The last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan is an emotional and challenging journey of Lily Levin. The book starts in Paris, 1923. Lily Levin departs for America with her infant daughter and husband, leaving behind her beloved mother and the world she has always known. Carrying a cherished family heirloom and the lullabies of her childhood, she embarks on an uncertain journey toward a new life in New York. There, Lily forms an unexpected bond with Gloria, a young caregiver whose loyalty and friendship offer comfort amidst hardship. As their lives intertwine, the strength of their connection is tested by unforeseen tragedy. When the past calls her back to a Europe on the brink of catastrophe, one mother must make an unthinkable choice—risking everything for the children she loves. A beautifully written book which i really enjoyed. Utterly addictive and should come with a warning once you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down until the final page. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Roberta Kagan is a master (mistress?) at writing a book which forces the reader to eagerly await the next installment. This entertaining story begins in Paris in the 1920s and relates the story of an impoverished Jewish family and the fortuitous meeting of a Jewish American soldier by their daughter. The descriptions of the voyage to the United States in steerage and subsequent life in the tenements of New York City are harrowing. The book is easy reading and delves into topics such as prohibition, speakeasies, the mob, friendship, loyalty and murder. The children depicted in the story are endearing and precocious and are an integral part of the events —- including a return to France via a trip to Germany in 1930 and the beginnings of the Nazi party. This book is highly recommended (for all who are patient enough to await the next installment) and I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading this book prior to publication.

This is a well written story which portrays accurately the attitudes towards women and the difficult circumstances of life between the two world wars.
Lily marries Joe when pregnant with their daughter, Mimi. They leave her home city of Paris and her beloved mother and go to Joe’s home in America, where life is hard and impoverished.
Gloria is an unmarried mother who meets Lily in a park through their children and they become friends. Gloria becomes Mini’s nanny and moves in with her son, Nick.
Lily’s circumstances improve when Joe gets a rather risky job.
There are some tragic events and Gloria takes Mimi to find her grandmother, Chloe, in Paris. She meets Friedrich on the journey and there is a vivid and worrying description of attitudes which lead to the second world War. The story ends at this point.
This is a thoughtful and emotional journey which paints a clear picture of life as it was. The reader knows the historical events that follow and is left with a feeling of sadness, but hoping that these endearing characters will have a better future.

Errata in the story that I need to point out:
At the end of Chapter 29 Joe steals Lily’s emerald and diamond pin (brooch) that Chloe gave her. He pawns it for $5000 but never redeems it. He uses the money to pay back his mob boss.
In Chapter 45 Gloria finds the pin in Lily’s jewellery box and pawns it for$3000 to buy their passage back to France.
There is only one pin, but it appears and is pawned twice!
In Chapter 49 at the breakfast table Gloria is called Lily.

I just finished the Last Lullaby by Roberta Kagan and it wasn't the book for me.
I'm giving it 3
A few key things stood out to me.
A lot of telling instead of showing.
A major incident that shifts the primary POV felt a bit jarring.
I wanted deeper character building.
The pacing was off. Some things took
way too long and others happened absurdly quickly.
As an ARC reader, I struggle with a review when I didn't love it. I know how hard authors work and that should be celebrated but I know honesty is the most important of a review. I hope my review of this work helps you!
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

Although the book's cover would lead one to believe this is WW II historical fiction, it's an intense look at the desperate years between the two world wars. As tough as it was for veterans, it was worse for women, especially those with children.

Both Lily and Gloria become involved with men they hope will provide a decent life for their children, having failed to do so on their own. As the reader, you see the warning signs and want to scream at these women to stay far away from them. At the same time, you understand the choices they make, and it breaks your heart. Lily's choice takes her to the tenements of NYC, a far cry from Paris and not what she expected. "She was a ghost, present but unseen, except when Mimi's cries made her an inconvenience." Gloria's choice takes her to Munich in 1930, where this novel ends, but not before the author gives us some truly horrifying foreshadowing.

"If sometimes his passion for his new political movement seemed to burn too bright, well, all men needed a cause to believe in, didn't they?" See what I mean? Run away, Gloria! I loved that this book emphasized the dire economic straits of all the countries in the 1920s, as well as the extreme disparity between the industrialists and everyone else. Although Roberta Kagan's books are always emotionally draining, I never expected the shocking twist in this one. The Last Lullaby is a terrific beginning for a new series and I highly recommend it.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC. The review and opinions are entirely my own.