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Eternally Rose
INWOOD, LONG ISLAND, NY 1944 - Johnny and Rose were popular high school sweethearts when Johnny enlisted to fight in the war. Before shipping out, Johnny proposed, promising his eternal love to Rose. After the war, Johnny returns a hometown hero and the two young lovers make final preparations for their long-awaited nuptials. However, fate delivers a devastating blow when Rose is suddenly struck down on her wedding day. Now, more than fifty years later, Johnny's son - having lived in the shadow of his father's grief for over half a century - digs up the past to solve the mystery of the woman his father intended to marry instead of his mother. Based on a true story.
290 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 10, 2022
Gorgeous love story
I don't leave book reviews, but this love story moved me. Lena was a saint and deserved so much more.
I don't leave book reviews, but this love story moved me. Lena was a saint and deserved so much more.
June 22, 2022
I read the book in a day and it really resonated with me, not because I grew up Italian….I did not. But I grew up in the same town and went to the same school with its author. We were marginally friendly throughout high school and then parted ways but I have always watched Lou with a fascination that one places on friends who have faced the limelight and not crashed.
As 5 Towns boys our days there are memories, but while divergent they are surprisingly similar. Breakfast today proved that to be so. Our lives here and on the left coast have intertwined while never quite meshing. We both smiled at stories of life partially shared.
Of course, I never knew about Rose when we were kids, maybe it was not a story to be shared as teens. But religion aside, it could be anyones story, partially obscure with half pieces let slip through the years.
I feel that Eternally Rose will continue to grow in the public eye, with its story, made for a larger screen that people of any age, starved for good stories today will appreciate.
Lou, this book should be picked up by a major publisher and shared with families all around the country. Best of luck, Andy
As 5 Towns boys our days there are memories, but while divergent they are surprisingly similar. Breakfast today proved that to be so. Our lives here and on the left coast have intertwined while never quite meshing. We both smiled at stories of life partially shared.
Of course, I never knew about Rose when we were kids, maybe it was not a story to be shared as teens. But religion aside, it could be anyones story, partially obscure with half pieces let slip through the years.
I feel that Eternally Rose will continue to grow in the public eye, with its story, made for a larger screen that people of any age, starved for good stories today will appreciate.
Lou, this book should be picked up by a major publisher and shared with families all around the country. Best of luck, Andy
September 12, 2022
Heartbreaking 💔
A beautiful story based on real events.
Really well written with sensitivity and love.
I could feel Jonny's grief as I read this book. And I really sympathised with Lena, Frank's mother, and Jonny's wife of fifty years.
I won't write anymore so as not to spoil the story, except to say, this is an excellent book, that is well worth a read!
A beautiful story based on real events.
Really well written with sensitivity and love.
I could feel Jonny's grief as I read this book. And I really sympathised with Lena, Frank's mother, and Jonny's wife of fifty years.
I won't write anymore so as not to spoil the story, except to say, this is an excellent book, that is well worth a read!
March 5, 2023
Wonderful and sad
This is such a good book. It's based on the true story of Johnny and Rose. High school sweethearts who knew they belonged together and would marry. Johnny decided that first he needed to drop out of school and sign up for the army, WWII. Rose wrote to him everyday and they both waited eagerly for the day Johnny would come home and they would be together forever. Only they weren't together forever or even married. As she walked down the aisle, Rose died.
Johnny eventually married Lena and they had a son Frank and 2 daughters. Though they were married, Johnny could never really let go of Rose. They story is told mostly through their son Franks voice. The story is about high school friends, family, heartache and love. Frank can see how distant Johnny is from his wife and decides he needs to find out more about Rose and why she died. It's a wonderful story, well written and well developed characters. But heartbreaking because it is true. Read it you will be glad you did.
This is such a good book. It's based on the true story of Johnny and Rose. High school sweethearts who knew they belonged together and would marry. Johnny decided that first he needed to drop out of school and sign up for the army, WWII. Rose wrote to him everyday and they both waited eagerly for the day Johnny would come home and they would be together forever. Only they weren't together forever or even married. As she walked down the aisle, Rose died.
Johnny eventually married Lena and they had a son Frank and 2 daughters. Though they were married, Johnny could never really let go of Rose. They story is told mostly through their son Franks voice. The story is about high school friends, family, heartache and love. Frank can see how distant Johnny is from his wife and decides he needs to find out more about Rose and why she died. It's a wonderful story, well written and well developed characters. But heartbreaking because it is true. Read it you will be glad you did.
November 22, 2023
forever love
This was a well written book, had enough details to keep the reader interested in finding out what was going to happen. Very surprised by who did this and it was intentional but still....a young lady dies. Thanks for sharing what must have been a very painful experience but letting us know what turned some of the facts around for your future.
This was a well written book, had enough details to keep the reader interested in finding out what was going to happen. Very surprised by who did this and it was intentional but still....a young lady dies. Thanks for sharing what must have been a very painful experience but letting us know what turned some of the facts around for your future.
March 3, 2023
Truth is better then Fiction !!
Wow !! This was a great book. I couldn't put it down. I guess what they say truth is better then fiction is definitely proven in this book.I enjoyed it.
Wow !! This was a great book. I couldn't put it down. I guess what they say truth is better then fiction is definitely proven in this book.I enjoyed it.
August 22, 2023
This book was so well written I couldn’t put it down. This is a retelling of a family story so it’s true. I felt so bad for the wife in this story. She was a true saint. I highly recommend this true account of this families history.
May 17, 2025
Sad
Very well written.
Got a bit confused at the start, but once I found my way I was whisked back in time, soaking up the emotions, and living alongside events.
The newspaper articles at the end hit it home that it was real. So sad 😢
Very well written.
Got a bit confused at the start, but once I found my way I was whisked back in time, soaking up the emotions, and living alongside events.
The newspaper articles at the end hit it home that it was real. So sad 😢
June 15, 2022
BRAVO! Finally, a book that melds my love of romance and mystery -- and WHAT A RIDE this story is! The best book I've read in a long, long time!
July 8, 2022
It is an amazing and sad love story. I did find it hard to follow and that is why I only gave it two stars.
January 19, 2023
This story could ve been told in 10 pages.
April 24, 2023
Surprisingly Great Read!
This one does not disappoint and !keeps your interest all the way to the end. Surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. Read it in no time.
This one does not disappoint and !keeps your interest all the way to the end. Surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. Read it in no time.
August 3, 2023
Sad story - could have been told in 15 pages. Character development was week. Confusing and hard to follow.
August 12, 2023
read in one day
Incredibly sad story of a tragic love story - couldn’t stop reading - just took a day to read - highly recommended
Incredibly sad story of a tragic love story - couldn’t stop reading - just took a day to read - highly recommended
December 25, 2023
Excellent!
January 3, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. How it went from the past to the present. Well Written.
October 10, 2024
Don't bother. Story rambles and could be told in a few paragraphs.
December 30, 2023
When I wake up during the night and need to get the book finished then you know it was great I will follow Mastantuono! Since I am Italian I enjoyed the many traditions!
May 25, 2022
Touching and tragic love story. Evokes so many emotions. Loved it so much I read it twice! Definitely recommend. 👍🏼👍🏼
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews