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    Secrets of a Charmed Life
    Secrets of a Charmed Life
    Secrets of a Charmed Life
    Audiobook11 hours

    Secrets of a Charmed Life

    Written by Susan Meissner

    Narrated by Alana Kerr

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    The author of A Fall of Marigolds journeys from the present day to World War II England, as two sisters are separated by the chaos of wartime ... She stood at a crossroads, half-aware that her choice would send her down a path from which there could be no turning back. But instead of two choices, she saw only one-because it was all she really wanted to see… Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart.1940s, England. As Hitler wages an unprecedented war against London's civilian population, hundreds of thousands of children are evacuated to foster homes in the rural countryside. But even as fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, Emmy's burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia's profound need for her sister's presence. Acting at cross purposes just as the Luftwaffe rains down its terrible destruction, the sisters are cruelly separated, and their lives are transformed…
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherChristianAudio.com
    Release dateFeb 3, 2015
    ISBN9781633892309
    Secrets of a Charmed Life
    Author

    Susan Meissner

    Susan Meissner is a USA TODAY bestselling author with more than three-quarters of a million books in print in eighteen languages. Her novels have been named to numerous "best of" lists, including Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Goodreads, and Real Simple magazine. A former newspaper editor, Susan attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow Lab, Winston. When she's not writing, Susan loves long walks, good coffee, and reading bedtime stories to her grandchildren. Visit her online at susanmeissnerauthor.com; Instagram: @susanmeissnerauthor; Twitter: @SusanMeissner; Facebook: @susan.meissner; and Pinterest: @SusanMeissner.

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    Reviews for Secrets of a Charmed Life

    4/5

    416 ratings37 reviews

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    • 5/5
      [Secrets of a Charmed Life] by [Susan Meissner] is a novel about the evacuation of children during the London Blitz. 90% of the story takes place in London and seen mostly through the eyes of two sisters who lose their mother and their father (s). I'm not sure why the title of the book; as I didn't see that either sister lived a charmed life, except they weren't killed in the blitz. I'm back and forth about this book--it was a great read; I learned information about the blitz that I had never heard before. At times the book was a bit slow and predictable, but all in all a great read (listen!). 416 pages

