🍺🍺🍺🍺
THE FIRST EMMA
Camille Di Maio
Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing
May 5, 2020
283 pages
This is the fictionalized story of Emma and Otto Holzhauer, owners and founders of Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas. The story is retold by Emma when she is in her 80’s. The retelling is to Mabel during WW2. Two time lines in the story.
The book had the opportunity of being a wonderful historical novel. The past as told by Emma is fascinating….she was a feminist long before her time. A strong woman even after a car accident left her in an wheelchair. She had natural business acumen. Revered and respected in the community. But not appreciated by her husband.
The 1940’s storyline featuring Mabel and her love interest reads more like a romance novel. I found this part somewhat disappointing. Mabel is a sweet girl but the dialogue between Mabel and Erik does not match the rest of the book.
Great research by the author on San Antonio and the brewery and the health spa….it kept me Googling. The author’s notes at the end are very informative.
I have enjoyed the author’s previous books. This too was an entertaining and informative read.
This is 3.5 stars, upgraded to 4 stars.
Edited to add: I absolutely love the cover!
Leave a Reply