I have some mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the narrative techniques, especially the descriptions, but also the pacing and the genuine dialogues (a lot of Spanish words). The ending is predictable, though, and the plot reminded me of "Shadow of the Wind".
Another thing I couldn't overpass was the fact I couldn't empathise at all with Aurelio Lopez, I couldn't stand his "contemplative" (=lazy) nature, his loose morals and bias towards Maria, his spending time on the mountain "communicating" with nature while Carmela took care of his taverna and his family. I liked Carmela's enterprising spirit, her determination to get the respect she deserved. She is pityful in the end, when you realize that her twisted mind is the cause of her inability to love her own child.
There are also a few gaps in the plot: did Aurelio's niece commited suicide, was anyone accountable for that? Did Andres return to Granada, did he find out the truth about his ties with the other characters, did he fulfill his dream?

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review. Beautifully written and engaging. This is a story that focuses on two people who meet and fall in love. It spans over time starting with their lives before meeting through marriage, having a child and into middle age. It explores how their relationship is shaped by many elements including era, age, class, cultural norms and mistakes made by each character. There are so many aspects to the story that it is challenging to sum it up in one or two sentences. The author successfully draws the reader in to a place where it is possible to feel and think as the characters do. There were twists and reveals that challenged my beliefs and forced me to think about the story long after I'd finished reading it. It is heartbreaking and tragic but worth the read. This review can also be found on Amazon.