Adriana Trigiani does it again with this fourth addition to the Stone Gap saga. Her central character, Ave Maria, is as warm, funny and prickly as ever as she approaches middle age with all its problems: empty nest syndrome, health scares, the changing nature of a long marriage and old friendships. Trigiani's perception of human nature and all its frailties is acute and her characters are full of life. This Italian American author allows us to identify with her protagonist, feel her heartache, laugh when she's happy and ride the emotional rollercoaster which is the foundation of Ave Maria's character. In a sense, Ave Maria finally grows up and learns to live with herself and her past. If you've read the others in the series, you'll love this but it also stands up on its own as an enjoyable read.
If home is where the heart is, what happens when yours is torn in two?
Big Stone Gap is a sleepy village where people can go their whole lives without leaving. It's been the home of Ave Maria and her family for generations, but with her daughter now married and living in Italy, Ave realises it's time to go in search of a new dream. Yet before her journey can begin, her life is turned upside down.
As a lifelong friendship falls apart and an unexpected health crisis threatens her family, Ave Maria's world is shaken. And when a mysterious stranger comes to town and reveals a long-buried secret, she realises that in order to move forward with her life, first she must face up to the past . . .
The fourth in the bestselling and much-loved BIG STONE GAP series from the bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick
Praise for the BIG STONE GAP series:
'Hilarious and romantic. I couldn't put it down' SARAH JESSICA PARKER 'One of my all-time favourite novels' WHOOPI GOLDBERG 'If you love curling up with charming tales of small towns and quirky characters, switch off with this' COSMOPOLITAN 'Delightfully quirky' PEOPLE 'As comforting as a mug of chamomile tea on a rainy Sunday' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 'Utterly addictive' GLAMOUR 'As quirky and charming as her first novel. If you are not a fan already, you will be after this' COMPANY 'Honest, wholesome entertainment with a spicy Deep South kick' DAILY MAIL 'As warm and sweet as Southern Comfort' ELLE
