Tell It to the Skies

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which begins in Venice, even though begins with a remarkable coincidence. After introducing forty-something Lydia and her Italian family, she is persuaded to tell her previously untold story.

The novel then takes us back to the past to Lydia's childhood in the UK. There's a poignant love story which goes sadly wrong, amidst a stark, abusive and sometimes sordid childhood. Then the action moves back to the present for the last part of the book.

I found this book gripping, sometimes moving, and very much a page-turner. When I re-read it, over fifteen years later, I reacted the same way as I had entirely forgotten the story. A couple of over-explicit love scenes make it not quite a top favourite, but show more recommended nonetheless.

Latest longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2024/11/tell-it-to-skies-by-erica-james.htm... show less

Orphaned, Lydia and her sister are sent to live with cruel grandparents who are part of a religious cult. The person who gets Lydia through her childhood and teenage years is her best friend Noah who is scarred himself by the loss of his parents. In an effort to protect Noah after a murder is carried out, Lydia flees everything and everyone she has known in England and seeks refuge in Venice. 28 years later, a familiar face in the crowd causes all those memories to come flooding back and she must make a journey back into her past to uncover secrets and find out what happened to the people she left behind. A moving story, enjoyed.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it would fall into the category of light reading, it had enough intrique to maintain my interest throughout. The characters were a little "too good to be true" at times, but I warmed to them. This experience has prompted me to go on and read some more by this author.

A tale of jumping to conclusions and living with the repercussions.

Lydia lives through her miserable and traumatic childhood, where her only bright lights are Sister Lottie, Joey and of course Noah. The culmination of events changes everything and effects the life of Lydia, her sister Valerie and of course Noah.

Until, one day in Venice...

Moving and enjoyable.

This book would have benefitted from some editing. Too long, but interesting.

A good holiday read - slightly unbelievable in parts but then those of us who are romantics will love the ending!!!!

Lekker licht voor tussendoor, vlot geschreven maar niet goed.
De vriendschappen zijn innemend.
Er mag best wat toeval in een verhaal zijn, maar acht ouders die vroeg zijn overleden om het verhaal te kunnen vertellen is wel wat veel van het 'goede'.
En pech, dit is minstens het vieropeenvolgende boek dat ik lees dat veelal vanuit een meisje wordt verteld.

Ondanks all onwaarschijnlijkheden in gebeurtenissen en gedrag ga ik toch meeleven met de hoofdpersonen.
Moeilijk een waardering in sterren te geven.
thema's: loyaliteit, liefde, misbruik, sektarieme.