end. So Vivien experiences tragedy upon tragedy, compounded at times by self-defeating behavior.

"Every Time We Say Goodbye" is a well-written book. It just wasn't the kind of story I was expecting. I'll look forward to reading Jenner's next book.

Interesting characters, story and plot. Enjoyed the read and a perfect escape for a cold winter afternoon or a nice afternoon at the beach. Thanks

I loved Natalie Jenner's prior books but had trouble connecting to this novel's protagonists and storyline. There were too many characters and besides the dual-linear timeline that straddled the line between 1950's Rome and WWII, there were side stories that drifted away from the plot.

There were moments when I was hooked and eagerly read to find out the truth about David but then another character was added and it was off to explore that tangent. Before publication, I'd suggest streamlining the story. There's a wonderful plot in there but adding so many characters takes away from the heart of the story.

This was another great read by this author. I loved the setting of being in Italy, with characters that come from the previous books - but what is great here is you do not need to read the other books in order to follow along. I loved that this book touched upon the psychological and emotional impacts of war (in this book, World War II) and how people work through those traumas. But there was also a romantic element to the book as well, and the author did a really great job of blending all of these interesting topics and settings into a page-turning book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed this trilogy so much and was so happy to be able to read an early copy of this title.

This third novel is engaging and takes place in the post WWII setting of film making in Italy - the fight this time is against the Vatican.

Well written, with well paced dialogue, I found this readable and compelling.


******Though billed as a stand alone, I implore you to read the first two books in the Jane Austen Society trilogy.




Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

Every Time We Say Goodbye is a rich novel set in the 1950s in both Rome and London. The imagery is textured and the characters are deep and interesting. Natalie Jenner does a great job fleshing out both the plot, the political time period, and the character inspirations. I quite enjoyed the novel and will definitely find more from Jenner.

This book is the third in the series of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls. It can definitely be read as a stand alone novel.many characters of the previous books do make an appearance in this book.

Vivian goes to Rome in the 1950’s to be a scriptwriter on a film shooting about a female resistance fighter- La Scolaretta. Many British and American expatriates are helping work on this film. During this time, Vivian still has the mystery of her deceased fiancé weighing on her. During the filming process, the Catholic Church censors them. The story has a dual timeline of the 1950’s of making the film and 1943 with the female resistance fighter.

I did enjoy the story but there were so many characters and names thrown in that I thought was unnecessary.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Natalie Jenner for the arc copy.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. This is actually #3 in a series. I have read #2, but not #1 in the series. This does work as a standalone book because it's been a while since I read #2 and I didn't realize that this was part of the same series until I went back to check on it. The setting is Italy right after WWII in the film industry with people from many countries coming to Italy to try to make movies.

This was a beautiful book. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down because the story was so compelling. The writing was awesome.

Vivien, of Bloomsbury Girls, is going on an adventure. A phone call from her supposed dead fiancee's family has set her on edge and taken her to Italy. As a playwright, she hasn't had a lot of success, and she is hoping to be successful as a script writer in the Roman studios.

But, yet again, there is an obstacle. This time it is the Vatican. As she fights with the church and tries to decide between her two suitors, she gets herself into a pickle.

I loved the special appearances by the characters in the other books. They all are going to have to come to terms with their war memories and try to move forward.

Netgalley/ St. Martin's Press, May 14, 2024

A beautifully written book with a moving story. I was drawn onto this book by the gorgeous setting of Italy and the atmospheric 1950's cinema scene. Well written dual timeline with characters you will love.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I didn’t realize this was a third in the series until I came back to write this review and read other feedback. For me, it worked perfectly as a standalone novel and I really enjoyed it. I’ll go back and read the other books because I loved this author’s writing style and the timeframe of the story. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

