An Italian café. A barista with an eye for trouble. And a village determined to create as much as possible.
Chiara has presided over the espresso machine at Bar Birbo for as long as anyone can remember. In Santa Lucia, this is the only place to go for a cappuccino served with a side of gossip.
The town’s residents rely on each other and feel almost like a family, but their secrets are kept well … like a family, but their secrets are kept well hidden. While romance is in the air for some, the truth behind the love affairs is far more complicated than anyone can imagine.
When everyone has ulterior motives and unspoken desires, it’s only a matter of time before things finally come to a head. And unfortunately for the townspeople, the revelations could prove deadly.
Can the residents of Santa Lucia survive the inferno of their own making? Or will they burn in the flames?
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I really liked this novel. There are multiple interconnected character arcs, which I sometimes find confusing or forced, but this book is neither. The plot propelled me forward deeper into the book, and the main characters are all well-rounded. I was reminded at various points of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus (beautiful writing and a character that’s not exactly a character), J.K Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy (in terms of how the story is constructed and how the characters intersect), and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude (how the characters interact with the city). I loved the characters, really feeling the emotions of a few of them, and I especially loved the descriptions of the town. Highly recommended.
My understanding is that it’s the first book in a series. I have read numerous series books where each novel is a complete story and the next book concentrates on another character in a friendship group. The first book in this series introduces you to all the characters and sets the scene but doesn’t resolve any of the storyline’s started. I found it a bit slow and struggled to get through it. As a consequence I won’t be reading any more books in the series.
I enjoyed this book but I am always disappointed when a single book in a series doesn’t stand alone well. I felt like there was no real ending to this book.
great story, scenery and life depicted in a small italian village.
I loved this book so much, I immediately book the follow up book. The characters are so real, you almost feel like you know them. No foul language and no graphic sex, just a really good re ad.
Just plain fun with a great storyline more from this author
I loved the setting in Italy in this little mountain town with all it’s quirky characters. It is a four book series and I am enjoying every single one of them. The author has a unique way of describing sights and sounds and people. And even though there are many many characters and their lives are so intertwined that it’s easy to follow them.
I couldn’t get interested— I stopped reading before 1st chapter was complete
Very interesting. Wish I can go to that town in Italy. Can’t wait till the next one comes out
Couldn’t get interested and didn’t finish the book, something I rarely do!
Wonderful story and characters. HEART breaking yet a joy filled story very true to life.
I liked the characters, though there were so many I would forget some of them at times. Don’t like Italian words or phrases because it’s a drag trying to look them up while reading an e-book and I’m too old to try to remember them. Otherwise I enjoyed the book.
Too many characters. The story seemed to go all over the place. Sorry
Location, great characters and relatable woven into a great story. I was however disappointed that I need a sequesl to know what happens to the characters.
Started slow and was confusing at times
Not the greatest book ever written but has some interesting characters I would like to know in person and visit this place. Easy read
Story of life in a small town in Italy in the modern era. Universal theme of small town gossip and suspition. Characters are well developed. Glossary of French terms used in the back but most are easily understood from context.
A little hard to follow!
Absorbing, can’t wait for the next one in this series.
So many wonderful stories twisting together for an insightful read! So many emotions played my head and heart as I read this story. My only small disappointment was the ending. It was a good ending, just not the one I was hoping for.