Publisher: Lyrical Press (6th December 2016)

Description…..

Previously published by Mira in Australia and New Zealand

Amid the vivid beauty of Granada, a woman entrusted with unraveling a family secret will discover the truth about her heritage—and the alluring promise of love…

When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Charlotte Kavanagh will do whatever she asks of her—even if it means traveling to a country that broke her abuela’s heart. Can an unsigned painting of a flamenco dancer unlock the secrets of her grandmother’s youth in Spain? To find the answers she needs, Charlotte must convince the charismatic and gifted musician, Mateo Vives to introduce her to a secluded gypsy clan.

The enigmatic Mateo speaks the true language of flamenco, a culture Charlotte must learn to appreciate if she wants to understand her grandmother’s past—and the flamenco legend that has moved souls to beauty, and bodies to the heights of passion. As Mateo leads her into the captivating world of the music and the dance, Charlotte embraces her own long-denied creative gift and the possibility of a future rich with joy…

My review…..

Under The Spanish Stars is another book which has been waiting ever so patiently on my Kindle and Netgalley list.

When we first meet Charlotte, her Grandmother (Abuela) is a very poorly lady and has asked Charlotte to travel to Granada, where she spent her youth, to find out the truth behind an unsigned painting her father had given to her.

The story alternates between Abuela telling her story back in 1944 and the present day when Charlotte is trying to find out the truth of her Grandmother’s past. A past which she has spoken very little off previously.

It’s hardly a quick and easy journey for Charlotte given that she lives in Australia and she is torn between carrying out her Abuela’s wishes and being by her side whilst she is so poorly. Little does she know how at home she will start feel in Granada, especially when she finds herself drawn to the charismatic Mateo.

Under The Spanish Stars is a lovely romantic read, but with a lot more depth than I was expecting, if I’m honest. The chemistry between the characters is very real and believable. Their stories are both heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. The story features a lot of Spanish history and the detailed descriptions of Flamenco are so full of passion. It was easy to picture the dancers and the musicians as they performed and I could almost feel the electricity in the room, as if I was there.

All sorts of family secrets are unravelled as Charlotte uncovers the truth, one which is especially devastating for Abuela. At the same time Charlotte finds herself imagining a future very different to the one she once saw herself living.

This is a captivating read which I am happy to recommend.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy via Netgalley.