An Italian immigrant family. A secret that put lives on hold for decades.
One unforgettable story of survival, sacrifice, and the American Dream.
Forty Years can pass in the blink of an eye...or in the telling of one unforgettable story.
Italy, 1900...After years of torment and neglect, Victoria and her four small children immigrate to Hell's Kitchen, New York, to escape her alcoholic, abusive husband. On the day they leave, he tragically dies, but she does not learn of his death for several years—a secret that puts many lives on hold.
Quickly, they realize America's streets are not paved with gold, and the limits of human faith and stamina are tested time and time again. Poverty, illness, death, kidnapping, and the reign of organized crime are just some of the crosses they bear.
Victoria's eldest son, Vincenzo, is the sole surviving member of the family and shares a gut-wrenching account of their lives with his daughter during a visit to Ellis Island on his ninetieth birthday. He explains how the lives of he and his siblings have been secretly intertwined with an infamous Irish mob boss and ends his unsettling disclosure with a monumental request that leaves Clare speechless.
Forty Years in a Day is layered with the struggles and successes of each family member and defines the character of an era. Follow the Montanaro family through several decades, and stand in the shoes of a past generation.
"With a surprise twist added to the mix, Forty Years In A Day is an
unforgettable book and a testimony to the perseverance of the human spirit." — The True Book Addict
Praised by readers and critics alike
★★★★★
"A sprawling, stirring narrative with almost lyrical prose, not to mention a plot twist I most definitely did not see coming… one of those books that grabs your attention from the very beginning."
The Coffee Pot Book Club · Five Star Award
★★★★★
"A thought-provoking family saga set in 1900s New York that is so good it will pull you into its deepest core of pain, love, and grief… the book is devastatingly beautiful!"
BookStopCorner
★★★★★
"You will have a hard time putting this book down. It is amazing! This emotional story is told beautifully, with vivid descriptions, and it's full of hope and full of dreamers."
Overstuffed Princess Reviews
★★★★★
"I rate this book five out of five stars — it was an exhilarating, beautiful, and captivating read. When I thought the story was ending, she hit her readers with another shocking revelation."
OnlineBookClub.org
★★★★★
"The writing is so good, the characters jump off the page and feel so real. This is a wonderful, yet intensely emotional story."
Must Read Faster Reviews
★★★★★
"Forty Years In A Day so brilliantly illuminates the hardships and tribulations of a family coming to America in the 1900s."
Laura Terry, Author of Intertwined