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Hepburn's Necklace
A vintage necklace holds the key to a long-hidden secret on the shores of Lake Como.
When costume designer Ariana Ricci leaves her groom at the altar, she takes solace at the Palm Springs home of her theatrical great-aunt. While opening yellowed letters postmarked “Lago di Como, 1952” Ariana discovers relics from her great-aunt’s past, including a necklace that Audrey Hepburn gave her during the filming of a movie in Rome. Aching for a fresh start and the chance to resolve an unfinished story, the two embark on a journey to the sunny shores of Lake Como, Italy that will illuminate secrets and offer second chances—if they are bold enough to seize them.
In Hepburn’s Necklace, Jan Moran, bestselling author of the contemporary Summer Beach series and the historical novels, The Winemakers and The Chocolatier, offers a testament to the resilience of love. Hepburn’s Necklace Available in ebook, trade paperback, audiobook, hardcover, and large print editions.
358 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2020
643 people are currently reading
3242 people want to read
About the author
Jan Moran
75 books4,133 followersHi there, and welcome! If you like fun beach reads or romantic sagas that whisk you off to places like sunny beaches or Italy, Paris, and Napa Valley, then come on in. I write clean and wholesome feel-good novels.
Never miss a sale or new release! Tap "Follow" on Goodreads. Join my Readers Club and get a free read to download now, The Summer Beach Welcome Kit: https://www.janmoran.com/newsletter
If you like to binge read, visit my new online bookshop for special ebook, audiobook, and paperback bundles: https://store.janmoran.com/collection...
Join me in my Facebook Readers Group, too, where we celebrate good books and cheer each other on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58425.... That's where I share sales, ARCs, and lots of fun times.
Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.
So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.
If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.
If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.
My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Let's keep in touch! Here's how:
- Follow me on Bookbub to learn of all my sales, new releases, and preorders: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-m...
- Come visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/janmoranbooks to find out more.
- And...get a free read when you join my newsletter group: http://www.janmoran.com/contact-jan.
If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.
My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.
Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.
Happy reading!
Never miss a sale or new release! Tap "Follow" on Goodreads. Join my Readers Club and get a free read to download now, The Summer Beach Welcome Kit: https://www.janmoran.com/newsletter
If you like to binge read, visit my new online bookshop for special ebook, audiobook, and paperback bundles: https://store.janmoran.com/collection...
Join me in my Facebook Readers Group, too, where we celebrate good books and cheer each other on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58425.... That's where I share sales, ARCs, and lots of fun times.
Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.
So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.
If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.
If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.
My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Let's keep in touch! Here's how:
- Follow me on Bookbub to learn of all my sales, new releases, and preorders: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-m...
- Come visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/janmoranbooks to find out more.
- And...get a free read when you join my newsletter group: http://www.janmoran.com/contact-jan.
If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.
My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.
Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.
Happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 24, 2021
What a fabulous story! I could not put it down. I loved our heroine, Ruby. She was such a strong, loving, and resilient character. Romance and heartbreak in such beautiful settings, wonderful writing, amazing characters wrapped up in an outstanding story. Jan Moran outdid herself with this one. And, I really enjoy her books to begin with. Just fabulous!
January 15, 2021
This fabulous book is a bit of Auntie Mame’s “Live, live, live!” coupled with handsome Italian men, famous celebrities, and gorgeous locations. There’s romance, family intrigue, a bride leaving her groom at the alter (deservedly so), and so much more. I truly think that his is the best of Jan Moran’s historical novels, at least of the ones I’ve read.
Ruby is one tough woman, but a kind, caring, loving, and generous one. When just starting her career as an actress, a mere teenager, she faced incredible success. Behind the success though, she dealt with incredible loss and hardship, and demands upon her for financial support. She stood up to it and did what she needed to do. I’ll admit to thinking that Ruby’s parents and sister were rather selfish and greedy when it came to money, and her father was controlling and cared only for himself.
