I'm late to the party, but what a lovely story!

Through alternating timelines of 1987 and the 1920's, we meet Augusta Stern. She's the daughter of a pharmacist who perseveres through personal and professional challenges to work as a pharmacist until she turns 80. Ms. Cohen Loigman's beautifully descriptive writing brings the various settings to life - from the family kitchen in Brooklyn to the retirement community in Florida. I would love Esther's chicken soup recipe!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Lovel Elixir of Augusta Stern. I received a complimentary copy of the book and opinions expressed are completely my own.

Quick easy read that was entertaining with a generally likeable main cast of characters. I also enjoyed the dual timelines. There weren't many unexpected twists and turns, so 3 stars for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a love story wrapped around a mystery with a touch of magic. Augusta Stern’s father was a pharmacist and after her mother dies while she was a young girl, her aunt came to live with them to care for her. Her aunt also crafted potions to make people feel better but her dad scoffed at these remedies which did not rely on science. When Augusta’s childhood boyfriend abruptly marries another, she throws herself into life as a pharmacist. But after she is forced to retire, she finds her former boyfriend at the same retirement community in Florida, and perhaps some of her aunt’s remedies may be of use? Thanks to the author and publishers for providing an eARC in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the dual timelines which included both Augusta as a young woman and as an older one. Even though I am no longer a woman in college and I’m not a woman in my 80’s, I still easily connected with Augusta. She struggled in a time when women weren’t likely to go to college but she persevered anyway. She continued to work years after most felt she was ‘supposed to’. I loved her strong personality and ambition.

Augusta doesn’t know what to do with herself when she is forced to retire. She doesn’t know anything else beyond being a pharmacist and treating people in both conventional and unconventional ways. She moves to a retirement community where she runs into Irving, a man from her past.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for my copies of this book.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is historical fiction, with romance, and a pinch of magical realism. It’s told from two different timelines, the past and the present. I liked that the author did this because it really helped me understand the characters more, and to really have a deeper connection with them as well. I found this book to be sweet, sad, heartbreaking and then so much love and acceptance. I went into this book blind, and I am so happy that I did because wow, I didn’t know that I would love this book as much as I did.

You will be taken back to the 1920’s in Brooklyn. You will meet Augusta, her father, her sister and of course their awesome Great Aunt Esther (who moved in after the death of Augusta mother). You will also meet Irving who is the delivery boy from Augusta’s father’s pharmacy shop. You will see the highs and lows of living during that era, and you will get to see how someone that is an apothecary/healer and a board-certified pharmacist live together and how they handle people’s illnesses differently. I found that when the author would move to the present time, which was 1987 (best year ever!!) to have been a smooth transition, I was not confused at all while reading this book. I loved getting to understand the characters more, from why they did what they did to how they lived different lives to the regrets and the accomplishments. I found that the author did great with the pace of the book not once, was I wishing that it would speed up or move on, but found myself instead sad to see this wonderful book end. I felt as though I knew the characters in real life, and I was just in Florida sitting down by the pool listening to their story.

For me, the best part that I took from this book is even though you might go through tragedy in your life, you can find someone who understands you and loves you no matter what and it doesn’t have to be a romantic love but all kinds of love. I also loved that even though you might have made some choices that lead you to not having the life you wanted, you never know what second chances might pop up later on in life.

I will be recommending this book to everyone to read, it is beautifully written and has so much meaning in it.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a very enjoyable story. I liked the past/present timelines and the focus on the occult. It was heart-warming and a feel-good read with strong familial bonds and a great ending. I would definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to SMP and Netgalley for the arc.

This was a really unique and interesting book that ran the gamut of emotions. The characters were fleshed out and I was invested in the story from the start and kept holding out hope for that happy ending. What a great book.

This was the most delightful book! You will fall in love with all the quirky characters - from Augusta’s elderly aunt who provides more than just the usual soup, Augusta who does eventually get her happy ending, and even the old “schmucks” at the retirement village. You will find yourself smiling months later, like I am reminiscing over this late review.

Augusta Stern has had a career she loved as a pharmacist for many years, in fact, a decade longer than she had admitted to her final employer. When she is relatively gently shown the door, she follows the advice of her beloved niece to move to a retirement community in Florida. There, she finds her first love, Irving Rivkin, who broke her heart just over sixty years ago. He is clearly still in love with her, but what does Augusta want? And what happened all those years ago to make him leave her for another woman?

This story takes place in two timelines - one from Augusta "Goldie" Stern's childhood through her younger life and the other in the 1980s around her eightieth birthday. The chapters alternate and typically are launched by something that happened in the chapter from the other timeline. For example, Augusta or Irving wonders what had made the other do something when they were young and then the next chapter tells that story.

