Italian American by Luigina Vecchione

5 Stars

This book pulled at my heart strings, which hasn’t been done in a while. This is a sequel but can be read as a standalone. (I didn’t read the first one but want to now) This is the story of Mariella and Jack and her going to America to live her life with her husband, the book starts out with Elisa and Olivia their daughters visiting Mariella in her home and recording her story. Mariella tells how she left her family in Italy and how they came to America in a boat, how she met his family and lived. I was sad for her because of the homesickness, but also for how her mother-in-law treated her, how the ladies she was introduced to be her friends treated her and how lonely she was.<br /><br /> Mary started making her own friends and even stood up to the doctors when her daughter was sick. She also started sticking up for herself. I was very proud of her and the way she made her life. <br />Mary’s father became ill and she took the girls back to Italy to see him and stayed several weeks. Jack her husband was fearful they weren’t going to return because of what people were saying to him. More his mom who never seemed to like his wife and also his ex fiance who was trying to wedge her way back in. <br />I absolutely loved this book, although I did feel like towards the end it was a tad bit rushed but ended in a very nice way (won’t spoil it for ya lol)