Mary K. Savarese, is an author from Florida with a background in all sorts of things like insurance, financing, and even religious education. Now, she's turned her hand to writing, and I've just finished her book, The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper, it's part of her Star Writers Trilogy.
So, the book's got this mix of mystery, spirituality, and romance. It's won a bunch of awards since it came out in 2021, and I can see why. The story jumps between the past and the present, and it starts with this mysterious prologue.
Then, we're in Italy with this guy Tyler, all dressed up and rushing to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The way Savarese describes the scene, you can almost feel the crowd and see the couples' expressions. There's this old Italian man, and you just know something's up.
The plot's about this girl, Lyly, who's trapped by some evil wizard, and Tyler's got to remember his physics class to save her. Sounds weird, right? But trust me, it works. Savarese's has this way of writing that made it hard to switch off form when I had other things I needed to do.
What I liked about this book is how Savarese handles the time jumps. It's not confusing, like, she's guiding you through the story. And it's not just a romance or a mystery. It also has this spiritual element that made me think. Overall this was different, engaging, and I’ll be recommending to friends. ( )

Reading The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper by Mary K Savarese made me feel like I was on a grand adventure. This book follows Tyler Charles, a bright young man with a fondness for physics, who gets sucked through a portal into a two-dimensional world within a wallpaper during a trip to Italy. In this world, he meets Lyly, a girl trapped for over 250 years, and her lover Patrick, who exists as a cat. The story of their love and Tyler's quest to reunite them and return home was heartrending and thrilling in equal measure.
The experience was like stepping into a realm of inventive, original portal fantasy that deftly sidesteps overused genre clichés. The narrative, at times, stirred fond memories of 'Doctor Who' and 'A Wrinkle in Time', yet it stands apart with its unique storyline. Reading this, I felt like I was navigating a complex labyrinth, one filled with numerous characters and intriguing perspectives that added layers of depth to the narrative. I was particularly moved by Lyly's tale of love and defiance and her persistent fight for freedom.
After reading this I felt a sense of fulfillment as if I had completed a journey filled with wonder, mystery, and a dash of romance. The conclusion I came to after reading this was that Savarese has created a world that is both fantastical and incredibly human. I found myself reveling in the incidents that unfolded one after the other, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout. It's a book I believe many who enjoy a touch of science fiction, magic, and a dash of romance will thoroughly enjoy as I did. ( )

The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper by Mary K. Savarese is an enchanting and captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through mysterious worlds, magic cats, and timeless romances. This first book of The StarWriters Trilogy introduces us to Lyly, a young woman whose yearning for true love is shattered when her family loyalty is betrayed by a greedy noble. Imprisoned by an evil wizard, she becomes trapped within the confines of the toile wallpaper. But fate intervenes when Tyler Charles, a young American tourist, enters the picture.

Savarese's storytelling prowess shines through as she weaves a tale of love, adventure, and ancient curses. The vivid and picturesque setting of medieval Tuscan cities like Siena and Florence adds depth and beauty to the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the story. The author's attention to detail is commendable, painting a rich and vivid world that readers will find themselves reluctant to leave.

The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper is a delightful and engaging read for fans of the fantasy genre. With its captivating storyline, magical elements, and timeless romance, it is a book that will transport readers to a world of wonder and keep them eagerly turning the pages. Savarese's debut novel sets the stage for an exciting trilogy, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next instalment. ( )

Time travel story of a young boy, Tyler, who travels into wallpaper back 250 years to right a wrong and move true love forward. Tyler goes to Florence with his Aunt Meg while she has to handle a job removing some precious toile wallpaper. However, after her first day, bringing back some of the panels, Tyler falls ill. Meg has to return to the work site, and while Tyler is alone in the room, he is pulled into the wallpaper. He then hears a story of Lyly and how she was betrothed to an evil man. There is also a story of a Celestial Kitty Cat, who is awaiting his return to human form. It all goes together and Tyler, now an adult man, returns to Florence, seeking true love like he saw with Lyly.
Interesting fairy tale combining fantasy and time travel with romance. ( )

The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper by Mary K. Savarese is an enchanting and captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through mysterious worlds, magic cats, and timeless romances. This first book of The StarWriters Trilogy introduces us to Lyly, a young woman whose yearning for true love is shattered when her family loyalty is betrayed by a greedy noble. Imprisoned by an evil wizard, she becomes trapped within the confines of the toile wallpaper. But fate intervenes when Tyler Charles, a young American tourist, enters the picture.

Savarese's storytelling prowess shines through as she weaves a tale of love, adventure, and ancient curses. The vivid and picturesque setting of medieval Tuscan cities like Siena and Florence adds depth and beauty to the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the story. The author's attention to detail is commendable, painting a rich and vivid world that readers will find themselves reluctant to leave.

The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper is a delightful and engaging read for fans of the fantasy genre. With its captivating storyline, magical elements, and timeless romance, it is a book that will transport readers to a world of wonder and keep them eagerly turning the pages. Savarese's debut novel sets the stage for an exciting trilogy, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next instalment. ( )