Olivia DeLuca and her three daughters work together at their wedding dress shop, Sposa Rosa, in Astoria, New York, and for the most part it's a peaceful existence. But, like with a lot of families, there is always some tension that causes heartaches and pain, but the familial love between these ladies make up for any arguments and misunderstandings. Usually! Their story is documented in the charming novel, BELLA FORTUNA, by Rosanna Chiofalo.
Olivia and her husband came to America after World War II looking for a better life and had it until he passed away fourteen years ago. With stubborn determination, Olivia transforms their small tailor shop into a premier designer wedding dress boutique that she runs with her three daughters, Valentina, Connie, and Rita.
Working with demanding brides, the DeLuca ladies have great insight into weddings and the stress that comes with them, but are thrilled for Valentina who is planning her own wedding. Valentina is excited to wed Michael, a boy who grew up in the same Astoria, New York neighborhood, and has been her knight-in-shining-armor since childhood. After designing and making the perfect dress and planning a dream wedding and honeymoon in Venice, Valentina is ready to walk down the aisle in Italy. But when an unpredictable tragedy occurs, it shakes the DeLuca clan to the core, and forces them to reassess what family really is.
Reading this novel almost feels as if readers are peeking in through a window into the lives of these feisty ladies. Author Rosanna Chiofalo has developed characters who are warm and relatable and the fast-paced story is well written and intriguing. BELLA FORTUNA would make an ideal selection for a book club as it has recipes that are mentioned in the story and has a great book discussion guide.
In this warm, enchanting debut novel, Rosanna Chiofalo evokes the extraordinary beauty of Venice, the charm of a close-knit New York neighborhood, and the joys of friendship, family, and surprising second chances. . . Valentina DeLuca has made hundreds of brides' dreams come true. At Sposa Rosa, the Astoria, New York, boutique where she, her sisters, and their mother design and sew couture knock-off gowns, she can find the perfect style for even the most demanding customer. Now, it's her turn. Valentina has loved Michael Carello ever since he rescued her from a cranky shopkeeper when she was ten years old. He's handsome, chivalrous, and loyal. And in a few weeks, she's going to marry him--in Venice. But just when she thinks everything is falling into place, Valentina is forced to re-examine her life to see what truly makes her happy. And as she soon learns, in a place as magical as Venice, what seems like misfortune can turn out to be anything but, although who knows what may be waiting around the next corner? The chance to enjoy a moonlit gondola ride, to sip Prosecco in St. Mark's Square, to eat mouthwatering gelato, to put aside "sensible" for once and see where the warm Italian breezes guide her as she visits all the sights she's dreamed of: The Doge's Palace, Il Rialto, the little islands of Murano and Burano. And maybe, along the way, to discover that bella fortuna--good luck-- isn't what you're given, but what you make.
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