How do you find fulfillment and contentment in life when all the major boxes are checked, yet you still feel empty? This gnawing void is beginning to eat away at Rachel’s sanity, is affecting her relationships, and is even invading her dreams. Sure, she has a lot going for her with a satisfying career and a great long term boyfriend, but there is just something missing. Her spark. Her zest for life. Those closest to her begin to notice and voice their concerns over her growing apathy and remoteness. Even her obsession for all things Titanic can’t save her from this downward spiral. Unsure which direction to turn, Rachel keeps circling back to her beloved grandpa. Before his death, Rachel was always close with him but has to admit that she knows surprisingly little about her grandfather’s life before he immigrated from Italy. With more enthusiasm about a new project than anything else in recent months, Rachel takes up the monumental task of piecing together her grandfather’s secretive history. A little soul searching and a lot of lists lead Rachel on a journey to the land of her relatives. Hopefully, as she gets a fuller picture of her extended family, Rachel will be able to calm the restlessness within herself.

The Difference is a luminous and heartfelt novel about a woman on a mission to find herself. In a world filled with answers, self-help books, and endless opportunities, Rachel still manages to feel adrift, making her a protagonist one can sympathize with. Her inability to master her own emotions, despite her professional training and an unwavering support group, makes for an honest and vulnerable character. In this, there is a natural kinship and affection for the relatable yet flawed Rachel. Readers will enjoy the genealogy project as Rachel explores her proud Italian heritage through lively correspondence, impassioned family conversations, unexpected connections, and deliciously described Italian meals. C. D’Angelo masterfully adds a dash of mystery to the story, building the momentum in soundly measured doses. For a fiction novel that reads like an earnest memoir, The Difference is an engaging and entertaining story with a supremely satisfying twist.