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The Secret Legacy
A sweeping 1950s Italian love affair and the perfect summer reading escape for fans of Santa Montefiore, Victoria Hislop and Dinah Jeffries.
Some loves are worth sacrificing everything for…
Do our secrets make us who we are?
Santina is spending her final days at her home, Villa San Vito, in the beautiful Italian town of Positano. As she decides the fate of the magnificent eighteenth century palazzo she must confront the choices that led her here.
*
In 1949, hoping to escape poverty, young Santina becomes housekeeper to a distinguished British major and his creative, impulsive wife, Adeline.
When they move to Positano, Santina joins them, raising their daughter as Adeline’s mental health declines. With each passing year, Santina becomes more deeply entwined with the family, trying to navigate her complicated feelings for a man who is much more than an employer―while hiding secrets that could shatter the only home she knows . . .
Some loves are worth sacrificing everything for…
Do our secrets make us who we are?
Santina is spending her final days at her home, Villa San Vito, in the beautiful Italian town of Positano. As she decides the fate of the magnificent eighteenth century palazzo she must confront the choices that led her here.
*
In 1949, hoping to escape poverty, young Santina becomes housekeeper to a distinguished British major and his creative, impulsive wife, Adeline.
When they move to Positano, Santina joins them, raising their daughter as Adeline’s mental health declines. With each passing year, Santina becomes more deeply entwined with the family, trying to navigate her complicated feelings for a man who is much more than an employer―while hiding secrets that could shatter the only home she knows . . .
384 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2018
180 people are currently reading
1497 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
January 30, 2019
Absolutely loved this beautifully written book, you bought mere words to life in a magical way with you’re vivid descriptions of Italy, lovable characters and the wonderful food that totally captured my heart and kept me totally enchanted.
The story starts in 2005 with Santina who is dying and has to make a big decision. We then go back to 1949 when she is employed by the Major (Henry) and Amelia who have just had a baby Elizabeth. As Amelia’s mental health deteriorates Santina finds herself caring for Elizabeth and loving her like she would her own child. As her life becomes so closely entwined with this family she fights for her feelings for Henry which will lead her down a path full of secrets and heartache.
I could rant about this book all day, it has it all, romance, secrets, heartache and loss. I felt like every word jumped off the page to paint this amazing picture that totally captured my heart and made me feel quite emotional at the end!!
A must read book. I have thoroughly fallen in love with Santina and the family.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
The story starts in 2005 with Santina who is dying and has to make a big decision. We then go back to 1949 when she is employed by the Major (Henry) and Amelia who have just had a baby Elizabeth. As Amelia’s mental health deteriorates Santina finds herself caring for Elizabeth and loving her like she would her own child. As her life becomes so closely entwined with this family she fights for her feelings for Henry which will lead her down a path full of secrets and heartache.
I could rant about this book all day, it has it all, romance, secrets, heartache and loss. I felt like every word jumped off the page to paint this amazing picture that totally captured my heart and made me feel quite emotional at the end!!
A must read book. I have thoroughly fallen in love with Santina and the family.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
January 30, 2019
Absolutely loved this beautifully written book, you bought mere words to life in a magical way with you’re vivid descriptions of Italy, lovable characters and the wonderful food that totally captured my heart and kept me totally enchanted.
The story starts in 2005 with Santina who is dying and has to make a big decision. We then go back to 1949 when she is employed by the Major (Henry) and Amelia who have just had a baby Elizabeth. As Amelia’s mental health deteriorates Santina finds herself caring for Elizabeth and loving her like she would her own child. As her life becomes so closely entwined with this family she fights for her feelings for Henry which will lead her down a path full of secrets and heartache.
I could rant about this book all day, it has it all, romance, secrets, heartache and loss. I felt like every word jumped off the page to paint this amazing picture that totally captured my heart and made me feel quite emotional at the end!!
A must read book. I have thoroughly fallen in love with Santina and the family.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
The story starts in 2005 with Santina who is dying and has to make a big decision. We then go back to 1949 when she is employed by the Major (Henry) and Amelia who have just had a baby Elizabeth. As Amelia’s mental health deteriorates Santina finds herself caring for Elizabeth and loving her like she would her own child. As her life becomes so closely entwined with this family she fights for her feelings for Henry which will lead her down a path full of secrets and heartache.
I could rant about this book all day, it has it all, romance, secrets, heartache and loss. I felt like every word jumped off the page to paint this amazing picture that totally captured my heart and made me feel quite emotional at the end!!
A must read book. I have thoroughly fallen in love with Santina and the family.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
July 15, 2018
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.
Wow! What an impressive book I've just read!
It's 2005 and Santina Guida shares with us her memories of a long and fullfilled life.
We start in the late 1940's in the poorer part of Positano, Italy, a pitoresque town where many artists find inspiration. When her mother dies her father sends her to work in a local shop. There she meets an art dealers couple who take her with them to London. After having outstayed her welcome Santina is hired as the help for a London artist who also has ties with Positano. She enjoys the creative environment and her friendship with the couple. Then the baby is born and the mother suffers from postpartum depression. To regain health the family moves to Italy and thus Santina is back where she started, only now living in a wealthy environment, looking after the couple and their baby. She also learns to read and write, to tend to the vegetable patch and cook inspired dishes. Life is sweet, although her dreams are on hold while everyone around her makes decisions for her. The years flow by.
Eventually Santina sets out on her own adventure, enjoying a brief spell of freedom and independence, until it all ends where it was supposted to. Full circle decades later.
"Four Hundred and Forty Steps to the Sea" is a heartfelt story of families torn apart and brought back together. Love hurts yet conquers all.
I enjoyed the vivid landscapes, tasty Italian meals and indepth characters. The writing is exquisite and moves at a pleasant pace.
Santina is such a caring person, she deserves my utmost respect. Henry's prosaic language kept me glued to the pages, Rosalia's friendship is sheer joy, the little girls puttering about are just adorable. Even the quirky characters of Positano have their charm.
This book touched me to the core and I'm sure will stay with me for a long time. A true gem!
Wow! What an impressive book I've just read!
It's 2005 and Santina Guida shares with us her memories of a long and fullfilled life.
We start in the late 1940's in the poorer part of Positano, Italy, a pitoresque town where many artists find inspiration. When her mother dies her father sends her to work in a local shop. There she meets an art dealers couple who take her with them to London. After having outstayed her welcome Santina is hired as the help for a London artist who also has ties with Positano. She enjoys the creative environment and her friendship with the couple. Then the baby is born and the mother suffers from postpartum depression. To regain health the family moves to Italy and thus Santina is back where she started, only now living in a wealthy environment, looking after the couple and their baby. She also learns to read and write, to tend to the vegetable patch and cook inspired dishes. Life is sweet, although her dreams are on hold while everyone around her makes decisions for her. The years flow by.
Eventually Santina sets out on her own adventure, enjoying a brief spell of freedom and independence, until it all ends where it was supposted to. Full circle decades later.
"Four Hundred and Forty Steps to the Sea" is a heartfelt story of families torn apart and brought back together. Love hurts yet conquers all.
I enjoyed the vivid landscapes, tasty Italian meals and indepth characters. The writing is exquisite and moves at a pleasant pace.
Santina is such a caring person, she deserves my utmost respect. Henry's prosaic language kept me glued to the pages, Rosalia's friendship is sheer joy, the little girls puttering about are just adorable. Even the quirky characters of Positano have their charm.
This book touched me to the core and I'm sure will stay with me for a long time. A true gem!
