The Florentine Bridge is a lovely tale of rediscovering love, life and identity set against the beautiful and evocative backdrop of Florence, Italy.
About the Book
[from the publisher] Young Australian artist Mia Moretti has been cancer free for nine months. But her battle with the illness has taken its toll, leaving her depressed and tormented by overwhelming fears. What’s more, she can’t seem to paint anymore. Mia needs a fresh start so when a surprise opportunity to travel to Tuscany presents itself, she takes it. With any luck, this trip will help her find whatever it is she needs to open her heart and start painting again.
What she doesn’t count on is meeting Luca, a handsome Italian mechanic. With his smile, his warmth and his inspirational outlook on all the good things life has to offer, he sweeps her off her feet. As Mia slowly lets down her walls and allows Luca in, her passion for life is reignited and her new perspective begins to inspire her art. But just when she’s ready to let go of her past, will a tragedy threaten her new life with Luca?
Full of heart and hope, a love story about la dolce vita in Tuscany.
My Thoughts
As a lover of all things Italian, I couldn’t wait to read The Florentine Bridge, a story of a young woman who having come through her battle with cancer no longer knows who she is, or how to deal with this new post-treatment life and the shadow that hangs over her future. To find answers Mia travels to Florence where she hopes to rediscover her artistic talent along with herself. There she discovers love and acceptance by those who did not know her before.
The novel is amazing in its portrayal of Italian life and culture. Carnevale spends considerable time in Florence and her knowledge and love for the city comes through in colours as vivid as Mia’s pallete. If you’ve ever been or wanted to experience Italy, this novel will transport you there in moments.
The love story between Luca and Mia is sweet and comforting. Handsome Luca is a wonderful romantic hero: strong yet gentle, decisive yet supportive of Mia’s fears. Though Mia struggles to let herself believe she has a future, the relationship is largely without drama or difficulty. The flashbacks to Mia’s treatment and her fears of the future are done well but kept low-key, and most of the tension comes in the last third of the novel when Mia must confront her beliefs and decide what matters most, and not in a way you would expect.
The Florentine Bridge is a story with plenty of heart, incredible depictions of Italian life, and one that celebrates love for Italy, life and new beginnings.
*Thanks to Netgalley and eHarlequin for a DRC of The Florentine Bridge.
Book available Jan 1st 2017
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About Vanessa Carnevale
Vanessa Carnevale writes women’s fiction and the occasional freelance article too. Her debut novel, THE FLORENTINE BRIDGE recently sold in a two-book deal to Harlequin Australia! She is based in Melbourne, Australia, though she travels to Italy, (her home away from home), as often as she can.
Over the years, her work has been published in and she has been featured in magazines, newspapers and online, including publications such as The Huffington Post, Elephant Journal, The Green Parent (UK), Italy magazine, and more.
Learn more about Vanessa Carnevale
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