The plot is original and believable, a young Texas teenage gets her big Hollywood break which comes with more than just fame and riches. The characters are remarkably real and believable. The author convinced me that Ruby actually took part in the filming of the movie Roman Holiday. Reading, I could clearly see and hear Audrey Hepburn as she and Ruby shared conversations. It was remarkable how easy that was to visualize. I especially liked when Ms. Hepburn gifted Ruby a necklace she’d just purchased for herself, and how that necklace became so important to Ruby over passing decades.
I love Ruby and adored Niccolò, and I was delighted when what I thought would happen, hoped would happen, happened. I won’t say more about that for fear of spoilers. I will say that I found Ruby’s reasons for not attempting to discover Niccolò’s location less than compelling. She could easily have hired a private detective to do the work. That was a very small thing, and I do understand how when you come to believe something, it’s often hard to imagine that anything else is possible. For Ruby, her worked helped her move on though she never forgot.
While the book beautifully tied up all the loose ends, and while I realize that this is meant to be Ruby’s story, I would love to see more about Ariana and Alessandro. The book was almost as much about them as Ruby, and I felt they got short-shrifted at the end. I can only hope that a follow up book about Ariana and Alessandro and their new family is in the works.
This biggest takeaway from this book is: Never give up hope. True love will win out.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Ruby is one tough woman, but a kind, caring, loving, and generous one. When just starting her career as an actress, a mere teenager, she faced incredible success. Behind the success though, she dealt with incredible loss and hardship, and demands upon her for financial support. She stood up to it and did what she needed to do. I’ll admit to thinking that Ruby’s parents and sister were rather selfish and greedy when it came to money, and her father was controlling and cared only for himself.
The plot is original and believable, a young Texas teenage gets her big Hollywood break which comes with more than just fame and riches. The characters are remarkably real and believable. The author convinced me that Ruby actually took part in the filming of the movie Roman Holiday. Reading, I could clearly see and hear Audrey Hepburn as she and Ruby shared conversations. It was remarkable how easy that was to visualize. I especially liked when Ms. Hepburn gifted Ruby a necklace she’d just purchased for herself, and how that necklace became so important to Ruby over passing decades.
I love Ruby and adored Niccolò, and I was delighted when what I thought would happen, hoped would happen, happened. I won’t say more about that for fear of spoilers. I will say that I found Ruby’s reasons for not attempting to discover Niccolò’s location less than compelling. She could easily have hired a private detective to do the work. That was a very small thing, and I do understand how when you come to believe something, it’s often hard to imagine that anything else is possible. For Ruby, her worked helped her move on though she never forgot.
While the book beautifully tied up all the loose ends, and while I realize that this is meant to be Ruby’s story, I would love to see more about Ariana and Alessandro. The book was almost as much about them as Ruby, and I felt they got short-shrifted at the end. I can only hope that a follow up book about Ariana and Alessandro and their new family is in the works.
This biggest takeaway from this book is: Never give up hope. True love will win out.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
April 9, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Fans of “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Letters to Juliet” will love this atmospheric, multi-generational tale of second chance romances
Read full review in the 2021 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Fans of “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Letters to Juliet” will love this atmospheric, multi-generational tale of second chance romances
Read full review in the 2021 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 14, 2021
A vintage necklace holds the key to a long-hidden secret on the shores of Lake Como.
A beautiful story that transports you to another time and place. The story line captivates you and holds your attention from beginning to end with romance, family, second chances, secrets and much more. The characters are endearing and easy to love. A wonderful romance to add to your winter reading list, you won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A beautiful story that transports you to another time and place. The story line captivates you and holds your attention from beginning to end with romance, family, second chances, secrets and much more. The characters are endearing and easy to love. A wonderful romance to add to your winter reading list, you won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 2, 2021
What an adventure. A beautifully written book about finding family, love, and romance. A story through time rich in history. I truly did not want this book to end.
Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the free copy for my voluntary review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the free copy for my voluntary review.
October 24, 2020
This was an exciting trip back in time, making me feel like I was part of the story from the beginning.