June 15, 2024
This was so beautifully written! I loved this story and it was exactly what I was looking for! 😍. Perfect summer time reading. No issues with this at all and it was a mixture of everything that you might need from scandal, heartbreak, love, family and a large helping of spice to top it off!! 🔥
This is the first book I have read by this author. A friend insisted I read this book and I'm so glad I did! I will definitely be on the look out for this author's other books. As soon as I recover emotionally from this one.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful 😍
This is the first book I have read by this author. A friend insisted I read this book and I'm so glad I did! I will definitely be on the look out for this author's other books. As soon as I recover emotionally from this one.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful 😍
August 11, 2018
The Secret Legacy by Sara Alexander begins as Santina Guida sits in the house she has called home for so many years in Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. She knows she does not have long left and she wishes to recall her life and how she came to live in such a grand house. She begins a series of letters which she hopes will reveal her truth. The book doesn't take the form of letters rather it is mentioned that this is what Santina is doing. The story gets going in 1949 when Santina is a young child living in the mountains above a small fishing village with her brother Marco and her mother and father. Times are still tough after the war and their father is a brute and highly unlikely to change. Tragedy strikes and the children are left motherless and the lives of Santina and Marco change forever.
Several years pass and Santina makes the best of a bad situation and I think this is what she does throughout the course of the novel. For the most part of her life I wouldn't call her living or working life ideal or full of endless happiness but she does the best with what she is presented with. Heartbreak and sacrifice and hidden secrets all play dominant roles throughout the story. Initially I thought there was a lot of tooing and frooing to reach the point where Santina becomes a maid/baby carer for Henry, the Major, and his wife Adeline. The story could have just cut to the chase and excluded Mr. Benn and Mr.George, this brought nothing to the story except prolonging her meeting with the two people who would go on to shape her life in more ways than one. A chapter or two would have sufficed to explain how she ended up back in Italy, her dreams of going to America put on the long finger as the spell of Henry and Adeline is one hard to escape from.
I thought Santina just felt duty bound for most of her working life. That she had her own dreams and aspirations but the more she became deeply involved in the intricacies and the unusual relationship that existed between Henry and Adeline coupled with the reappearance of a brother she believed gone forever she was lost to her heart. She found herself in a situation where you almost have the mad Mrs. Rochester type hidden away up at the top of the house due to her mental illness in this case brought about by post partum depression. Whilst Henry and Santina are both doing their best to keep life as normal for the baby Elizabeth whilst trying not to upset the apple cart for fear of what Adeline might do. At what point does a working relationship cross over into something else and in this case should it be explored further? Or should Santina stay true to her Italian roots and embrace the traditions and customs and accept the hand of a man who seems to also be there for her at every step of the way?
Even when sinister undercurrents start making themselves known and greater events are at work much bigger than Santina can control. Regarding this there was an awful lot unspoken and this is where I thought I had to read between the lines to suss out what was actually going on. Was Santina a pawn in a bigger game thanks to family or would she be better off remaining cocooned in the villa with Henry, Elizabeth and Adeline?The book progresses over the years that Santina spends with the family.
I loved the setting and descriptions of the village and its people but what was very good was all the mentions of food and the baking and creating. It plays such a pivotal role for Santina and the relationships she develops and to be honest the descriptions were mouth watering. So too was the time taken to describe the care and attention given to tending the fruit and veg garden as it is a form of therapy and also bonding. I don't begrudge the choices Santina made in her life, for the situation she was part of there really was nothing that could be done to alleviate suffering. I just wish that there wasn't so much dancing around issues and how people were really feeling. Expressing things and saying what they felt in their hearts needed to happen much earlier. Santina was a complex character and even after finishing reading this book I still think there are sides to her that I want to know more about.
The Secret Legacy is vastly different from her first novel Under a Sardinian Sky in the fact that I found this one very much character driven and based. The element of mystery and suspense and some jaw dropping reveals present in book one were not to be found here. Yes there was a shocking secret but as the reader knew of it as it occurred that moment of revelation and surprise did not materialise for me. The major plot-lines seemed to ebb and flow around the major characters and took a sideline as so much development was given to the two main characters Santina and Henry. At times I found the book hard to follow as there was so much description where one or two lines would have sufficed instead of entire pages. Coupled with that is that I felt the reader was left to interpret an awful lot themselves, we had to assume certain things were going on without any actual confirmation or explanation given. There was a lot of reading between the lines to be done and I felt this book required all my concentration when reading to keep on top of all the strands of the story. It wasn't a story I would class as a light, easy read given so much attention is needed to keep on top of things.
