Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 469 KB
- Print Length: 336 pages
- Publisher: Orion (26 Mar. 2019)
- Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Language: English
Synopsis
Cloudless skies, sun-soaked countryside, delicious food… In the drowsy heat of an Italian summer, four strangers arrive in a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Basilicata, dreaming of a new adventure. An innovative scheme by the town’s Mayor has given them the chance to buy a crumbling historic building for a single Euro – on the condition that they renovate their home within three years, and help to bring new life to the close-knit local community.
Elise is desperate to get on the property ladder. Edward wants to escape a life he feels suffocated by. Mimi is determined to start afresh after her divorce. And there’s one new arrival whose true motives are yet to be revealed…
Review
I think I have read all of Nicky Pellegrino’s books, all of which are set in beautiful Italy. In the news we have all heard of these hill top towns and villages offering houses for sale at a cheap price with the condition being that you restore the house within three years and be part of the community, and this is the premise of this book. Mimi, Elise, and Edward are all at stages in their life where they want a change, to get out of a rut. Salvio Valentini is Mayor of Montenello, a beautiful town in the mountains near Puglia, and wants to reinvigorate the town, bring in some new residents, so puts an advert on the internet offering property for one Euro, if you can restore the houses and add to the community. Will this new venture be a success, and will the new residents fit in the La Dolce Vita.
I am a real Italophile, I love the culture, food, drink, beautiful countryside and its history, and the premise of this book is something my dad and I have talked about doing. Nicky Pellegrino always has stunning locations, mixed with some delicious food descriptions that leave your mouth watering (in some of her books there are recipes) and a great storyline, which is why I love reading her books. Her love of Italy, its customs really comes through in her writing as does the warmth of the sun and the Italian people, and leaves me wanting to pack up and jump on a plane immediately.
Mimi, Elise and Edward are chosen from the many applicants to come to Montenello and start a new life. Mimi is recently divorced from a man who made all the decisions in their marriage. Moving to Italy is a small act of rebellion, a chance for her to be in control of her life and be who she wants to be, and assert her new independence. Her natural mothering instinct comes into force with Elise, whom she takes under her wing as they start this journey together. Elise is only in her twenties but fed up with the all work and no play lifestyle she and her boyfriend have as they struggle to save up for a deposit for a house in Bristol. She shows great tenacity but is maybe a bit naive in her approach to her move to Italy, but I admired her enthusiasm, and happy disposition. Edward lives with his partner Gino, whose family is from Montenello, live in Sydney. Edward feels their relationship is stuck, and wants to try something different, and taking Gino back to Italy seems like a brilliant idea. Gino is not as keen, happy as they are and worried how Italians will react to their relationship, as his parents have struggled with it in the past. They make a perfect partnership, their personal strengths and weaknesses complimenting each other to make them a formidable team. With many memorable and colourful supporting characters like Salvio, the young Mayor, Donna Carmela his mother and Alessandro, his elderly assistant, Montenello and its residents vibrantly come to life.
A Dream of Italy brings sunny Italy into your home; you can feel the sun on your back, and taste and smell the delicious food and drink described in the book. This is a story about fresh starts, friendship, love, family and hope. As with Nicky Pellegino’s previous books this has a touch of romance, and air of mystery, an engaging plot and affable characters which combine to make another brilliant read, and one I highly recommend. Charming, warm and full of La Dolce Vita, a perfect summer read.
Thank you to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers and Orion Books for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my review of A Dream of Italy. If you haven’t read any of Nicky Pellegrino’s books then I highly recommend them.
