I really enjoyed this inter-generational family story. Even though I guessed the "big" twist, I happily continued reading. The main character's growth and personal transformation was very believable and natural. So glad I took a chance on this novel! Would make a good book club book,

Having lived in Italy before, I loved to read all the great descriptions of the area and of course the amazing food! The complex family dynamics, with great cultural and family crazy interaction...such a fun read. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley/Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I can unabashedly say it was charming.

I loved the characters, the settings and the story. I love how the main plot line of the book was interspersed with a subplot line of the past that explained what happened that led up to the present time frame of the main storyline.

Without reveaing any of the plot that would require a spoiler, a rift exists between Rosa (Nonna) and her sister Poppy but we don’t know why. Rosa refuses to let anyone in the family have anything to do with her sister – who did her wrong so many years ago…and no one has dared cross her as she rules the family with a fear based on this silly family curse of second daughters in the Fontana family never marrying over many generations. It’s a curse that Emelia and Luciana are hoping – both as second daughters – to break. When Aunt Poppy offers Emelia the opportunity for a trip with her to Italy, it is the chance of a lifetime to create change. It is up to her to decide if she can defy Nonna Rosa to make the trip.

I found the writing, the scenery, the characters and story line to be very well done and compelling to read. I couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded and find out what happened. I liked how the author paced the story by alternating the chapters so you had to wait to find out what happened in the history sections.

Highly recommend the read.

This is a lovely and lively portrayal of Italy along with family secrets that are unearthed to the benefit of second-born daughters. The characters are well-portrayed and the plot line is entertaining.

A two hundred year old curse is wreaking havoc on the second born daughters of the Fontana family. Emilia and her cousin Lucy have different opinions, with one thinking it’s baloney and the other believing it’s the real deal. When they get a call from their great aunt asking them to return to Italy, where the 80 year old matriarch will meet her true love and the curse will be lifted once and for all, the girls can’t say no. The beauty, mystery and heritage of Italy come to life in this lovely novel