Friday 14 March 2014

Review One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis


If journalist Anna had to write up the story of her own life, it wouldn’t make for a great headline: Dull Journo Has Dull Boyfriend! The only mystery in Anna’s life is that she’s never known who her dad is but with her mum refusing to tell her more she’s at a dead end. When she accidentally comes across a clue that her father is Italian, it opens up a burning curiosity in Anna. Soon she’s cooking Italian food, signing up for an Italian class and even considering dusting off her passport to go and find her dad in person…
Sophie is serving gelato to tourists in Italy when she gets the call that her father has had a serious heart attack. In a rush, she grabs her well-worn backpack and heads back to the one place she’s been avoiding for so long – home. Living with her mum again while her dad recuperates, and taking a job teaching Italian to make ends meet, Sophie has to face up to the secrets she’s kept buried in the past.
Catherine has no idea what the future holds. Her children have left for university, her husband has left her for another woman and her bank account is left empty after dedicating her life to raising her family. She needs a job and an identity all of a sudden. At an Italian evening class she makes a start in finding new friends Anna and Sophie. And she’s going to need good friends when she discovers her husband’s lies run even deeper than his infidelity…
As Anna embarks on the trip to Italy that could answer all of her questions, will the truth live up to her dreams?

My Musings


Reading one of Lucy Diamond's books is like drinking a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and this is no exception. Rich, satisfying and a bit naughty. This story has many different layers, it is not just a romance it is so much more. The three central characters, Catherine, Sophie and Anna,  all have to deal with completely different situations which will appeal across the board. Betrayal, insecurityand loss are balanced with new love and new friendships. Sophie has unresolved issues with her parents and struggles to find her place in life. Catherine is recovering for a double whammy of deception with her husband and Sophie is coming to terms with her past and needs help to forge her future. These three diverse ladies forge strong friendships in their italian language class that cannot be broken and are much needed.

 Lucy is so clever at taking an eclectic mix of complex characters and weaving them into an entertaining story that carry's you along at a rollicking pace. There is laughter,tears and romance and what I really enjoyed seeing was the transformation of the three women overcoming hurdles and keeping going.

 The motto for this book should be 

"If my ship sails from sight, it doesn't mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.”

A really great enjoyable read. I know this falls into the chick lit bracket but sometimes I feel the label undermines a book that has more to offer, which this definitely does.

One of her best!!



If you like this you might like

Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond and any other by Lucy Diamond!!




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