I enjoyed The Matchmaker’s Gift, so I was happy to see the author has a new book coming out. I loved this story and the dual timelines. I also enjoyed the humor throughout the book and I loved the characters. That cover is gorgeous! Gabra Zackman narrates the audiobook production beautifully. Sometimes you just need a good story, and this one is terrific! Be sure to listen to the author’s notes at the end.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio @netgalley and @ lloigman for an advanced listening copy.

🫶🪄🎧FIVE STAR ALERT🎧🪄🫶

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🥰Huge thank you to @macmillan.audio for the audiobook and @stmartinspress for the physical book! #macaudio2024

📖Title: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
✍️Author: Lynda Cohen Loigman
🗣️Narrator: Gabra Zackman
⏳Audiobook Length: 9hrs, 40mins
📆Pub date: October 8, 2024

🫶Wow, I was truly blown away by this beautiful book.

📖I had no idea what to expect going into this and didn't even read the synopsis. What I didn't expect was a second-chance love story that would bring me to tears multiple times.

🫶This story was told in two timelines and both of them held my attention fully. I loved every single character, was blown away by her writing, and left speechless at the end.

📖I think you should go in without reading the synopsis like I did and just enjoy the ride. I promise you won't be disappointed.

🫶I immediately went and got her previous audiobook THE MATCHMAKER'S GIFT and cannot wait to start!

🎧Gabra Zackman absolutely helped bring this story to life! 5/5 on the audiobook production and narration!

Eighty-year-old Augusta Stern is a retired pharmacist who moved to a senior living home in Florida. She runs into Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from growing up that broke her heart.

Lynda is a fabulous storyteller and this was a wholesome feel-good read with romance, family ties and a touch of magic. I loved the dual timelines, 1920s in Brooklyn and 1987 in Florida, and how we got a glimpse of August and Irving’s love story both “now” and then. The Jewish rep was incredible, as I learned new pieces of Jewish history and traditions while related to so many other references. On audio, Gabra Zackman did a great job bringing Augusta’s lovable personality to life.

Read if you like:
-Second chances
-Magic realism
-Jewish rep
-Historical and contemporary storylines

Lynda Cohen Loigman first came to my attention with her third book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, and it earned her a space in my heart. So when I noticed that another of her books was being released, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy to start reading it. I was exceptionally fortunate, and was approved for both the e-book and the audiobook editions. I mainly listened to the audiobook, referring back to the e-book if needed.

This book was narrated by Gabra Zackman, and she is a wonderful narrator. I loved the different voices she came up with for the characters, and she even nailed the heavy accent of Augusta’s great-aunt Esther. I highly recommend the audiobook version, although the e-book is equally enjoyable.

This story is told in two different timelines, but including the same characters. The first storyline takes place in the 1920s, when Augusta is a teenager working in her father’s apothecary, and Irving is the delivery boy. The second storyline takes place in the 1980s, when Augusta retires, moves to a retirement community in Florida, and realizes that Irving lives in the same one. I loved watching the two different timelines to see how their relationship develops in each, but also to see how the events from their past impacted the rest of their lives.

The timelines don’t converge, but we slowly find out what happened in the 1920s between Augusta and Irving through the chapters set in the past. So in essence, this one kind of felt like two romances in one—we watch Augusta and Irving fall in love in the 1920s, and then we watch them get a second-chance romance 60 years later.

I adored both Augusta and Irving. Augusta was a woman who knew what she wanted, and was never afraid of tackling the obstacles in her path. A young woman attending pharmacy college in the 1920s wasn’t small potatoes—she was one of five woman in her program, and still had to face misogyny from closed-minded men who didn’t accept a woman compounding medications. I also loved the character of Esther, and would have enjoyed learning more about her background: maybe a spin-off book? She worked as an herbal healer, using natural cures from the Old Country to treat cases that the doctors and pharmacists had said were untreatable.

The chapters that took place in the 1920s were not only engrossing, I also learned a lot about the role that apothecaries and pharmacists played in providing medical care. Nowadays, we go to the pharmacy to get a prescription and that’s that. But back then, people went to their local pharmacist for care, not just impersonal provision of medication. The pharmacist knew their customers by name and work to help them just as much as doctors did.

Overall, this was a fantastic story, and I really enjoyed the way the romance was combined with hints of magical realism. I especially loved the message that it is never too late to fall in love and be happy, featuring a couple in their 80s who can find love if they are able to get through their past. I can’t say enough good things about this book, and you’ll enjoy this if you like second-chance romance, characters who are older, dual timelines, and stories with a touch of magical realism.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this advance reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.

I am happy to say that I loved The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern! The love story was sweet, the tension was engaging, and the touch of magical realism was perfect to tie it all together!

While I enjoyed the entire story, my favorite parts were those that took place in Augusta’s youth. I enjoyed her character much more. I understand that older Augusta had become jaded through her life, but I struggled with some of the miscommunications that she let happen with her own frustrations. I think a dual timeline was an excellent choice for keeping readers engaged. Every character was well-developed, and I felt immersed in the story and interested in each and every one.

This novel is not one I would typically pick up, but I am so glad I did!

One star removed because I truly dislike a miscommunication or lack-of-communication trope. Imagine going an entire lifetime thinking the love of your life abandoned you. I know our two main characters were so young when their love blossomed and times were different and people lost touch much more easily, but I felt so heartbroken for Augusta!
The overall atmosphere of this book is really beautifully portrayed, from 1920s Brooklyn to 1990s southern Florida, I could vividly picture Augusta’s life and the cast of characters she encountered. Her retirement community moments cracked me up, while the harshness mixed with innocents of her youth in New York with her eccentric aunt was both sweet and real. This book has just a touch of magical realism to scratch a spooky season itch without being a truly witchy read.
At its core it’s about one woman’s resilience, the strength and importance of family, and second chance romance.

Thank you to MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of this novel.

I absolutely adored the main character of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern. You have a duel timeline for Augusta in your youth in the 1020's and her adult self during the 1980's. The author does an amazing job of weaving the two timelines together so you are rooting for Augusta to reclaim her lost love from her youth, now in old age.

This is a heartwarming story and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I did!

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!)