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      I should have rated it 2 stars, "it was okay," but that wouldn't be fair to the book. It is written well but just isn't my style.
    • 5/5
      This book really makes one think about judging others for the choices that they make in life. The author did a great job with this book!
    • 5/5
      Easy listen. The plot line was fun to listen too
    • 5/5
      Monday, February 2, 2015Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner, © 2015"Our life is what our thoughts make it."––Marcus Aurelius, Meditations~*~Upon reading the last paragraph revelation of Part One, Chapter One; yes, I am here for keeps!Wordsmith Susan Meissner captures historical fiction in a way that readers will be a recipient firsthand with interviewer Kendra Van Zant, as an elderly woman reveals her pain and remembrance in the throngs of war and its effects upon those near to her heart. An impact to me was the sweet longing of hoped-for children fulfilled for Charlotte Havelock, the woman who took in the two sisters in the story during the evacuation of the children from the terrors of the London Blitz in the early 1940s. A history comes alive to 2015; actions considered together, unable to be undone, whether originating from self or others.~* Quotes *~"Fear does not start to fade until you take the step that you think you can't."~*~"There are days that are neither good nor bad. There is a kind of day that is something else entirely. On those days, you are restless for something. And that fidgety feeling doesn’t make your good days bad or your bad days good. It just makes you hungry."~*~"Truth is a strange companion. It devastates one moment and enthralls the next. But it never deceives. And because of that, in the end, it comforts."~*~"If I know anything about time, it is that it stretches to walk with you when you grieve. The rest of the world may zoom past at breakneck speed, but when you are learning to live with loss, time slows to the pace of your breathing."~*~The reminiscence of the teller brought to the present, is it accurate through her point of view? From London to the Cotswolds, the excursion was as bewildering to those sent and those selecting within a distanced countryside, hoping for safety and acceptance. During sirens, blackout curtains, and the fear of demolition, Emmeline Downtree desires to resume her post as a hoped-for designer apprentice connected to Mrs. Crofton's London Primrose Bridal shop. Emmy sketches bride dresses hoping to create a future clear from the life she has known. Her younger sister Julia just wants to be where Emmy is, protected and cared for, the only stability she has really known. Connect with the perils and dreams, set aside to what is.Susan Meissner has brought a true glimpse of a war-torn country and the devastation brought forth for decades; façades covering a turbulent time.I have loved reading Susan Meissner's then and now novels ~ her two time period stories. My first reading became a favorite ~ Lady in Waiting, about the two Janes... and Lucy (needing her own continued story). I like the connection made between the past and the present, in a tangible way. Susan's novels bring me right in to walk near them.***Thank you to author Susan Meissner for inviting me to be a part of her pre-read team and sending me an Advance Reader Copy of Secrets of a Charmed Life. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
    • 5/5
      [Secrets of a Charmed Life] by [Susan Meissner] is a novel about the evacuation of children during the London Blitz. 90% of the story takes place in London and seen mostly through the eyes of two sisters who lose their mother and their father (s). I'm not sure why the title of the book; as I didn't see that either sister lived a charmed life, except they weren't killed in the blitz. I'm back and forth about this book--it was a great read; I learned information about the blitz that I had never heard before. At times the book was a bit slow and predictable, but all in all a great read (listen!). 416 pages
    • 2/5
      2.5 stars. I usually love Susan Meissner books but this one really missed the mark for me. My biggest thing, as always: the dialogue. It was so phony. It is very difficult for me to digest what is supposed to be British English very obviously written by an American. It is very awkward and uncomfortable to read. More than that, I literally cringed at so many of the conversations between almost all of the characters. It was so forced and like it was a soap opera.Beyond the dialogue, the entire nature of the story was just remarkably unbelievable for me. So cheesy. A fifteen year old so headstrong about being a dressmaker that she is willing to ruin everything for everyone? She thinks she’ll be a huge success while a war is on and she just CANNOT wait a minute longer? Come on. (I love asking hypothetical questions in my reviews.)Also, so much telling and very little showing. It added to the phoniness of the whole story. I don’t want the obvious lessons or obvious character reasoning to be laid out for me. It’s already obvious.
    • 5/5
      It is a beautiful book of love and forgiveness! Can't wait to listen to her other books.
    • 4/5
      Gripping read, I enjoyed the story but found some American words and expressions were out of place when relating to what is essentially a book about living and surviving in Britain during WW11. I would recommend though, it had my attention right to the end.

    • 3/5
      Just OK. This book was recommended by a friend, so I really wanted to like it. I listened to it quickly, mostly because I wanted to get it over with. The main character's foolish decisions and self sabotage were hard to sympathize with. As the story progressed and the characters aged, it just wasn't compelling. I also found the storytelling style (with an interviewer and then a flashback story) awkward and distracting. It was meant to introduce curiosity, but I didn't care for it.

      The one thing I liked was the author's message that once you've played your cards in life you can't take them back.

      But if you enjoy light reading, and clean fiction in the almost Christian category, you might like this. I'd put it in the category of easy reading, but not great literature.

    • 5/5
      The truth of war. The story of children taken, for their own safety, from parent experiencing deep loss that rewrites the future.
    • 5/5
      Susan Meissner has once again successfully connected a character from a historic moment to the present day. Secrets of A Charmed Life begins with the sisters' early days with their less than perfect mom in London. The siblings leave their home when their mother insists on protecting them from war with a countryside evacuation. This occurs during WWII and the older sister Emmy's coming of age. Emmy is angry that her mother has destroyed her plans to create a charmed life for herself as a dress designer. Both sisters make decisions they later regret, and the collateral damages are horrific experiences of war including the death of their mother. The sisters are separated and this causes decades of searching and regret. Julia caused the loss of her sister's precious dress designs, and Emmy must live with her role in the death of her mother and the loss of Julia. As the orphans struggle with their past, they develop family and friends and the confidence to tell their story and make their mother in proud. Meissner brings all issues to a satisfying close. I listened to the audio version, and loved the bonus interview with the author at the end.
    • 4/5
      Another engaging book from Susan Meissner begins when an Oxford student from America, Kendra, arrives in the Cotwolds to interview Isabel on her 93rd birthday. Isabel is renown for her art work, which typically includes a red polka-dot umbrella. The topic Kendra wishes to pursue with this woman is her survival of the Blitz. Kendra is soon swept into a different interview when the woman discloses her real identity.Kendra is transported back to 1940 by Isabel when sisters Emmy, 15 and Julia, 7 are moved from London to the countryside as part of the evacuation of children to keep them safe from the bombings in London. Their foster home is in the lovely Cotswolds with a widowed woman named Charlotte, who lives with her neurologically-impaired sister, Rose. Emmy and Julia are welcomed warmly, and given a home unlike the one they had known with their single mother.Emmy's dream to become a wedding dress designer means she has to return to London for an important interview, and Julia insists on accompanying her. Unfortunately, they arrive in London on September 7 when the Blitz begins, and their lives are never the same. The descriptions of the terror and devastation are harrowing, as is the aftermath of the Blitz when Julia cannot be found, and Emmy assumes the identity of the deceased Isabel to continue her search.The aftermath of the lives of Emmy/Isabel and Julia are told in interesting detail, and they never forget the Blitz. This historical fiction is very good, especially because I love the Cotswolds.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      A wonderful story, from the first page. No way to put this down....is it possible one can wish for things to happen that the author will provide? Absolutely! Meissner is a treasure of a writer.
    • 5/5
      LOVED IT. The setting of WWII Blitz in London - the characters- EVERYTHING.

