March 15, 2024
Shea is in love with John, but when he proposes with an heirloom ring, she can't stop thinking about her Nonna's rule--never accept a proposal with an heirloom. She is obsessed with finding the ring's origin story, believing that if she can track down the previous owner and find out if they had a happy marriage, she will have the same fate. This leads her to Italy, accompanied by her sister Annie and a journalist, Graham, who is interested in writing a story on her. She discovers that the ring was from a failed engagement, then she finds out that the ring had an owner before that. While searching, Graham and Shea become closer, and fianc� John, at home, becomes more insecure. As Shea learns more about herself, she fears that what made her hesitate to accept John's proposal is that she doesn't believe in love or happily ever after. Rosen's captivating debut features strong family ties, tons of superstition, and romance. Rebecca Serle fans will enjoy this novel.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
April 1, 2024
Screenwriter and YA thriller author Rosen's (Dead Ringer) adult debut focuses on love and loss, with mixed results. Shea Anderson is a child of bitter divorce who lives her life by a series of superstitions, foremost to never get married with an heirloom ring; according to Shea's Nonna, wedding rings carry the previous relationship's karma into the new marriage. When Shea's perfect boyfriend proposes with an heirloom ring, she's suddenly filled with doubt. What follows is an engaging European adventure to track the ownership of the ring in order to reassure Shea that it carries only good karma. Shea grows progressively more confused about her own feelings the more she learns about the ring--and the more time she spends with an attractive journalist who isn't her fianc�. The dialogue is snappy and compelling, but some readers may struggle to accept the premise. Shea's introspection, the meat of the novel, doesn't quite connect with her actions, and the ending is perhaps too tidy. VERDICT More women's fiction than rom-com, this novel will find fans but it isn't top of the pack.--Catherine Field
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.