When I interviewed Montgomery for The Authors Show, I was surprised to learn that she is neither Italian nor Irish; and that while she lived in Chicago for a while, she is not a native. So how did she get it so right? All I know is that this is a wonderful read; not a chic lit romance, and not heavy literature – it’s just the right mix of fact and fiction. Montgomery is a master at research and the historical aspect of the times is spot on. Her characters are believable, they are real in every way and you come to care about them. The way the story weaves between the two families, eventually bringing them together, is fascinating. While the story is set in a turbulent time in US history (the age of Prohibition and gangsters), the warmth of the Italian family and the almost frigid feel of the Irish family, are stories about people. I am recommending this book to all my friends who are looking for something just a bit beyond a light read. This is a wonderful book and I eagerly await the next chapter in these character’s lives. ( )