Review: The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence by Alyssa Palombo

The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence

by Alyssa Palombo

Publisher: St Martin's

Pages: 320

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  A girl as beautiful as Simonetta Cattaneo never wants for marriage proposals in 15th Century Italy, but she jumps at the chance to marry Marco Vespucci. Marco is young, handsome and well-educated. Not to mention he is one of the powerful Medici family’s favored circle.

Even before her marriage with Marco is set, Simonetta is swept up into Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici’s glittering circle of politicians, poets, artists, and philosophers. The men of Florence―most notably the rakish Giuliano de’ Medici―become enthralled with her beauty. That she is educated and an ardent reader of poetry makes her more desirable and fashionable still. But it is her acquaintance with a young painter, Sandro Botticelli, which strikes her heart most. Botticelli immediately invites Simonetta, newly proclaimed the most beautiful woman in Florence, to pose for him. As Simonetta learns to navigate her marriage, her place in Florentine society, and the politics of beauty and desire, she and Botticelli develop a passionate intimacy, one that leads to her immortalization in his masterpiece, The Birth of Venus. 

Kritters Thoughts:  Another historical fiction book that completely took me into this place and time and I loved every minute of it.  The Birth of Venus is a famous painting, I would be surprised to hear of anyone who can't bring a picture of it up in their minds and to read a story inspired by the inspiration of the painting was so interesting.  To read of the drama that went behind that painting made me appreciate that painting more and maybe even made me want to find more stories about the creation of other paintings and how they came to be.  

As with all great historical fiction books, I was googling mid way through the book.  I wanted to see how close to the truth this book was and I loved how close it was to the truth.  I loved that I could finish reading this book and have new knowledge about how this painting may have come to life.  

I love how Alyssa Palombo writes.  The characters, setting and time all feel cohesive and honest.  Everything works together to make a great story.  I think part of the added help is that there is truth backing up the story as a perfect foundation.

I have read both of Alyssa Palmombo's books and loved them both.  I hope she has more to come.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from St Martin's Press.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.