In the early 1920s in Southern Italy, two young women – unknown to each other and from different areas of the same village near Naples – make a decision that, by coincidence, intersects their lives. For the first young woman, Maria, war, earthquakes and other catastrophes create a stark environment, but she “needed nothing in the world or wanted...;” she “was among the privileged, wealthy living in a valley town east of Naples...” The other young woman would cry herself to sleep overhearing her parents arguing that “they would have been better off” if she were not born.

Written from multiple points of view, “The Rock in Our Story” by JR Giuliano tells a tale of love from several different perspectives, imparting each character’s personality into their dialogue through revealing their thoughts. The author’s vivid descriptions of the scenes surrounding the characters brings the reader directly into the story.

Readers learn why Maria became Sister Verona and about her affection for the child, her namesake, Maria Della Notte, left by the other woman at the convent. We experience Sister Verona’s life in the monastery. “I loved getting outside as soon as possible to feed the birds and watch the rabbits and squirrels as they scrounged for the bread I dropped.” “I loved the sweet fragrances of flowers on the wind and homemade bread baking in the oven, to see sunrises, sunsets, rainbows...” “I treasured nothing more than the sounds of life.”

We follow Maria as she grows up under the tutelage of Sister Verona. “I didn’t know I was an orphan. I didn’t even know what an orphan was.” “Sister Verona was my best friend.” “She called me Principessa – Little Princess. I felt special when she called me that.” Maria’s idyllic life is shattered, though, when she learns she is being sent to America “where anything – anything – is possible.” Disillusioned and feeling betrayed, she ignores Sister Verona’s heartfelt advice and angrily leaves the convent: “There was no life left for me back with Sister Verona – I willed myself to look away and never look back.”

In Naples, Maria meets the Romano family and travels with them on the SS Taormina to Philadelphia, where her new family waits. On the journey, Luca Romano takes over the narrative. The same age as Maria and from another area of the same village; he “was heartbroken when my father and two oldest brothers left for America.” Now he is traveling with his mother and other siblings to reunite the entire family.

In America, Maria and the Romano family part at the pier, and as the story progresses, both Maria and Luca recount their adjustments and accomplishments of life in an unfamiliar country that is sometimes hostile. Maria is fortunate, her new family offers her all the advantages of wealth, but they do enforce their goals on her to constantly strive to be the best. With her heart still at the convent in Italy – and Sister Verona very much on her mind – Maria battles her feelings of love for her past life with the acceptance of imposed expectations in her new life.

Luca arrives in a neighborhood filled with “extended family and friends,” and although living in a less prosperous and more segmented neighborhood, “half the faces were familiar” and he “couldn’t have been happier living in any other place.” He quickly fits in and learns about the life of an immigrant teenager growing up in America.

Six years later, Maria and Luca accidentally meet at an Italian festival in New Jersey and decide to continue a friendly relationship, but even though their feelings for each other are strong, conflicting lifestyles and choices prevent a lasting bond. Several more years pass before Maria and Luca meet again, and make a life-changing decision.

“The Rock in Our Story” is an inspiring affirmation of “acceptance, appreciation, kindness, compassion, and understanding.” It’s a heartwarming story about love “the love we have for ourselves and the love we share with those around us” and a Valentine gift from the author. The Afterword includes a reprint of the beautiful “Desiderata,” written by American poet Max Ehrmann in 1927.

Throughout the story, the wisdom of Sister Verona and her gift of “Desiderata” prevails. Maria leans on her words whenever she faces an obstacle. “There is good in everything and everyone, Principessa. But unfortunately, you can find evil too, if you look for it. So, remember, whatever you seek most, you will find.” “Follow your heart, Principessa, follow your dreams; there will be crossroads and choices to make; choose wisely – cross carefully.” “Neither the past nor the future is ours to live. We have only now to live, to love, and to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us.”