Celebrating the Paperback Release of Only The Beautiful by Susan Meissner

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ALL INFORMATION OTHER THAN MY REVIEW IS COURTESY OF TARA O'CONNOR | SENIOR PUBLICIST | OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

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Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Sold on a Monday, and The Lost Girls of Paris, Meissner’s ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL tells a chilling, heartrending WWII story that’s not often recounted in literature. Meissner’s novel is a sobering admonition against the injustices wrought during the second world war, while also offering hope for a more accepting future.

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Berkley Trade Reprint

Was On sale March 5, 2024

 Available In Trade Paperback Only

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CELEBRATE:

"Bestselling author Susan Meissner possesses a remarkable talent for bringing to life profound moments from history in her thought-provoking fiction."

"New York Journal of Books raves, “Author Susan Meissner, a former journalist and award-winning veteran novelist, knows how to spin an engrossing plot peopled by complex human beings.”

"Her stories not only entertain and move us as readers, but they also uncover truths about little-remembered moments in history, and deepen our understanding of the world we live in."

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REPOST OF MY REVIEW:

WOW - another beautiful read by Susan Meissner!!

After Rosanne's parents were killed in an accident, she moved into the house of the vineyard owners where her parents worked.

Celine and Truman Calvert were always good to Rosanne and her family, but Celine said Roseanne couldn’t be treated like family but could be their domestic help.

Rosanne enjoyed her time as the family’s domestic until she was betrayed by their son when he told the Calverts she sees colors and which during this time society didn’t accept people who were different.  

Seeing colors was considered different and a defect.

Another misfortune fell on her when she became pregnant by a member of the household.

Rosanne was sent to a home, but not one for unwed mothers.  This home sterilized young women who had defects.

Meanwhile the Calvert’s daughter, Helen, was working in Europe as a nanny and kept in touch with Rosanne even though the contact lessened over the years.

When Helen came home after WWII and found out what happened to Rosanne nine years ago, she was saddened and shocked thinking of her young charge in Austria who was not perfect and was killed because of her defects.

Beautifully written with the main character, Rosanne, who you will love and who will pull at your heartstrings.  

You will also become fond of Helen and praise all the good she did to help during WWII and when she came back to America.

ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL is another marvelous, marvelous read by Susan Meissner that fans will not want to miss and one I didn’t want to put down.

Enjoy, and have some tissues ready!!  5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.