I think that the older timeline is better written and yet I found myself wanting to get back to the "present" to see whether they would end up together ultimately. I enjoyed the book a lot and found myself coming up with a theory about what went wrong and then revising it as more details came to light. My initial theory was relatively close, but not so much that I didn't have a few surprises along the way. If you enjoy historical fiction, this book has two historical timelines and I think you will like it. The only real complaint I had was that I thought some of the actions the octogenarians took were too juvenile. I'm not saying an octogenarian is incapable of feeling passion and anger and sadness, but I'd like to think he or she would express it better than your average teenager. Some of the reactions read like they were straight out of a high school lunchroom or hallway.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
Author Lynda Cohen Loigman

Thank you, @netgalley @stmartinspress and @macmillianaudio, for my #gifted copies of this unique novel that was one of my favorite reads of 2024. Yes, I bought my own copy in one of my BOTM boxes. The audio narration of this one done by Gabra Zackman was perfection.

I waited to post my review because last night, I had the pleasure of meeting @lloigman in an author chat via Zoom that was moderated by @lbtheloverof books. What a treat and such a wonderful conversation about all things Augusta!

I absolutely love the second change trope, and when there's a creative spin or a storyline that's not typically written, like a second chance on love in their eighties, it makes for such a unique and special read.

In the 1920's, Augusta Stern was a teenager in Brooklyn, where her hardworking and role model father is a trusted pharmacist in the neighborhood. When Augusta's mother dies, Aunt Ester moves in and has her own methods of healing with potions, powders, and soups. Augusta is preparing for pharmacy college and is torn between her relatives' healing ways, which causes her to seek the truth about her complicated relationship with Irving, the delivery boy at the pharmacy, in an unconventional way that consequently ends not at all how Augusta had hoped.

Sixty years later, Augusta retires to a senior living home in Florida and crosses paths with Irving from so many years ago. What follows is the sharp, witty, and hilarious path to truth, forgiveness, and freedom from past mistakes. These characters are dynamic, wise, and full of heart, and I loved learning more about the Jewish culture with an added hint of magical realism. It was also fun to read about retirement living in Florida, as I can relate to the lifestyle and drama as so many of our patients live in this type of setting. This would also be a perfect February read for all the extra love this month!

Augusta Stern is on the threshold of turning eighty, newly retired, and relocated to Southern Florida. And now she's feeling out-of-s0rts emotionally.

First of all, she's unhappy about being forced to retire. Secondly, she's unsure about living in a senior community far from where she's always lived. But mostly, she's shocked and perplexed at running into Irving Rivkin, who broke her heart sixty years ago...

"The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern" has alternating timelines of 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida that kept me reading.

* In the 1920s timeline, we are introduced to the two important influences in Augusta's early life in Brooklyn, her father and mentor, Solomon, and the magic of her relationship with her Great Aunt Esther. These chapters are my favorite.

* In the 1980s timeline, we learn how Augusta transitions to her new lifestyle in Florida. I did enjoy the depiction of healthy, active, fun, and intelligent over seventy central characters through these chapters. It was a refreshing perspective of this age group.

An immersion read, the audiobook was narrated by Gabra Zackman, who brought life to the many characters. I found both formats equally enjoyable.

I read the debut novel "The Two Family House" and fell in love with this author’s simple, uncomplicated, and readable storytelling. Loigman writes evocative stories with heart and soul that are well-researched for historical and character authenticity. Her author's note gives the details of why she wrote this story and it adds to the reasons why I will be here for her next novel.

I recommend "The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern" to readers who enjoy Historical and Women's Fiction with a sprinkle of magic through the pages!

4.5⭐

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Lynda Cohen Loigman for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming book. The dual timeline is handled well, with no real issues keeping up with which time period we were in. I loved the characters, 80-year-old Augusta is a little cranky, but with her history (which is told in a series of flashbacks throughout the book) I figured she's entitled. Her friends and family are nicely drawn characters. Both timelines feel "right", I wasn't around in the 1920s, but I could picture things as described (movies and TV help!). I was around in the 80s though, and that timeline did feel right as well. Overall it was a lovely story about life and love and the gift of second chances at the most unexpected times. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Gabra Zackman; the voices she gave the different characters felt just right.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern was such a surprising and beautiful story of love across a life time. In two time settings, it follows Augusta Stern as an 18 year old and an 80 year old as she falls in love with Irving Rivkin.

I didn't expect to love this story as much as I did, especially when I was reading it at first. This is a slow burn of a story and a romance. While it's slow at first, things pick up and the characters really develop beautifully. I loved watching the two periods of time be woven together so skillfully. The growth of the characters in both times was wonderful as well.

Overall, a moving story and a wonderful love story

Eightly year old retired Pharmacist Augusta Stern is reflecting on her life, and the choices she made along the way and rather or not she would have made different choices.

THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN was a good read. I have read all of Loigman’s novels and really like the way the author approaches a story and weaves together multiple perspectives and time periods with ease and grace. It’s challenging to put together characters carrying burdens like Augusta and Irving. I liked the transition between two timeframes and appreciated that they each stayed linear so you never felt lost and always knew what character was talking. I also loved the development of each character in each timeline including the supporting cast. My favorite character – Esther! When you read it, you will know what she brings to the story! This book brings a good story, high quality writing, great visual depictions of people and events, and a solid ending. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a beautifully crafted, five-star novel that follows Augusta, a woman who grew up in her family’s pharmacy. The book moves between past and present, diving into Augusta’s teenage love Irving, who shows up at the retirement community Augusta has just moved. One of the most interesting aspects of the story is Augusta’s relationship with her Great Aunt Esther, who comes to live with her. Aunt Esther brings with her a wealth of unconventional wisdom on healing, offering Augusta both guidance and comfort through her challenges. Their bond is deeply enriching, adding a layer of warmth and wisdom to the story.

Augusta is a relatable, multi-dimensional character, and the story does an excellent job of showing how her relationships—especially with Irving and her aunt—shaped her over the years. The seamless time shifts give us a rich picture of her emotional growth and the choices that define her life.
This novel is a beautifully layered exploration of love, loss, and personal growth. If you're drawn to character-driven stories that offer both heart and depth, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a must-read.
Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Recipe for an enjoyable read: lovable characters, dual timelines, and a little bit of magic…

🍵 REVIEW: THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN 🍵

By Lynda Cohen Loigman

📖 SUMMARY: In the present day, Augusta Stern is fine with her solitude. After the love of her life broke her heart and left town when she was a young adult, she’s dedicated her life to her career as a pharmacist, which is what her father did. Well, imagine her surprise when, upon her retirement, she moves into a senior living complex and runs into Irving Rivkin, the very same man who broke her heart six decades ago. In the 1920s, young Augusta’s estranged aunt moves in with her family, still mourning the loss of Augusta’s mother. While Augusta’s father is a strait-laced pharmacist, Aunt Esther prefers a more non-traditional approach when concocting her remedies… What happened with the botched potion that Augusta used on Irving? And can they mend their relationship sixty years later?

💭 THOUGHTS: I’m a huge fan of books that feature broken-up couples that find each other after multiple decades. Most of these are centered around WWII or other conflicts, so I liked reading something with lower stakes for a change! You can’t help but root for young Augusta and Irving back in the 20s, and I felt the same about them in the present day timeline (which yes, is not technically OUR modern day but you know what I mean) if only these older characters could stop being so stubborn! Readers who stick around are rewarded with a sweet resolution once the old miscommunication is cleared up.

✨ MADE ME FEEL: like I’m ready to see a The Notebook-esque movie adaptation!

🥰 YOU’LL ENJOY IF: you love star-crossed lovers reuniting after decades

Lynda Cohen Loigman’s The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern offers a charming premise, blending magical realism with family drama. The story of Augusta and her mysterious love elixir has moments of wit and heart, but the pacing feels uneven, and some characters lack depth. While Loigman’s writing shines in its humor and vivid descriptions, the magic surrounding the elixir could have been more fully explored. It’s an enjoyable, light read, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of her earlier works. A solid 3-star story for fans of whimsical tales.

I generally enjoy dual timelines, as long as both timelines are interesting and move the story along well. That was not the case here. The 1920's timeline was way more enjoyable that the 1980's timeline; so much so that I would occasionally skim the contemporary timeline to get back to the past. That isn't how a story should go.

The story in the 1920's was more gripping. The characters had more personality and the story was more interesting. The only problem I had with it was it didn't always feel like the 1920's. There would be times that I would be reading and forget that it was supposed to take place in the past, as there wasn't always a very good description of the time. However, it was a much more enjoyable read in general as that was the only issue. The characters were a lot more mature in this timeline versus the 1980's, which was surprising, as it should have been the other way around. I also enjoyed the setting more - 1920's New York versus 1980's Florida. It didn't help that the parts in Florida almost all took place in a retirement community, so there was very little of Florida actually described.

When the story goes to the 1980's, it immediately loses all its warmth and character. The people in that timeline are all supposed to be in their 80's, but act as though they're teenagers. Either the retirement community only lets in the absolute most fit 80 year olds on the planet, or the author wasn't sure how to write 80 year olds. There were times when it almost felt like reading a YA novel. We deal with characters who can't communicate, are jealous and catty, and even have a small love triangle at one point. Yes, really. I hate love triangles, so when that showed up I was less than thrilled. Luckily it resolves itself pretty quickly, though it really took me out of the story when I got to it. Honestly, if it hadn't been for mentions of the retirement community and such, I would have thought I was actually reading about teenagers. None of the characters seemed to have had any growth in the 60 plus years between the timelines. In fact, it almost feels like they regressed. It wasn't too hard to figure out what happened between Augusta and Irving either once the story introduced other people.

I think I would have enjoyed this much more if the story had taken place entirely in the 1920's, or if the 1980's timeline had been reworked. The past sections I would rate 4 stars while the contemporary timeline I'd give 2, therefore I went with the middle ground at 3.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed the humor and irony in this novel. The magical bits were great too.