Review by Myrna Mibus
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman is a story with a fairy-tale feel complete with an age-old curse, family secrets, love, romance, travel and adventure. Eccentric Aunt Poppy is determined to travel to Italy where she believes she’s going to meet the love of her life on her 80th birthday. The only problem is (well, other than Poppy hasn’t been in touch with the man she plans to meet for decades) Poppy needs assistance to make the trip from the U.S. to Tuscany. Fortunately Poppy’s great-nieces, Emilia and Lucy, are both in need of some change in their lives and despite the fact that the three have little in common other than they share an age-old curse that they will never find love, the three set off for Italy. Join this unlikely traveling trio as they set off across the Italian countryside in search of love in this light romantic novel that is an escape and a delight! I loved the things Aunt Poppy said throughout the book so much that I marked quote after quote with sticky notes as I read and even copied some of the quotes out in my inspiration journal. Reading this book almost felt like I was reading an Aunt Poppy self-help book, perhaps titled Aunt Poppy’s Guide to a Glorious Life. You may not be able to book a flight to Italy right now due to COVID, but reading this book will make you feel like you’ve been on a magical Italian adventure without even leaving home.