Stewart once again works her romance-writing magic with the story of Sarah Cavanaugh, a young Englishwoman who travels to Venice to become governess to the wealthy Brazzano family. Sarah's been warned that the children she will be teaching are difficult, the parents distant, and the family dysfunctional, but she sees this as a welcome challenge to distract her from the recent death of her father. Once in Venice, Sarah finds old memories haunting her--this is where she and her former husband came on their honeymoon years earlier. Imagine her surprise when Stephen, her ex-husband, turns up in Venice, ostensibly to research a new book. Although her mind must be on her work-- turning bratty, 11-year-old Beatrice into a nicer person, bringing six-year-old Emmanuele out of his shell, and getting the children's parents to pay more attention to them--she's also swept up in the intrigues, romances, and passions surrounding both the Brazzanos and, to her surprise, herself. The ending is somewhat predictable, but overall, this is a delightfully told story that is charming and heartwarming.
Emily MeltonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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About the Author
Sally Stewart, born a Londoner but now happily settled with her husband amid the green hills of Somerset, has written numerous short and full-length stories. Many of them reflect her love of history, or were born of places visited in the course of foreign travels.