‘A masterpiece of storytelling.’ 5-Star Review by @twodogsandabook

‘Hello Book Friends! I am so happy to be part of the blog tour for THE TEARS OF MONTERINI by Amanda Weinberg. I do not remember the last time a book made me cry like that. The story is beyond words beautiful and touching and is about two families united by friendship who will fight for survival and love during the difficult years under the reign of Mussolini and the German invasion.  The story takes place in beautiful Monterini, Italy between 1921 to 1946. Jacobo and Angelo have been friends from their youth. Their wives give birth on the same day but Jacobo’s wife dies in childbirth, leaving him to raise a daughter. Angelo’s son Rico and Jacobo’s daughter Bella are inseparable and, in their teens, declare their love to one another, but their love is not possible since Rico is Catholic, and Bella is Jewish. To please her father, Bella marries Michele, but her heart belongs to Rico. War is declared and soon the small village of Monterini is invaded by the enemy leaving Jacobo, Bella, Angelo, and Rico to make their own decision for survival. Will Bella and Rico find happiness?

This book was not at all what I thought it would be; it was much better. The story is whimsical and full of magical moments but also heart wrenching when you least expect it. If you love historical novels with a forbidden love story, this is it!! Any how… you need to read this book. It is a masterpiece of storytelling.

💌 My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️/5

About the author: The Tears of Monterini is Amanda’s first novel. She studied Modern Languages at the University of East Anglia, followed by a PGCE at King’s College London. She ran a company in International Advertising Sales and now teaches French and German. She lives in London with her family and spends a lot of time in Pitigliano Italy, the setting for the Monterini of the title. The book is inspired by true events in the Tuscany and Emilia-Romana areas.
 
Thank you, RedDoor Press for inviting me to be part of this blog tour and for sending me a copy of this astounding novel. THE TEARS OF MONTERINI by Amanda Weinberg will be available at your favourite bookstore on May 1, 2021.’

Read the original review.