Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars ★★★
Genre: Historical, WWII
Source: Goodreads Giveaway
Emmy is a teenage girl living in WWII-era London. Emmy and her little sister, Julia, have been raised by their single mother, who is often gone long hours in order to feed and clothe her daughters. Emmy wants nothing more than to design wedding gowns, which is unrealistic in wartime London, but she’s hopeful.
Her dreams of fashion stardom are (kind of?) dashed when she and her sister are evacuated from the city to foster homes in the countryside. But she doesn’t want to give up her dream of being a world-renowned fashion designer just yet…
Everyone knows someone like Emmy. She is, for lack of a better description, a turd. She is one of those people who is selfish, snotty, and ungrateful. You don’t like them, but you still ask your mother or mutual friends about their latest antics. Because they are that train wreck that you secretly enjoy watching?
If you knew Emmy in real life, she would be that person. She is not a likable character. Like I said above, she is selfish, snotty, and ungrateful. All things that I personally don’t appreciate in a person. (Yes, I know she was a teenager, but she’s terrible.) She is ungrateful to her mother and argues with her often. She also believes her mother is a prostitute. (Quite a harsh accusation, I know. There’s plenty of slut-shaming, if that kind of thing bothers you.)
While I didn’t like Emmy, I was still interested in her mistakes. Because train wreck.
This book is a splash of historical fiction, with plenty of shallow insta-love. As well as a modern-day character who finds life meaning after hearing the story of an elderly woman who lived through war.
Interesting and never boring, but not new or captivating. I’m honestly confused by all the incredibly high praise and reviews.
Advertisements Share this:
