I fell in love with @paullinasimons books when I first read Tully back in the early 90s. Since then I have read nearly all of them. I even had the opportunity of meeting her at her book launch of Children of Liberty, in Melbourne … also many years ago. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel. I am pleased today that it did not disappoint.

📕 Light at Lavelle is the breathtaking epic love story from the worldwide bestselling author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman. Paullina Simons weaves an unforgettable tapestry of love, hope, and fate, showing us that sometimes the greatest battles are fought within our own hearts.

Set in 1929 from parallel points of view -

Isabelle, a Ukrainian farmer flees as Russia invades eastern Ukraine and implements collectivisation to their farmlands.

Finn, a wealthy Boston banker, amid the great stock market crash which fuelled the Great Depression, following Americans for many years.

Fate throws these two different people together. What follows is an epic tale of re-building lives after hardships and tragic losses. Simons has an amazing ability to create unforgettable, multi layered characters with empathy and acute fragility.

At 563 pages, I absolutely flew through it, couldn't put it down! It’s a beautifully written historical fiction with an ending that had me holding my breath ❤️

All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️