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My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
Austin’s father had been a cook in the army and had a knack for delivering good, hot food very fast. Kayla would sometimes watch him in the kitchen through the open space behind the counter. To her, he moved like a dancer executing the most complicated choreography, although Austin’s mom maintained he’d been an octopus in another life and had eight invisible arms that he brought out when no one was looking.
You can know someone a long time and never care a whit. You can know someone for a day and love them for the rest of your life.
Irony was a funny word, she thought. It was the excuse people used when life showed how random it really was. As if labeling events as ironic made them make sense somehow.
Time moves so strangely the older one gets. I always thought I had all the time in the world. But now I see how little time there actually was. A full day ahead every morning, and yet before you know it, it’s dark again. It’s not that the hours weren’t there. It’s that they feel long when they are ahead of you and instantaneous when they are behind you.
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My Review:
This was my first exposure to Barbara Josselsohn’s magical arrangements of words. She is a master weaver of heartfelt tales, and her word voodoo is strong! I am kicking myself for not noticing her mad skills before. I fell headfirst into an absorbing vortex of multiple timelines and an authentically constructed cast of characters. The storylines were evocative and poignant and hit all the feels, as well as delivering enticing mysteries that niggled at my curiosity and had the little pea in my brain on constant alert. I am motivated to amass all her previous works if they are even half as satisfying as this one.
Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling author known for her captivating contemporary and historical novels, including her latest, THE PAPER HOUSE, an ode to letter writing and a story of the power a well-crafted message has to change someone’s future. Barbara’s work is marked by richly developed characters, intricate emotional landscapes, and immersive settings that transport readers to the heart of each story.
With a talent for blending history and human drama, Barbara’s novels explore complex themes of love, loss, family, resilience, and the enduring power of secrets. Her storytelling often spans generations, drawing readers into a tapestry of personal and historical struggles. Known for her lush descriptions and evocative prose, Barbara has garnered praise for her ability to bring history to life while crafting deeply emotional, character-driven narratives.
Her books resonate with readers who appreciate stories that combine rich historical details with powerful personal journeys.
In addition to her writing career, Barbara teaches novel writing at Sarah Lawrence College, Westport Writers Workshop, and other venues. When not writing, Barbara enjoys ballet, yoga, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family, which includes her beloved rescue pup named Albie.