The Rose of Florence - Angela M. Sims (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/06/2023

Author: Angela M. Sims

Publisher: Romaunce Books

Publication Date: April 2023

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

1478: Gianetta and Matteo have a happy life, working in service to the wealthy Rosini family. They are used to entertaining rich and powerful members of Florentine society in Palazzo Rosini, where Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici and Botticelli are regular visitors. Even when the Medici brothers narrowly escape the Palazzo with their lives (an accident, surely?), Gianetta and Matteo can’t imagine that the growing unrest in the streets of Florence would ever spoil their happiness.

When a bloody conspiracy erupts in the heart of Florence, in the city’s beloved Duomo, nobody is left unaffected by the aftermath. When the family hear that Matteo is among the conspirators, Gianetta knows that her life will never be the same.

Review:

        Located in the heart of 15th-century Florence, 'The Rose of Florence' is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends romance, mystery, and history. The novel is uniquely styled in the form of an Italian meal, with each course tantalizing our appetite and the ending providing the satisfying conclusion of a memorable dinner. As a reader, I found myself intrigued by the Italian cuisine mentioned at the beginning of each part, and I would love to experience it all one day. 

        The story is set in Palazzo Rosini, the opulent home of the wealthy Rosini family and their loyal servants. The family caters to the powerful Medici brothers and the renowned painter Botticelli, who are frequent visitors to the palazzo. However, not everyone in Florence is content with the Medici's control over the city, and there are frequent attempts on their lives, even within the walls of Palazzo Rosini. The tension builds to a crescendo on Easter Sunday, culminating in a shocking uprising and blood bath that horrifies the entire city.

        The Rosini family also suffers a devastating loss, and Gianetta and Matteo find themselves at the centre of a web of conspiracies. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed with each passing chapter, and we are enveloped in a comfortable anxiety, confident that all will be resolved in due time.

        While Gianetta and Matteo are the central characters, the story does not revolve solely around them. Instead, it is a richly woven tapestry that explores the Rosini family's forward-thinking attitudes, particularly given the time period. The novel also features cameo appearances by historical figures such as Machiavelli and Leonardo Da Vinci, reflecting the Italian cities' high regard for art and artists.

        Overall, 'The Rose of Florence' is a masterfully crafted novel that transports the reader to a bygone era, immersing them in a world of intrigue, passion, and artistry. 

Meet the author:

Angela’s background is in healthcare, and she has been a university lecturer since 2010. Her writing experience was limited to a master’s dissertation, purely academic, but the research skills she learned during that process were soon used in researching her favourite topic, the Italian Renaissance. It didn’t take long before the seeds of a story began to germinate, and The Rose of Florence her debut novel blossomed.