There was a frustrating end to this book. The story was developed nicely holding your attention. The characters are great, giving you a sense of identity to any of them. However, we were promised a difficult, life changing decision and while it is easy to figure what it may be, you will have to wait until the next book to find out what it is.

The Last Lullaby tells the emotional story of Lily Levin. Lily departs for America in 1923 with her infant daughter and husband, leaving the only place she has ever known. She carries with her the lullabies from her childhood and works towards a new life in New York. Lily finds an unexpected friendship, however that connection is tested by a tragedy. Hard decisions have to be made and risks have to be weighed. I really enjoyed the perspective this story told.

Brilliant and absolutely enthralling. Couldn’t stop reading. Really hope there will be another book to follow

This is a great book by Roberta Kagan that I just couldn’t put down.It starts in 1923 France when Lily’s father dies and her mum Chloe is finding it had to put meals on the table ,when along comes Joe an American who Lily fall for. He then disappears and Lily finds herself pregnant with no means to support it.Joe reappears and they get married and travel too America leaving her mum behind in France .Lily finds it hard till she makes friends with another mother in the park one day called Gloria. Lily asks Gloria to be nanny too her daughter Mimi and come and live with them.Gloria and Lily become like sisters but things are not running smoothly between Joe and Lily who is expecting again.Will Joe and Lily make their marriage work and will Lily ever get back to France to see her mother? Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing.

Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book pre-publication. It was not a stand out read for me - parts were very predictable and some of the characters needed more development. I also found some inconsistencies - an heirloom that Lily brought to the US is pawned by her husband and then pawned AGAIN by her best friend/nanny Gloria.

And then it ended ; JUST LIKE THAT. Sorry, but I can't recommend this novel.

This was an intriguing story. Set in the 1920's, we follow Lily to America, where her Joe proves to be quite a rotter. She befriends Gloria, who has a young son, who also gets along well with Mimi, Lily's daughter. When Lily and Joe are killed, Gloria decides to take Mimi to Fence to her grandmother. Along the way she meets Friedrich, who is interested in the Nazi party. This leaves the ending on a cliffhanger, hopefully, the sequel comes soon. The plight of women, poverty and unmarried mothers are well covered in this story. The story flows along well, and the main characters are very credible. The reader is left fearing for Gloria and her future. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5 stars - Another great start for a series…I found the first half of this book a little slow but once 50% hit I was so invested. I also read the last half on an airplane and this totally distracted me from the turbulence and anxiety. I was busy being involved in the book! Thank you NetGalley and author for approving me on this early read. Will definitely continue the series!

The Last Lullaby created so many emotions. It begins in an era don't know much about, the end World War One. For Lily it will change everything. She is easily influenced by Joe, an American soldier. In a time of much suffering and lack of everything he is her savior. Or at least she thinks so.

She soon learns things aren't as they appear. She must leave the only family she has, her mother and travel to America. WOW!!!! How did people survive such challenges? She steps off onto Ellis Island but there are no paths paved with gold. Truths are exposed.

Her life is hard. Through Lily's eyes I was given glimpses into the lives of those that came war brides. Joe seems to fit so many of the sterotypes of the times. Soon he is rolling in the dough, enjoying the single life when he is anything but. Lily has moved up in the world, but is it a better world? She is not American. She doesn't fit in and isn't accepted.

Gloria becomes Lily's savior. Lilly has been taking Mimi to the park-her escape, her peace. Gloria seems to be doing the same with her son, Nick. Lily sees a solution for the both of them. Gloria becomes the nanny. Gloria becomes Lily's, one and only, friend.

Gloria and the reader gets a front row seat into Lily's life. We learn money doesn't by happiness. We learn decisions have consequences. Joe's actions will change everything. Gloria soon finds herself in an unexpected situation.

Through Gloria's eyes we see the beginning of the Nazi regime. The reader sees how easy it is to be convinced by others. It is the beginning of a scary time. I can only hope that Gloria and the children will survive what is to come.

Roberta Kagan knows how to draw you in. Always well researched and a great story. Cant wait for the next one

I enjoyed the historical fiction especially set in the time period. A story of love, friendship and heartache and written very well

This was a new author to me so I will be looking out for more books from Roberta Kagan

Towards the end of the book, Joe stole Lilys emerald and diamond pin that Chloe gave her. He pawns it for a lot of money but doesn’t get it back. Few chapters later, Gloria finds the pin in lilys jewellery box but there wasn’t a 2nd pin! In chapter 49, at breakfast table, Gloria is called Lily

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

I love historical fiction, especially fiction set in this time period so I was keen to read and review this book, and, I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed the story and I really liked most of the characters. The book also made me emotional on more than one occasion which took me by surprise.
I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

A story of pulling together, friendship and heartache.
When Lily Levin sets off to begin a new life she can’t imagine what awaits her! Already heartbroken at leaving behind her precious mother .
Could her new husband be all that he seems? When Lily strikes up a friendship with Gloria it proves a relief foe her, until forced to make choices she’d rather not.

Favourite character was Lily. Least favourite was Joe
This was a new author to me and I will definitely look out for more. Recommend it.

I usually enjoy books set against the backdrop of WWII, but this one was just so choppily written that I couldn't get into it. There was no natural flow to the book. Even though there is a sequel, I'm not interested in reading it due to the writing style. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Another good read by Roberta Kagan. Oh boy, this was a beautiful first book in a series to come.
Lily Levin left Paris in 1923 with her baby daughter, Mimi, and her American husband, Joe.

Life in New York isn't easy for Lily. Everything's different, and she really struggles to fit in. Then she meets Gloria, whom she asks to help care for Mimi. They also become the best of friends.

The support they had for each other was admirable - through everything!!

The story takes a sad turn when a shocking tragedy hits, and someone has to make an incredibly tough choice. This leads to a scary journey back to Europe, just as Hitler's power is growing.

I loved the realness of the women, their mum struggles, their relationship struggles, being away from home, and the mental strain it had on them.

It was an emotional read that will stay with me, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

After the death of her father, Lily and her mother, Chloe struggle to survive in post WWI Paris. Forced to find a job she meets an American soldier who persuades a baker to give her a chance. What follows is fairly predictable for the first half of the story. Transplanted to the USA, barely speaking English, Lily struggles to fit in. She meets Gloria, a widow with a young son, and on impulse offers her a job as her daughter, Mimis’ nanny. Here the pace and feel of the book changes, and for me became more interesting and readable.

I found the characters a bit flat and at times frustrating, especially the females. The author has a real feel for the era and the history of the Jewish people, which I would have liked to read more about in this book. An interesting concept, which for me didn’t completely work and I didn’t feel invested in the read. Definitely a book of two halves.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Last Lullaby is a powerful, emotional historical novel that weaves together love, loss, and the resilience of motherhood. Set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris and New York, Lily and Gloria’s bond is beautifully written, and the sacrifices they make for their children are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The story delves into the struggles of immigrants and the looming shadows of war, with rich historical details and vivid characters that pull you in. While the pacing slows at times, the emotional weight and depth of the choices made by these women make this an unforgettable read.

And Roberta Kagan does it again! I don't know how she does it but thank heavens she does! Another outstanding story to what promises to be another exceptional and exciting series. I know I sound like a broken record, but if you read any of her books you will understand how easy it is to get absorbed into her world. Never stop writing! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book by Roberta Kagan I have read. The story is set mostly between the wars. Although strangely apart from Gloria the characters from the first and second half of the book are completely different. I found the female characters very gullible and the males almost pantomime villain in character. The storyline was mostly predictable. There are also some strange discrepancies, a gold and diamond pin that is pivotal to the plot is sold twice! Firstly by Joe for $5000. Then by Gloria despite not being rebought. The second time despite accepting $3000 for it Gloria only gets $500 dollars, a figure she has just refused outright. Although I finished The Last Lullaby it is not a book that would encourage me to buy any other books by this author I'm afraid.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks netgalley for once again letting me read another Roberta Kagan book, I have read all of her books and this one did not disappoint me.
I hope I will be given the chance to read another book by this wonderful author.
Lily is living with her mother.life is hard In paris and everyone is struggling.
Lily meets a soldier called Joe and he is everything she always wanted handsome and seems to have money, they fall in love.but when Joe is told to,join his regiment he goes, and Lily finds she is pregnant.
Joe does not answer any of her letters and Lily is scared perhaps Joe has left her.
But Joe comes back and is delighted with seeing Lily and her daughter.
Joe tells Lily he is taking them both to,America and Lily but leave her mother with a promise that they will visit.
But things do not go smoothly for Lily and she hopes she has not made a big mistake going to America.

Once again Roberta Kagan writes a wonderful, well researched story. It is a very touching story starting in the early 1920’s as they go to America. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC. The review is my own.