The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman: Book Review

Lynda Cohen Loigman’s latest release is The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern. It is historical fiction told through a dual timeline and is anticipated to be released on October 8, 2024. In the 1920s, Augusta Stern is a teenager learning about love and life. In the 1980s, she’s reunited with the man who broke her heart.

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern. All opinions presented here are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads

On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs—an active senior community in southern Florida—she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy—and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.

As a teenager growing up in 1920s Brooklyn, Augusta’s role model was her father, Solomon Stern, the trusted owner of the local pharmacy and the neighborhood expert on every ailment. But when Augusta’s mother dies and Great Aunt Esther moves in, Augusta can’t help but be drawn to Esther’s curious methods. As a healer herself, Esther offers Solomon’s customers her own advice—unconventional remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions.

As Augusta prepares for pharmacy college, she is torn between loyalty to her father and fascination with her great aunt, all while navigating a budding but complicated relationship with Irving. Desperate for clarity, she impulsively uses Esther’s most potent elixir with disastrous consequences. Disillusioned and alone, Augusta vows to reject Esther’s enchantments forever.

Sixty years later, confronted with Irving, Augusta is still haunted by the mistakes of her past. What happened all those years ago, and how did her plan go so spectacularly wrong? Did Irving ever truly love her, or was he simply playing a part? And can Augusta reclaim the magic of her youth before it’s too late?

My Opinions

Reading The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is like drinking tea while wrapped up in your favorite blanket. Or you are spending time with your beloved grandparent. It’s also a reminder that you can’t control everything and don’t always know what someone else is doing.

Augusta is approaching a milestone birthday when we first meet her. She’s forced to face reality and has to finally retire. Then, she’s a teenager grieving over the loss of her mother. Her journey is one that many of us can relate to, making her story all the more compelling.

Each chapter begins with a clear timeline, guiding us through Augusta’s life. In the 1980s, she was a woman dedicated to her family and a career in helping others, yet she struggled to accept love from anyone outside her family, particularly men. In the 1920s, she was a girl navigating grief and adolescence. These timelines vividly illustrate how Augusta’s experiences shaped her character.

A few chapters focus on Irving in the 1920s and 1980s. This gives us the chance to see his side of the story and understand his actions and regrets.

Ultimately, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern delves deep into the human experience, touching the reader’s heart and soul. It’s a story that resonates and lingers long after the final page is turned. For this profound experience, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. I eagerly await more literary gems from Lynda Cohen Loigman.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.