Eternal by Lisa Scottoline

We are all aware of Lisa Scottoline's legal thrillers and the hilarious essay collections she writes with her daughter but now she has mastered another genre - historical fiction. The author shares with us an intimate view of Rome in WWII that centers around three fictional characters but feels very personal. Three teens bound by love and friendship find themselves in a city poised for war and fractured by hate. Marco and his family are involved in the Facist movement and government. They believe in it but later will begin to question the injustice they are seeing. Sandro and his family are Jewish and scholars who see Rome as the eternal city of light and learning and an integral part of the community. Elizabetta is the love interest of both of them. She is smart and is in love with both boys for very different reasons. She will endure much loss and grief yet continues to look and find decency in the people of her city. It is a history lesson, a sweeping love story and a tale of hope that human decency and kindness will prevail even in the darkest periods. For historical fiction lovers especially those that want to get swept up in their stories. Best read with a good bottle of red wine and fresh pasta!  4 1/2 stars