What I’m Reading: Three Words for Goodbye

I had the longarm loaded and didn’t have a book.  I opened up my Hoopla online library and told myself the first book that had a decent-looking cover or something I might be interested in was the book I was going to pick.  After all, I had a quilt on the longarm that needed attention.

I ended up picking Three Words for Goodbye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.

You, like me, can guess that it was historical fiction.  That guess was spot on.  My next guess was that it was about sisters or close friends.  Sisters was the right guess.  I guessed it involved travel on a ship and likely took place during the 40s.  Those were correct guesses too.

After I downloaded the book I read the small print on the cover, “On the eve of World War II, two sisters embark on a journey that changes everything.”

I guess I could have at least taken the time to read that.  It’s okay.  I’d have picked the book anyway.

I ended up enjoying the book.  It was a great companion as I work on a quilt on the longarm.

Here is what Amazon had to say:
“New York, 1937: When estranged sisters Clara and Madeleine Sommers learn their grandmother is dying, they agree to fulfill her last wish: to travel across Europe – together. They are to deliver three letters, in which Violet will say good-bye to those she hasn’t seen since traveling to Europe 40 years earlier; a journey inspired by famed reporter Nellie Bly. 

Clara, ever-dutiful, sees the trip as an inconvenient detour before her wedding to millionaire Charles Hancock, but it’s also a chance to embrace her love of art. Budding journalist Madeleine relishes the opportunity to develop her ambitions to report on the growing threat of Hitler’s Nazi party and Mussolini’s control in Italy. 

Constantly at odds with each other as they explore the luxurious Queen Mary, the Orient Express, and the sights of Paris and Venice, Clara and Madeleine wonder if they can fulfil Violet’s wish, until a shocking truth about their family brings them closer together. But as they reach Vienna to deliver the final letter, old grudges threaten their reconciliation again. As political tensions rise, and Europe feels increasingly volatile, the pair are glad to head home on the Hindenburg, where fate will play its hand in the final stage of their journey.”

Amazon readers gave the book 4.4 stars.  I think I’d agree.  I was a little surprised at one point in the book the gals find out info about their grandma.  It has to do with parentage.  I was really shocked that the information they found out was just accepted and nothing was said about anything being scandalous.  I really don’t think that would be a reaction of that time in history.  I was able to overlook that.  All in all, it was a good book.  I found it interesting that there were two authors.

You can find the book HERE if you are interested.  I have read several other books from Hazel Gaynor.  If you like historical fiction, I think you’d like her.