I enjoyed the historical element of Santina looking back over her life and in doing so we learn how she reached the point she is at today nearing the end point of her life. But overall this story was a bit of a mixed bag for me with rather an abrupt ending where given so much time and detail had gone into exploring and understanding Santina's life, her motivations and her actions I would have liked a more definitive ending. It ended rather abruptly and it was left for the reader to decide what happened next and whether it was a positive or negative outcome regarding the revelations, I would have liked to have witnessed some of the fall out and repercussions. The Secret Legacy is a very descriptive and visual book which I did appreciate but I feel it was just missing that little something to turn it into a brilliant read.
Several years pass and Santina makes the best of a bad situation and I think this is what she does throughout the course of the novel. For the most part of her life I wouldn't call her living or working life ideal or full of endless happiness but she does the best with what she is presented with. Heartbreak and sacrifice and hidden secrets all play dominant roles throughout the story. Initially I thought there was a lot of tooing and frooing to reach the point where Santina becomes a maid/baby carer for Henry, the Major, and his wife Adeline. The story could have just cut to the chase and excluded Mr. Benn and Mr.George, this brought nothing to the story except prolonging her meeting with the two people who would go on to shape her life in more ways than one. A chapter or two would have sufficed to explain how she ended up back in Italy, her dreams of going to America put on the long finger as the spell of Henry and Adeline is one hard to escape from.
I thought Santina just felt duty bound for most of her working life. That she had her own dreams and aspirations but the more she became deeply involved in the intricacies and the unusual relationship that existed between Henry and Adeline coupled with the reappearance of a brother she believed gone forever she was lost to her heart. She found herself in a situation where you almost have the mad Mrs. Rochester type hidden away up at the top of the house due to her mental illness in this case brought about by post partum depression. Whilst Henry and Santina are both doing their best to keep life as normal for the baby Elizabeth whilst trying not to upset the apple cart for fear of what Adeline might do. At what point does a working relationship cross over into something else and in this case should it be explored further? Or should Santina stay true to her Italian roots and embrace the traditions and customs and accept the hand of a man who seems to also be there for her at every step of the way?
Even when sinister undercurrents start making themselves known and greater events are at work much bigger than Santina can control. Regarding this there was an awful lot unspoken and this is where I thought I had to read between the lines to suss out what was actually going on. Was Santina a pawn in a bigger game thanks to family or would she be better off remaining cocooned in the villa with Henry, Elizabeth and Adeline?The book progresses over the years that Santina spends with the family.
I loved the setting and descriptions of the village and its people but what was very good was all the mentions of food and the baking and creating. It plays such a pivotal role for Santina and the relationships she develops and to be honest the descriptions were mouth watering. So too was the time taken to describe the care and attention given to tending the fruit and veg garden as it is a form of therapy and also bonding. I don't begrudge the choices Santina made in her life, for the situation she was part of there really was nothing that could be done to alleviate suffering. I just wish that there wasn't so much dancing around issues and how people were really feeling. Expressing things and saying what they felt in their hearts needed to happen much earlier. Santina was a complex character and even after finishing reading this book I still think there are sides to her that I want to know more about.
The Secret Legacy is vastly different from her first novel Under a Sardinian Sky in the fact that I found this one very much character driven and based. The element of mystery and suspense and some jaw dropping reveals present in book one were not to be found here. Yes there was a shocking secret but as the reader knew of it as it occurred that moment of revelation and surprise did not materialise for me. The major plot-lines seemed to ebb and flow around the major characters and took a sideline as so much development was given to the two main characters Santina and Henry. At times I found the book hard to follow as there was so much description where one or two lines would have sufficed instead of entire pages. Coupled with that is that I felt the reader was left to interpret an awful lot themselves, we had to assume certain things were going on without any actual confirmation or explanation given. There was a lot of reading between the lines to be done and I felt this book required all my concentration when reading to keep on top of all the strands of the story. It wasn't a story I would class as a light, easy read given so much attention is needed to keep on top of things.
