Lily Rose loved to cook, and she conscientiously worked hard, moving up in the kitchen brigade of Valentino's from vegetable chef to sous-chef, hoping to be a head chef one day running her own kitchen. Lily's mother has a very different dream for her daughter to marry the wealthiest bachelor in New York—a marriage appropriate for their place in society and ensuring the continuation of Lily's accustomed lifestyle. In 1942, lifestyles and dreams were changing in New York for women and men. The changes at Valentino's began the day that the beloved head chef, Marco, was drafted.

The novel portrays the differences in expectations and desires of dreams granted and crushed by societal status and family ultimatums. Add in the unexpected changes of war and possibilities deemed the natural course in employment were taken away for some while in the same context, unanticipated opportunities beyond their dreams.

The story immerses the reader in a behind-the-scenes view of a restaurant wanting to keep its elite menu and service for clientele with high expectations. Customers at the highest level of society did not wish anything to falter, even during wartime and those that made it possible amid restrictions.

A captivating story of relationships, from the mentorship and camaraderie within the restaurant to the dramatic change of spirits when family members are supportive or use pressure to influence behavior. I loved Lily Rose, Josie, Emmeline, and Gia; their strength, courage, and love. ( )

This is the first book in a new trilogy by Ella Carey set in New York City during WWII. It's a story about love, friendship and survival during a time in the US where there was a huge difference between the social classes. Her novels are always exciting to read and this new trilogy looks like it will be a definite must read.

It's 1942 in NYC and Lily Rose is a chef at an up-scale restaurant. Even though she grew up very wealthy, her love is cooking and making interesting food. As the men in the kitchen go off to war, Lily is working to become the top chef in the kitchen. Her snobby mother is appalled that she would want to work in such a place instead of attending parties and lunching with friends. She wants Lily to make a good marriage and even has the man picked out for her. The only problem is that Lily has chosen her own man - Tom, one of the chefs in the kitchen, who is from the poorer part of town. Despite that fact that her grandmother encourages her to follow her heart, her mother is insistent that she live as a wealthy member of society and her refusal greatly affects her relationship with her parents. When Tom gets drafted, Lily throws herself into her job to help her overcome her worry for him. Will she be able to continue her job as a chef and wait for her love to return from war or will she give in to her mother's wishes and return to being part of the rich society of the city?

This was an interesting look at the effects of the war in America. The girls drew lines on the back of their legs so it would look like they were wearing silk stockings when silk was no longer available for non-combat items and the food shortages made for some interesting dishes prepared in the kitchens - no matter how exclusive the restaurant was, they still had to deal with food shortages. Lily was a strong and resilient woman who continued to work in a man's world despite the views of her mother and of the men in the kitchen.

I really enjoyed this book I'm happy to know that there are more books coming that are set in New York during WWII.

Thanks to Bookouture & Netgalley for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I loved this book! The premise, the characters, the setting - all were engaging - and it was so good for a change to read a historical novel about World War II that doesn't take place in Europe. What captured my attention was the appealing story of a strong likeable woman fighting against sexism from her parents as well as employers, lots of back-of-the-house upscale restaurant details, and the attitude of 1940s New York society.

Author Ella Carey skillfully juxtaposes her story of independent young chef Lily Rose and her love for fellow chef Tom Morelli with the limitations of everyone dealing with the wartime restrictions - victory gardens, food, clothing, gasoline. Lily frequently travels from her wealthy uptown family to the Village home of her beloved gram, which is also in the neighborhood where Tom and his Sicilian immigrant family live. The physical locations illustrate Lily's struggle between the pampered and shallow life her mother has planned for her with her treasured dreams of running her own restaurant someday.

This novel was my introduction to Ella Carey, and I look forward to reading more of her novels. In the meantime, I highly recommend this one, which I've added to my list of favorites. ( )