This book is set in Italy in the 1950s where Italians are still recovering from war and still trying to figure out whether it's the church or the state that is in control. Much of the action, though it's so slow I can barely call it action, centers around the film industry trying to go as far as they can and still avoid church censorship. Quite honestly, I could not connect with any of the characters to the point that I quit reading at the halfway mark because I simply didn't care what happened to any of them. And it was a chore to push myself to read as far as I did. The writing was good and the dialog well-paced so I gave three stars on that merit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Every Time We Say Goodbye" by Natalie Jenner is a captivating novel set against the backdrop of 1950s London and Rome. The story follows Vivien Lowry, a playwright facing a career crisis after her latest play, the only female-authored play on the London stage that season, is met with critical disapproval. Despite the setback, Vivien seizes the opportunity to work as a script doctor on a film in Rome's Cinecitta Studios, a decision that takes her on a journey of self-discovery, love, and confronting the ghosts of her past.

The narrative unfolds against the rich tapestry of the post-war cinema scene in Italy, marked by a clash between the liberation of filmmaking and the constraints imposed by the Catholic Church. As Vivien navigates the vibrant world of rising stars, acclaimed directors, and famous actors, she grapples with the complexities of her own life, including the trauma of World War II and the mystery surrounding her deceased fiancé.

Natalie Jenner masterfully weaves a tale of hope, renewal, and the enduring power of art. The novel explores themes of love, grief, and the quest for redemption, drawing readers into a world where characters, both real and imaginary, come to life with depth and authenticity. Jenner's storytelling prowess, previously showcased in "The Jane Austen Society" and "Bloomsbury Girls," shines through as she delves into the complexities of Vivien's journey.

"Every Time We Say Goodbye" promises a poignant exploration of trauma and tragedy, offering readers a glimpse into a bygone era and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to shape her destiny. With its evocative setting, well-drawn characters, and compelling narrative, this novel is sure to resonate with fans of historical fiction, women's fiction, and those who appreciate stories of resilience and self-discovery.

This should have been a stand alone book and not the third to the series. She ties it in but barely.

But the good news is this is a wonderful WWII historical fiction novel. Unique way to tell the story through Vivien. I love the ending. There are some really smart ways she did tell the story that is based on real life events.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book by author Natalie Jenner. I have never read either of her previous books. I understand that some of the same characters are in each of the books.. It follows Vivienne, a playwright from London who goes to Rome, Italy in the 1950s to help with a film. She is trying to start over after her fiancé disappears and is presumed dead while serving in the War. After she discovers she is pregnant, she puts her child up for adoption because she thinks it will be too difficult as a single mother and her fiancés family doesn’t think she was ever good enough for their son.
While in Rome working on the film, we meet a lot of characters, both fictional and real. There are a lot of famous actors and actresses named among the pages. We also see how much influence and censorship the Catholic Church had on the film industry. They must put their stamp of approval on every film made and require changes to scenes and scripts.
During this time, Vivienne finds a man to spend her time with but he turns out to be not who he portrays, and her heart is broken again.
There is another timeline told from the 1940s. It involves a woman who is a part of the resistance who killed, was captured and executed. The two timelines come together when a new project of a film of the resistance fighter is announced.
I found the book to be a bit confusing because of all the characters and their back stories. The amount of detail given about places and people, I found a bit daunting and found myself skimming sections when they became a bit too “wordy,”
It may have helped if I had read the previous two books I he series.

As a big fan of both The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls, I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of Jenner's latest, Every Time We Say Goodbye. Although some of the characters from the first two books appear in this one, I think it can easily be read as a stand-alone (although I highly recommend reading the others). This book takes place in Italy, alternating between wartime and the 50s. I learned a lot about life in Italy during the war, the Italian resistance and the Catholic Church's influence over the movie industry. That said, I am less interested in the film industry than the literary themes of the other books. I appreciated learning about the displaced people from the war and the impact of people not knowing what happened to their loved ones. I think the book would be a great choice for book discussion groups because of the many issues included in the book. I look forward to reading more from the author.