I honestly don’t even know where to begin. This book just grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. It’s like historical fiction meets magical realism meets romance. It was so unique and special.

The characters just felt SO REAL! I read the authors note about her creative process and who all the characters were based off of, and it just goes to show why they felt so real, because they really were inspired by real people. It was simply amazing to me the research that she put into this book.

It had me laughing and crying and believing in true love and second chances. The flashes between past and present were so well done. The story was just so poignant and entertaining. It’s A beautifully written story of lost loves being found, the power of forgiveness, and just maybe a little sprinkle of magic.

The audiobook narrator also did a fantastic job!!

It’s never too late for second chances or new beginnings. Augusta Stern is a newly retired pharmacist and turning 80 when she decides to move to an active senior community in Florida where she crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the boy who broke her heart 60 years ago.

Augusta’s story is such a sweet, beautifully written story with a little bit of intrigue, a little bit of magic and a little bit of jealousy. Set in an active retirement community where everyone knows everyone’s business, this books captures the environment perfectly. Loigman has welded the two timelines together perfectly releasing their secrets with perfect timing. I loved the character development of Aunt Ester and Augusta, breaking down the walls and ceiling and doing what needs to be done. A great feel good read to spend a the day with.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a minute. Initially, I found Augusta (especially older Augusta - this is a dual timeline story) really frustrating and genuinely annoying. She acted entitled and bratty and rude. However, I loved younger Augusta, and it started to dawn on me that my dislike of her was likely intentional, so I stuck it out. I think I just am burnt out on the 'strong, social awkward lady' thing that I've seen in books like <i>Lessons in Chemistry</i>, and when I started to get those vibes from Augusta, I just started to dislike her. HOWEVER, I'm glad I stuck with it, because sure enough, as the novel went on, I was given more insights into Augusta, her life, and her story, and I liked her more and more.

I'd be lying if I said I loved everything about this novel - there were a few goofy things in the plot that I just chose not to think too hard about - but I liked the vast majority of it. The time period is brilliantly researched, and I loved the dual timeline. I really liked the characters and while I would have enjoyed more info about Esther (what a rockstar!) and about Augusta's in between time (between teenagerhood and old age), I liked the story. It got me tearing up a few times, and the humor was a great juxtaposition to the sadder elements.

Overall, if you're looking for a good historical fiction with great research, a fun plot, and a main character that grows on you, this is a good choice! If you struggle with mystery and purposefully vague plots, or if you are not up for reading a book that deals relatively heavily with loss in all its forms, this might not be great. The audiobook was delightfully narrated, and I'd recommend it if you're into audiobooks, too.

This is a beautiful, timely story of the power of women to achieve amazing things in life and to be so much more than what, oftentimes, men and society want or expect them to be. Augusta Stern is the daughter of a pharmacist and the niece of an apothecary. She grows up in a home with family members who want nothing more than to heal the people in their community and Augusta inherits that desire to heal others. Through the course of her teen years, she learns to create elixirs and then when she finishes high school she goes on to become a pharmacist and enjoys a successful career. But this is only a fraction of the story.
At the age of 79, Augusta finally retires and moves to a resort to finally relax. When she arrives, she's shocked to find her old flame living there as well! After nearly 60 years, Augusta feels every bit of hurt as though Irving had disappeared from her life just days ago. She also feels every bit of love she still has for him. Throughout the story, we are side by side with Augusta as she remembers her past and confronts her present and makes important decisions about a future that may end up hurting her or healing her.
This is a book that I'll be recommending to all of the women in my life. Thank you to NetGalley and to St Martin's Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Life is for living and enjoying.”

I really enjoyed reading this book!! I found Augusta to be lovable even though she is pretty stern and strong willed. Augusta’s story is told in dual timelines from the present to the past. I loved the past storyline because it gives you a clear picture on how Augusta came to be who she is in her 80s (present). I loved all the details around her passion and interest her dad’s profession as a pharmacist despite what folks thought girls/women should be doing instead.

The audiobook was so well done as Augusta’s character was brought o life so well!! Looking forward to reading more from Lynda!

Augusta is going to stay with me for a long, long time and Lynda Cohen Loigman is absolutely an auto-buy author for me. The narration was very well done and added to the reading experience! Thank you so much to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for the ARC.

