Available in Hardcover, Ebook, Audio and Large Print
Four remarkable women . . . one family . . . many secrets!
THE GODMOTHERS was chosen for these “best books” lists:
People Magazine’s “People Picks The Best New Books”
Newsweek’s "21 Enticing Books To Take Along This Summer"
Parade’s “Books We Love” and “Books We Can't Wait to Take on Vacation”
Buzzfeed’s “21 Upcoming Historical Fiction Books You’re Going to Love” and “Best Books of June”
Veranda’s “New Books You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer!”
Publishers Marketplace’s “Buzz Books: Spring/Summer 2021”
“Aubray begins with a page-turning, captivating back story of each woman, and reveals a secret from each of their pasts . . . Aubray shines in her ability to bring each woman alive with distinct personalities, and to weave individual stories and different plots into one collective story. This novel is rich in plot with all the elements of family drama, murder, romance and secrets . . . Enjoy immersing yourself into this family's story." --Historical Novels Review
The Godmothers
THE GODMOTHERS audiobook is a #1 Amazon bestseller in Friendship Fiction and #1 in World War II Historical Fiction
THE GODMOTHERS is a “Best Book to Read On A Beach Vacation” —Boston.com (Boston Globe)
“A group of deeply complex and beautifully written women who marry into a well-to-do Italian family, each of whom are godmothers to each other's children. Aubray marries history, suspense and womanhood in a story perfect for devouring.” --Newsweek
“Aubray portrays her strong characters as intelligent, brave, and even ruthless women. This is historical fiction at its best, bringing along thrilling scenes, passionate love affairs and a bounty of secrets.” —Booklist
“Aubray delivers an addictive and tense multi-generational feminist romp through WWII-era New York City.” —Publishers Weekly
“We love Camille Aubray’s THE GODMOTHERS.”—Parade
“A fast-paced, drama-filled portrait of a family dynasty.” —Kirkus Reviews
“THE GODMOTHERS might be one of the best books of the year!”—Red Carpet Crash
“I couldn’t put this down! I can’t remember reading such a juicy page-turner.” — Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author
“THE GODMOTHERS is my type of book; captivating, well written and full of love and drama.”—Jacques Pépin
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Pitched as “Elena Ferrante meets Big Little Lies”, THE GODMOTHERS is a novel about four remarkable women from very different backgrounds who are united by marriage in an elegant, prosperous Italian family, and then must take charge of the family’s business when their husbands are forced to leave them during World War II. The story takes place in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
Meet the Godmothers: Filomena is a clever, 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 and falls in love with Johnny, the oldest of the brothers. Lucy, a tough-as-nails Irish nurse who ran away from a strict girls' home, 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.
Stylish, sassy and brave, 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 they must unexpectedly contend with notorious gangsters like Frank Costello and Lucky Luciano who run the streets of New York City, the Godmothers learn to put aside their differences and grudges so that they can work together to protect their loved ones.
Refusing to merely imitate the world of men, the four Godmothers find their own unique paths to success, love, forgiveness, and the futures they’ve always dreamed of.
HarperCollins / William Morrow Hardcover ISBN#: 978-0062983695
“Aubray delivers an addictive and tense multi-generational feminist romp through WWII-era New York City . . . The enormous cast and multiple complicated subplots are smoothly handled, with the tensions between the godmothers easily propelling the narrative. This credibly flips the script on male-dominated Mafia stories.” —Publishers Weekly
“Setting her tale mostly in the 1930s and '40s, Aubray uses the dramatic changes in America to highlight the family drama—a saga reminiscent of Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Unlike them, though, Aubray focuses on the challenges particular to women . . . As violence erupts, power shifts, and war rises once again, the four women learn to negotiate power on their own terms. A fast-paced, drama-filled portrait of a family dynasty.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Why do we love Camille Aubray’s THE GODMOTHERS? This feminist mafia tale set in World War II-era Greenwich Village follows four women who married into an opulent Italian family and who must take over the business when their husbands are called to serve.”—Parade
“Thrilling! Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in family drama and watching women’s friendships grow.” —Library Journal