Adorable

Lily Rose is an upper class girl with a mind of her own. During World War 2 she takes up a job at the famous restaurant Valentino’s. Her mother Victoria thinks it’s a big mistake: Lily shouldn’t be working, but thinking about her future, and about a formidable and rich husband. But Lily wants to do what she loves. And even more importantly, she wants to marry the man of her own choice.
While her mother is plotting Lily’s future wedding to the attractive and well-known Nathaniel, Lily is working hard to become head chef of Valentino’s, replacing Tom who has been sent to war. In the meantime, Lily has fallen head over heels for Tom, with his easy style and lovely blue jeans. But he is a working class boy, so what will her mother think?
Luckily Lily also has a wonderful grandmother, Josie, who supports her in every choice she makes. Josie is so much more like Lily than Victoria is!
Will Lily be able to follow her heart?

A New York Secret is Ella Carey’s latest novel, the first in a trilogy set in New York. Last year I read Beyond the Horizon—which was rereleased by Carey’s new publisher Bookouture—and was very much impressed by it.
I am sorely tempted to compare Carey’s latest book to Beyond the Horizon, as both are situated during World War 2. Yet they couldn’t be more different. Yes, both feature strong and independent women, but whereas in Beyond the Horizon these women actually participate in the war, here the ‘battle’ is fought on the home front. Lily is fighting for her rights and freedom, for women to be able to hold jobs, and for girls to be able to choose how to live their lives. Therefore I should not and will not compare the two books.

A New York Secret is a compelling story of how the all-consuming war affected the lives of the people at home in America. It gives us a great insight into how to be a proper lady before the war and how the war changed opportunities for women. Lily gives it her all. She wants to be a chef, even after the war has ended. Not only does she want to work, but she also wants to marry a man of her own choice, whatever his social class is.
Carey describes vividly how Lily falls for Tom, and how their relationship unfurls. But it’s not all fun and happiness. When Tom disappears in Italy, A New York Secret turns into an emotional rollercoaster. Despair and courage alternately surface, competing for Lily’s full attention.

There is one thing that had me doubting the book. Some of the characters, for example Victoria, flipped a little too easily from one strongly held opinion to the total opposite. In real life, this is something that usually takes some time. It happened a little too quickly in A New York Secret for my taste, rendering some parts of the story too easy and unrealistic.

But don’t worry: you’ll be too busy adoring Lily and her grandmother Josie to really notice these sudden changes! All in all, it is a lovely read.