The Smile

A lush historical fiction young adult romance that tells the tale of Mona Lisa in prose as rich as the high Renaissance. “The historical detail and the romantic tragedy and redemption will prompt a closer inspection of Leonardo’s masterpiece.”—Publishers Weekly Hers is the most famous portrait in the world. A young woman named Elisabetta yearns for more in life but believes that her plain appearance will forever hold her back. But fate has other plans when she visits the enchanting city of Florence. She catches the eye of the great Leonardo da Vinci which propels her into a world of wealth and prestige. There, Elisabetta falls into a forbidden romance with Giuliano de Medici, at a time when it is highly dangerous to be involved with the powerful Medici family. Set against the backdrop of the Renaissance and the alluring streets of Florence, Elisabetta faces the bittersweet truth of love as tragedy and chaos threaten the young couple’s happiness.