Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Wow. I loved everything about this book: the family and political drama, the curse of Fontana second-born daughters, the travel through Italy, everything.

As a girl with an Italian grandmother and German grandfather, Poppy and Rico's story hit me in a different way,

especially when a twist revealed Emilia (and Daria) were their grandchildren, not Rosa's.

How the curse affected the family -- from Rosa's desperation to wed and bear children, to Daria's prison of family, to Lucy's self-betrayal, and Emilia's forced contentment -- the women of the Fontana family suffered for generations, each poisoning the last in defense of their own actions and choices.

If nothing else, the book taught me so much about hope and determination, that no matter what obstacles lie before you, "it's possible." This was a cathartic getaway and poignant reminder to choose love, life, and joy.

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madsmcw_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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dianasreadingcorner_01's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

To be honest, I expected a lot more from this book. I’d heard good things about it and the premise sounded interesting, but it ended up being just okay. The characters were pretty one-dimensional and a bit annoying, and I got secondhand embarrassment for them in more than one scene. I did like the ending though!

I was so worried that the author was going to let Emilia end up with her childhood friend despite her clearly not having real chemistry with him, so I was happy that it worked out. I wish he hadn’t ended up with her cousin (was that their relationship? idk) and reminded me a little of the Jo/Laurie/Amy love triangle in Little Women, but better than ending up miserable with your childhood bestie, amiright?

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending): Happy! It definitely got very close to the end before things were resolved, so I was fully prepared for it to end in a way I didn’t like, but thank god things got wrapped up eventually!

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pagesandplannersabroad's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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bookshelfjpg's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A sweet story filled with love, self-reflection, obnoxious family members, and allll the life lessons you could dream of.

What I Liked: Let's be honest, the setting. After not being able to even leave my own state for the past year, I think a destination book like this one was perfect to pick up. I really enjoyed how the chapters sometimes alternated between present day (the trip) and the past when Poppy would re-live her life through stories she tells to her nieces. I think without prolonging Poppy's mysterious life story, I would not have had much interest. The book kept me guessing how it would wrap up and forced me to be optimistic, which is never a bad thing.

I truly enjoyed how many different story lines and lessons this book pitched. What I originally thought would be a destination romance turned into a very feel-good book that covers everything from sisterhood to loss and forgiveness. I really do think this book has a little something for any fiction reader in it. Now excuse me while I continue daydreaming about traveling to Italy.

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kbricks5's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story was so rich in descriptions. It was easy to get lost in the locations the author described. I felt like this story could’ve been absolutely true. The characters seemed so realistic to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the family dynamics and the way she ended the book. Many tears were shed.

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