The Glittering Hour: A Novel

Iona Grey

Dec 2019 · Sold by Thomas Dunne Books

About this eBook

Award-winning author Iona Grey's next unforgettable historical about true love found and lost and the secrets we keep from one another

Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying on just the right side of scandal, all while running from the life her parents would choose for her.

Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go even while knowing someone of her stature could never end up with someone of his. Except Selina falls hard for Lawrence, envisioning a life of true happiness. But when tragedy strikes, Selina finds herself choosing what's safe over what's right.

Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches, Iona Grey's The Glittering Hour is an epic novel of passion, heartache and loss.

"An absorbing tale of love, loss, and the ties that bind... A sweeping historical saga that captures the desires and dilemmas of the heart." — Booklist

Ratings and reviews

3.5 stars I don't read a lot of historical fiction, let alone historical romance, but the setting and time period of The Glittering Hour caught my attention. This is a love story, but even more than that, it's the story of a mother and daughter and their bond. The story is told in dual timelines, and while that doesn't always work for me, the author handles it quite seamlessly, and it's easy to get lost in the atmosphere of the story. That said, this one does have some serious lag time in the beginning, but the second part of the book certainly makes up for it. This is not a story full of action, but it does have a forward momentum that kept me reading. I loved the connection between mother and daughter, and I was as interested in learning about how Alice came to be as she was. Overall, it's a wonderful story of love and loss with engaging characters and one of my favorite time periods in history. The wild and carefree Selina fits in perfectly with what we think of when the '20s are mentioned, and even though she lives in a different time, the author still made her relatable. This one may have been a bit out of my wheelhouse, and those lags in the first half could've used some going over, but it is most certainly worth the read.

The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey Historical Fiction in early 20th Century England between World War I and World War II. Selina and Lawrence have an unusual story to tell that no one should miss. A story of people, love, happiness and sorrow that is a part of life and our memories. A beautiful and unforgettable book that will touch many hearts. I absolutely loved it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

About the author

IONA GREY is the award-winning author of Letters to the Lost. She has a degree in English Literature and Language from Manchester University, an obsession with history and an enduring fascination with the lives of women in the twentieth century. She lives in rural Cheshire with her husband and three daughters.