I enjoyed the historical element of Santina looking back over her life and in doing so we learn how she reached the point she is at today nearing the end point of her life. But overall this story was a bit of a mixed bag for me with rather an abrupt ending where given so much time and detail had gone into exploring and understanding Santina's life, her motivations and her actions I would have liked a more definitive ending. It ended rather abruptly and it was left for the reader to decide what happened next and whether it was a positive or negative outcome regarding the revelations, I would have liked to have witnessed some of the fall out and repercussions. The Secret Legacy is a very descriptive and visual book which I did appreciate but I feel it was just missing that little something to turn it into a brilliant read.
April 29, 2021
Well that was the most depressing, illogical and disappointing book I have ever read. Why I kept reading is beyond me. The ending was ridiculous and I felt like there were chapters missing in between the time periods.
May 18, 2019
Loved the development of the characters and intricacies of relationships- recipes that seduce me to the kitchen! Oh to return to the Amalfi Coast!!!
July 3, 2019
Four Hundred and Forty Steps to the Sea is a glorious romantic story set against the beauty of Italy’s Amalfi coast. Love, family and hidden secrets collide in this compelling saga covering five decades. Highly recommended!
Thanks to the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#FourHundredAndFortyStepsToTheSea #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#FourHundredAndFortyStepsToTheSea #NetGalley
October 13, 2018
3.5 becuase it was soooo long. ...with long paragraphs and long sentences. Aside from that I enjoyed this story that spanned five decades. Part coming of age, romance, family, secrets, and sacrifice. A beautiful setting and a lot of cooking (which I skimmed through eventually.)
November 7, 2018
This book
I enjoyed quite a lot of this book but found at times I was flitting over pages as I wanted to get on with the story and not read pages and pages of recipes and poetic writing .
I enjoyed quite a lot of this book but found at times I was flitting over pages as I wanted to get on with the story and not read pages and pages of recipes and poetic writing .
October 21, 2018
Brilliant
An amazing in site into life and love poetically written so that the characters leap to life from the page would make an excellent film
An amazing in site into life and love poetically written so that the characters leap to life from the page would make an excellent film
April 6, 2021
Okay, not great but some good visual descriptions
December 14, 2022
Sooooo loooooong
October 18, 2022
There were many things I loved about this book including the character development and ways the lives weaved together into tangles complicated by mental health and propriety. There were instances I found myself frustrated with Santina for giving her power away to the men in her life and for seeing herself as only worthy of what they offered her. Santina sacrificed her own happiness for many years and it wasn’t until she took a step off the path created for her that her love finally came around. So much time waiting. So many experiences given up… waiting. It has given me chances to reflect on my own life and choices and helped bring about empathy for other women in my life for whom I do not see the whole picture and therefore have no right to cast judgment.
August 12, 2018
The Secret Legacy by Sara Alexander is an epic historical family novel that transports the reader to 1950's Italy.
Wonderful comprehensive descriptions bring the landscape to life for the reader. We are enveloped in warmth and sunshine, with expectations of laughter.
The novel is about love and loss, sacrifice and letting go - knowing when to step forward and when to hold back. there are loves that consume. One is obsessive to the exclusion of all else, the other bubbles away in the background.
There is the difficult theme of mental illness. It is managed with love, care, kindness and gentleness.
Love sometimes means letting go. Letting go of your hopes and dreams. A sacrificial love, prepared to watch from afar.
The Secret Legacy took over my life as I read with bated breath about love, family and loss. It is a beautiful novel in its themes and setting, just perfect for any time of year. Let yourself escape to sunny Italy for a few hours.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Wonderful comprehensive descriptions bring the landscape to life for the reader. We are enveloped in warmth and sunshine, with expectations of laughter.
The novel is about love and loss, sacrifice and letting go - knowing when to step forward and when to hold back. there are loves that consume. One is obsessive to the exclusion of all else, the other bubbles away in the background.
There is the difficult theme of mental illness. It is managed with love, care, kindness and gentleness.
