Three cities, two sisters, one chance to correct the past . . .
Three Words for Goodbye is a historical fiction co-written by two amazing authors: Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. This is a beautiful story about 2 sisters and their life-changing journey through 1937 Europe. This journey will help them not only mend their broken relationship but will also help them find themselves.
Blurb:
New York, 1937: When estranged sisters Clara and Madeleine Sommers learn their grandmother is dying, they agree to fulfill her last wish: to travel across Europe—together. They are to deliver three letters, in which Violet will say goodbye to those she hasn’t seen since traveling to Europe forty years earlier; a journey inspired by famed reporter, Nellie Bly.
Clara, ever-dutiful, sees the trip as an inconvenient detour before her wedding to millionaire Charles Hancock, but it’s also a chance to embrace her love of art. Budding journalist Madeleine relishes the opportunity to develop her ambitions to report on the growing threat of Hitler’s Nazi party and Mussolini’s control in Italy.
Constantly at odds with each other as they explore the luxurious Queen Mary, the Orient Express, and the sights of Paris and Venice,, Clara and Madeleine wonder if they can fulfil Violet’s wish, until a shocking truth about their family brings them closer together. But as they reach Vienna to deliver the final letter, old grudges threaten their reconciliation again. As political tensions rise, and Europe feels increasingly volatile, the pair are glad to head home on the Hindenburg, where fate will play its hand in the final stage of their journey.
Review:
As you would have already guessed from the 5-star rating, I LOVED the book.
Two sisters, so different in personalities, yet so alike. Clara, an artist by profession (or hobby), is a sophisticated woman, who behaves like a lady and follows the rules. Madeleine, on the other hand, is a journalist, and a rule-breaker, who finds her comfort in trousers rather than a dress and isn't afraid to speak her heart.
Maddie had also portrayed a feministic personality and we see how she fights for women's rights by the end of the story.
This journey was organized by their Grandmother Violet, to help the sisters strengthen their weak bond. Though the journey will not only do that but will also help them find themselves. It was beautiful to see how Maddie supported her sister. She didn't want to change her or make her decisions for her, but support her in finding what she really wants and deserves. Clara, on the other hand, loved Maddie, even with her bold personality, and wanted to help her recognize her self-worth. This bond that siblings share, is perfectly depicted in the book.
This is a multi-POV read, with Clara and Maddie narrating their story, with some interruption from Violet. Violet was a good character. She was way ahead of her time and has lived an adventurous life. Maddie shared her confidence and boldness along with the adventurous spirit taken from her aunt Nellie. It was interesting to journey through 2 different mindsets on the same journey.
Daniel was another character that I enjoyed. I doubted him from the very start, but he turned out to be less dangerous than I imagined. I knew he was being shifty, but didn't suspect the actual reason for the shadiness.
The inclusion of political pre-war elements regarding Nazi Germany made the story much more riveting. It wasn't just about the life of Sommers girls, but it also portrayed the perilous life of European people during the rise of Hitler.
The best part of the book, apart from the beautiful, heartwarming story of the Sommers family, is how the authors mentally took me to the beautiful places of Europe. The journey through Paris and Venice had my heart. Hazel and Heather have beautifully described the scenic beauty of these places and I imagined being there, soaking all the goodness, through the words of our authors. The journey through the Orient Express, the Queen Mary, and Hinderburg, were all fascinating to read as well.
The ending bought tears to my eyes, and I felt really emotional reading the end of the story. I enjoyed how both the sisters changed by the end of the story.
It was a beautifully written pre-war historic novel about family, politics, war, feminism, and one's journey through life.