Pearls on a String

by Jane Merling

"A captivating historical fiction that uncovers family secrets and connects the past to the present." - Tomi Alo, Independent Book Review When the present is forced to reckon with the past, what secrets, tragedies, and triumphs lie in wait? Set in the progressive 1980s, the young, independent, and successful Sarah Langner decides to move to the Beaches area of Toronto where she will be rediscovering herself after her separation from her husband. And yet, she has never felt alone. She has the support of her two loving parents, friends, and occasional roommate, Zipper. All things considered, Sarah's life is one well-lived. However, when her parents decide to sell the house where her cherished late grandmother, Ava Langner, had lived for decades, she stumbles upon many family secrets that will change her life... forever. " Pearls on a String " by Canadian author Jane Merling is a story of two women who, despite having lived two very different lives during two very different times, are so intertwined that they manage to complete each the younger with gaps in her family history now filled, and the older with her legacy honoured with love, togetherness, and true happiness. Go on a riveting journey to the past, as Sarah discovers just how much Ava's resilience, kindness, generosity, and positive attitude toward life pave the way to present connections that lead to lifelong friendships... and more.

266 pages, Hardcover

Published November 30, 2022

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian author Jane Merling brings us a quick and easy read with her book aptly titled Pearls on a String. Sarah along with her family and friends each have a pearl of wisdom to drop, that engages us with their story steeped in history. I will watch for her next book and would love to meet Jane as she currently lives in ‘my neck of the woods.’

[Anca Moroz-Filoti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging book, it was hard to put down. I really liked the fact that it deals with "stories" about people from olden times when many issues and/or events were not socially accepted and one had to deal with them in secret, and with no help. Easy to read, easy to get involved into the story, very well defined characters, and interesting way of bringing up some issues society had to deal with in order to "evolve" towards better ways.

[Cathie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Story about letters and journals from her grandmother who lived in Germany and immigrated to Canada. She was a maid for a German family who turned her out when it was discovered she had a child out of wed-lock with a rich friends son who had disappeared to America. He promises to get her over to him and eventually she makes it to New Jersey but her husband dies shortly after of the Spanish flu and she is forced to marry his roommate and move to Canada so he can provide for her and her son. They live together their whole life and the woman must tell her father that the man he thought was is father isn't. They go on to visit Germany and explore more of the true past his mother lived.

[Tomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearls on a String is a lovely book filled with love, strength, courage, tragedy, and a little humor. It shows that the people we surround ourselves with matter and that they can be the strength we need when we are low on our own to go on in life. The book should definitely be on your TBR lists for whenever you are in need of a good novel that will put a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys happy endings and family-centered books.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this book two stars simply to be nice. My entire book group disliked it. We found the writing style to be simplistic. So much more could have been done to develop the characters. I agree with another review on here: it would make a perfect Hallmark movie. So disappointed.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first book by this author. A page turner that kept me up reading later than I expected. Can’t wait for her next book.

[Maria Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story that weaves in historical facts and intrigue. Follows a family,their love of a grandmother and a box that holds the answers to her life and secrets.

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hallmark goes International. Will Tim Mattheson play the Dad?

[Natalie Cueva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a memorable book. I like some of the premise but it’s just not well written.

[Jaclyn Van Nes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Choppy writing, predictable story. A pick from my book club that I wouldn’t have normally read.