The View From Lake Como

About the book

Jess Capodimonte Baratta is currently not living the life she had always dreamed of. In fact, she's quite far from it.

Residing in the blue-collar town of Lake Como, New Jersey, family is everything to Jess. Recently divorced from Bobby Bilancia, who was seen as "the perfect husband," Jess moves back in with her parents to find solace and heal. She is the overlooked daughter, always putting her family's needs before her own, taking care of her parents, cooking Sunday meals, and neglecting herself. Despite her role as the family caretaker, Jess also has a hidden talent as a draftswoman in her uncle Louie's marble business. Louie, a stylish man, believes in Jess's potential, but suggests she upgrade her wardrobe first.

After a sudden loss hits both the Capodimonte and Baratta families, buried secrets resurface, causing Jess to question her loyalty to those she once trusted. Driven by her abandoned aspirations, Jess decides to take matters into her own hands and embarks on a journey to her ancestral home, Carrara, Italy.

From the stunning marble-capped mountains of Tuscany, to the bustling streets of Milan, and to the charming Lake Como, Jess begins to carve out a new place for herself in this familiar yet foreign land. Meeting Angelo Strazza, a passionate goldsmith, unveils Jess's own artistic talents, leading her to realize her true worth. As Jess delves into her family's past, she uncovers truths that will alter the course of her own life and the lives of those closest to her, forever. In matters of the heart and career, in art and spirit, Jess will need to utilize all her skills to redefine her existence.

Rooted in the author's beloved Italian heritage, this heartwarming and amusing novel tells the tale of a woman determined to lead a meaningful and creative life, while still leaving room for love. Armed with a one-way ticket to Italy, Jess is resolute in crafting a new narrative on her terms--this time, in stone.