This book is a really cute YA read (and it’s one of the SC Junior Book Award Nominees for 2018-2019) set in Florence, Italy. It’s a love story and a mystery all wrapped into one.
Lina’s mom died from pancreatic cancer, and her last wish was for Lina (pronounced Leena) to go live with her very good friend Howard in Florence, Italy, where she studied abroad in college…except Howard turns out to be her non-existent father…and he lives in a cemetery, as the caretaker for a WWII monument. Heartbroken and confused, Lina is trying to find out more about her mother’s time in Florence by reading her mother’s journal and retracing her steps. With the help of Ren, the boy who lives next door, she finds out a secret about her mother’s past that could change Lina’s future forever.
Okay, so you know I’m a sucker for a cheesy romance book, and this one did not disappoint. Even though I predicted the ending halfway through, it was still an enjoyable journey getting there. Another thing I liked about this book was reading Lina’s mother’s journals. You, the reader, were piecing the story together just like Lina, so it pulled you into the mystery of her mother’s past. Also, any world traveler (or traveler at heart) will fall in love with the setting. In Lina’s journey, she visits many of the famous sights of Florence and makes you feel like you’re experiencing them with her, from the Ponte Vecchio to the Duomo.
Also, it mentions Due West, South Carolina, as where Howard was originally from. Due West is where my dad grew up and where my nana still lives...and is literally so small it only has a four-way stop and no traffic lights. Yay for local connections!
Overall, it was a predictable read, but a fun read for any YA loving fans.
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