Love sometimes means letting go. Letting go of your hopes and dreams. A sacrificial love, prepared to watch from afar.
The Secret Legacy took over my life as I read with bated breath about love, family and loss. It is a beautiful novel in its themes and setting, just perfect for any time of year. Let yourself escape to sunny Italy for a few hours.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
December 13, 2021
This took so long to get through. Many many parts could have been deleted. I didn't find the romance "intriguing", I felt it was wasted. The poor girl waited her whole youth for this man to finally make his decision. She should have stuck with her guns and moved to America as was promised to her when she first went to work for the family. On the other hand, she was kept safe and comfortable but not allowed to love anyone else? I just felt underwhelmed with the entire story. Also - she never told her daughter of their biological ties but she wrote a story about it?? I would have been very upset knowing the woman I loved, lived with and then cared for all those years was my biological mother. It would not have taken anything away from her mother. They were best friends and it was clearly the best decision to give their daughter the best life. If anything, explaining to her would have helped her come to terms with the situation!
The only reason it's not 1 star, is I enjoyed the setting in Positano and reminded me of my travels there.
The only reason it's not 1 star, is I enjoyed the setting in Positano and reminded me of my travels there.
October 20, 2021
Too much detailed sexual content for my preferences. Beautiful writing and great job narrating the audiobook. I’m dying to visit Positano now! The love story itself wasn’t my favorite but some of the other relationships were interesting.
January 12, 2022
Exceptionally descriptive, this book engages all the senses. Scenes so detailed I could see, hear, taste, smell and feel the story.
May 8, 2020
Lovely summer read in the sunshine
May 15, 2022
Too long.
March 9, 2024
I only got 20% of the way through this book (on audiobook) before abandoning it. It was turning into a sappy love story and I’m not interested in that. The narrator, who is also the author, has a thin, high, little girl voice which grated on me to no end. Too many long, drawn-out descriptions of food and scenery. Just a NO for me all the way around.
October 2, 2021
If you’ve ever been to Positano you would love this book. It was easy to picture the sea, the shops, the art, the villas and the many many steps to get to all of them. Her descriptive prose was like poetry! The story was good but I was also a little frustrated with the decisions these characters made. But “quella e la vita”!
September 13, 2022
I use Audible during my weekly commutes and I usually enjoy the books very much. I stopped listening to this one more than halfway through. I hope it was at that point. I can’t imagine this book being longer than that. Yes, it was richly detailed, but when the detail is nothing more than an instruction on how to cook simple items, it got tiring to listen to. The author’s voice (narrator too) was pleasant to listen to but with the accent and constant lowering of volume when something important was happening was beyond frustrating. I usually listen at level 11 in my car. I was nearly at 20 and her voice would still dip to a level that I couldn’t make out what she said.
The book started out with such promise but it turned into a lot of ‘nothing’ happening. Nothing was defined. Nothing stuck! It ended up being a chore for me to continue, so I chose to stop. I believe I made the right decision!
The book started out with such promise but it turned into a lot of ‘nothing’ happening. Nothing was defined. Nothing stuck! It ended up being a chore for me to continue, so I chose to stop. I believe I made the right decision!
March 11, 2022
This book was kind of all over the place. It took forever to read. The characters were not from the 1950's Almafi coast. It was really more modern day ways of thinking and talking. The backstory of the major and his artist wife was shaky at best. I did love the descriptions of the setting and the food that played a role interweaving the characters.
July 30, 2021
DNF 30%
August 12, 2018
I think Santina has mixed feelings about motherhood, perhaps because her own relationship with her mother was cut short. She finds herself bonded to the child she takes care of, and yet has no problem severing ties when she feels it is the right thing to do. That has nothing to do with the depth of her feelings and possibly more about the fact her own familial ties were dramatically cut short when she was child.
Known as the orphan child from the mountain, and considered by many to be the poor scum of the earth. This cloud of her birth and heritage follows her throughout the book among her own people, and is certainly a reason she keeps a distance from a certain suitor at times. Becoming part of his family would also mean always being treated as if they had ‘saved’ her in some way.
