Review: Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams

Title: Along the Infinite Sea

Author: Beatriz Williams

Series: Schuyler Sisters, #3

Published: November 2015, G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Format: ARC E-copy, 464 pages

Source: Publisher

Each of the three
Schuyler sisters has her own world-class problems, but in the autumn of
1966, Pepper Schuyler’s problems are in a class of their own. When
Pepper fixes up a beautiful and rare vintage Mercedes and sells it at
auction, she thinks she’s finally found a way to take care of herself
and the baby she carries, the result of an affair with a married,
legendary politician.

But the car’s new owner turns out to have
secrets of her own, and as the glamorous and mysterious Annabelle
Dommerich takes pregnant Pepper under her wing, the startling provenance
of this car comes to light: a Nazi husband, a Jewish lover, a flight
from Europe, and a love so profound it transcends decades. As the many
threads of Annabelle’s life from World War II stretch out to entangle
Pepper in 1960s America, and the father of her unborn baby tracks her
down to a remote town in coastal Georgia, the two women must come
together to face down the shadows of their complicated pasts.

Indomitable
heroines, a dazzling world of secrets, champagne at the Paris Ritz, and
a sweeping love story for the ages, in New York Times bestselling
author Beatriz William’s final book about the Schuyler sisters.

My thoughts: Beatriz Williams has quickly become on of my favorite authors. I’ve read the last four of her books and have loved each one more than the previous one. She creates such fun, rich characters that you can’t help but love and story lines that come alive on the pages. 

I had the opportunity to hear Beatriz speak on tour this time around and the one thing that she said that stuck in my mind was that she loves writing historical fiction, but can’t write pure HF because her imagination gets the best of her! She needs the freedom to do whatshe wants with her characters and she certainly does that and does it well. Part of this story line, for instance, is indeed based on fact – an old vintage car was found in a barn and was sold in an auction and there was quite a story behind it…well that nugget became the basis for this book and from there we get Pepper and Annabelle’s stories.

I absolutely love dual narrative stories and this one is done so well. I just loved both Pepper and Annabelle’s stories – it was hard as the book switched back and forth between the two because I really wanted to stay with the one we were just with, I was so engrossed with each one. I also thought it was quite clever at how much each of the stories paralleled each other – Pepper and Annabelle really aren’t that much different from each other and as more and more of the story comes out, that becomes more apparent.

I found myself guessing and then guessing again as to who Annabelle’s husband was. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another piece of the puzzle would be revealed and I would have to rethink my guess. I loved that…it really kept me on my toes. As for who the father of Pepper’s child is…that I’m not sure I ever really figured out, but that’s ok…I did enjoy her interactions with Florian and really wish there was another book so we could see more of them, as well as more of the sisters in general. My only complaint about this book is that the other sisters, Vivian and Tiny weren’t really in this book much at all. 

This series has been amazing and one that I have recommended over and over again! In fact, these books are currently sitting on my table waiting to be passed on to my aunt when I see her at Thanksgiving. And I can definitely see myself reading them again at some point…I just loved them, and can we just talk about the names…what great names Beatriz has used – Vivian, Violet, Tiny, Pepper, Annabelle – they are all memorable names attached to very memorable characters. 

Books in this series:

1. The Secret Life of Violet Grant
2. Tiny Little Thing
3. Along the Infinite Sea