Book Review: The Girl In The Glass by Susan Meissner

Here is a great book for those of you that like to read historical, romance, coming of age, and travel memoirs.  I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end.  Being the second book of Ms. Meissner's that I've read, I knew her style going into it.  I remember not really liking how the last book ended and was worried this one would be the same. You know, they just up and end or seem to be hurried to a finish.  Thankfully, this was not the case.  I loved how she tied up the loose ends in the prologue.

"The Girl In The Glass" is the story of Meg.  Meg has always wanted to travel to Florence, Italy.  When she was little her grandmother promised to take her there.  When her grandmother passed away, the task of taking Meg fell onto her ne'er-do-well father. 

Here is an excerpt from the back jacket of the book:

When her dad finally tells Meg to book the trip, she prays that the experience will heal the fissures left on her life by her parents’ divorce. But when Meg arrives in Florence, her father is nowhere to be found, leaving aspiring memoir-writer Sophia Borelli to introduce Meg to the rich beauty of the ancient city. Sofia claims to be one of the last surviving members of the Medici family and that a long-ago Medici princess, Nora Orsini, communicates with her from within the great masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

When Sophia, Meg, and Nora’s stories intersect, their lives will be indelibly changed as they each answer the question: What if renaissance isn’t just a word? What if that’s what happens when you dare to believe that what is isn’t what has to be?

 

I highly recommend this book.  The characters and interactions were very "real."  The setting was wonderful! Who doesn't want to visit Florence?  I know I'm ready to go now.

Disclaimer:  This book was given to me for review by WaterBrook/Multnomah publishing at bloggingforbooks.com.  All opinions are my own and I was not forced to say anything.

Book Review: Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Calling all Downton Abbey fans! I have a great story for you to read.  Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown is set in the same era as Downton.  If you are addicted to the PBS show then you will be gripped by this book.

This is the story of two sisters, Rowena and Victoria, and their friend, Prudence.  Prudence is more than a friend, she is practically another sister.  Prudence was the daughter of the sisters governess.  She was raised from a young child right along side of Rowena and Victoria. The girls never thought anything of having Prudence with them until their father passed away. 

Although the girls were of age, when their father died, their uncle, the Earl of Summerset, decided that they needed to come live with he and his wife. When the uncle moved the girls out of their home he didn't want to bring Prudence since she was just the former governess' daughter.  Rowena talked her uncle into letting her come as their ladies maid.

What followed was all the glitz, glamour, and intrigue of Downton Abbey. Why does the Earl and his wife dislike Prudence so much?  How will Rowena find her own way in life? Will Victoria be able to continue her education? 

The only complaint that I have about this book is that all of the questions do not get answered.  I'm hopeful that there will be other books that take up the saga of Summerset Abbey.

I was given this book to read for review by netgalley.com and Simon & Schuster.  All opinions are my own.