My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it
As teenagers, Celia and Manny planned their future together in the branches of a mango tree. Soon afterward, Manny leaves Fogo Island for college, expecting to marry Celia and take her to America once he graduates. However, during Manny’s schooling, the volcano near Celia’s village erupts, burying her home.
They lose contact with each other, and Celia comes to believe that Manny has fallen in love with someone else. When their lives intersect again, too much has changed for their plans to ever become a reality, yet the promises they made and the desires of their hearts persist, becoming unforgettable.
My Review
I learned a lot from this book about a culture I'd never been exposed to- the people of Cape Verde. The island sounds idyllic and so does the relationship between Manny and Celia, until the erupting volcano changes the course of their lives. I was saddened by the diverging paths they took, and looked forward to the part of the story when they would be reunited. So much hardship was experienced by Celia, but I loved how the author focused on the kindnesses and hope she found in the support of her friends and family. There are many lessons that she and Manny learn over time, and the question of should they take a second chance on each other is one they struggle with- but because they each feel unworthy. I appreciated that they only saw the best in each other and brought out the best in each other. There are exciting moments, tense scenes, and tender experiences that made this book stand out in unique ways.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
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