January 12, 2021
Ariana, a costume designer leaves her groom at the altar at the last minute. When she is making her getaway, her Aunty Ruby is by her side. Her aunt is closer to her than her own mother, and Ariana takes solace in Ruby’s care. When Ruby suggests they go on a little trip to Italy, Ariana agrees hesitantly. What happens on the trip will change both these women’s lives.
This story is one you must read; it can not be merely described in a review. The story winds through Ruby’s life from when she was a child, interspersed with the present story of Ariana. Both characters are written with such depth and emotion which is due to the brilliance of the author Jan Moran. The story blends so seamlessly between the two women and their journeys. I could hardly put this book down and was sad to see it end. It truly was that good! When secrets come to light, and the past becomes the present, I was holding my breath. Thank you so much to the author Jan Moran for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
This story is one you must read; it can not be merely described in a review. The story winds through Ruby’s life from when she was a child, interspersed with the present story of Ariana. Both characters are written with such depth and emotion which is due to the brilliance of the author Jan Moran. The story blends so seamlessly between the two women and their journeys. I could hardly put this book down and was sad to see it end. It truly was that good! When secrets come to light, and the past becomes the present, I was holding my breath. Thank you so much to the author Jan Moran for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 24, 2022
Ariana leaves her groom at the alter and heads to her great aunts place in Palm Springs. She discovers letters and a necklace that was given to her aunt by Audrey Hepburn. Her aunt was in a film with Audrey at Lake Como.
They both decide to head back to the Lake Como for a fresh start. Can they both find happiness once again?
Secrets, betrayals and the chance for forgiveness are beautifully told in this story. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Lake Como and the Texas Hill country. They both had a fascinating life and the sacrifices her aunt made were all made with love.
#sunnypresspalms, #janmoran, #hepburnsnecklace, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
They both decide to head back to the Lake Como for a fresh start. Can they both find happiness once again?
Secrets, betrayals and the chance for forgiveness are beautifully told in this story. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Lake Como and the Texas Hill country. They both had a fascinating life and the sacrifices her aunt made were all made with love.
#sunnypresspalms, #janmoran, #hepburnsnecklace, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
May 16, 2022
This book was a slow start for me and once again, hopping back and forth from the present to the past, but once the story got rolling I enjoyed it.
January 13, 2021
A beautiful romance that brings Italy to life! Great characters in Ruby and Ariana. Strong females that learn love and family is what life is all about. Loved the setting of Italy as another character. Great descriptions that make you wish you were there. This book spans from the early 1950's to the present and crosses three generations. With a backdrop of shooting Roman Holiday for the first romance how can you go wrong? Don't want to leave spoilers but if you love movies, travel and family sagas then run and buy this book. It is a wonderful read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2021
Rich imagery and happy endings. Makes me want to go back to Italy.
January 2, 2021
Young Love and Romance in Italy in the 1950s
This is a wonderful story of an actress's life in the early 1950s. This is a wonderful, historical piece that this author does so well. We follow a young woman's life from being 17 until her mid to late 60s. The author presents the story and descriptions so well it is as if the reader is right there. The wines, architecture, and art are wonderful. But the descriptions of Lake Como with the wineries, fruit production, and silk factories are very special. There are plenty of family issues and secrets that are dealt with over time, too. This author always writes a quality novel and this one does not disappoint. I can't wait to read her next work. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
This is a wonderful story of an actress's life in the early 1950s. This is a wonderful, historical piece that this author does so well. We follow a young woman's life from being 17 until her mid to late 60s. The author presents the story and descriptions so well it is as if the reader is right there. The wines, architecture, and art are wonderful. But the descriptions of Lake Como with the wineries, fruit production, and silk factories are very special. There are plenty of family issues and secrets that are dealt with over time, too. This author always writes a quality novel and this one does not disappoint. I can't wait to read her next work. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
December 26, 2020
"She wanted her final gift to Ariana to be happiness."
The question becomes if Ariana actually knows what happiness is? After ghosting her groom at the altar, Ariana goes to live with with Aunt Ruby, where she begins to find her life in the hidden treasures in the attic, including a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when she was an extra in the movie Roman Holiday.
