REVIEW: My Very Italian Holiday by Sue Roberts

My Very Italian Holiday by Sue Roberts: Enchanting story of second chances and new beginnings.

Gina lives with her sister and runs a B&B in the Lake District. It’s a day to day process for Gina, who has begun to think she will never be happy or smile again, after losing her husband in a tragic accident. But, when a very handsome Italian checks into the B&B, Gina is surprised by her reaction to him. As it so happens, Fabio has inherited an old hotel/guesthouse which is located in Lake Como.

Soon, Gina is on her way to Italy, to Lake Como, to visit Fabio and try her hand at decorating the guest house with him. The chemistry brewing between them simmers up to a rapid boil, but Fabio is harboring a few secrets which could douse the sparks and send Gina scurrying back to her comfort zone in the Lake District.

This is an enticing story filled with humor and warmth. The characters are delightful and quirky and once the story finally veers into the beautiful Lake Como area, it is hard not to get swept up in the romance of it all.

I had two small issues, but neither of them has anything to do with the story, per se. However, they might be worth mentioning-

Professionally, as some have already pointed out, the blurb/synopsis is slightly misleading. The main location is in the Lake District, not Italy. However, Gina does make it there eventually for a long overdue change of scenery.

From a personal standpoint- I really hated that the hero’s name was Fabio. I know that is a popular Italian name, but it distracted me for obvious reasons.

These are minor complaints, however, and didn’t have much of an impact on my overall opinion of the book.

Gina’s family dynamics are complicated, which adds a more serious tone to the novel, along with her initial melancholia. There is a tiny bit of angst as conflict inevitably makes an appearance and raises some doubt about the Gina’s budding romance. But, overall, the story is lighthearted and pleasant, and a very entertaining read.
 

Book Info:

Publication: 08/01/2018 | Bookouture |

A beautiful guesthouse, a fresh start and a hunky Italian. Does it sound too good to be true?

When Gina arrives in Lake Como, thousands of miles away from her life in the Lake District, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Working for Fabio, running his lakeside hotel, seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After her world was tragically turned upside down, breaking her heart in the process, she was in desperate need of a fresh start. Plus, it didn’t hurt that Fabio was easy on the eyes…

But it’s not all picturesque mountains, pizza and prosecco. The crumbling guesthouse that Fabio has inherited from his family needs some serious TLC. Is she up to the challenge?

As Gina and Fabio work in close quarters, sparks start to fly. But Fabio has a secret he is scared to share, and Gina has her past to come to terms with. Does her heart belong back home or is a life in the sun – with a very handsome Italian – just the change of scenery she needs?