A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love, by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List . Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all. Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed--secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

**One of...

Popsugar's 21 Best Books of November 2020
Frolic's 20 Best Books of Fall 2020

Praise for The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany**  

"A delicious modern fairytale...Bella!"—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tony's Wife

“A gorgeous blend of family, friendship, and love.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba 

“A glorious journey through Italy, and the heart...Filled with humor and wisdom, this is a celebration of life, and love.”—Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

"There's magic within the pages of Lori Nelson Spielman's charming The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany."—Popsugar

"Mysterious family lore, a heartrending love story, and luminous descriptions of Italy all add up to an utterly captivating read!"—Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of You, Me, and the Sea****

“Long-simmering resentments and buried secrets permeate The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, a romantic, beautifully rendered, sweepingly complex family saga.”―Shelf Awareness

"As effervescent as an Aperol Spritz and written in Lori Nelson Spielman’s signature heartfelt style."—Meredith Jaeger, USA Today bestselling author of Boardwalk Summer 

“Fans of Adriana Trigiani will rejoice in this story of a stunning journey that celebrates family, life and love, in the unparalleled backdrop of Venice, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.”—Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of The Favorite Daughter

"In this captivating and utterly charming tale of several generations of “cursed” women, Lori Nelson Spielman proves—yet again—that she’s a masterful storyteller.”—Camille Pagán, bestselling author of I’m Fine and Neither Are You *

"Sparkling...Spielman brings Tuscany to vivid life and offers more than a few surprises along the way. Fans of An Affair to Remember, Under the Tuscan Sun, and the like will be enthralled."**—Publishers Weekly**

"Spielman twists our fairy-tale expectations about love, curses, and happy endings.A bright, funny, hopeful tale of untangling family knots."***—Kirkus***

“A love letter to Italy and indeed, to life.”*—Julie Kibler, bestselling author of Calling Me Home 

“A poignant fairy tale rooted in reality that lifts the reader into a world with lush fields, jewel-box villages and picturesque canals."―The Augusta Chronicle
 
“Spielman’s novel takes you on a breathtaking tour of Italy through the eyes of Emilia, the cursed second-daughter. Readers will get lost in these pages about family and cheer for our heroine as she discovers herself and the secrets of her family. This book is the perfect escape.”—Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune
"With her characteristic combination of poignancy, humor, and riveting storytelling, Spielman spins a delightful yarn about families, loneliness, and second chances."—Julie Lawson Timmer, author of** Mrs. Saint and the Defectives***

"Perfectly captures the singular magic of Italy. Every page radiates with sunshine, adventure, and a love story as timeless as the cobblestone streets of Florence."*—Ruth Emmie Lang, author of Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance***
 

• “A fresh and funny page-turner that weaves generations of secrets into a charming story of enpowering self-reflection and discovery. A pure joy to read, filled with heart, hope and insight.”—Angela Pisel, author of *With Love From the Inside

  "You will be swept away to Italy's romantic Amalfi coast, and laugh, cry, and cheer as Emilia searches for the truth and finds her own voice at last."*—Kelly O'Connor McNees, author of Undiscovered Country **

  “Spielman turns the traditional fairy tale on its head, to satisfying and dramatic effect.”—Mardi Link, author of The Drummond Girls

  "A stunning, heartwarming, multi-generational story of family secrets and self-discovery, spanning the globe from New York to Italy."—Samantha M. Bailey, author of Woman on the Edge

  Autorentext

  Lori Nelson Spielman is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author whose novels have hit #1 in six different countries. Formerly a homebound teacher in an inner-city school district, she holds master's degrees in speech pathology and guidance counseling. She lives in Michigan with her husband.

  Zusammenfassung
  **An International Bestseller!

  A LibraryReads and Indie Next Pick!

  A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love, by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List. **
  Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.
   
  Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

  Leseprobe
  Chapter 1

  Emilia

  Present Day

  Brooklyn

  Seventy-two cannoli shells cool on a baking rack in front of me. I squeeze juice from diced maraschino cherries and carefully fold them into a mixture of cream and ricotta cheese and powdered sugar. Through a cloudy rectangular window in the back kitchen, I peer into the store. Lucchesi Bakery and Delicatessen is quiet this morning, typical for a Tuesday. My grandmother, Nonna Rosa Fontana Lucchesi, stan…