This book is based on Henry James' The Golden Bowl which I haven't read. So, I had no point of reference. But I feel the author hit the nail on the head.
It was a domestic drama filled with secrets. I liked the multiple POVs because you get to hear from each of the main characters (plus a family friend), which keeps you informed of their intentions and inner monologue. It felt that we, more than any other person in the book, had the closest to the full picture.

I will say, I felt it had a slow start, but picks up as the drama heats up. While I was a little frustrated with the ending, I understand. I think the description is accurate and that folks who like Kate Atkinson will like this book. This could also be a great book club book because I can see this book generating a ton of different opinions.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐖𝐋, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧! 𝐆𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲!

The plot is indeed timeless - a young woman from a massively wealthy “old money” family, an impoverished prince, and a star crossed love story. Smith’s writing is spellbinding, lyrical and engaging; it is impossible to not be enraptured by this deliciously angsty romantic tale.

The Italian prince, Frederico, falls in love with a young American heiress, Emily, the daughter of a wealthy widower,Henry. Emily and her father are extremely close, having lost the matriarch of the family years earlier.

The story begins with Frederico signing prenup documents in the family law office, days before his and Emily’s wedding…

All would have been well and good but for Emily’s childhood friend, Christina, who shows up at the wedding. It just so happens that Frederico and Christina had once been lovers in Italy! She wanted to get married and have babies, he rejected her, claiming that as he was impoverished he couldn’t support a family. Christina was left heartbroken, utterly devastated.

Petite shocker - it was the same family friend, Jean, an art expert, who introduced Frederico to both Emily and Christina - she did not disclose to Emily the secret of Frederico’s prior romance when Christina showed up at the wedding.

Frederico and Christina remain infatuated with each other. Meanwhile, Emily’s father is falling for Christina. The plot thickens.

My gratitude to NetGalley, Dinitia Smith, and Skyhorse Publishing Arcade, for the opportunity to read this delightful e-ARC in exchange for my honest and wholly independent opinion.