What a great story of second chances, forgiveness and old-wives herbal medicine. This story takes us through six decades of living with lost love and misunderstanding. It also is a history of pharmaceuticals compared to magical healing passed down from the old country. I loved this novel.

I absolutely loved the previous three novels by Ms. Cohen Loigman however that unfortunately is not the case for this particular book. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC and I wish I had a better review. The story is slow moving and the past/present switch is not working. The entire book could have been summed up in the first 3-4 chapters and then allowed the story to progress from there. The characters are flat with no substance. I did like the humor of "senior" Irving, but "senior" Augusta was just angry the entire story. Without spoilers I'll just say sometimes in life you have to decide to move on from your past and should a second chance present either take it or again let go.

I don't know what happened with this book...again I gave each of the prior books 5 stars. Looking forward to the next 5 star read by Ms. Cohen Loigman. Not giving up.

I really liked seeing Augusta in both timelines. I liked the look back on her past that helps you learn more about who she is and where she comes from. I liked how she learned different things from her Aunt. We get to see her relationship with Irving blossom.
This story is one that gives you hope.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

When we meet Augusta Stern she forced into retiring from her position as a hospital pharmacist and is moving into a senior-living community in Florida. Much to her surprise, though, Augusta runs into Irving Rivkin, someone from her past, and it's immediately clear that things did not end on a good note. Interspersed with these chapters, we get a glimpse of Augusta as a young girl growing up in New York City in the 1920s, working in her father's pharmacy, coping with the loss of her mother, and learning strange new ways to help people through the non-traditional remedies her great aunt secretly prepares in the kitchen. Despite her close relationship with Irving, it's clear that Augusta is not a typical girl and wants to pursue a degree to become a pharmacist like her father, though she is equally drawn to her aunt's mysterious potions. As the novel unfolds in this dual timeline we see what became of Augusta in the intervening years, why she endured heartbreak at such an early age, and how she finds peace in her later years as well. This is a touching story about love, and hope and second chances.

4.5 - This was a delightful read! The characters were likable, and the story was heartwarming. This is a novel about family and friends, love and loss, and the power of the assumptions we make about others and our relationships. It’s a tale of sacrifice, forgiveness, the power of women who support each other, the history of how women were (and still are) overlooked in the medical field both as patients and as practitioners, how stars can align or misalign, the power of new beginnings, and a little magic.

I highly recommend this novel! Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Lynda Cohen Louganis for this free ARC digital copy.

First let me say I love the cover design. Augusta Stern, retired finally at the age of 80, moves to a retirement community in Florida. She is stunned to discover the love of her life, Irving Rifkin also lives there. The last time she saw him was 62 years ago when instead of marrying her he fled to Chicago marrying another woman. Living above their pharmacy as a teenager in the 1920’s, August would like nothing better than to follow in her dads footsteps and become a pharmacist. When her mother dies her great aunt Esther moves in and teaches her another way of dispensing medicine using herbs and even a little magic. The story goes back and forth from past to present until we have a fuller picture of Augusta and Irving’s life. The past is written beautifully and I feel like I’m living in New York as it was back then. I had a little trouble with the present chapters as the adults more often than not acted more juvenile than when they were actually younger. All in all a good solid read.

When Irving makes reservations at the nicest restaurant in town to celebrate Augusta’s high school graduation she is sure he is going to propose. But he doesn’t. Instead he marries another and leaves town soon after. Devastated, Augusta vows to never fall in love again and instead devotes her life to her work. Forced to retire as she nears eighty years of age, Augusta moves to a retirement village in Florida. And one of the first people she meets there is Irving Ripken. The love she felt for Irving as a teen has grown into hate and she’s determined to keep her distance and not get hurt again. But fate intervenes and with a little help from her niece, Jackie, and Aunt Esther’s special elixir Augusta discovers second chances are possible and love is just as sweet the second time around. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

What a wonderful story of love, loss and miscommunication. I enjoyed that this was a romance between older characters as the story flips between the 1920s and 1980s. The characters were well written and the idea of how tough it has always been for women to choose between career and love resonated with me. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of modern medicine and a holistic natural approach. I really enjoyed this book and appreciate the opportunity to have read it. I will for sure suggest this one!

This is a fast and satisfying novel. The characters are well drawn and pleasant to be with. Most of all, I appreciated the way Augusta's story is revealed in chapters alternating between her young life and her older life, showing why she has certain perceptions and why she made the decisions that she made. As I read it, I kept thinking of people I wanted to give it to, both at the library and in my friend group!

This is a magical book! It isn't about magic per se, but it IS about an 80 year old never-married, feisty, independent woman named Augusta. She became a pharmacist like her father and she also learned natural remedies from her Aunt Esther. I call the story magical because there's a love story, and a mystery, and lots of emotion... all equally relevant. For me, this is a magical combination.

I love how the author alternated the story between Augusta as a young woman and August at 80. This is a novel with a story beautifully told. I appreciated hearing some of the story from Irving's point of view.

Also important to me was the thread of how healing doesn't always happen via Western medicine, and how medicine from Nature's herbs and ingredients can be equally (and sometimes more) powerful.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, this was a fun read! Not my typical kind of literature, and I don't usually enjoy characters who are old in age, but this one was fun. It was predictable once things started to "fall into place" and that's why it gets 4 stars, but it's still great. Love the ending! I think I would have liked abut more magical realism for a book that certainly alludes to magical realism, but it wasn't bad. All of the characters were balanced, and the plot throughout the dual time-line was easy to follow.

