Maria Conti has a full and busy life in 60’s Manchester. Having lost her mother at a young age, she has a close and loving relationship with her father, Leo who owns an Italian restaurant, Leonardo’s. Finding first romance with Paul Spencer seems like the icing on the cake.Secretly, however, she worries over Leo’s drinking and gambling binges. Then he buys a racehorse she know he cannot afford. … cannot afford. Maria has no one to advise her as Leo’s family are in Italy and her mother’s family in Ireland rejected her when she married a foreigner.
Having carefully guarded her father from female attention, Maria’s attitude alters when the elegant Diana Freeman comes into their lives. She hopes that Diana’s presence may distance Leo from his addictions.
Then Leo is tragically killed. In the dark days that follow it emerges that he has left them deeply in debt and their home and her beloved Leonard’s are in jeopardy. Maria has no choice but t o turn to her estranged Irish Family.
Still reeling from her loss, she fins she has yet another challenge to face, In Ireland, as she uncovers a bitter legacy of secrets and lies, she comes to realise that their mother was not the person she’s been led to believe she was.
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I loved it. It didn’t end up being what I thought it was, but that is a good thing!! Only complaint, there wasn’t a few more chapters because I’d love to know what happened next
I, personally, couldn’t get into reading this one. Sorry
Sweet and loving parent-child relationship. Love gained and lost. You’ll find yourself rooting for the “good guys”
I enjoyed this book, started out slow and I thought it was Young adult book, but I finished and realized it is for any age.
Twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
Loved the storyline
Best book I have read in a long time.
A haunting tale of a young woman who loses her father and everything with which she is familiar……only to land in a place she has never been and with family she has never met.
I love everything Geraldine O’Neill has written. Wish there was more!
A bittersweet story which is very enjoyable.
I loved it. Great story over two countries. Tragic story, but hopeful ending.
Disappointing. To long and involved.
Would like to see a continuation of Maria and Diane’s stories.
I loved this book! It was easy to read, the characters were ‘fully developed’ when introduced so I could remember them. The family situations were believeable and sincere and provided inspiration. There were twists and turns as the story unfolded that were unexpected and led to further interest in the characters, who developed wonderful relationships into the book. I also loved the interaction between the different cultures and countries. I say ‘witty’ for the English dialogue that I just love to read. Especially how everything is ‘sorted out’. Thank you for a great read.
The ending of this book was incomplete; it leaves the reader “hanging”
Took a while to get into this book, but it turned out okay
This book was interesting and had good characters, but then it just ended. Seemed like the author had set you up for a sequel and wanted you to buy that too. Don’t bother.
Unexpected ending ,really enjoyed
Sad start but evolves into great characters just a lovely book
Good story but too much repetitive description makes the story very drawn out.