I'm not sure how many people know the history of Bethlehem, PA - but like many industrial boom towns, it had its own heyday. Family, secrets, tragedy, success, and two strong women who are thrown together make up this page-turner. Sometimes, you don't find what you were expecting when you make desperate moves to save your marriage and the life you know, but perhaps you find what you really needed in the end. The characters in this have plenty of depth, and really are what drive the story. A great historical fiction with family at its heart. ( )

This family saga of the Colliers and the Parishes is told on two timelines, through the point of view of two main characters Joanna and Susannah. In 1962 Joanna moves with her husband and children into her Mother-In-Law Susannah's home. This is not at all her idea but she goes along with it at her mostly absent husband Frank's insistence. Susannah is widowed and taking care of her elderly mother on her own. Frank feels this is too much for her and so moves his family into the large sprawling estate. Susannah's point of view takes over from 1918 through the 1920s and covers the story of her family and the family of her husband to be. Joanna's point of view was more straight forward as she dealt with living in someone else's home and the loneliness caused by her husband's frequent absences. Joanna uncovers a bit of mystery during one of these absences that leads to spilling old family secrets. There were times when it was difficult for me to keep all the characters straight, with so many names (and nicknames) to keep track of that in Susannah's timeline I was not always certain which character was part of which family or who was who. I felt that this over complicated things, while in other instances the mystery was too easily figured out.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I received an advance copy for review. ( )

BETHLEHEM is the story of Joanna - a young woman that, together with her husband Frank and children, moves back in the ancestral home because it will be closer to Franks's work. Frank's father has just died, he's has taken on much more responsibility, and he's gone a lot. This bothers Joanna quite a lot. The situation is made worse since she is not only sharing the house with her mother-in-law, but also Frank's grandmother. Not that the women are horrible or wicked, but Joanna does feel like an outsider. One day, while walking outside with her children, Joanna wanders over to the cemetery and meets an old woman named Doe. Doe is taking care of the cemetery along with her husband. Joanna also meets Doe's grandson Daniel, a thoughtful young man that Joanna feels drawn to. In the cemetery there is a grave for a little baby, but Doe - who has been very talkative up until now - refuses to speak about it. What is it with the small grave?

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION! ( )

BETHLEHEM is the story of Joanna - a young woman that, together with her husband Frank and children, moves back in the ancestral home because it will be closer to Franks's work. Frank's father has just died, he's has taken on much more responsibility, and he's gone a lot. This bothers Joanna quite a lot. The situation is made worse since she is not only sharing the house with her mother-in-law, but also Frank's grandmother. Not that the women are horrible or wicked, but Joanna does feel like an outsider. One day, while walking outside with her children, Joanna wanders over to the cemetery and meets an old woman named Doe. Doe is taking care of the cemetery along with her husband. Joanna also meets Doe's grandson Daniel, a thoughtful young man that Joanna feels drawn to. In the cemetery there is a grave for a little baby, but Doe - who has been very talkative up until now - refuses to speak about it. What is it with the small grave?

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION! ( )

Oh my, what a book. I was moved to tears so often just went ahead and got the entire box of tissues to have ready. I loved the dual time line and multiple character story lines. I of course have heard of Bethlehem Steel but knew very little about the town and the wide spread influence of the company. It was very interesting to see what life for the family was like. I highly recommend this book. ( )