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 the characters. I was so invested in Maria’s story. So many losses for a young girl. I hope there is a sequel. I haven’t looked yet but I certainly will.
It was fine. Didn’t finish it. The characters are teenagers. Not my cup of tea.
Well, let me start out by saying I’m 73 years old and when I started the book I’m thinking to myself why??? am I reading a book about a teenage girl. I kept reading and the more I read I fell in love with the characters. It was a wonderful story about family, love and tolerance. I don’t want to give away any of the story, but, read it you won’t be disappointed. I would even recommend it to my mid-teenage granddaughters.
Good story and many characters and situations that make you keep you interested. Twists and turns with various life experiences. Thoroughly enjoyed this Ms. O’Neill. Thank you!
I loved this book ..believable characters …compassionately and sensitively written
One of those story you wish would go on. Enjoyed the characters especially.
I couldn’t put the book down, loved the characters and story.
Okay. Not spectacular
One of those books you hate to end. Really enjoyed the story and characters
I also lost my parents as a teenager so it seemed more like I story I could have told, so not so interesting. It was well enough written that I finished the book.
I just never knew where this story was going to go. Liked it very much.
Fun read, enjoyable if you like romance books.
I lived in England in this era so it really hit home with me! Good read
The first part of the book introduces us to Maria and her father Leo who live in Manchester, England. Leo owns a restaurant called Leonardo’s and runs it with the help of his friend Franco. For more than half the book, the focus is on Maria as she navigates her teenage years, taking exams, finding a boyfriend, spending time with her friend Stella, and taking horseback riding lessons. After a family tragedy, the book shifts to another whole story. Overall, I would say the book is too long and focuses too much on mundane details. In parts I found it tedious, even though I liked the characters well enough.