"With the big heart of Moonstruck, the sumptuous menu of Big Night, and the nonstop drama of every Italian family in your neighborhood, The Owner & The Wife is an operatic story of love in all its multifaceted forms. A delightful way to spend an evening with company you hope will never leave."
-Christopher Castellani, author of All This Talk of Love
"From its unforgettable characters to the moving love story at the heart of the novel, The Owner & The Wife takes you to the vibrant streets of Little Italy, New York, and a special restaurant that will forever change one woman's life. Sarah Arcuri masterfully draws readers into her captivating novel and is a storytelling talent to watch."
-Rosanna Chiofalo, author of The Sunflower Girl
From Italian American social media sensation Sarah Arcuri (@thesweetpaisana) comes a dazzling debut novel full of love and passion, Puccini operas, and mouthwatering Italian cuisine.
It is 1985 in New York City, and Scarlett Ciccone is a young woman who knows neither her worth nor her culture until she steps foot inside Valenti's - Little Italy's hottest restaurant. While Scarlett is eager to learn the ropes of the restaurant business, she gets more than she bargained for when she meets the two Italian-born brothers who own one of the most sought-after establishments in all of Manhattan. Charming and magnetic, Enzo is the personality behind his eponymous eatery, while his younger brother Francesco, a wildly talented chef, prefers to stay behind the closed doors of the kitchen. What ensues is a love triangle founded in a fierce rivalry between brothers with Scarlett's heart at stake. Soon she'll have to choose between the brother with whom she had an instant connection, and the one who tries to cook his way into her heart, all while discovering who she truly is and what it means to be Italian.
From the lively streets of Little Italy to the crystal blue shores of Montauk to the dazzling casinos of Atlantic City, The Owner & The Wife is the story of three perfectly imperfect people who learn to reconcile with their pasts, face the consequences of their choices, and step into the truest versions of themselves. Complete with a cast of vivid, deeply human characters, rich settings, and an immersive experience of Italian American culture, The Owner & The Wife delves into the behind-the-scenes of the restaurant industry, the visceral complexities of relationships in all their forms, and above all, the transcendent power of true love. A stunning debut, Sarah Arcuri crafts an irresistible tale that will leave readers with their hearts full and stomachs growling.
