From the bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife, a Richard and Judy book club pick, comes an exhilarating story of friendship, family, love and loyalty, told against a backdrop of Shakespeare's greatest comedies.

In 1949, South Philadelphia is bursting with possibility. When an urgent telegram from Italy upends the ordinary life of Nicky Castone, he begins to wonder whether there's more to life than a steady job in the family business and a sweet-natured fiancée.

Discovering in secret the draw of the local Shakespeare theatre company, Nicky quickly becomes enchanted by the stage, its colourful players and the feisty Calla Borelli, who runs the show. But before long, Nicky finds himself on the horns of a dilemma. Will he return to his conventional life and family, or does he have what it takes to risk everything and chart a new course?

*~*~*Readers love Adriana Trigiani!*~*~*

'A gorgeous piece of escapism . . . Plenty of the warm, earthy humour that is this author's calling card' The Times

'A rich, sweeping epic... If you're meeting her work for the first time, get ready for a lifelong love affair. Splendid' Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help on The Shoemaker's Wife

‘A tender tale of being torn between family, career and love’ -- Company on Lucia, Lucia

'[Adriana Trigiani] has crafted a world of warm, lively characters whose charming idiosyncrasies lead them to collide and ricochet along the way to love. A delightfully sprawling comedy' Kirkus Reviews on Kiss Carlo

'The breathtaking historical novel sparkles in exquisite details and vivid descriptions' Huffington Post on The Shoemaker's Wife

‘The author of BIG STONE GAP triumphs again’ -- Heat on Lucia, Lucia