Under the Spanish Stars

By: Alli Sinclair

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A life-changing journey, a family secret, a passionate encounter . . . .

1945. When Katarina Sanchez is drawn into the world of flamenco, she’s forced to make a decision - comply with her affluent family’s rigid lifestyle or live a life of poverty but enjoy freedom and self-expression. Although Spain is crippled under a dictatorship, Katarina finds love. However, the tragedy of war brings heartbreak. An opportunity to right a past wrong arises, yet it comes at a cost for Katarina - save the lives of many or potentially lose the only man she’s ever loved.

Present day. Charlotte Kavanagh will do anything to fulfill the wishes of her ailing grandmother, even if it means travelling to Spain to uncover the truth behind a mysterious painting. As Charlotte explores Granada’s ancient cobblestone streets, she meets Mateo Vives, a man with a dark past and the only person who can help Charlotte complete her quest. As the secret surrounding the painting deepens, she discovers her grandmother’s connection to the Spanish underground. Weighed down by secrets and betrayals, Charlotte finds herself questioning the true meaning of heritage, family, and love.

©2016 Alli Sinclair (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

A great story of the past and the future.

I listened to the Audiobook of ‘Under Spanish Stars’ by Alli Sinclair and narrated by Justine Eyre.  This is a story that will span three generations as well as across the world from 1945 to the present time.  A granddaughter will travel to the other side of the world to help her grandmother find out about a painting. As her Grandmother recovers from a broken hip and heart problems.  I have never been to Spain but after listening to the wonderful words of Alli Sinclair I fell as I have as the author‘ description and the narrator's presentation made the story come to life.

Katarina Sanchez has kept her past life in Spain a secret for most of her life but now in her nineties and is hospital she wants a few answers to her past.  Her past was full of passion, danger, loss, love, heartache and tragedy.

Charlotte Kavanagh travels to Granada where she starts her search and meets Mateo Vives, a flamenco guitarist who may just be able to help her find what she needs.  Charlotte may find more than she ever planned to find as she seeks the answers for her beloved Grandmother from flamenco dancing, history of the Spanish Civil War 1939, the history of her Spanish gitano families, rediscovers her love of painting, love, a mystery, passion and family.

I very much enjoyed this audiobook as the story devolved and the characters set about their journey brought the world or Spain to me without leaving my safe little world.  I had a bit of an issue with the Matões voice it sounded like an older male person, not a young sexy young man, so it was harder to connect with him for quite some time during the first half of the reading.  Justine Eyre did a great job with the Australian and Spanish accents to give us the full effect of the author's story to us.

A drama full story of two women from the same family, one living her past and the other just starting her future, where they soon find they have many common traits in common with each other along the way.