Santina jumps at the chance to leave her home and country to try to discover more of the world and herself. It is almost ironic that her travels go full circle and she ends up in the same place she started from. She becomes the live-in cook, maid and subsequently also the nanny to a British couple. The mother of the child becomes ill soon after the birth of her daughter, and so begins a story of many decades of suppressed desire and a love that develops over time. The type of love society finds outrageous and scandalous.
This is a story we find a lot in history, of a woman who keeps her secrets until the grave. A woman who sacrifices everything to ensure her loved ones are safe and kept away from any hint of a scandal. Her ultimate sacrifice is exactly that, a sacrifice, and I wonder if it is her way of putting her own guilt to rest for loving and being the mother to a child who isn’t her own.
The writing soothes and laps over the reader like the salty waves licking over your feet, as you wander along the beach with warmth of the sun on your face. It’s melodic and hypnotic, written and to be read at a steady pace. Savouring the beauty of the words and the imagery they project.
The Secret Legacy is a wonderfully written tale of love, passion, desire and most of all of sacrifice. Alexander brings us drama, heartache and a suitcase full of unrequited desire and simmering passion, and yet does so in such a subtle way the reader feels the beauty of the tale instead of the pain of the characters. It’s a beautiful read.
*I received a copy courtesy of the publisher*
Known as the orphan child from the mountain, and considered by many to be the poor scum of the earth. This cloud of her birth and heritage follows her throughout the book among her own people, and is certainly a reason she keeps a distance from a certain suitor at times. Becoming part of his family would also mean always being treated as if they had ‘saved’ her in some way.
Santina jumps at the chance to leave her home and country to try to discover more of the world and herself. It is almost ironic that her travels go full circle and she ends up in the same place she started from. She becomes the live-in cook, maid and subsequently also the nanny to a British couple. The mother of the child becomes ill soon after the birth of her daughter, and so begins a story of many decades of suppressed desire and a love that develops over time. The type of love society finds outrageous and scandalous.
This is a story we find a lot in history, of a woman who keeps her secrets until the grave. A woman who sacrifices everything to ensure her loved ones are safe and kept away from any hint of a scandal. Her ultimate sacrifice is exactly that, a sacrifice, and I wonder if it is her way of putting her own guilt to rest for loving and being the mother to a child who isn’t her own.
The writing soothes and laps over the reader like the salty waves licking over your feet, as you wander along the beach with warmth of the sun on your face. It’s melodic and hypnotic, written and to be read at a steady pace. Savouring the beauty of the words and the imagery they project.
The Secret Legacy is a wonderfully written tale of love, passion, desire and most of all of sacrifice. Alexander brings us drama, heartache and a suitcase full of unrequited desire and simmering passion, and yet does so in such a subtle way the reader feels the beauty of the tale instead of the pain of the characters. It’s a beautiful read.
*I received a copy courtesy of the publisher*
August 11, 2018
Review also found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose this story because I love a good book that spans over multiple generations. I had a gut feeling that this would be one of those stories that would haunt me and I was proven correct.
I loved the character of Santini from the very beginning and wanted everything to work out for her. Her quiet strength and sense of loyalty and selflessness made her a compelling character even when I wanted to slap her and tell her to wake up and choose a better life for herself. I wish I could say the same for the men in her life as I had a dislike for all of them.
While I was not a fan of the romantic choice in the story I was still glued to the pages as it defined who Santini was and the decisions she made. This would make an excellent selection for a book club because I could talk for hours about said men and how I felt all of them were controlling and held Santini down. Without giving spoilers, her one true love was the worst one of all in my opinion. I felt that he was asking too much of Santini and was controlling her life and I wasn't really rooting for the two of them together as I felt he was not worthy.
Lastly, if you love food, this would be a good choice for you. There is a lot of time spent in the book describing the food and the preparations of it. At first it made me hungry and I enjoyed it. After a while, if I am being truly honest, it got a little old and repetitive and added unnecessary length to the book. This is just my opinion, others may love it. I recommend to read it on a full stomach.