Pull a barstool up to the soda counter and crack this one open the first chance you get. You’ll be instantly transported to the streets of a 1920s Lower East Side pharmacy. Widower Solomon Stern slings prescriptions and wisdom to his community; he plays the roles of both a doctor and a counselor and must carefully straddle lines in Prohibition-era New York City.

Augusta is eager to follow in his footsteps despite being let down by medicine when she lost her mother to diabetes only months before insulin treatments were made available. But when Augusta’s Aunt Esther moves in and begins treating Solomon’s customers with more “alternative” (dare she say — magical? — methods), Augusta is torn in two directions as she tries to determine her life’s path. All the while, romance is abloom between Augusta and Irving, the pharmacy’s delivery boy. Soon, though, he finds himself tied up in trouble that may rip him from the solace he’s found with the Stern family.

We go back and forth between the 1920s pharmacy and Augusta’s retirement to a Florida community where she is forced to reckon with her past. She must decide whether healing is a strategic, medical process or an ancient, magical one. Or, just maybe, a bit of both?

Highly recommended to fans of a good old-fashioned story.

The dual storyline gave a complete picture of young Augusta (1920s Brooklyn) and as an 80 year old in a Florida senior living community. I enjoyed both parts of the story and loved most of the secondary characters who figured into Augusta's life.

Gabra Zackman's narration was excellent which enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

4.5 stars rounded up

Read this if you like:
•dual timelines
•a tragic love story
•second chances
•a touch of magic

A beautiful and tragic story. I loved that Augusta went to pharmacy school and pushed through even when people were sexist. I loved her great aunt Esther who was a healer with elixirs. This book was so real and heartwarming. Thank you Macmillan audio for ALC

Lynda Cohen Loigman's "The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern" is a work of art. One of the best dual timelines I've ever read. Augusta, nearly 80 and recently retired is forced to confront the hurts of her past when she reconnects with Irving from her youth. I appreciated Augusta's strong independence yet gentle care; and her love for work and family despite the culture of the 1920s. The way Loigman wove together the past and present timelines was seamless and beautifully connected. Had I read a physical copy, I would've highlighted many lines that were lyrical and poignant. I felt hope, deep sadness, and joy during this read as the choices characters made in the past changed the course of their lives. The audiobook is read by Gabra Zackman. She did an excellent job of bringing this story to life through emotional inflection and character voices. This is a read I would recommend to people of all ages!

I just loved this book. Still processing it before I have more to say, but I'm so excited for everyone to get their hands on it.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know young and grown Augusta. She was a no nonsense lady! This story was heartfelt and hopeful.

I liked the concept of this- childhood friends and sweethearts reunited 60+ years later in a retirement community. But the execution made me sad. Yes, there is a message of hope and second chances. But the way it was written, I felt the time lost more than anything.

The story was well researched and captivating. It just made me sad in a frustrated way, so I couldn't love it. I was angry. Though some revelations at the end were somewhat funny- or could have been if they weren't 60 years too late.

Gabra Zackman and Lynda Cohen Loigman narrate the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration and this works well as an audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

A character driven novel that has two timelines (1920's and 1987) about the life of 80 yr old Augusta Stern. I would say misunderstandings and mysteries are ribboned into the novel. I've seen it marketed as a magical realism book (which I love) but I wouldn't classify this as that. I would say it's more light embellished type of fantasy (aka medicine wise) but it's definitely more of a lit fiction book than any other.

Short synopsis is: a young woman who is hurt by her only love 60 yrs ago and given a second chance at 80. I would say you could even have some popular tropes describing this one: second chance romance, miscommunication and curmudgeon characters. But while I LOVED The Matchamker's Gift by the same author, this was just a like. Which there is nothing wrong with that; perhaps it is me, maybe I have been reading just too many character lit fiction books lately for arcs.

On a separate note, that audio narrator was amazing.

3.5 for the story
5/5 for that narrator in the audio version (I was lucky to be gifted both!)

Another magical story from Lynda Cohen Loigman. Last year, I adored Matchmaker’s Gift and was eagerly awaiting Love Elixir. This book was so charming and lived up to my expectations.

Gabra Zackman does a fantastic job with the narration.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a very sweet and wholesome dual timeline story of missed opportunities, sexism with a bit of magic throughout.
Augusta is strong brave woman who has lots to share about the secrets to aging gracefully and with gusto.

