Book by: Lauraine Snelling
As always, Lauraine Snelling delivers a novel that immerses readers into the world of her characters. Vivid descriptions of Italy pulls readers into the same experiences as Bree and her group of friends live through as they fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling to Italy. One can almost see, smell, and taste the flavours of Italian travel.
The story is slow-going, laying a foundation for Bree’s relationships with her children and close friends. For the first third of the book readers are given insight to this main character’s personality, her hopes and the struggles of single-parenting adult children. Death fills the first few chapters, setting a melancholy tone for the first half of the story. A slew of characters add to the colour and struggles that our main characters, Bree and Rene-Pierre face (such as PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, rehab, debt, and toxic relationships). The topics at time are heavy, but no less true of life.
It takes a good long while for Bree and her friends to finally plan their trip and get on that airplane, which I’d wanted to read about much sooner.
We see happy moments and growth throughout the entire story, not only from Bree and Rene-Pierre, but from secondary characters as well.
If you enjoy stories that take plenty of time to lay a solid foundation, immerse you in new cultures, and end satisfactorily, then check out The Florence Legacy.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.