Rachel´s Random Resources: Postcards from Sicily by Nancy Barone

Estranged by her mother who left her and her father 20 years ago, running with a younger Italian of noble origins, Olivia/Livvie has her own struggles: a love-less marriage, a rebelious teenage daughter, the secret feelings for her business partner Markus. But it seems that most of her life decisions are following her desperate need of being different than Susan, her mother, not abandoning and disappointing her family.

Despite her refusal to be in touch with Susan, her father kept talking with his ex-wife once the week and he tried - and suceed - to convince her accept two months of fully paid spa stay. Will this stay heal the old wounds and will bring answers to Livvie´s tormenting questions about her mother´s sudden disappearance? Would she reconsider her personal options after all?

Postcards from Sicily by Nancy Barone is a humorous and delicious rom-com that delicately deals with trauma´s impact on our lives. Livvie was deeply hurt and for at least 20 years she carried the weight of those events. ´An introvert at heart´ as she describes herself, she internalized the deep sadness her mother tried to escape. She is not depressed though, just over-reacting and nervous. As she is taking this 2-month break, the time is perfect for a change.

This is a romcom about second chances and the power to forgive, with a dash of hope happening in the breathtaking landscape of lake Maggiore in Italy. 

I´ve read this book this weekend during my summer extended holidays and made me think a lot about the many delicate ways in which a mother-daughter relationship can consume itself, but also heal.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: A Sicilian Affair by Susan Lewis

Leaving behind a broken marriage and a sensible family situation, Catie is looking to enjoy herself while spending time in Sicily. Her short vacation in Taormina is meant to cure her heartbreak and prepare her for a new easier life.

However, when she expected less, the handsome Giancarlo appears into her life and is interested in spending quality time with her. It may be a blessing, unless you have a heavy secret past that weights way too much to leave you time to enjoy the present or think about the future.

As in other books by Susan Lewis that I had the chance to review, A Sicilian Affair is exploring the role of secrecy into one´s life, particularly it´s dangerous influences, but this time there is an unique aspect of the story which stands alone: the game of emotions.

The book is following a double timeline, as the story is switching from present into the past, both episodes important for revealing details of a story who is developing into a constant crescendo. It is one of the most emotional thrillers I´ve read lately, but it is that kind of emotion that does suit the events of the story, without creating tensions for the sake of the creative impulse. The narrative is well paced and made of pieces that come together, aiming at revealing events and facts useful for understanding the story.

Last but not least, although I haven´t been to Taormina and Sicily in general yet, Lewis is able to convene a special ambiance of the place, which adds a layer of authenticity to the story.

A recommended read if you are looking for a different kind of thriller, with an interesting take on old secrets and the ways in which past may alter the future, no matter how decided one is to completely forget it.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Secret of Villa Alba by Louise Douglas

 

Following a dual time story, The Secret of Villa Alba by Louise Douglas, recently published by Bollwood is a dual-time story of betrayal, mystery and family secrets set in Italy. 

Back in 1968, months after a devastating earthquake in Sicily, Irene Borgata, Enzo´s young wife, disappeared without a trace during a short while as he went out to ask for help for fixing his suddenly broken car. Decades back, a popular true crime journalist accused Enzo of killing his wife, and his daughter, Maddi, hires a childhood detective friend to find out the truth. But surprisingly, there are so many secrets that were deeply hidden and detective April may be assigned the difficult task to witness them all.

The Secret of Villa Alba is that kind of story that you cannot resist not follow until the end, not because it is very complex and eventful, but due to its human relevance. The characters and the situations portrayed may be fully relatable and therefore, following the thread is a chance to understand more about human nature itself.

In addition to the thriller-crime background, my favorite part was to delve into the ambiance of the story, The surroundings are created with such a high detail and attention that the reader may find breathing and living in the Italian world, although only from the comfort of one´s home.

A recomended smart read if you are looking to enjoy a bookish weekend.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own