It was very refreshing to read about seniors for a change.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my Heaven's this book was Fantastic!! I've loved all her books & I think this is my new favorite. It is a pure Wonderful magical ride. It has sooo many wonderful messages. You are NEVER to old to be loved, or to love. The ending was so Fun! I didn't want it to end!!
Thank U NetGalley!!

Ok this was such a sweet book. I had not read anything else by this author so I was not sure what to expect. I am usually not a fan of dual timelines but this one worked. It was set in the 1920s and 1980s though I honestly didn’t get the “80s” vibe, it felt more present day, but that is not a knock on the book, just an observation. I did not know if I would like a book where the main characters were in their 80s but I came to feel fondly for everyone. Great, unique plot. I will say I found myself sad and frustrated that their “miscommunication” lasted over 60 years. That is so much time lost and I found myself questioning if it would have been better with 30, even 40 years lost and at least they would find their true love again earlier in life, but I guess that’s the point of the book; that you can reconnect with your one true love at any age? This was a great book and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“A woman of science like her father, an old world healer like her aunt. She believed in medicine and in miracles. She believed in family and in love.”

In this atmospheric story of second chances, Loigman’s signature style is on full display. How she transports readers to another time and weaves in a hint of magic is exactly what I loved about her 2022 novel The Matchmaker’s Gift.

In the 1920s Augusta Stern grows up in her family’s Brooklyn, New York pharmacy guided by her father, a beloved member of the community. After her mother passes, a great aunt comes into the Sterns’ lives with very different and unconventional methods of healing.

We jump ahead to the late 1980s and Augusta has retired to a Florida condo complex where she crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the pharmacy delivery boy from the old neighborhood. Decades of hurt and miscommunication suddenly come back to the surface leading all the characters to question the magic in their own lives.

The settings of the New York pharmacy and the southern retirement community were delightful additions to a lovely story, certain to be a big hit with readers everywhere.

Gabra Zackman’s audio performance added a lovely dimension to a novel I am happy to recommend to other readers.

Many thanks to St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN by Lynda Cohen Loigman is an easy 5⭐️ read for me on two levels.

First, when was the last time you read a romance novel where the love interests are septuagenarians and octogenarians? That alone should get your attention. How encouraging that the author portrays senior citizens as vibrant, thriving beings still capable of living life to its fullest. Bravo! Augusta Stern is a trailblazer; pursuing a science based career and running a business at a time when women were doing neither. She is determined, successful, and ahead of her time. Her story is the ultimate second chance romance with dual timelines in the 1920s and 1987. Augusta (Goldie) and Irving fell in love as teenagers and were destined to be together until life got in the way. Is love still possible when they reunite (many) decades later?

The second reason this book earned all the stars is because it brought me back to the Brooklyn of my youth. Though I am not Jewish, I was raised in a neighborhood populated by Italian and Jewish immigrants. I grew up surrounded by the traditions, celebrations, and culture of both these joyous groups and my childhood was richer as a result. I recall my mother taking me to the druggist at Rite Drugs on 65th Street for him to diagnose, treat, and minister to bug bites, strange rashes, and minor illnesses. That was the first stop before seeing a doctor. Medicine, in the easily recognizable blue and white paper bag, was often brought to our door by the teenage delivery boy who arrived on his bicycle. Ms. Cohen Loigman has perfectly captured a time when my neighborhood was the entire world and we relied on and trusted local shopkeepers like family. I love it when an author gets things right and she most certainly did. Her impeccable research shines through the entire book.

The audio version of this book is simply magical. Gabra Zackman adds authenticity to each of the characters with her on point accents and inflections. Listening to her transported me to my days in Bensonhurst and I so enjoyed immersing myself in the memories of that simpler time.

I loved this book. It spoke to my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

“A kind word can fix a person’s spirit. A cruel one can break a person’s heart. Wicked words have caused wars, and honest words have made peace. Why shouldn’t they be able to heal?”

I love a good octogenarian story and this one with its deep backstory and heartfelt reunions was a true joy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment from life’s heartbreaking experiences to the dramatic revelations and everything in between.

The dual timelines worked really well and as it flashed back from the late 1970s to 1922 what hit me so hard was that a diagnosis of Type I Diabetes was fatal before insulin. It made me, yet again, appreciate the advances in modern medicine.

I did a combo of digital and audio, both are excellent option so if you’re looking for a sweet second chance romance with a little magical realism thrown in, look no further!

Rating: 4/5⭐️
Pub day: October 8

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the arc and Macmillan Audio for the alc via Netgalley.