Only the Beautiful - Book Review

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
Publication: April 18, 2023
Pages: 400 pages
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Sweet Spark: While I enjoyed both Rosie's and Helen's stories independently, it was when they crossed near the end that I could not put this book down.

Rosie had more than her share of hard times after losing her parents and brother. While that should have been the worst thing in her young life, those who were supposed to help her somehow made it worse.

While the story starts out with Rosie’s childhood struggles and her navigation of life without adults looking out for her best interests, once that story is established the reader is brought across the ocean to Helen Calvert’s life as a nanny and teacher during World War II in Europe. Although both series of events are horrific and heartbreaking, it is their intersection that makes the book one that must be read to its conclusion as soon as possible.

The characters in the book were nearly all reasonable, likable people (well, except that yotch, Celine), and it was easy for the reader to hope for the best outcome for them all. As an amazing historical fiction story, though, the biggest impression was the lesson delivered about the atrocities happening in the U.S. while the world focused on the evil of Hitler in Europe.

The book earned 5 out of 5 stars especially for the emotional ending. Those who like historical fiction, fiction from the time period, or dramas of not having a family of one’s own.

Thank you for my electronic copy of this book from the publisher & Netgalley. Receiving the book for free did not influence my review.