I loved the setting of this book, which is reminiscent of Chocolat. Like Chocolat, however, the story didn't work as well as the setting.

Like many books today, the story is told in two different timelines: present day-ish and the sixteenth century. The present-day story centers around Ella and her move to France with her architect husband. She spends much of the book complaining, focusing far too much on herself, and meandering about with little purpose. She seems young and immature.

This is the third book in a row that I've read that demonstrates how secrets destroy trust and feature main characters making bad decisions that I really can't sympathize with.

The historical storyline is about Isabella, an ancestor of Ella's, who was brought up Catholic with a very strong connection to the Virgin Mary, but outwardly became a follower of the Truth as Calvinism spread across France.

Ella researches her family history as a way to feel like she belongs in France, and slowly learns about the Tourniers that came before her. But there is a huge gap between what she learns and what she seemingly knows at the end of the book. Did all of that come to her in a dream? Did she pick it up somewhere off the page?

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And how did she know where Marie was buried?

It gets very messy at the end. A lot happens. People don't seem to act the way I think they would.

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For instance, why does Lucien help her vandalize an old building when he barely knows her, even if he does have a crush on her?

Overall, I was underwhelmed. I almost gave up early in and I should have.