All in all a really good read.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose this story because I love a good book that spans over multiple generations. I had a gut feeling that this would be one of those stories that would haunt me and I was proven correct.
I loved the character of Santini from the very beginning and wanted everything to work out for her. Her quiet strength and sense of loyalty and selflessness made her a compelling character even when I wanted to slap her and tell her to wake up and choose a better life for herself. I wish I could say the same for the men in her life as I had a dislike for all of them.
While I was not a fan of the romantic choice in the story I was still glued to the pages as it defined who Santini was and the decisions she made. This would make an excellent selection for a book club because I could talk for hours about said men and how I felt all of them were controlling and held Santini down. Without giving spoilers, her one true love was the worst one of all in my opinion. I felt that he was asking too much of Santini and was controlling her life and I wasn't really rooting for the two of them together as I felt he was not worthy.
Lastly, if you love food, this would be a good choice for you. There is a lot of time spent in the book describing the food and the preparations of it. At first it made me hungry and I enjoyed it. After a while, if I am being truly honest, it got a little old and repetitive and added unnecessary length to the book. This is just my opinion, others may love it. I recommend to read it on a full stomach.
All in all a really good read.
October 19, 2025
This is a beautifully written book. The descriptions of the Italian countryside and the many dishes Santina cooked in the kitchen of her employer, Major Henry, are too deliciously descriptive to explain.
The book opens with Santina reminiscing in her home in the Villa. Most of the book is her story in the past. Stricken with polio as a child and born to poor parents, Santina did not have a privileged childhood. When she was young her father sent her to Pasatino to work for a grocer. Through various twists and turns she ends up working for Henry and his fragile wife who had just delivered a baby and was now in a very fragile mental state.
Santino became the mother to little Elizabeth while the real mother lived upstairs in a wild state of mind. Henry is in love with his wife but realizes there is no future there. He ever cares for her year after year. Meanwhile, Santino finds herself strapped into taking care of Elizabeth and running the huge villa.
Four men set the course of her life; her brother, her father, the grocer, and the Major. At times I would get frustrated at Santina for giving away so much of her control to these four, but she was stuck in many ways. The story dances around her male relationships and Santina often becomes a mere pawn. However, that weakness of Santina’s did not affect how much I loved this book! It has everything!
This was a riveting story but not so gripping as to be consuming. It was perfect in every way. This is a book you can read and really feel like you are living with the characters. Some of the reviews say the book was too long. I disagree. This book could have gone on and on in my opinion. It was the perfect escape for what’s happening in my life at this time, not too intense, not too consuming and not too R rated. It was just a smooth, beautiful, romantic, amazing and comforting read. It checked all the boxes of what a good book should really be. I’m now going to read more from this author.
The book opens with Santina reminiscing in her home in the Villa. Most of the book is her story in the past. Stricken with polio as a child and born to poor parents, Santina did not have a privileged childhood. When she was young her father sent her to Pasatino to work for a grocer. Through various twists and turns she ends up working for Henry and his fragile wife who had just delivered a baby and was now in a very fragile mental state.
Santino became the mother to little Elizabeth while the real mother lived upstairs in a wild state of mind. Henry is in love with his wife but realizes there is no future there. He ever cares for her year after year. Meanwhile, Santino finds herself strapped into taking care of Elizabeth and running the huge villa.
Four men set the course of her life; her brother, her father, the grocer, and the Major. At times I would get frustrated at Santina for giving away so much of her control to these four, but she was stuck in many ways. The story dances around her male relationships and Santina often becomes a mere pawn. However, that weakness of Santina’s did not affect how much I loved this book! It has everything!
This was a riveting story but not so gripping as to be consuming. It was perfect in every way. This is a book you can read and really feel like you are living with the characters. Some of the reviews say the book was too long. I disagree. This book could have gone on and on in my opinion. It was the perfect escape for what’s happening in my life at this time, not too intense, not too consuming and not too R rated. It was just a smooth, beautiful, romantic, amazing and comforting read. It checked all the boxes of what a good book should really be. I’m now going to read more from this author.
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