The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman-Review

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Description:
Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.

Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

Review:

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman is a standalone novel.  200 years ago, Filomena Fontana cast a curse on her sister that no second born daughter will find a lasting love, and over these years, not one has. Emilia Fontana, our heroine, is content to have her own apartment, and a cute cat named, Claws.  She works for the family deli/bakery, making cannoli’s, and doesn’t mind being bossed around by her Nonna.  Then one day Emilia gets a letter from her Aunt Poppy, whom she hasn’t seen in years.  Poppy wants to go to Italy and is offering Emilia an all expenses paid vacation to go with her; eventually Emilia will decide to go, and her cousin Lucy will go with them to Italy. Poppy ensures the two young ladies that she will break the curse while they are in Italy.

Both Emilia and Lucy recognize that Poppy is ill, and this trip was for her to meet her old love, Rico at the Ravello Cathedral, after a promise they made to meet over 60 years ago. 

Poppy, was a blessing for the girls, teaching them how to let go, and learn to enjoy life and open themselves up to the feeling of love and life. We did get a POV between Poppy and Rico’s time together during the war, as she would tell the girls about her wonderful love, and in doing they will learn some terrible betrayals, secrets and lies among the family during their journey through Italy.  We the reader also got a beautiful eyeful of Italy, as Spielman gloriously described all the wonderful sites as they toured places like Tuscany, Venice, Milan, Naples, etc.

What follows is a heartwarming journey of discovery, as both Emilia and Lucy embrace life, love and happiness. The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany was not only entertaining, but emotional as well.  I loved Poppy, Emilia and even Lucy, and how their lives changed for the better, though there were some sad parts.  This was a very well written enjoyable story, with three fantastic women who truly became a true sisterhood. I recommended you read The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany and enjoy the ride.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher