A vintage necklace. A long-hidden secret. A second chance for love.From a USA Today bestselling author.When costume designer Ariana Ricci leaves her groom at the altar, she seeks solace at the Palm Springs home of her great-aunt, a Texas-born Hollywood legend who began her career as an extra on the film Roman Holiday. While opening yellowed, 1950s letters postmarked Italy, Ariana discovers relics … postmarked Italy, Ariana discovers relics from her great-aunt’s hidden past, including an intriguing necklace that Audrey Hepburn gave her during the filming of the movie.
Aching for a fresh start and the chance to resolve an unfinished story, the two embark on a journey to the sun-dappled shores of Lake Como, Italy that will illuminate secrets of a bygone era and offer second chances to each of them—if they are bold enough to seize them.
From Jan Moran, a USA Today bestselling author of romantic women’s fiction, including The Chocolatier, comes a dual-timeline, multigenerational saga of love and second chances at any age. Also enjoy her contemporary Summer Beach series and the historical novels, The Winemakers and The Perfumer: Scent of Triumph. Hepburn’s Necklace is available in ebook, trade paperback, audiobook, hardcover, and large print editions. Get swept away with this mesmerizing family saga now.
REVIEWS
“An ode to the magic of Lake Como past and present, Hepburn’s Necklace sails between the set of Roman Holiday in 1952, and two complicated romances that blossom on the beautiful lake across two different generations. As sparkling as a Bellini, this novel of family secrets, lost love, and discovering one’s strength will transport you to Italy and leave you enchanted.” — Kristin Harmel, New York Times Bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names
Second chances, twists of fate, and a glittering Lake Como backdrop combine to create Jan Moran’s latest stunning read. Weaving back and forth through time, Moran creates an epic tale of love and loss that can’t help but make readers question what might have been. With lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, HEPBURN’S NECKLACE proves that Jan Moran is a writer at the top of her game and a storyteller to remember. — Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today Bestselling author of Feels Like Falling
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This is my first book by Jan Moran and I absolutely loved this heartbreakingly beautiful story. From the descriptive writing to the wonderful characters this is a captivating read. Hepburn’s Necklace is about a vintage necklace that takes Ruby and Ariana to Lake Como, Italy. I loved that the author pulled me into the story leaving me feeling like I actually lived the story right along with Ruby. The writing is well done, the storyline flowed smoothly and the characters are believable. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
I can always count on a captivating and brilliantly written story by Ms. Moran. This book was no different. The storyline pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me engaged and interested all the way through. Ms. Moran has a way of transporting you into the character’s world and you feel as if you are part of the story. Visualizing Lake Como and it’s beauty was easy with Ms. Moran’s detailed and vivid descriptions.
When Ariana leaves her groom at the altar, her Aunt Ruby, a former well-known actress, convinces her to go to Italy with her. While there, Ariana learns of a necklace given to Aunt Ruby by Audrey Hepburn and of a secret that she has kept buried. Both of their lives will be forever changed. This story definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, anxiously turning the pages to find out what happens next. Another well-written story by a talented author – I highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another beautifully written book by Jan Moran. I felt I was transported to a new place and a new time. This story has it all – wonderful characters, romance, exquisite settings, family, secrets, second chances, and forgiveness. In all of Moran’s books she writes of strong, intelligent, competent, resilient women. That is one of the main reasons I love her books and devour each one as it is released.
When Ariana Ricci leaves her groom at the altar, she takes solace with her great-aunt Ruby Raines, a former well-known actress. Ruby, needing to find resolution to a great loss in the past, convinces Ariana to make a fresh start and go with her to Lake Como in Italy. There Ariana will soon discover that Ruby has a secret that has been long buried. At the center of the secret lies a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when Ruby was an extra in the movie “Roman Holiday”.
The luscious descriptions of Lake Como left me yearning to be there. The beauty of the lake, the smells and tastes of the Italian cuisine, savoring the simple things in life…I wanted to fly to Italy and join Ruby and Ariana. I was captivated by their courage and their resilience to live life as they wanted. Both women had had expectations placed upon them…expectations they refused to follow. These women tugged on my heartstrings quite a few times.
Although the story is told using a dual timeline, I never got confused with it. It was interesting to read about the restraints on actresses in the early 1950s.
I highly recommend this book. Great for fans of Patricia Sands’ stories of romance for women over 40. I received this book from the author with no expectation of a positive review.
Hepburn’s Necklace by Jan Moran is my first time experiencing this author’s work. This is a well written, beautifully told, dual-timeline story of love and second chances amid the lovely backdrop of Lake Como, Italy. The story revolves around Ruby and Nicolo, Mari and Lorenzo and Arianna and Alessandro.
The author creates characters that are a bit complex, believable, and engaging. It’s a wonderful plot and storyline. The dialogue is just perfect and I was transfixed while reading.
The characters are delightful and the author is so articulate, the dialogue and interactions between characters is just wonderful. Her imagery was fascinating and so real that you imagine yourself a part of the story. Her descriptions of Lake Como are exquisitely written.
Thank you so much Ms. Moran for this charming story. I look forward to reading more of your books.
The author has written a story that keeps you reading to see what will happen. It is descriptive in the scenery. Makes you want to be there. Well written and a beautiful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What would it have been like on the set of the classic movie Roman Holiday? Jan Moran’s HEPBURN’S NECKLACE gives us as the reader a glance of what it could have been like through the eyes of Ruby Raines, an extra on the set who is taking part in her first film.
In a dual timeline story, Ruby returns to Italy, the place where she not only got her big break but was happiest. She’s determined to help her niece, Ariana, after she leaves her Groom at the altar (well, almost). Determined to help Ariana discover what makes her happy and make the best decisions for her future, she brings her to Italy and her new home on Lake Como. While there, Ariana realizes there is more to her famous Aunt than she ever knew. Ruby hopes Italy will work its magic on Ariana and help her find answers, hoping to understand the chain of events that changed her life.
Told with a dual timeline, we find out how young Ruby’s life changed and how older Ruby hopes to put right things that went wrong, as well as help Ariana find her own happiness and heal Ariana’s relationship with her mother.
With a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a compelling storyline, Jan Moran takes readers on a wonderful adventure. Immersed in the novel, I felt as if I was on the shores of Lake Como, enjoying an evening with Ruby and Ariana in their villa and I hated the return to reality when I reached the end.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#hepburnsnecklace #janmoran #romanholiday
Three generations: Ruby, 75; Mari, 50s; and Ariana, 32. A quest by Ruby ends up changing the lives of all of them.
I was a bit cautious when I started to read this, though I have enjoyed other stories by this author. I wasn’t certain if I would be drawn in with the flashbacks to 1952 when Ruby was younger. But I was!
The romance that happened when she was just 17, the enchantment of Italy, and being on the set of Roman Holiday, which I have heard but have not watched… yet, was as absorbing as the events occurring in 2010 (the current year for the novel).
Ruby Raines was a star heading back to Rome and Lake Como in memory of a lost love. Her grand niece, Ariana, is pregnant and marrying the wrong man, and her niece, Mari, is burying herself in her work.
Three generations of women lost to love because of decisions by three sisters: Patricia, Ruby, and Vivienne. As Ruby goes back and forth from the present moment to the past, she reveals the secret that she and her sister have guarded for a lifetime.
I loved that the secret actually made sense for the time period and that I truly felt for Ruby. My admiration for Ruby grew as she was not some spoiled movie star aging well, but a kind caring woman who never forgot her first love and husband.
The twists and turns of the storytelling lead quite satisfyingly to the conclusion along with so much love, family, and healing for the women.
This was equal parts women’s fiction and romance. I loved seeing how Ariana was doubting everything nad then coming into her own.
Note: I received an advance reading copy via BookFunnel.
This fabulous book is a bit of Auntie Mame’s “Live, live, live!” coupled with handsome Italian men, famous celebrities, and gorgeous locations. There’s romance, family intrigue, a bride leaving her groom at the alter (deservedly so), and so much more. I truly think that his is the best of Jan Moran’s historical novels, at least of the ones I’ve read.
Ruby is one tough woman, but a kind, caring, loving, and generous one. When just starting her career as an actress, a mere teenager, she faced incredible success. Behind the success though, she dealt with incredible loss and hardship, and demands upon her for financial support. She stood up to it and did what she needed to do. I’ll admit to thinking that Ruby’s parents and sister were rather selfish and greedy when it came to money, and her father was controlling and cared only for himself.
The plot is original and believable, a young Texas teenage gets her big Hollywood break which comes with more than just fame and riches. The characters are remarkably real and believable. The author convinced me that Ruby actually took part in the filming of the movie Roman Holiday. Reading, I could clearly see and hear Audrey Hepburn as she and Ruby shared conversations. It was remarkable how easy that was to visualize. I especially liked when Ms. Hepburn gifted Ruby a necklace she’d just purchased for herself, and how that necklace became so important to Ruby over passing decades.
I love Ruby and adored Niccolò, and I was delighted when what I thought would happen, hoped would happen, happened. I won’t say more about that for fear of spoilers. I will say that I found Ruby’s reasons for not attempting to discover Niccolò’s location less than compelling. She could easily have hired a private detective to do the work. That was a very small thing, and I do understand how when you come to believe something, it’s often hard to imagine that anything else is possible. For Ruby, her worked helped her move on though she never forgot.
While the book beautifully tied up all the loose ends, and while I realize that this is meant to be Ruby’s story, I would love to see more about Ariana and Alessandro. The book was almost as much about them as Ruby, and I felt they got short-shrifted at the end. I can only hope that a follow up book about Ariana and Alessandro and their new family is in the works.
This biggest takeaway from this book is: Never give up hope. True love will win out.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
A vintage necklace holds the key to a long-hidden secret on the shores of Lake Como.
A beautiful story that transports you to another time and place. The story line captivates you and holds your attention from beginning to end with romance, family, second chances, secrets and much more. The characters are endearing and easy to love. A wonderful romance to add to your winter reading list, you won’t be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ruby Raines met her one true love, Niccolò on the set of Roman Holiday where they were both extras. Forced to return to the US after filming ended, Ruby went on to become a major movie star, but she never forgot Niccolò even though she didn’t heard from him again. Her bond with her sister’s granddaughter Ariana has kept her young and, when Ariana’s life, professionally and romantically, falls apart, Ruby’s solution is simple – a trip to Lake Como, Italy, the location of her happiest and most romantic memories.
Combine some of my favorite elements – movies (particularly old movies like Roman Holiday), glamorous movie stars (real like Audrey Hepburn and fictional like Ruby Raines) with fashion design and the glories of Italy – and I’m a happy reader. Add separated lovers, potential lovers and possible second chances and you’ve got a story that is captured me.
The story of Ruby Raines and the story of her sister’s granddaughter Ariana Ricci are intertwined, with Ruby’s story partially told in flashbacks and partially concurrently with Ariana’s. Stories with multiple timelines can be hard to follow, but these stories flowed smoothly.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout. This review is my voluntary opinnion.
This was one beautiful story of fate and a second chance for both Ruby and Ariana as they meet Niccolò who was once very important in Ruby’s life, and Alessandro who comes to mean a lot to Ariana. Ruby and Niccolò will learn who tore them apart all those years ago. Once I started reading this book I was not putting it down until I had finished reading it. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A beautiful romance that brings Italy to life! Great characters in Ruby and Ariana. Strong females that learn love and family is what life is all about. Loved the setting of Italy as another character. Great descriptions that make you wish you were there. This book spans from the early 1950’s to the present and crosses three generations. With a backdrop of shooting Roman Holiday for the first romance how can you go wrong? Don’t want to leave spoilers but if you love movies, travel and family sagas then run and buy this book. It is a wonderful read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderful entertaining story with complex and interesting characters. Love a good historical book. This book is hard to put down. Great character development and story. Excellent read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I had my doubts as to whether or not I would like this book, but let me tell you, this book is a beautifully written story about second chances, secrets, starting over, and most of all love. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. You will absolutely love Ruby and Ariana as the main female characters. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say if you scenes involving beautiful Italy, you won’t be disappointed. Grab your copy and see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was given a chance to be part of the ARC Reviewers.
The story is very epic. A lot of plot twists that you can’t even want to put the book down. A great read for those seeking a second chance at love, family relationships, forgiveness, and happiness. Glad to found Jan Moran and her books!
Young Love and Romance in Italy in the 1950s
This is a wonderful story of an actress’s life in the early 1950s. This is a wonderful, historical piece that this author does so well. We follow a young woman’s life from being 17 until her mid to late 60s. The author presents the story and descriptions so well it is as if the reader is right there. The wines, architecture, and art are wonderful. But the descriptions of Lake Como with the wineries, fruit production, and silk factories are very special. There are plenty of family issues and secrets that are dealt with over time, too. This author always writes a quality novel and this one does not disappoint. I can’t wait to read her next work. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
“She wanted her final gift to Ariana to be happiness.”
The question becomes if Ariana actually knows what happiness is? After ghosting her groom at the altar, Ariana goes to live with with Aunt Ruby, where she begins to find her life in the hidden treasures in the attic, including a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when she was an extra in the movie Roman Holiday.
The two of them head for Lake Como in Italy to find answers and lay ghosts to rest. The question is will the ghosts listen?
What else would you expect from Jan Moran but a beautiful setting and an adventure that sweeps you up in it’s breadth and scope resolving in a lovely romantic story. does Ruby give Ariana happiness, or send her out confidentiality to find it on her own. Come and see for yourself. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
This is such a great book!
It is a story that is rich in history,
family, love & forgiveness.
Beautifully written with wonderful
characters. Captivated me from
page one. I didn’t want it to end.
A Definite Must Read!!
Hepburn’s Necklace by Jan Moran was a magical, enchanting historical fiction read filled with nostalgia, history, old Hollywood glamour, love, romance, heartbreak, a vintage necklace, family struggle and second chances. The characters were masterfully created by the author. It was set in beautiful, historic Lake Como and I was instantly transported to another place and time. I loved this book from page one and read it in one day. I rated it a five.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt it was well written and believe I would enjoy even more books written by her.