Her Mother's Secret

By: Natasha Lester

Narrated by: Edwina Wren

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

England, 1918. Armistice Day should bring peace into Leonora's life. Rather than secretly making cosmetics in her father's chemist shop to sell to army nurses such as Joan, her adventurous Australian friend, Leo hopes to now display her wares openly. Instead, Spanish flu arrives in the village, claiming her father's life. Determined to start over, she boards a ship to New York City. On the way she meets debonair department store heir Everett Forsyth.... In Manhattan, Leo works hard to make her cosmetics dream come true, but she's a woman alone with a small salary and a society that deems make-up scandalous.

New York City, 1949. Everett's daughter, Alice, a promising ballerina, receives a mysterious letter inviting her to star in a series of advertisements for a cosmetics line. If she accepts she will be immortalized like dancers such as Zelda Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and Ginger Rogers. Why, then, are her parents so quick to forbid it?

Her Mother's Secret is the story of a brave young woman chasing a dream in the face of society's disapproval.

©2017 Natasha Lester (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Absolutely captivating.

Her Mother's Secret is a wonderful story set predominately in NY in the 1920s. The storyline is cleverly woven and elements of the plot have you waiting and hoping with all of your heart that the circumstances will unfold in certain way. The characters, descriptions and writing are brilliant. I had the same problem when listening to the Audible version of Lester's A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald, I did not want it to end. The narration is excellent; the narrator has a voice that truly engages you. For a number of days I was totally caught up in the world of Leo and her journey during the founding years of the cosmetics industry. Leo's decision making, her courage and her perseverance ensures this story will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, women's fiction, strong characters and a wonderful storyline. Can't wait for another book from this author.

I love anything about cosmetics

I really enjoyed this book. Had no clue that make up was so frowned upon very informative about this subject The upper class were so Unlikable for the most part. I’m looking for another book by ms Lester
I appreciate the fact that there was very very few profanities used.

Lurid with foul language

When you use Jesus F***….. Christ as an expletive, I am gone. I should have know this would be a waste of time, but took a brief chance. Returned within a couple of chapters.

Brilliant

This is the second book from Natasha Lester I have listened to. Historical fiction has never been much of an interest to me until I read 'A Kiss From Mr. Fitzgerald' and then I was hooked.

Leo East is a young woman working in her fathers pharmacy in the early 1900's. Her dream is to create cosmetics that can be easily assessable to women in any society. After the death of her father, she sets out to New York in search of this dream. While on a ship sailing to America, she has a quick romance with Everet Foresight.

Once in New York, her dreams are soon crushed with a society that fights her on every battle. Sacrifices are the only way her cosmetic business, along for herself are the only thing she can do to survive.

It will takes almost twenty years for her to get back the two things she had to give up. Love knows no bounds when we are selfless.

I loved the love story along with the history lesson in cosmetics. A two in one here. The only thing, I felt the time lines jumped to far ahead at times. But I recommend this novel to all.

mediocre

The narration was good but the story was more of a romance than what I was expecting. More than once , I was tempted to skip to the last chapter just to wrap it up.
I did find the development of makeup enlightening. I didn't realize the stigma associated with wearing make-up during this period; it has been so much a part of today's culture .

AAACCCKKK! Descended into Bodice Ripper so quickly

No. Just No. A great story starting out but I was snoozed out by the parlor sex. Seemed like a cheap manipulation.

Not what I expected, but wow!

Not sure why I selected this one, perhaps because I occasionally enjoy historical fiction. The brilliant narration drew me in right away. But, I wasn’t convinced I would continue when the first erotic scene played out! As a woman of a certain age, the genre is rarely something I’d consider these days.

Obviously I continued listening and am so glad I did. The premise is beautifully woven and I thank the author for the fascinating look at the early cosmetics industry. I became very invested in the characters and the narrative. I will look for the author’s other works.

love this author

Natasha Lester writes beautifully. The story is great and well done all the way to end.

Loved this book

I enjoyed this every bit as much as Natasha Lester’s other books The narration was superb. Thoroughly recommend.

wow.. just wow!

I adore Natasha Lester's books. Her flow is so easy to follow and get wrapped up in. It was so hard to put this book down.

Edwina Wren does an amazing job telling the story.
I highly recommend this book!

Excellent

Could not put this book down. Beautifully read, and will us her again. Will also need to re-read it in a short while. Thanks.

A truly lovely story

This was beautifully narrated and a delightful love story. If you fancy a gentle story with a feel good factor then this is the one for you