This was an okay book. It focused on war, family drama, and growth. I thought it was a bit boring in all honesty, because the synopsis seemed so great. I wanted to like it more than I did, but it was very hard to get through. The family secrets were interesting, though!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

The Baker of Lost Memories by Shirley Russak Wachtel is an emotional novel that tries to balance themes of family, war trauma, and redemption, but it doesn't always manage to keep things compelling. The story focuses on Lena, a young woman in 1960s Brooklyn, who wants to follow in her mother's footsteps as a baker. Her family’s past in Poland during World War II looms large, especially the silence around a sister Lena never knew about. There’s a lot of promise here—family secrets, the trauma of war, and the struggle to reconnect—but the novel doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.

One of the strengths of the book is its emotional core. Lena’s desire to uncover her family's history is relatable, and the connection between generations is one of the more compelling aspects of the story. The moments where Lena learns more about her parents’ past and begins to piece together the truth feel heartfelt, and there’s definitely a sense of hope and healing that comes through by the end.

However, the pacing is a major issue. The story starts slow, and there are long stretches where not much happens. It takes a while for the deeper family secrets to come out, and by the time they do, I felt like I had to push through some parts just to get there. The disappearance of Lena’s best friend, Pearl, is a key emotional point in the novel, but it feels underdeveloped and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I wanted more exploration of that relationship because it could have added more depth to the story.

While the book is clearly aiming for an emotional punch, the tone can feel overly sentimental at times. The revelations about Lena’s family history should have been huge, but they’re handled in a way that feels a little too neat and predictable. That being said, the way the novel ties things up with themes of forgiveness and redemption is satisfying in its own way, even if it doesn’t go as deep as I’d hoped.

The book has some strong moments and an interesting premise, especially when it comes to exploring the impact of war on families. But it struggles with pacing and doesn’t fully dive into the complexities of its characters. If you like slow-burn family dramas and historical fiction, you might find it worth reading, but don’t expect it to be super gripping from start to finish.