The two of them head for Lake Como in Italy to find answers and lay ghosts to rest. The question is will the ghosts listen?
What else would you expect from Jan Moran but a beautiful setting and an adventure that sweeps you up in it's breadth and scope resolving in a lovely romantic story. does Ruby give Ariana happiness, or send her out confidentiality to find it on her own. Come and see for yourself. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
The question becomes if Ariana actually knows what happiness is? After ghosting her groom at the altar, Ariana goes to live with with Aunt Ruby, where she begins to find her life in the hidden treasures in the attic, including a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when she was an extra in the movie Roman Holiday.
The two of them head for Lake Como in Italy to find answers and lay ghosts to rest. The question is will the ghosts listen?
What else would you expect from Jan Moran but a beautiful setting and an adventure that sweeps you up in it's breadth and scope resolving in a lovely romantic story. does Ruby give Ariana happiness, or send her out confidentiality to find it on her own. Come and see for yourself. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
January 12, 2021
This is such a great book!
It is a story that is rich in history,
family, love & forgiveness.
Beautifully written with wonderful
characters. Captivated me from
page one. I didn't want it to end.
A Definite Must Read!!
It is a story that is rich in history,
family, love & forgiveness.
Beautifully written with wonderful
characters. Captivated me from
page one. I didn't want it to end.
A Definite Must Read!!
January 18, 2021
Three generations: Ruby, 75; Mari, 50s; and Ariana, 32. A quest by Ruby ends up changing the lives of all of them.
I was a bit cautious when I started to read this, though I have enjoyed other stories by this author. I wasn't certain if I would be drawn in with the flashbacks to 1952 when Ruby was younger. But I was!
The romance that happened when she was just 17, the enchantment of Italy, and being on the set of Roman Holiday, which I have heard but have not watched... yet, was as absorbing as the events occurring in 2010 (the current year for the novel).
Ruby Raines was a star heading back to Rome and Lake Como in memory of a lost love. Her grand niece, Ariana, is pregnant and marrying the wrong man, and her niece, Mari, is burying herself in her work.
Three generations of women lost to love because of decisions by three sisters: Patricia, Ruby, and Vivienne. As Ruby goes back and forth from the present moment to the past, she reveals the secret that she and her sister have guarded for a lifetime.
I loved that the secret actually made sense for the time period and that I truly felt for Ruby. My admiration for Ruby grew as she was not some spoiled movie star aging well, but a kind caring woman who never forgot her first love and husband.
The twists and turns of the storytelling lead quite satisfyingly to the conclusion along with so much love, family, and healing for the women.
This was equal parts women's fiction and romance. I loved seeing how Ariana was doubting everything nad then coming into her own.
Note: I received an advance reading copy via BookFunnel.
I was a bit cautious when I started to read this, though I have enjoyed other stories by this author. I wasn't certain if I would be drawn in with the flashbacks to 1952 when Ruby was younger. But I was!
The romance that happened when she was just 17, the enchantment of Italy, and being on the set of Roman Holiday, which I have heard but have not watched... yet, was as absorbing as the events occurring in 2010 (the current year for the novel).
Ruby Raines was a star heading back to Rome and Lake Como in memory of a lost love. Her grand niece, Ariana, is pregnant and marrying the wrong man, and her niece, Mari, is burying herself in her work.
Three generations of women lost to love because of decisions by three sisters: Patricia, Ruby, and Vivienne. As Ruby goes back and forth from the present moment to the past, she reveals the secret that she and her sister have guarded for a lifetime.
I loved that the secret actually made sense for the time period and that I truly felt for Ruby. My admiration for Ruby grew as she was not some spoiled movie star aging well, but a kind caring woman who never forgot her first love and husband.
The twists and turns of the storytelling lead quite satisfyingly to the conclusion along with so much love, family, and healing for the women.
This was equal parts women's fiction and romance. I loved seeing how Ariana was doubting everything nad then coming into her own.
Note: I received an advance reading copy via BookFunnel.
