Last Voyage Of The Valentina

Book “Last Voyage of the Valentina” was written by Santa Montefiore. This was the first book I have read that was written by her, and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised. The best I can describe this book is as drama with unexpected twist that left me a bit sad due to its life story.

Story of this book revolves around beautiful young woman who grew up with her Father and stepmother and two stepsisters. As any Cinderella story, this one also starts with bad feelings toward stepmother. However, main character, whose name was Alba, started a journey of her life, looking for history of her deceased mother. Her Mother died when Alba was still a little baby, and Alba and her Father came to England to live with his parents. Alba Mother’s name was Valentina, and her Father and stepmother never talked about her. Alba became a rebel in her childhood, thinking everybody was against her. That also affected her personal love life where she changed boyfriends frequently, never feeling anything for anybody. Nobody could fill a void she was feeling in her heart.

She decided to go to Italy and trace her routs. She wanted to find out what happened to her Mother and if there was any relatives left. In a small Italian town, she found her Grandmother and uncles. She learnt what happened to her Mother and this is where the story takes its twist.

This book is a very easy read and nice bedtime book. I read it slowly, over few nights, wanting to prolong the story and let it sit with me for a while. I enjoyed the book very much. I liked Alba, and this new, stronger person she became in her life. This book goes back in time, to World War II, and life in Italy at that time. Love between English soldier and Italian young woman that became romance almost comparable to Shakespeare drama.

Santa Montefiore writes in a very lovely way, making her language clear and easy to read. I truly enjoyed the book and am looking forward reading other books she wrote.

Review Girl rating: