An International Bestseller!A LibraryReads and Indie Next Pick!A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love, by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List. Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not … curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.
Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.
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I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. This was a very well written book, and it had a beautiful cover. The Fontana family has had a curse for over 200 years on the second-born daughters. They all seem to stay single, and never find true love. This book is full of characters that are unique and different each in their own special way. I look for books that can pull out my emotions, and this one certainly fits that bill. With the amazing descriptions of Italy, it makes it a place that I would love to visit someday. I would certainly recommend this book to other
Perfectly captures the singular magic of Italy. Every page radiates with sunshine, adventure, and a love story as timeless as the cobblestone streets of Florence.
Fans of Adriana Trigiani will rejoice in this story of a stunning journey that celebrates family, life and love, in the unparalleled backdrop of Venice, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.
Mysterious family lore, a heartrending love story, and luminous descriptions of Italy all add up to an utterly captivating read!
A gorgeous blend of family, friendship, and love.
A love letter to Italy and indeed, to life.
Spielman’s novel takes you on a breathtaking tour of Italy through the eyes of Emilia, the cursed second-daughter. Readers will get lost in these pages about family and cheer for our heroine as she discovers herself and the secrets of her family. This book is the perfect escape.
With her characteristic combination of poignancy, humor, and riveting storytelling, Spielman spins a delightful yarn about families, loneliness, and second chances.
A fresh and funny page-turner that weaves generations of secrets into a charming story of empowering self-reflection and discovery. A pure joy to read, filled with heart, hope and insight.
As effervescent as an Aperol Spritz and written in Lori Nelson Spielman’s signature heartfelt style.
Wow! Everything about this book was wonderful! Family, betrayal, sacrifice, forgiveness, self-discovery, romance…i could go on. I will recommend this book to everyone I know. 5
I really loved this!! I thought the characters were all well developed, the setting was vivid and the writing was gorgeous. There were a few cliche moments with Poppy, but I loved her so much it was easy to forgive. Also, if you love Italy, miss Italy or want to go to Italy, this is your book.
A delightful escape to Italy and an interesting well-told story, once I got past the mean-spirited Nona and Sorella in the beginning chapters.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany is one of those books that you think about when you’re not reading it, and which you anticipate picking up again, eager to find out….what happens next?
Oh, the agony of familial relationships, where second-born daughters live under a supposed curse, where decades of misunderstandings and antagonism and outright lies have shaped the contentious relationships and self-doubts within the family.
But then there is dear Aunt Poppy, a second-born daughter herself, who has a lifetime of heartache weighting upon her, yet still has the conviction of her belief in one true love, which becomes the compelling force in her life. She brings her reluctant two great-nieces, Emilia and Lucy, into her world when she convinces them to go to Italy with her so they can witness her finally breaking the family curse.
The author did a wonderful job of switching from past to present throughout the book to let the story unfold. So many secrets in the family, and they are not shared in a neat and tidy chapter, but rather one at a time, in the most intriguing manner and unexpected places, so that we are surprised yet immensely gratified as the pieces fall into place.
Exceptional writing of a story that celebrates the freeing of star-crossed women from their fears and misgivings, their self-imposed shackles, and the family chains that bound their spirits and hearts. A beautiful story of love, forgiveness, redemption and hope. Highly recommended!
You will be swept away to Italy’s romantic Amalfi coast, and laugh, cry, and cheer as Emilia searches for the truth and finds her own voice at last.
Do you believe in Italian curses? Filomena Fontana, about 200 years ago, cast a curse that no second born daughter of the Fontana family would ever find love. Some are skeptical about it but others believe it .When Emilia, a second born daughter and Lucy, her cousin, are invited by Great Aunt Poppy to travel with her to Italy they jump at the chance even though their families don’t want them to go. Will Poppy meet up with her long ago lover? Is the curse actually real? I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. Both the characters and the locations in the book are beautifully written and very descriptive. It’s a book about family, long ago love, and dreams. I highly recommend this book!
Amazing story I could not put it down. The characters are wonderful and you root for them as they go on a fun adventure to find themselves and love. They learn to Never let someone else write your story!
I love when a book tells the history of a family while also telling the present story of the same family. For me, it gives me insights as to why a family is the way they are while also letting me see the changes as generations grow up and things change. The Fontana family has a 200-year-old curse on the second daughters of each generation. They cannot fall in love. The current generation of 2nd daughters are determined to change that and find the love that they had been told they cannot have. I loved seeing Emilia and Lucy step out of the paths set for them and make their own paths that take them traveling far away with an outcasted aunt.
Poppy is amazing. She had been cast out by her family many years ago but never gave up having a relationship with her nieces. The trip to Italy with Lucy and Emilia was a dream trip for her and the reason behind her needing to go at this time was so wonderful. I love how she did not give up on family, life, or love. She took her love of life and pulled her nieces in and showed them that as second daughters they had the chance to live as they wished.
The descriptions of Italy brought the country to life. I could picture them arriving at the airport and riding the gondolas. The descriptions of the places they visited, the people they met, and the food they ate let me picture what the characters were seeing. Lori Nelson Spielman did an amazing job sharing the beautiful country of Italy with her readers.
I recommend picking up your own copy of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany. It is a book that you will not be able to put down.
Emilia is one of the many cursed, second-born daughters of the Fontana Family who are said will never be able to find love.
Emilia took this seriously because for generations, that seems to be what has happened.
Emilia’s Aunt Paolina not only didn’t find love, but she was ostracized from the family by her sister, and no one would tell why.
When Paolina asks Emilia to go to Italy with her, Emilia is torn between family loyalty and what she knows could be the chance of a lifetime.
I loved THE STAR-CROSSED SISTERS OF TUSCANY from the first page when I saw those beautiful Italian names and the mention of delicious food.
The magic and fun never stopped as we listened to Aunt Paolina tell her story and as we enjoyed Italy through the eyes of the characters.
The characters were the best – especially Aunt Paolina.
THE STAR-CROSSED SISTERS OF TUSCANY is a delightful, pick-you-up and a book that will keep the characters in mind even after you turn the last page.
It sounds like a full romance, but it is not.
THE STAR-CROSSED SISTERS OF TUSCANY is a heartfelt, extraordinary read that makes you realize it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
It is about family and living your life to the fullest and loving like there’s no tomorrow.
And…if you like secrets, there is a huge family one that gets uncovered. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It is never too late to change your fate, as Emilia finds out when she accompanies Great-Aunt Poppy to Italy to celebrate her eightieth birthday. The premise will draw you in and the characters will keep you reading. A perfect escape read.
4.5 stars