The Godmothers

A Novel

By: Camille Aubray

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan, Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Big Little Lies set in World War II era Greenwich Village! An irresistible, suspenseful novel about four women who marry into an elegant, prosperous Italian family, and then must take charge of the family's business when their husbands are forced to leave them during the war.

Meet the Godmothers: Filomena is a clever and resourceful war refugee with a childhood secret, who comes to America to wed Mario, the family's favored son. Amie, a beautiful and dreamy French girl from upstate New York, escapes an abusive husband after falling in love with Johnny, the oldest of the brothers. Lucy, a tough-as-nails Irish nurse, ran away from a strict girls' home and marries Frankie, the sensuous middle son. And the glamorous Petrina, the family's only daughter, graduates with honors from Barnard College despite a past trauma that nearly caused a family scandal.

All four women become godmothers to one another's children, finding hope and shelter in this prosperous family and their sumptuous Greenwich Village home, and enjoying New York life with its fine dining, opulent department stores and sophisticated nightclubs.

But the women's secret pasts lead to unforeseen consequences and betrayals that threaten to unravel all their carefully laid plans. And when their husbands are forced to leave them during the second World War, the Godmothers must unexpectedly contend with notorious gangsters like Frank Costello and Lucky Luciano who run the streets of New York City.

Refusing to merely imitate the world of men, the four Godmothers learn to put aside their differences and grudges so that they can work together to protect their loved ones, and to find their own unique paths to success, love, forgiveness, and the futures they've always dreamed of.

©2021 Camille Aubray (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Very entertaining

Enjoyed the narration. Interesting characters although some were not as developed as they could have been.

Moving story about female perseverance

It took a several chapters to get the hang of what was going on and to keep track of the various characters but once it got going, it was an excellent story.

I have a sticker that a little neighbor-girl gave me and it simply says "I can do hard things." This entire story made me think of the power that sticker gives me to be able to my job.

I liked the characters names and it made me wonder about if they were based on true character because I recognized some names (like Gotti). It makes me want to further research for myself.

Lastly, I chose this book because it was a similar theme to a firsthand account book that I just read written by the great neice of Capone. She also provided secondhand accounts in that book that insisted they never got into the drugs racket and this book followed the same theme. It seems that old-time gangsters lived by a code (omerta), had loyalty to the family and came from a such a loving and tightknit culture that it seems contradictory from the outside looking in. It is well known that the old time gangsters committed a lot of hannis crimes but it's also interesting to get a glimpse from their perspectives on life and the world.

The Godmothers presents a unique premise based on a common theme. Although there is a lot of sadness to traverse through the journey that is this book, it is a rewarding story of resilience, inner strength and perseverance.

Great name for these women

I liked this more than I thought I would. Very well written and easy to keep track of who everyone is.

Excellent History! Fabulous Story!

I did not know what to expect and this was a pleasant surprise. The title certainly did not lead me to what I ended up with. I love a book that sends you back to history as it most likely was. And told from a female perspective made it even more interesting. Bringing it from when the godmothers were young to when their grandchildren were adults made the story work beautifully.
I actually cared about these characters. the narrator did a good job. I recommend this book.

Very good!!

I love the story so much, but the narrator kind of sounded like Alexa, also she does all the male voices so it was kind of jarring at first but you get used to it, didnt ruin the story at all.

Loved this book!!!

A very exciting tale from cover to cover. I loved every word. I have not been captivated by a story like this in a long time. I loved this book

Awesome story

What an incredible story! The way it unfolded with each of the women’s
history allowed you to connect to each of them personally. Loved it and hated to have it end.

Loved it!

I loved it from beginning to end! The narrator is excellent with all the different characters! Highly recommend.

Loved it

Reminded me of my strong and loving Aunts. Should make a movie on this. Loved the story.

Entertaining

Really enjoyed this story, not of intrigue, romance and tons of family strength. Very nice