A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

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I just marvel over Katherine Reay’s writing.  Her descriptions and story development of families is the raw and beautiful gift.

I feel the layering of people, truth, and life—just like how Emily deals with layers in restoration of art.  Truly this book is a work of art.  At first you think it is just about a beautiful love, but you can tell it is more and the layers of love and family widen and deepen. 

The spiritual truth of grace and belonging are a quiet and rich undertone to the story.  One that stands out in the secrets discovered in this story. 

I felt the beauty of all that way there and realized that this is how I feel every time I read Katherine Reay’s novels.  They are more the just stories.  They are living life.  It isn’t perfect.  Life is messy but there is beauty and love there that astounds you.

This book was beautiful.  I know this review won’t do it justice, so go read it yourself. 

I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher.