Always Julia - by Ava Zacardi (Paperback)

About the Book

Forget any notion that art simply imitates life. Life is an art. A well-lived life is a masterpiece. Julia DeRosa, an artist at a crossroads, longs to fill the negative spaces in her life with new beginnings.

Book Synopsis

Forget any notion that art simply imitates life. Life is an art. A well-lived life is a masterpiece. Julia DeRosa, an artist at a crossroads, longs to fill the negative spaces in her life with new beginnings.

The story starts with a memory revealed in a dream. A dream that sets in motion a cascade of revelations. Recently divorced and unemployed, Julia finds herself living alone in a small house in Astoria. The reappearance of a childhood friend, Sam, complicates matters. Haunting memories, surprising realities, and personal triumphs draw a new, unexpected picture.

Spanning decades of their lives, family members lift themselves off the pages and into your heart. Hope, sorrow, and love paint a poignant portrait of a family. Fans of Adriana Trigiani will love this engaging family saga.

Always Julia is an emotional roller coaster with unexpected twists and turns. This fast-paced novel draws you in and leaves you wanting more.

Review Quotes

Why trust a stranger who tells you a book is 'unputdownable'? In my case, I read and review books for a living (for a respected publication you'd recognize); and Always Julia is a funny, fast-paced, romantic yet unsentimental read with characters who won't stay on the page -- nope, they get into your head and invade your heart, making you wish you could join their messy, maddening family. Zacardi's debut novel is better than 85% of the books I've reviewed in the past five years, and if you're like me, you'll brag about it to everyone you know and insist they buy copies. Zacardi is the best writer in contemporary women's fiction that you've never heard of -- but she won't be unknown for long. By the time you reach the last page, I promise you'll agree: this is a terrific, unputdownable read.

Linda Lowen, author of 100 Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die