The Three Graces of Pearl Street

by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins

In this tender, voice-driven debut novel, an Italian American grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter find their lives—and their secrets—colliding when, after years apart, they come to live under the same roof, together finding courage to be the most authentic versions of themselves. When three generations of powerful Valentini women find themselves living under one roof in the old family home for the first time in years, they’re forced to reckon with not only each other, but with womanhood itself. Named after a statue in a country two of them have never seen, and one refuses to return to, they must finally come face to face with the secrets and tensions that have been dictating their lives for as long as they can remember. Graziella, the ninety-six-year-old matriarch of this Italian American family, spends her days running not only her family, but her church’s food kitchen, keeping everyone fed in their suburban New York neighborhood. Her daughter, Grace, is feeling uninspired at work, battling the throes of menopause, and most urgently, trying to stay afloat amidst her impending divorce. Ella, granddaughter of Graziella and daughter to Grace, is stuck in limbo, tired of trying to defend her vegan diet and anti-capitalistic lifestyle, while still wanting to do something important with her life. Lyrical and emotional, The Three Graces of Pearl Street examines the intricacies of what it means to balance tradition and modernity, along with the difficulties and joy that comes from being around family who know and love you the most.

Genres: Fiction

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth Wellington Rollins is a writer and award-winning copywriter. She grew up outside of New York City and graduated from Davidson College. Her work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, The Week, Travel + Leisure, and Vogue. She lives in Vermont with her family.

Reviews

[Erikk Hokenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this novel.

I’m not reaching for hyperbole when I confess that I was blindsided by this book. This is one of those books where you wish it wouldn’t end, but also couldn’t stop reading until the end. Beautifully written, with richly layered characters and a deeper-than-previewed storyline, and plenty of passages sparking meaningful reflections on family, purpose, and belonging. I’m grateful that I received this ARC as I doubt I would’ve chosen to read it. I’m better because I have.

[Emily Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for early access to this wonderful novel!

The three Graces of the Valentini family -- grandmother, mother, and daughter -- couldn’t be more different, and yet in ways rely on each other to be (and find) their true selves. This is a generational story about tradition, the importance of community and belonging, and new beginnings. This a story about women that focuses on the most important and often the most strained female relationships: mother-daughter-grandmother relationships. When the Three Graces find themselves living together under the same roof, each with their own reasons for being there, their worlds and lives they have been living start to collide, and an incredible journey begins for each of them.

I love stories featuring intergenerational relationships, so I knew I would enjoy this book going in. I immediately connected to the youngest Grace, who is so similar in age and circumstance to me, but each Grace held their own in terms of character and voice. Each Grace stood alone in their identity and had equally powerful stories, secrets, and traits, and all three learned to lean on each other throughout the book.

This book was charming and emotional -- with a wonderful storyline about the Catholic Church and what it actually means to be a good person. I laughed and teared up and smiled throughout reading it with some wonderful one-liners like:
“She didn’t understand why everyone made new words for things that had been done forever.”
“She did not like men who ran for no reason.”
“‘A woman opened her legs and gave birth to the church,’ Graziella yelled.”
“Graziella could hear her daughter comforting Ella in the kitchen and wondered if she would still be able to listen to the two of them when she was longer here.”

I loved reading about their personal journeys and their shared moments and memories!

[Julia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful read! I loved this story about three generations of women in an Italian American family in New York City and how their lives intersect. Graziella, Grace, and Ella represent the myth of the Three Graces. They are forced by circumstance to live together for the first time in years, while all at pivotal moments in their lives, and must work through the tensions between them. I loved the strong personalities of each of the Three Graces and the complex intergenerational relationships between them.

I flew through this book, especially because of its emotional depth and perfectly unexpected plot points. I was charmed by the many details throughout, such as Graziella’s Italian recipes (which I could so clearly envision through the page!), her zealous commitment to her church food pantry, and her rescue cats. I was captivated by Graziella’s strong character and her many secrets. Grace’s journey of finding purpose in middle age and during her divorce was equally powerful. As a Gen Z reader, I also appreciated Ella’s struggle to find her place, and the tensions simmering between Ella’s new ways and Graziella’s treasured traditions.

I was so sad to leave the Valentini family behind when the book came to a close. They will steal your heart. This story has everything: powerful mother-daughter-granddaughter relationships, new beginnings, touches of romance and levity, and stellar writing. Don’t miss this one!

[Daphne Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story with so much to love. The thee Graces represent three generations of woman of penetrating Italian history. Led by a woman whose eye never misses any detail. A trait that has served her and stoked fear and loyalty throughout her neighborhood. Graziella the head of the family , has cared and protected her friends and neighbors for decades when the story begins she is in her ninety fifth year and all three generations of Graces find themselves together; each with their own revelations to share as to why they are here under one roof. Each Grace finds a purpose and a place before Graziella lets go for the last time

[Suphada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? I loved this book so much. A story about a grandmother with her secrets, a mother feeling the push and pull of middle years and a daughter experiencing big emotions in her formative years. The lives of these three very different generations intersect in New York City. Run, don't walk to read this novel, it was such an incredible read.

[Seton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother/daughter relationships can be the most frustrating but also the most meaningful. Ms. Wellington writes a story of three generations of women that will be familiar to many. Love, concern, regret, rejection and ultimately admiration for each others personal journeys

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, heart-felt novel about a family who takes care of each other regardless of what others believe. It's a tribute to family, food, love, and tradition--one of those books that keeps you quietly weeping for it's grace and intensity!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[WeeBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. It’s a story of three generations of Graces and is delightful and charming.

[Haley]

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC! Review coming on publication date.