The House By the Sea by Santa Montefiore

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It's been quite a while and I actually finished this novel last month? Yeah, but I started school again and I've just been busy focusing on schoolwork and whatnot. It sucks because I've been neglecting my books and I love reading, so I'm gonna try to get back on track again! Okay, no more excuses, here is my short review:

Set in Italy,"The House By the Sea" is a family history that takes us back and forth in time. At first we are introduced to the young Floriana who is amazed by the beauty of a grand house in her village. She spends a lot of time admiring it. Although Floriana has not had it easy. She's been through a great deal of hardship. But when she encounters Dante, he seems to be the most beautiful thing she has ever set her eyes on. He is also captivated by the young girl and how lively she is. The two quickly bond and grow close. Fast forward some years and we are taken to a small town in England near the ocean. A grand hotel is owned by the hardworking and passionate Marina who would do anything for those around her.

Okay, so a lot of things happen in this novel! Most of the story takes place in England, but every once in a while we are thrown back in time. I must be honest and say that I mostly enjoyed reading the parts about Floriana. I just really loved the setting of the village in Italy! I could just imagine myself being there and everything she went through really hit me. The times were different in the 1960's. Society had strict rules and the barriers of class was a great issue. The story of Floriana was quite tragic, but I enjoyed it the most.

I don't feel like giving away too much of the story.. however, I want to be honest and admit that I did not enjoy reading this novel at all times. The parts in England, which takes up the majority of the novel, just felt too lengthy? It just didn't interest me that much. It was not until the end that I was actually excited. The story itself is interesting, but I felt like it was too long and some part could have been left out and made the novel better. But that's just my opinion. xx

Santa Montefiore, 478 pages, Simon & Schuster, 2011

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