I was swept up into this multigenerational story that has main character Hope McKenna-Smith on a mission to uncover secrets from her Mamie’s past that ultimately turn out to be a game changer for Hope’s life.

Mamie knows she has a short time to convey the part of her past she never shared with anyone. Now was the time to tell, but could her granddaughter Hope find the information she desperately needed before the sickness took over her body?

This novel was originally published in 2012 and made this author an international bestseller. The story is rich in characterization, with a unique look at how family members found each other after WWII was over. I was clueless about all the ways a person could be located. Not everything could be found online.

Hope is a single mom, who runs her family’s bakery, where she makes her grandmother’s favorites. I loved how the author sprinkles these recipes throughout the book. Some of them are keys that unlock her grandmother’s past.

I was spell bound by what Hope’s Mamie went through when Germany was invading Paris. This is a heartwarming, complex story with characters to root for, with some surprises for the reader. This is a wonderful escape and one for your book club list.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )

I liked this book a lot, but thought there would be more about the Holocaust even though most of Rose's family and Jacob were caught, she and her brother escaped. I didn't know about how Muslims helped hide Jews and helped them escape. The recipes looked good, but I have given up baking for my health. ( )

I have loved every one of Kristin's books about World War II. This one was no exception. A beautiful story. ( )

A short comment rather than a review: everything falls into place soo easily and is wrapped up soo tidily in the end. I skipped the recipes, I'm gluten free. The letter at the end is entirely unnecessary; all the points have already been made, over and over. They didn't need repeating in a letter written by a woman with dementia who writes with the same voice as the narrator. ( )

I bought this book because of the summary as well as the book cover. I picked The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel because I was in a mood for something fluffy, and when I saw the Eiffel tower on the book cover, I chose to read. The truth this book was surprising, and I didn't expect it to be a historical-fiction with a WWII and Holocaust story.
Loved all the characters. Each one of them has something exciting and intriguing, and it is a page-turner.
It is a love story that teaches you that true love exists, and it is strong and forever, no matter what happens around you. True love comes in different ways and doesn't care about age, location, and where you are in the world.
The third book with the Holocaust subject this year is written interestingly, and it is the second one I give five stars. I gave it this rating because there were things that I didn't know, and I believe you need to read it blindly.
I love Harmel's writing, and indeed it, won't be the last one I will read it for her.
I found a lot of quotes that I liked and put my arrow paperclips to remember them. ( )