This romantic novel is the story of Tess, who is in Florence for a final idyllic holiday before university and whose life it about to change for ever, and Gus who is also on holiday in Florence with his parents. Their lives have already changed suddenly and dramatically. Gus tries to dutiful son but longs to escape and discover what sort of person he is going to be. Tess and Gus meet and part as complete strangers during the holiday.
The book follows the separate lives of Tess and Gus in alternate chapters, in each of which their lives criss-cross over the course of the next sixteen years when live and love offer them very different challenges. Separated by distance and chance the two of them finally end up together, again in Florence.
Although one or two readers did not like the book, the general consensus was that it was well written and enjoyable, a good, light holiday read.
Jane Yardley