by Marie Valentine
Editor and Proofreader
Editing-Writing.com
Book-Editing.com

This novel from a unique and talented voice in contemporary literature offers a romantic cultural mingling that is at times hilarious as well as heartbreaking. The characters will stay with you long after the story ends. Part of the book’s magic is its unique combination of characters. From the big city of Bogota, Colombia, Miguel is a fish out of water in small-town Northern Ireland. de Novoa as storyteller excels in locale accuracies: I could easily hear the voices and envision the town square in which they danced, not only thanks to the beautiful cover art but also due to the full descriptions and colorful dialogue that rolls out from the pages.

Using the best of mystery, romance and literary fiction styles, this tale succeeds on many levels, both emotionally and stylistically. Along comes a Colombian lawyer who charms the skeptical and damaged town. And within it, a sweet motherless girl, Laura, falls for him as well, causing complications in their lives that neither could have predicted.

I always appreciate writers who employ a mystery that keeps us eager to find out the secrets of plot, which helps drive readers through the story’s presentation. This book is a pageturner in that manner. And as an editor, I adore de Novoa’s attention to details. This story covers all the bases and no questions linger (except for if there will be a sequel starring this adorable fictional couple).

We editors like informative storylines, as well. I learned some history of the conflict in Northern Ireland through human details of loss and family intrigue. de Novoa’s writerly ability to explore nuances of social situations is clever like that of Jane Austen and Iris Murdoch. Reading her book was pure pleasure, including moments of wit and sparkling humor along with a melancholy sensitivity to the aching power of loss. I look forward to more from this exciting writer.

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