      The secrets of a charmed life? "There are none - just the simple truth that you must forgive yourself for only being able to make your own choices, and no one else's."
    • 4/5
      Excellent book about the Blitz. Lovely family story.
    • 2/5
      2.5 stars. I usually love Susan Meissner books but this one really missed the mark for me. My biggest thing, as always: the dialogue. It was so phony. It is very difficult for me to digest what is supposed to be British English very obviously written by an American. It is very awkward and uncomfortable to read. More than that, I literally cringed at so many of the conversations between almost all of the characters. It was so forced and like it was a soap opera.Beyond the dialogue, the entire nature of the story was just remarkably unbelievable for me. So cheesy. A fifteen year old so headstrong about being a dressmaker that she is willing to ruin everything for everyone? She thinks she’ll be a huge success while a war is on and she just CANNOT wait a minute longer? Come on. (I love asking hypothetical questions in my reviews.)Also, so much telling and very little showing. It added to the phoniness of the whole story. I don’t want the obvious lessons or obvious character reasoning to be laid out for me. It’s already obvious.
    • 4/5
      Secrets of a Charmed Life takes a different look at WW2. It follows the main character's life before and after the Blitz in England. It's a simply told story, but a storyline that I found captivating. The perfect airport read.
    • 5/5
      I received this book from Goodreads first reads in exchange for an honest review.

      I absolutely loved this book. Susan Meissner has a way with words that draws you into a story and doesn't release you until the very end. This was a beautifully written story.
    • 4/5
      Amazing book! I borrowed the audio version from the library. And I can’t stop listening to it. I guess I found a new favorite author.

      Emmeline Downtree/Isabel McFarland story during the World War ll most especially during the “Blitz” in England was definitely heart-breaking. At first, the story reminds me of “The Orphan Train” that I read few years ago. Then, I realize the story of Emmeline and her sister Julia is totally different. The twist and turns, “near miss” and even the “what ifs” made me stay up at night listening to it while crocheting a shawl. LOL! And I finished the shawl same time I finished listening to this book. This is probably one of the top 10 best books I read or listen to this year. Highly recommended.
    • 2/5
      A very clean, G-rated, sanitized story of a pair of sisters who are part of the London children evacuees during World War II. Everyone in the story is good and honest, with the minor exception of the unwed mother of the girls who have different fathers. But even that detail is as fairytale as it can be. It's an adult book that is better suited for innocent 13 year olds.
      It's an intricately plotted series of events, but not really an accurate portrayal of the London bombings.
    • 5/5
      I simply loved this book! The story was absolutely complete and left no stone unturned, not a single thread dangling, and was true to life's ups downs and in betweens. I was pulled into these characters and felt like they were some of the most realistic I've encountered in some time. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
    • 4/5
      Sometimes the best thing about a book is the way the story is told.
    • 4/5
      An easy and interesting novel. It starts with a modern history student interviewing an elderly lady regarding the London Blitz. Her reflections are the story in the novel. Not sure it was necessary to do this.Isabel tells the story of sisters Emmy and Julia and their single mom in London at the start of the war. Emmy, the elder aspires to be a bridal gown designer. She is in conflict with her mom who has a mysterious life apart from the girls which Emmy does not understand. Julia totally relies on her older sister who is more of a mother to her. The two girls are evacuated to the Cotswolds from London which Emmy deeply resents. But Thistle House is an idlylic place and sisters Charlotte and Rose are warm loving people. Emmy cannot forget the opportunity to meet a real designer and returns to London with Julia who finds out the plan and insists on going with Emmy. They return on the day the Blitz starts. The rest of the novel falls together is a somewhat predictable manner but nevertheless i was captivated to follow Emmy and then later Julia through a diary to find out what happens in the end. Thankfully it is a good.
    • 3/5
      Nice story line and a few tears but too much of s happy ending for me.
    • 4/5
      I have just recently become a fan of susan meissner....this was my first book of hers. And once again would love to see this made into a movie. There are so many books out there written about WWII and honestly it gets old.... This one was a joy to read. The story of the sisters and their journey was beautiful, heartbreaking, exhausting and amazing. It was not a great mystery if you pay attention.... But does tie up nicely in the end. It's a quick read.....but I have to admit...when I was done....it was a little sad....I was not ready for it to end (those are my favorite books)! Have already picked up another book by her and suspect that by the year is out will have read them all. Nice addition to the library!
    • 4/5
      The story focuses in on two sisters, fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her younger sister, Julia. They live with their single mother in the city of London on the brink of the second World War. Emmy and her mother have a strained relationship, as Emmy’s father has never been in the picture, and her mother is rarely at home. Because of their mother’s lifestyle, Julia’s care is largely taken on by Emmy. Emmy’s greatest dream in life is to design, make and sell her own bridal gowns. She has a treasured box of sketches she drew, which she values more than anything. Just as she finally finds her “dream” job, terrible news arrives. All of the children of London are to be evacuated to temporary foster homes in the countryside until the war is over.

