Review: When It Falls Apart

When It Falls Apart by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 highly recommended stars. However, a little caveat from me, the first half or so of this book may not appeal to a young audience. It deals with a lot of the realities of dealing with the elderly, especially those that have had strokes or major illnesses and may require long-term nursing home care. Be warned-I went through it, and it is all exactly how Ms. Bybee describes it. This is a new author for me, but I do believe I will be in the market for more books by Ms. Bybee. But along with the despair of taking care of an aging parent is the newness and hopefulness of a new romance. Not only a new romance with the perfect Italian man but his wonderful family, his daughter, and a tight-knit Italian community (another Little Italy on the west coast!) To add even more spice to this dish, we have Luca's ex-wife come strolling into the picture after abandoning her daughter all those years ago. This was the perfect, fast (1 day for me), steamy, emotional, and happy summer read. This is one that will be going onto my comfort bookshelf. *ARC supplied by the publisher Montlake, the author, and NetGalley. Many thanks.

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SYNOPSIS: "From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes a bittersweet romance about the power of love in the face of heartbreak and loss.

Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. He’s her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesn’t anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diego’s Little Italy.

Luca D’Angelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, he’s angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?

As Luca learns of Brooke’s difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Luca’s struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?"