Press for “Coins in the Fountain”

3 Coins, the Trevi Fountain, and the Romance of Postwar Italy

Fordham Magazine

Sierra McCleary-Harris

Meet the Fordham grad whose novel inspired an Oscar-winning film and classic Sinatra song

Books of Tribeca: Coins in the Fountain

Tribeca Citizen

More than 70 years ago, just after World War II, John H. Secondari wrote a novel about four American women seeking adventure and inspiration in the romance of Rome. “Coins in the Fountain,” published in 1952, would go on to be a bestseller and a 1954 Hollywood film — “Three Coins in the Fountain” — that made the Trevi fountain an international icon.

A picturesque tribute to the Eternal City.

Kirkus Review

VERDICT: Get it!

A reissue of Secondari’s 1952 novel (which inspired the award-winning movie Three Coins in the Fountain), an ode to mid-20th-century Rome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 22, 2026
6 — 8 PM ET

Jefferson Market Branch
New York, NY

Book Talk at the NYPL

Join Linda Secondari, daughter of John H. Secondari and the publisher of the reissued edition of “Coins in the Fountain” as she discusses her father’s legacy and the experience of bringing a long out of print icon back to the world.

Book Talk with
Adriana Trigiani

October 8, 2026
6—8 PM ET

SNACK
New York, NY

Join Linda Secondari and author Adriana Trigiani talk about books, Italy, and the never ending love affair with Rome.

Book cover illustration featuring a woman in a 1950's white dress and hat, holding a Spritz in front of the Fountain of Trevi, Rome, Italy. The text highlights the book title "Coins in the Fountain" by John H. Secondari

Ciao!

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about “Coins in the Fountain” or my dad, John H. Secondari please feel free to reach out! I’d love to hear your thoughts about the book and his work!

— Linda