      Emmy protests, but has no choice. She has to go, if not for her own protection, at least to make sure her sister Julia is in good hands. The sisters are taken in by a wonderful older woman who owns a cottage called Thistle House. Though they are well cared for, Emmy is not happy. She wants to return to London and her job so one night she leaves Thistle House and sneaks back to the city in the early morning hours, without permission. Events happen that will change her life and her plans forever.

      I enjoyed the story but I'm afraid it suffered because I recently read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, also about about sisters during WWII. This story seemed more predictable and some unnecessarily long explanations and detail made the book longer than it needed to be. I enjoyed reading about the Blitz and was so sad that parents had to make the difficult decision to send their children away to strangers rather than keep them in danger in London.
    • 4/5
      A heartwarming tale of two sisters separated during the London Blitz and the struggles to find one another in the upheaval of war. If you're unfamiliar with the devastation caused by bombing during World War II, this novel vividly depicts the sudden destruction of lives and landscapes and the very real emotion damage caused. Overall, a very good read.
    • 3/5
      I won this book from Goodreads First Reads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.A nicely written story set during the blitz of WWII. Two sisters, Emmy and Julia Downtree, are separated by the cruel hand of fate and Emmy's typical young adult sense of entitlement and selfishness. In fact, it was the character of a 15 year old Emmy that almost made me give up on the book. Meissner portrayed her protagonist as what we expect a 15 year old to be....concerned only with herself and her future. She became to me quite tiresome. Consequently it is this attitude that starts Emmy's downward spiral.The novel goes on to detail Emmy's life after the night of the Blitz. Meissner does well with conveying to the reader the struggle and guilt Emmy suffers for most of her life. I cannot say that Emmy was a favorite character of mine but put in the context of what she went through, I eased up on my dislike of her.The switch midway into the novel to Julia's story was a nice shift. Meissner wrote Julia's section in a language that conveyed both her pain and sadness. Her letters sound childlike but as she is supposed to be writing to her older sister I can see what Meissner was attempting to do. In this portion of the novel, Meissner subtly has Julia revert to a childlike state as she 'writes' to her older sister. A very nice maneuver on the author's part.I did have an issue with the character of Kendra. She is not a main character other than being chosen by Isabel to tell her story. There is no backstory for her. She is portrayed as the catalyst to Isabel so why is she given such a prominent mention in the back cover of the book? "What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart" -- I just didn't get that. Overall a good read.
    • 3/5
      This book started off fairly well for me, but suffered some unevenness (a lot having to do with American English being used in the very British part of the story.) All in all, though, I am a sucker for interwoven story lines, and while the seeds for big reveals in this one were sown pretty early, I still liked reading the picture the author painted of the Blitz and the days that followed.