ITALY EVER AFTER

 

SYNOPSIS

TV journalist Lou feels battered and bruised after her divorce from Phil, the father of her daughter Edie. Her confidence and sense of fun have steadily been drained away, and she isn’t sure who she is any more.

When the opportunity arises to accompany Edie on a music camp in Italy for a month in the summer, Lou jumps at the chance for new adventures, new horizons and new friends. The hazy warmth of the summer sun, shining brightly over the stunning Lake Garda, slowly brings Lou back to life.

Nick Romano, Edie’s music teacher, loves being home in Italy, but coaching his students for their concert in Milan, is bringing back difficult memories. His blossoming friendship with Lou is the perfect distraction, although a summer fling would be easier to conduct without the scrutiny of his mother Greta, not to mention the interference of his extended Italian family.

As the summer passes, full of sunshine and breath-taking scenery, gelato and delicious feasts, Lou and Nick get ever closer. But as the time for farewell creeps up on them, will they be able to say goodbye and leave their memories behind in the Italian sun, or can a summer romance last a lifetime?

Title: Italy Ever After

Author: Leonie Mack

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication date: May 11, 2021

Leonie Mack is a debut novelist whose first book My Christmas Number One was published by Boldwood in September 2020. Having lived in London for many years her home is now in Germany with her husband and three children. Leonie loves train travel, medieval towns, hiking and happy endings!

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REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Look at that gorgeous cover! With travel restrictions still in place, traveling through books is second best and going back to Italy is always a pleasure. Being sold already by the cover and the title I decided to go in blind and I not only found a cute romance story but a tale of self discovery.

Lou and Nick were both likeable characters but I found them a bit frustrating at times. They were both trapped in their own insecurities, doubting themselves, unable to see themselves through each other’s eyes. I find it a bit annoying when a character keeps putting themselves down, unaware of all their worth even when all those around them keep telling them different. Lou, please, do not listen to that prick of an ex husband you have and stop being your inner saboteur! In the words of RuPaul, if you can’t love yourself how in the hell you’re gonna love somebody else?

Lou and Nick’s interactions were always sweet but they seemed to have the same conversation over and over again. If I had been there I would have given them a slap on the head while telling them to wake up.

The setting was absolutely gorgeous. The descriptive writing really took to life Lake Garda and all the Italian villages. I wouldn’t mind doing paddleboard in the lake or hike through those mountains (even to the top!).

When I read a book set in Italy I always know there will come a time where they’ll discuss food and my mouth will water. This was not the exception and every time they mentioned pizza or Nonna’s raviolis my stomach grumbled.

A small critique would be that Edie sounded much older than 11 yo (it might have been a while since I was around 11 yo children but I don’t remember them being so adult-ish). On the other hand it was great seeing her commitment to music even being so young.

The lake, the music, the food and a cute love story made of Italy ever after the perfect escapist read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.