Similar to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Love and Other Consolation Prizes is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that brings to life a time and an event that is often overlooked. I never thought I would be reading a novel about Seattle's red light district or a world fair that happened over 100 years ago, but that's what Jamie Ford does - he opens up these events to people who wouldn't normally read about them (or simply don't know they exist to read about) an adds fictional relationships and events that make it all the more heartwarming.

The story takes place in two time periods, about 55 years apart. While this is sometimes hard to follow, Ford makes the transition back and forth seamlessly. The characters are written so well that you can feel their heartbreak and triumphs alongside them. And, as I said before, it's just a beautifully written story. The end did leave me wanting a bit more, though, and as always I'm not sure exactly what. I just wasn't as satisfied as I wanted to be, hence the 4 stars.