I loved this story because there are so few books written from the perspective of elder adults. The main character reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive as she (Augusta) is a feisty older woman and it was fun to hear about her past and the misunderstandings around failed relationships. The main theme, that it is never too late, was wonderful. The elixir portion of the book was slightly fantastical and not my favorite part, but it did add nicely to the storyline. A book worth reading.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

This was a lighthearted, charming read. Augusta Stern was a teenager living over her father's pharmacy in 1920s. She wanted to help people like her father did - dispensing medicines to ease their problems. When her great-aunt moved in to help out, Augusta discovered a new way to help others. Meanwhile she fell in love with the delivery boy, Irving. Fast-forward to 1987, when newly retired Augusta discovers Irving is living in the retirement community that she just moved into. Since Augusta hadn't seen Irving since he broke her heart 60 years ago, she's not entirely thrilled to see him! This book is filled with hopes and dreams and lots of misunderstandings. This is the second novel I've read by Lynda Cohen Loigman and I'm hoping for a 3rd! Both books have strong female characters, stories told in 2 different time periods, and a touch of magic. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Cute book! Story was a bit predictable. Enjoyed the dual timelines.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked the plot i thought it was so fresh. i think i have a soft spot for senior MCs and the concept of how long and deep our lives really are so this book got me

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
Author: Lynda Cohen Loigman
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024

Mazol Tov to Lynda Cohen Loigman with her upcoming release of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern. This book is like a big slice of Chocolate Babka with tea in a cozy kitchen—charming, mystical, magical, loving, and hopeful. In the Stern family, the death of their mother renders her two daughters and husband wallowing in grief until the arrival of Aunt Esther. Augusta’s father is a pharmacist, but her aunt is a healer with resources her nephew doesn’t have to cure the heart. But having a healer’s gift can be a blessing and a curse. You have to be very careful how you use your “gift.” Augusta spends her life growing old in the pharmacy but without Irving, the love of her life...the one who got away. Fast forward to her 80th birthday, and Augusta has time to reflect on her past. The reminiscing that comes with her newly retired life in Florida sets up the entire life-affirming story. I LOVED THIS NOVEL. I love spending time in the Jewish faith. I love the traditions and the kindness of this family. Not all detours are wrong turns; sometimes, they are simple delays in your future. It is never too late to start again. Love is magic.

#historicalfiction #Jewish #magicalrealism #healers #women #life #love #family #future #mistakes #WomensFiction #faith #romance #spells #TheLoveElixirOfAugustaStern #Goldie @lloigman @stmartinspress @netgalley #chickensoup

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: October 8, 2024.

#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader #reading

Forged partly of her father’s career as a pharmacist and then by her great Aunt Esther who came from the old country and had herbalist magic, Augusta is a contrary octogenarian who’s a recent transplant from her entire life in New York to Florida, after being forced into retirement, where she meets up with a former love interest.

Let me not go on with the plot because if you’re reading this you’re interested in actually reading the book instead of reading spoilers in my reviews (as a media consumer I despise spoilers), but instead let me tell you how much I came to care for and adore Augusta Stern as a character (and Aunt Esther ❤️).

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern made me laugh in memory along with making me tear up. This was a beautiful, touching story and I’m so very thankful I had the opportunity to read an early copy of it.

I believe that Lynda Cohen Loigman has a magic touch herself, because everything she writes that I read I fall in love with - it’s all so rich and vibrant as the East coast of my infancy and childhood mid 70’s, 80’s, and into the early 90’s. I’m wholly under the spell of her writing now and she will be an auto-read author for me, moving forward 📖😍

This was pure magic and it’s an absolute recommendation.



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

This was a refreshing, fun, charming story. I have believed for a long time the the necessity of east and west medicine. I highly recommend this book to all.

This was nice easy read that left you feeling good at the end. And sometimes that is all you need. I enjoyed the story both from the past and the present. Goldie was a great character and carried the story along nicely.

4.5 / 5.0 stars

What an absolutely charming story! There's history, family dynamics, clash of the old world and the new, magical realism and a touch of romance. What more could one ask for?

Across dual time lines, (1920s Brooklyn and 1980s southern Florida), we follow the life of Augusta Stern. In her very early years she and her family are dealt a difficult blow. Her father, the neighborhood pharmacist, struggles to manage work and the family. Soon, his mother's sister Esther, joins them and manages their home. But Esther is old world and dad is of the new. There's so much for Augusta to learn and so many decisions to make as she plans her life's journey. Can old and new world ways peacefully cohabit? Add to that a young struggling Irving, who is Augusta's dearest friend and perhaps even a bit more. That is until he abandons her. Sixty years later, all the youthful angst and hurt resurfaces. But can all be made well? Perhaps anything can be fixed with a bowl of hot chicken soup. Please pass me a spoon.

Ms. Loigman has done a spectacular job of providing a beautiful story with a lot of heart. The writing is solid; the characters are well-developed; the dialogue fun and at times amusing; the old world ways are mysterious and magical; and the story just warms one's heart. Are you looking for a charming feel good story? Then this may just be the perfect book for you.

I am grateful to to St. Martin's Press for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.



Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
No. of pages:‎ 320
ISBN:‎ 978-1250278104