REVIEW | ‘THE FORGOTTEN ROOM’

Three best-selling authors have come together to write 'The Forgotten Room,” a novel about three women united by one iconic New York City building and a ruby necklace. Over glasses of wine, these three authors - Karen White, Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig - decided it would be fun to write together. Williams knew of an old mansion in Manhattan now being used as a private hospital. After a tour, the three authors knew they had a story to tell.

In the book, three women from three generations tell their story of lost love all while connected to the same mansion. Olive is a housemaid to the wealthy Pratt family who lives in the mansion during the 1890s. Lucy lives in the mansion, now a boardinghouse, during the 1920s and works for the law firm that represents the Pratt family. Then in the 1940s the mansion is turned into a hospital and Kate, a doctor in the hospital, heals soldiers coming home from the war.

The transitions between the characters and their stories are so seamless, you would never know the book was written by three different authors - although keeping the characters and their connection to each other straight was a bit of a challenge in the beginning.

I loved the architectural detail describing the family mansion. The story is full of 'what-if” situations and difficult choices loaded with heartbreak.

These three authors are talented individually, but together they create a story that will remind you to follow your heart and not to lose sight of your dreams.