Book Review of
The Audrey Hepburn Estate

Lynn's Review

The Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz was published in 2023. It is historical fiction. 

I added this book to my to be read list after I heard the author talking about the book. As soon as I heard that the movie Sabrina inspired the book, I knew I wanted to read it. I loved the Sabrina movie with Audrey Hepburn. 

The storyline of this book takes place in two timelines, both post-WWII, but the years were never mentioned. The chapters are listed as now and then. It is about three adults, that grew up on the same large estate. It goes back and forth between the modern day and their childhood. 

Emma, Leo, and Henry grew up totally different and yet in many ways the same. Henry lived with his grandparents a wealthy elderly couple. Emma and Leo were the children of the help who worked at the estate. 

Emma was friends with both Henry and Leo. Emma was in love with Henry and was best friends with Leo. Leo was in love with Emma who only wanted to be his friend. Henry wanted to love Emma but wasn’t allowed to. Leo and Henry tolerated each other for the sake of Emma. 

After years of not seeing each other Emma, Henry, and Leo are brought back together because of the estate they grew up on. 

The book has a bit of a Hallmark movie feel, but I still enjoy it. I will say that at about a quarter of the way through I almost stopped reading, but I am glad that I kept going. The last quarter of the book took a twist that surprised me. 

This book is a little PG-13 in parts, but not bad.