The Gilded Hour by Sara Donti 5 stars and multiple hearts

[Joanne]

The Gilded Hour- 5 Stars


I read Donati's Into the Wilderness and the entire series between 2016-17. One of the best HF series out there. 6 books but worth the effort.

In this book Donati jumps a couple decades and tells the story of descents from the original books and writes an engrossing heart grabber of 2 cousins (Anna and Sophie Savard) both doctors in the footsteps of their female ancestors. The time and place are 1883 New York City , not a great time for women in medicine. Anthony Comstock controlled the streets (secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice) and women belonged at home bearing children. Anna and Sophie are both strong dedicated doctors, neither who will sit still and take abuse from any person-to add to the friction Sophie happens to be mulatto, another strike against her in Comstock's book.

I warn any reader who cannot open their mind to a women's choice to stay away from this book. No judgement from me, just not the book for that opinion.

Although this book stands alone from the previous series, reading that first will give you so much more as you travel the road of the descendants
.
Donati is a master story teller, her research always on target. I recommend this book to all HF fans who love the family saga.

So very nice to end a mediocre year of fiction reads on a high note!