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luciearan's review against another edition
4.0
Příjemná romantická kniha, která spojuje dvě časové roviny s hledání pravdy v minulosti. Já mám pro takové knihy slabost. I když se musím přiznat, že tím, že jsem před touto knihou četla Levandulovou zahradu, která byla vážně skvělá, zapadla tato kniha, bohužel, tak trochu do jejího stínu. To ale nic nemění na tom, že se držela statečně a mohu ji jen doporučit.
jo_bookworm's review
4.0
Grace loves her job at the storage company, even more so when she discovers long lost treasures and items of interest.
When opening one unit, belonging to a Connie Levine. Grace discovers a whole life inside and one with a very interesting story. Grace is determined to discover the truth and reunite these items with their rightful owner.
To do this though, Grace is going to have to step right out of her comfort zone and embark on a journey leaving behind all that she knows and is familiar.
One person not happy about this is, Grace's mother Cora who has come to rely on her daughter to do everything for her as she is now unable to do anything for herself and is housebound. Encouraged by her work colleagues and friends, Grace makes the decision to go to Italy on this journey and leave her mother behind with some interesting consequences.
As we are transported to Italy with Grace with starts to embrace what might have been Connie's life and what brought to her Italy, what happened to her during the war and why she has left in storage, expensive paintings and items of jewellery.
This is a different novel from Alex Brown, if you have read any previously. There is a dual time aspect to it and whilst it is not defined through separate chapters like some books using the same narrative but from the items that are found, jewellery, paintings of the Italian powder pink villa and the letters and diaries that were kept. It is through these that you get a sense of a story, a sense of a person and whilst for some it may not have worked, it has here for this author.
If anything this book combined my love of fiction and history nicely into one and all of the characters brought something to the book whether they were from the past or the present. I was that irritated with Grace's mother, Cora from the outset, I would have quite happily put a pillow over her head if it meant Grace could escape. I was in team Grace all the way even when she was in Italy, kindly finding out about someone else's life and without realising it making a new life of her own.
This is a great holiday read and if you are new to the author this would be a great place to start. Avid fans will simply just lap it up and hope for more soon.
When opening one unit, belonging to a Connie Levine. Grace discovers a whole life inside and one with a very interesting story. Grace is determined to discover the truth and reunite these items with their rightful owner.
To do this though, Grace is going to have to step right out of her comfort zone and embark on a journey leaving behind all that she knows and is familiar.
One person not happy about this is, Grace's mother Cora who has come to rely on her daughter to do everything for her as she is now unable to do anything for herself and is housebound. Encouraged by her work colleagues and friends, Grace makes the decision to go to Italy on this journey and leave her mother behind with some interesting consequences.
As we are transported to Italy with Grace with starts to embrace what might have been Connie's life and what brought to her Italy, what happened to her during the war and why she has left in storage, expensive paintings and items of jewellery.
This is a different novel from Alex Brown, if you have read any previously. There is a dual time aspect to it and whilst it is not defined through separate chapters like some books using the same narrative but from the items that are found, jewellery, paintings of the Italian powder pink villa and the letters and diaries that were kept. It is through these that you get a sense of a story, a sense of a person and whilst for some it may not have worked, it has here for this author.
If anything this book combined my love of fiction and history nicely into one and all of the characters brought something to the book whether they were from the past or the present. I was that irritated with Grace's mother, Cora from the outset, I would have quite happily put a pillow over her head if it meant Grace could escape. I was in team Grace all the way even when she was in Italy, kindly finding out about someone else's life and without realising it making a new life of her own.
This is a great holiday read and if you are new to the author this would be a great place to start. Avid fans will simply just lap it up and hope for more soon.
bethglover's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely summer escape book. It took me a bit to get into it but once I got going with it I found it hard to put it down following Grace uncover the mystery. Although some parts were a little generic, sometimes I quite like the feeling of predicting something before it happens!
maisysky's review
5.0
Can someone please take me to Italy now. I got it as it reminded me of the film Letters to Juliet. Absolutely loved the whole story, all the characters were beautifully written and I couldn't put it down.
elvadp's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mcbooklover728's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
truffe's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5