It's the first book review of 2025 and it's a good one! It's also one that is long overdue because it's been sitting on my shelf for a year. Fiona Davis is one of my favorite authors but whenever I get a book I'm excited about, I never read it right away. It's like I'm saving it for the right time.

Well, after Christmas was the perfect time. I wanted something that was wintery and holiday adjacent but not a romance or thriller. Enter a historical fiction novel about the Radio City Rockettes in the 1950s, The Spectacular. 

Fiona Davis writes the most beautiful books about New York City landmarks and their history, mixes in mystery, romance and brilliant, brave women are at the center of them. 

I've read every single one of Fiona Davis' books and this is definitely one of my favorites. Her new one, The Stolen Queen, came out last week and I need to order it, just as soon as my low-buy month is over or I have the extra money & need a little treat. 

It seems that once a year I write a book review about the latest Fiona Davis book and every single year, I think one is better than the next. This year is no different. 

I don't know why it takes me forever to read my favorite author, I think I'm constantly trying to savor the idea of having an unread book in my TBR pile. The Magnolia Palace was released last year and I received it as one of my Book of the Month picks. I just finished reading it earlier this month and have to say, it was delightful.

It wasn't my favorite Fiona Davis book but it was still one of my favorite books, if that makes sense. I enjoyed reading it so much, and I always appreciate how much I learn about New York and history in general when I read her novels.

They are the perfect mix of history, fiction, art and romance. All of her novels go back and forth between past and present...though sometimes the 'present' is not in the 21st century, which is ok! It makes everything more fun.

There are always multiple stories going on within the book and usually a twist, reminiscent of our favorite thrillers that make the entire book come together in a beautiful, unexpected way.

The Magnolia Palace followed that formula and did it beautifully.

I have raved about Fiona Davis before as one of my favorite authors and I knew that this novel, one of her latest, was going to be outstanding. As I type this, I realize that I haven't reviewed the last few books of Davis' that I read but I'm changing that now with The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

This book was released last summer but I recently finished reading it and I once again am kicking myself for waiting so long. 

Fiona Davis writes what I call historical fiction because while the story she is telling is mostly fiction, the time and place the story is being told are very real. She takes real-life events and places and puts a fictional spin on them, all of which take place in New York.

This time around, Davis is taking us to the New York Public Library which is probably the best setting for a book ever. I read the book within a few days and it was definitely one of my favorites.

Fiona Davis has quickly become one of my favorite authors, even if this is only the 2nd book I read by her. I read "The Dollhouse" almost THREE years ago (I had no idea it was that long) and loved it!

"The Address" is very similar to Davis' first book and I can see that her two newest books, "The Masterpiece" and "The Chelsea Girls" are following a similar format. Fiona Davis writes what I consider historical fiction, but more fiction than history, that take place in old timey New York with a modern twist.



"The Address" starts out in England in the late 1800s with Sarah meeting a big time New York architects, Theodore Camden. After she saves his child's life, he repays her by bringing her to the city to be the manager of a new hotel, The Dakota. However, this 'hotel' is not even that... it's one of Manhattan's first apartment buildings that have a full staff. It's in a rundown part of the city but Sarah agrees and sets her sights on New York.

While we are learning about Sarah's life in the late 1800s, we also switch back to semi modern New York in 1985 with Bailey as the center of it. Returning from rehab and trying to get back to her life, we find out that Theodore Camden was murdered right in his Dakota apartment, where Bailey's 'cousin' Melinda currently lives and is renovating.

You see, Bailey is the granddaughter of Christopher Camden, the ward of Theodore Camden. She isn't a real Camden but after finding a few old things of Theodore's and Sarah's in the basement of The Dakota, Bailey begins to wonder if she is a real Camden or not.

As the book progresess we see Sarah's life in New York come to life; she is tempted by the riches and handsome men and eventually, finds herself in deep trouble. The same goes for Bailey... as she is tempted by alcohol and drugs, she is trying to find herself in the city and come to terms with her true identity.

The book is slightly predictable on Bailey's part, however the final twist is pretty satisfying. However, when it comes to Sarah, things don't go as planned. You are follow the story, and are rooting for Sarah but her bumps along the way only strengthen her as a person. It's all very interesting how the two sides of the story come together.

"The Address" was a really great book. It was a little slow for my liking but it just reinforced how much I enjoy Fiona Davis' writing. It's poetic in a way, shows the struggles of modern and old timely woman and how similar life actually is as years pass. I love the way she incorporates history and how it tells it's own story, whether it's true or not.

I was never someone who liked historical fiction but the more I read it, the more I become intrigued. I already can't wait to read the next Fiona Davis book!

Have you read anything by Fiona Davis? What are your thoughts?
xoxo
B