Combine family dynamics, long-buried secrets, career turmoil, heartbreak and the potential of new romance, and you have the recipe for a fabulous book. In “Once Upon a Sunset” (Gallery Books), Tif Marcelo effortlessly tosses together all those ingredients into a novel that delivers the full spectrum of feels.

Diana Gallagher-Cary is a respected OB/GYN in a prestigious hospital in Washington, D.C. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother Leora, a heart-battering breakup with her long-term boyfriend, and the adjustment to sharing her house with her free-spirited mom, Diana makes a medical judgment call that lands her in trouble with hospital administration. Forced to take a short sabbatical, Diana turns her nervous attention to putting her life back in order.

When her mom, Margo, stumbles upon a box of letters from Diana’s grandfather, Antonio, to her grandmother dated from the 1940s, Diana embarks on a trip to discover her heritage. The realization that they have unknown relatives in the Philippines propels Diana on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that challenges her identity, her relationship with her mother and her idea of romantic love.

A MULTIGENERATIONAL TALE

I adored the double mother-daughter twist to this book. Not only do we feel the push-and-pull between Dianna and Margo but are also treated to an inside look into the relationship between Margo and her mother, as well as Dianna’s connection to her grandmother. Marcelo explores how different people, different generations, react to the same situation, taking the reader on a heartfelt, emotional journey that will have you questioning your own reactions to situations.

I love books that take me to new places and introduce me to cultures I’m not familiar with. Marcelo’s descriptions are vivid and lush, showing her intimate knowledge of the Philippines. “Once Upon a Sunset” is a virtual vacation that had me wanting to book a flight.

I’m also a sucker for long-buried family secrets, and Marcelo masterfully weaves in the letters and history between Antonio and Leora. They are a beautiful reminder of the sacrifices we’re sometimes forced to make.

This is a lovely story about family and friendships, feuds and forgiveness, life’s challenges and the choices we make. It’s about characters who find the inner strength to take on the unknown. I was captivated by Marcelo’s storytelling and can’t wait to read more by this author.

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