January 17, 2021
Hepburn´s Necklace is a unique love story that describes the fifties in full - moral code, communication difficulties, beautiful places not yet invaded by tourists, beautiful clothes, and food. It also brings that same scenery to our days with the same passion and richness in detail of places, clothes, foods, beverages, people. How can two lovers be set apart and deceived for such a long time? How can a family hold a secret for so long? How can that secret affect so deeply the life of two people and their families? Well, it is all explained at the ending of this beautiful story by Jan Moran, but be prepared, the descriptions of places and food are so beautiful that they will make you crave Italian food and a trip to Lake Cuomo. Really entertaining!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2021
Love and pain in a complicated family...
At the beginning of this book there is a review quote, saying: "Jan Moran is the new queen of epic romance." Which she is. But in this case she is more like the Audrey Hepburn of epic romance.
This really is a beautiful book! Or maybe two in one. The one about young love in the 1950's and the one about the older actrice starting a new life.
Both stories are so good and emotional. I hated when the jump to the other era came, because I wanted to continue reading. But then the other era tugged my heart and next I had a hard time switching to the former era.
And then I finished the book.. It's like saying goodbye to a family I've come to love!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At the beginning of this book there is a review quote, saying: "Jan Moran is the new queen of epic romance." Which she is. But in this case she is more like the Audrey Hepburn of epic romance.
This really is a beautiful book! Or maybe two in one. The one about young love in the 1950's and the one about the older actrice starting a new life.
Both stories are so good and emotional. I hated when the jump to the other era came, because I wanted to continue reading. But then the other era tugged my heart and next I had a hard time switching to the former era.
And then I finished the book.. It's like saying goodbye to a family I've come to love!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2021
I had my doubts as to whether or not I would like this book, but let me tell you, this book is a beautifully written story about second chances, secrets, starting over, and most of all love. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. You will absolutely love Ruby and Ariana as the main female characters. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say if you scenes involving beautiful Italy, you won’t be disappointed. Grab your copy and see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2021
I've read several books written by Jan Moran; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2021
This is a fun multigenerational second chance romance with plenty of glamourous settings from movie sets to Rome and Lake Como. It goes back and forth in time between the early 50's and 2010. Family secrets are revealed and there's a nice happy ending.
January 13, 2021
This book was the mini-vacation that I so desperately needed. I felt as though I was visiting Italy in a long-lost period where the characters were welcoming, interesting and warm and the settings luxurious and filled with all the charms of an Italian villa. The plot was interesting and a bit complex but the characters and the narrative held your hand and drew and into this story.
Unputdownable read.
Unputdownable read.
June 26, 2024
I tend to love all books with a setting in Italy but since I traveled there this past Fall, they have become even more meaningful. The story centers around the filming of the movie "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, which was the first Hollywood movie filmed entirely in Rome, so this was a huge draw for me. While in Italy, there are pictures everywhere of those movie stars on the infamous motorcycle chase. The mention of the Trevi fountain and Spanish steps, Lake Como, etc. brought me right back to Italy. This story was so beautifully written, and it gives you all the feels of family and young romance that didn't go as expected. Good books are always about good endings, and this one did not disappoint. It's one of those books that will stay with you. I loved it!
January 11, 2021
I had my doubts as to whether or not I would like this book, but let me tell you, this book is a beautifully written story about second chances, secrets, starting over, and most of all love. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. You will absolutely love Ruby and Ariana as the main female characters. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say if you scenes involving beautiful Italy, you won’t be disappointed. Grab your copy and see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2021
This was one beautiful story of fate and a second chance for both Ruby and Ariana as they meet Niccolò who was once very important in Ruby's life, and Alessandro who comes to mean a lot to Ariana. Ruby and Niccolò will learn who tore them apart all those years ago. Once I started reading this book I was not putting it down until I had finished reading it. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2021
Jan Moran has done it again!! She wrote a beautiful story of love over the years. Ruby wants to show her niece Ariana happiness, love and adventure. When Ariana leaves her groom at the altar, she goes to Lake Como in Italy with Ruby. The descriptions of the area make you want to be there. I didn't want this story to end. What a great story!!
