Struggled to get into this story, perhaps the generation or era it was set in. From a female perspective it was interesting to understand what a poor woman saw in the rich family she married into. Bit snobby for me. darlings, but i know some women will really enjoy it. Would have liked to hear more about Mr Four Seasons, got about 60% through and stopped reading. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

I was very intrigued by the synopsis of this book, as I'm a sucker for a good memoir and true love story. Unfortunately, Me & Issy didn’t quite meet my expectations. It feels like Rosalie is just rambling about her childhood and past with no discernible outline or sense of direction. She also comes across as very full or herself, which turned me off to the whole story. I struggle to give a star rating for a memoir because I don't feel like it's fair for me to judge their experience.

Thank you NetGalley and ECW press for the audiobook arc.

This was a fascinating memoir about the creators of the Four Seasons Hotel chain, Isadore (Issy) and Rosalie Sharp. It is more about where the grew up, how they met and then how their lives changed as their hotel chain grew and became an established and respected business around the world. Narrated by Rosalie, her love and admiration for both Issy and her family shines through. Some of the details I found overly long but nevertheless less fascinating. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

GR: Colleen Chi-Girl
Bookshelves: 2023, ancestry-genealogy, audio, bios-memoirs, education-teaching, netgalley, non-fic, read, us-no-amer, women-centered

This was an interesting memoir and I enjoyed listening to it on audiobook (narrated by Rosalie Wise Sharp). It’s more about Rosalie than Issy Sharp (aka Mr. Four Seasons hotelier) and she certainly had a lot to say and share about her work, her background, when and how they first met, her interests, and her family. I would have liked to have learned more about Isadore Sharp, as I said, as well as the various Four Seasons Hotels.

One of the bonuses in the memoir is learning about both of their family's history during the Holocaust. It doesn’t matter how many times I read about it, whether NF or F, it is naming the horrific act and keeping the reality and tragedies in our nation's history.

As a fan of the Four Seasons hotels and philosophy, it was interesting to learn briefly of how Sharp got started. A very sweet romance also was depicted.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Rosalie Wise Sharp for the ARC audio - she did a terrific job narrating it.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, unfortunately found it so incredibly boring. I love a good memoir but this one did not hold my interest. I also didn't think the audio quality was very good.

I was excited to listen to this book. I enjoy and respect learning from my elders how they have achieved their standing in this world. I greatly admire Rosalie and Issy's love and adoration for each other how they have worked together and developed a world-famous brand, and how they raised their family. Rosalie was very candid in her telling of her life and her and Issy's growing up. I will say I had hoped for an inspiring account of their life. I usually enjoy listening to the author narrates her book but this audiobook might have benefited by having someone else narrate it. I did enjoy the parts that Issy narrated. Also because this was an audiobook you miss out on the photos included in the book. Once again this might have helped me feel more comfortable with Rosalie. Sadly this book was not a good fit for me.
I would like to thank Netgalley and ECW Press for giving an ARC this is my honest review.

I’m usually not one for audio books, but the premise sucked me right in. What an interesting and different love story, absolutely loved it!

The rags-to-riches tale of a larger-than-life romance of over seven decades

Me & Issy is a love story about how a troubled and deprived child grew up and chanced to meet a man who worshipped her, brought her a fantasy life of four boys and extraordinary opulence — and banished her self-doubt. She in her turn was awestruck and mystified by his acumen and daring during his founding of the Four Seasons Hotels.

Beginning with her childhood in North Toronto, in a very Jewish home surrounded by non-Jews, Rosalie enchants us with anecdotes about her family, Isadore Sharp’s family, and the growth of their own in the light of the expanding Four Seasons chain.