Italy, 1958: Rachael is a young widow with a small child. After a lifetime of running for survival, of not knowing who to trust and where to call home, she finds herself in a place of safety. On a sun-drenched Italian island for one carefree summer the troubles of her past fade away and she falls in love. But will Rachael’s new-found happiness bring her further heartache?
England, 2017: Sophie has a handsome husband, a gorgeous house in the English countryside and a successful career as an anthropologist. But the one thing she longs for is a baby of her own. As she struggles to conceive, cracks begin to appear in her marriage. So Sophie throws herself into her work and tries to seek comfort in childhood memories of her beloved grandmother Rachael.
One afternoon, Sophie finds a forgotten letter and an exquisite silk bracelet hidden in Rachael’s old writing desk. Intrigued, she begins to unravel the extraordinary story of her grandmother’s past – and a secret that has the power to change everything…
My review
Usually I don’t really like historical stories, but something in the blurb made me change my mind and read it. I am so happy that I did. It is simply gorgeous.
I love the way the past and the present are alternated and slowly you see the two parts come together and become one.
It’s always nice to learn something from a book especially when it’s woven into the story and you don’t get the feeling you are back at school. I was so fascinated by the part about the silk that I looked it up.
This book is a mixing bowl of a whole range of emotions and the result is top-shelf. 5 stars Thank you, Debbie Rix, Bookouture and Netgalley.
About the author
Debbie Rix has had a long career in journalism, including working as a presenter for the BBC. Her first novel, The Girl with Emerald Eyes was set around the building of the tower of Pisa and she has since released Daughters of the Silk Road and The Silk Weaver’s Wife. Debbie writes heartbreaking historical novels about love, tragedy and secrets.
B for Bookreview 