The Life She Wanted

About the book

New York in the 1920s-a time when fortunes are made and a woman’s dreams are challenged against all odds in a sweeping historical novel by the international bestselling author of The Light After the War.

1926, Hyde Park, New York. Born to modest means but befriended by the wealthy, aspiring dress designer Pandora Carmichael has been surrounded by privilege yet never at home in it. That hasn’t stopped her from dreaming-of a romance in a rarified world that could also give her the status and resources to start a business of her own. When she’s introduced to a charismatic Princeton student, Pandora’s future begins to fall into place.

Marriage provides Pandora with a devoted husband, comfortable love, and the prominence and affluence to open a boutique. It’s a fantasy realized, until scandal and tragedy upend Pandora’s life and she flees Hyde Park with a heart-wrenching secret. As the Depression looms, Pandora must rethink everything she’s ever wanted.

From sprawling Gilded Age mansions in New York to the seedy underbelly of Greenwich Village and the stunning coastal vistas of the French Riviera, Pandora’s escape is a journey of self-discovery, adventure, true love, and ambition. There are new dreams to be had, and Pandora is betting on herself to make them come true.

Praise for this book:

"The glamorous cast of characters in Anita Abriel's The Life She Wanted captivated me from the start, while the unforgettable setting had me dreaming about stepping inside every mansion in wealthy 1920s New York. But I adored Pandora most, the novel's plucky heroine whose single father works at one of the region's grand estates, giving Pandora entree into a world of glittery formal balls and suitors with deep pockets. And while Pandora seems like she's on a path to good fortune, her story shows us it's rare that life turns out as planned - no matter how much money you have. For anyone who loves a sweeping rags-to-riches tale, Anita Abriel's novel delights!" - Brooke Lea Foster

"A compulsively readable coming-of-age story set against a dazzling Roaring Twenties backdrop, The Life She Wanted had me flipping pages late into the night. Full of intricately researched history and characters you'll root for, Anita Abriel's latest proves it might be a long and winding road, but true love always finds a way. Fans of The Gilded Age will devour this treat of a novel!" - Kristy Woodson Harvey

"Anita Abriel's The Life She Wanted is the captivating story of Pandora Carmichael, a young woman growing up among the elite upper class of 1920s New York, though she is merely a spectator to the extraordinary privilege that money provides. But with dreams of both romance and a career of her own as a fashion designer, Pandora blends into New York society and ultimately finds herself on a path in life that is both heartbreaking and illuminating. With meticulous historical detail and a protagonist you root for from the very first page, The Life She Wanted is a charming tale of one woman's quest to shape a future for herself that is authentically her own." - Jane Healey

"The Life She Wanted radiates with realistic, lovable characters; stunning plot twists; and the glorious description of the opulent life of the elite class in New York. Told with care and tenderness, the novel is a mesmerizing and triumphant tale of love, loyalty, and how a talented woman discovers herself, desire, marriage, and success in a world full of prestige and prejudice. Spellbinding, joyful, and timeless, The Life She Wanted is a gemstone of a novel. I couldn't put the book down!" - Weina Dai Randel

"The Life She Wanted is a vividly crafted story of self-discovery and resilience set in one of the most transformational periods in America's history: the Roaring 1920s, a time of radical social, artistic, and cultural change, especially for women. Abriel did such a masterful job painting the brilliant backdrop of this heartfelt novel, I found myself dreaming about it long after the last page was turned." - Suzanne Redfearn

"A delightful read from cover to cover. The Life She Wanted is the story of Pandora Carmichael, a woman of modest means thrust into a world of privilege and opportunity. When she finally finds her happily ever after, a devastating secret shatters Pandora's world, forcing her to rethink her dreams. Abriel weaves a stunning tale of love and friendship while taking the reader on a masterful journey of self-discovery, where at the very heart is a woman of courage, loyalty, and ambition." - Rochelle B Weinstein