Her Mother's Secret in Aussie Readers

Apr 08, 2017 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, reviewing-by-request, 2017-release, historical-fiction, own-read, arc

The elation of everyone around in Leonora East’s small village of Sutton Veny was high – the war was over; it was Armistice Day 1918 in England and the celebrations continued long into the afternoon. But joy soon turned to despair as Spanish Flu struck viciously – Leo spent her time dispensing medicine from her father’s chemist shop, praying that it would help. Late in the night, as she wearily entered the home where her father was waiting, she was devastated to find him struggling to breathe.

Af The elation of everyone around in Leonora East’s small village of Sutton Veny was high – the war was over; it was Armistice Day 1918 in England and the celebrations continued long into the afternoon. But joy soon turned to despair as Spanish Flu struck viciously – Leo spent her time dispensing medicine from her father’s chemist shop, praying that it would help. Late in the night, as she wearily entered the home where her father was waiting, she was devastated to find him struggling to breathe.

After his death, a grieving Leo decided she could no longer remain in the country. Her desire to create cosmetics that women the world over would want to wear had her sailing to New York City with her best friend Joan. Leo had made herself a deep rich red lipstick in her father’s chemist shop – but the shock from the self-righteous at the scandal she was causing by wearing it only caused Leo’s determination to strengthen. Meeting up with Everett Forsyth on the journey was fortuitous; he was one of the department store Forsyths from London and he was going to build another in Manhattan. His interest in Leo’s cosmetics gave her some confidence…

1939, twenty years later, Leo had been through much – a widow and continuing to work hard, she always looked to the future. Meantime, Everett’s nineteen year old daughter Alice was a devoted and extremely promising ballerina. But the letter Alice received one day at the dance studio was to change her life in a most unexpected way. Why though were her parents so angry? Confusion filled her mind – what could she do?

Her Mother’s Secret by Aussie author Natasha Lester is brilliant! The strength of character of Leo is phenomenal – the way women were treated in the early part of the century; the heartache and loneliness as she was ostracised by the elite of society – and she still held her head high! The author has historical fiction down to a fine art; her meticulous research is obvious. I thoroughly enjoyed Her Mother’s Secret, reading it in a matter of hours. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Hachette Australia for my ARC to read and review.
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Jun 07, 2017 Janine rated it it was amazing

Once again I am absolutely blown away by Natasha Lester's writing. This book is magnificent! It tells the story of Leo who goes from a girl creating mascara in her father's shop in the first world war to a pioneer of women's cosmetics in New York City. After her father's death from the killer flu, she travels by ship to NYC to start a new life and realise her dream of manufacturing cosmetics. On the ship she meets Everett Forsyth, and the consequences of that meeting will affect her life in the ...more

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Feb 28, 2017 Joanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aus, first-reads, saga

I loved ‘Her Mother’s Secret’ and devoured it within two days.
5 stars for sheer enjoyment.

The book is an enduring love story rather than a romance. It’s about following your dreams and aspirations and overcoming obstacles that prevent you achieving your goals. It’s also a story of revenge!

In many ways the story felt like a melodrama where you love the ‘goodies’ and loathe the ‘baddies’. But saying that is probably too simplistic. Although you couldn’t help but love the two protagonists and loath ...more

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Jan 21, 2018 Tanya rated it really liked it

I've heard great things about Natasha Lester so was thrilled to stumble across this in a second hand bookshop whilst on holidays recently.

It certainly didn't disappoint!

After the death of her father, there is nothing keeping Leonora in her small, English country town and she sets off for New York, dreaming of starting her own cosmetics line. Her Mother's Secret follows Leonora as she sets about creating a life for herself, and making her dreams come true.

Even though Leo wasn't a character I woul ...more

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Jan 07, 2018 Agnes rated it it was amazing

Fantastic read! Those kind of books that you can't put down and want to know what happens next, but dreading the moment when you won't be part of the story any more, you have to say goodbye and let it go... ...more

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Jun 07, 2021 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Leonora East, known as Leo, works in her father’s chemist shop in a small village in England. She has been experimenting with making cosmetics but then Spanish flu comes to the village and her father dies. She decides to start over and boards a ship to New York where she meets handsome department store heir Everett Forsyth, and they share a night of passion, and she has a baby she gives up for adoption. Everett marries a family friend to save her family from financial ruin. Leo works two jobs an ...more

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