January 14, 2021
Beautiful!
This was a beautiful story of love and loss and love again. Family drama is also in force.I loved the descriptions of the scenery in Italy. I felt like I had been transported there!
This was a beautiful story of love and loss and love again. Family drama is also in force.I loved the descriptions of the scenery in Italy. I felt like I had been transported there!
January 12, 2021
Wonderful entertaining story with complex and interesting characters. Love a good historical book. This book is hard to put down. Great character development and story. Excellent read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 30, 2021
Give me a book with references to Old Hollywood and a location in Italy and I am hooked. This was a charming story of Ruby Raines, a famous actress who got her acting start in the movie, Roman Holiday. She fell in love with Niccolo, a fellow actor in the film. Even though circumstances separated them for years, they never stopped loving each other and eventually found their way back to one another. This was beautifully written and I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
December 10, 2021
This book did not disappoint.
I loved Audrey Hepburn and so the title of this book caught my eye. It was interesting that it initially was built around the filming of Roman Holiday which is a wonderful movie. As we traveled back ad forth between the two time periods Jan Moran built a story that had interest and drama in each. I loved all the characters. I will now look for more of her books.
I loved Audrey Hepburn and so the title of this book caught my eye. It was interesting that it initially was built around the filming of Roman Holiday which is a wonderful movie. As we traveled back ad forth between the two time periods Jan Moran built a story that had interest and drama in each. I loved all the characters. I will now look for more of her books.
January 5, 2021
Another beautifully written book by Jan Moran. I felt I was transported to a new place and a new time. This story has it all – wonderful characters, romance, exquisite settings, family, secrets, second chances, and forgiveness. In all of Moran’s books she writes of strong, intelligent, competent, resilient women. That is one of the main reasons I love her books and devour each one as it is released.
When Ariana Ricci leaves her groom at the altar, she takes solace with her great-aunt Ruby Raines, a former well-known actress. Ruby, needing to find resolution to a great loss in the past, convinces Ariana to make a fresh start and go with her to Lake Como in Italy. There Ariana will soon discover that Ruby has a secret that has been long buried. At the center of the secret lies a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when Ruby was an extra in the movie “Roman Holiday”.
The luscious descriptions of Lake Como left me yearning to be there. The beauty of the lake, the smells and tastes of the Italian cuisine, savoring the simple things in life…I wanted to fly to Italy and join Ruby and Ariana. I was captivated by their courage and their resilience to live life as they wanted. Both women had had expectations placed upon them…expectations they refused to follow. These women tugged on my heartstrings quite a few times.
Although the story is told using a dual timeline, I never got confused with it. It was interesting to read about the restraints on actresses in the early 1950s.
I highly recommend this book. Great for fans of Patricia Sands’ stories of romance for women over 40. I received this book from the author with no expectation of a positive review.
When Ariana Ricci leaves her groom at the altar, she takes solace with her great-aunt Ruby Raines, a former well-known actress. Ruby, needing to find resolution to a great loss in the past, convinces Ariana to make a fresh start and go with her to Lake Como in Italy. There Ariana will soon discover that Ruby has a secret that has been long buried. At the center of the secret lies a necklace given Ruby by Audrey Hepburn when Ruby was an extra in the movie “Roman Holiday”.
The luscious descriptions of Lake Como left me yearning to be there. The beauty of the lake, the smells and tastes of the Italian cuisine, savoring the simple things in life…I wanted to fly to Italy and join Ruby and Ariana. I was captivated by their courage and their resilience to live life as they wanted. Both women had had expectations placed upon them…expectations they refused to follow. These women tugged on my heartstrings quite a few times.
Although the story is told using a dual timeline, I never got confused with it. It was interesting to read about the restraints on actresses in the early 1950s.
I highly recommend this book. Great for fans of Patricia Sands’ stories of romance for women over 40. I received this book from the author with no expectation of a positive review.
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