Ruby
A sweeping tale of love, sacrifice, and family honor set in the heart of Tuscany.
Cynthia Jordan's Ruby is a richly imagined work of historical fiction that captures the beauty, tragedy, and passion of 19th-century Italy. From the very first pages, readers are transported to the vineyards of Villa di Coronado, where love and loyalty collide against the expectations of family and society.
At its heart is the story of Carlotta di Coronado, a spirited young woman born into privilege but bound by duty. Her forbidden love with Alessandro, the handsome grandson of the family's winemaker, blossoms amidst the rolling hills and ruby-red grapes of Tuscany. Their love story is both tender and tragic-a portrait of youthful devotion tested by the cruel realities of class, tradition, and greed.
Jordan's writing shines with cinematic beauty, immersing readers in the lush scenery of Italian vineyards, convent gardens overlooking the Mediterranean, and candlelit villas filled with whispered secrets. But Ruby is not merely a romance-it is a powerful reflection on family ("la famiglia"), the sacrifices women make, and the enduring strength of sisterhood.
Carlotta's mother, Anna, mirrors her daughter's fate, having once sacrificed her own love for family duty. Through this poignant parallel, Jordan explores how generational cycles of repression and resilience shape women's destinies. The contrast between Carlotta's romantic courage and her sister Catarina's spiritual devotion creates a profound balance between earthly passion and divine faith.
The novel's namesake, a dazzling ruby necklace, becomes a haunting symbol-of temptation, wealth, and the price of freedom. It ties together love, loss, and redemption in a way that feels timeless and deeply human.
With elegant prose and vivid historical detail, Jordan brings 1800s Italy to life-its beauty, its brutality, and its unyielding sense of honor. Fans of The Thorn Birds, A Room with a View, and Bridgerton will find Ruby both heartbreaking and unforgettable.
Verdict:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A masterpiece of passion and tragedy, Ruby gleams like its namesake gemstone-deep, beautiful, and cut with pain. Cynthia Jordan delivers a story that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that true love, though fragile, is eternal.
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