- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (8 Aug. 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1473682959
- ISBN-13: 978-1473682955
Synopsis
Kathy Courage has never visited the famous Italian city of Florence before, so she’s thrilled when she and her boyfriend Neil are invited there for a wedding. Unfortunately, with Neil’s constant complaining and his teenage children in tow, it’s not exactly the romantic break Kathy was hoping for.
But when a mix-up with her flights leaves Kathy stranded in the city, she decides to embrace the unexpected and stay on alone.
What follows is a life-changing few days in the Tuscan sun, as Kathy begins to question the choices that have led her here. With the help of the colourful Innocenti family, who offer Kathy a place to stay, she gradually begins to realise that there’s a much bigger world out there, if only she can be brave enough to explore it.
Could Italy hold the answers to her future happiness? Or is Kathy destined to return to her old life?
Review
Florence is my favourite city in the world so I couldn’t turn the chance to read Three Days in Florence by Chrissie Manby. Kathy, her boyfriend Neil and his three teenage children are in Tuscany for Neil’s brother’s wedding. What should be a lovely few days is marred by Neil’s constant complaining, and when they go for their return flights and find Kathy is not on their flight things get worse. Kathy decides to turn this delay into a positive and a chance to visit Florence, a place she has dreamed of visiting for a long time. On her own, away from Neil and his family, and with the help on the Innocenti family, Kathy remembers the person she use to be, and realises there is more to life if she chooses to take the chance.
I have read a few books by Chrissie Manby and love them for the wonderful characters and the warm and witty stories. This is another enchanting read, that captures the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, and the beauty of Florence. I know Florence quite well and felt I was with Kathy as she walked around the historic centre, taking in the Duomo, having a drink on the La piazza della Signoria, looking out at the copy of Michelangelo’s David and visiting Galleria degli Uffizi. Of course Kathy’s time in Florence is not going to be straight forward, and her saviours are the Innocenti family, who take her under their wing and into their house. There is plenty of wit and humour in the form of Manu, the young son of Carla who helps Kathy, as he teaches her some Italian phrases, not all appropriate and their little fluffy farting dog Faustino.
Kathy has the patience of a saint in my opinion, putting up with Neil and his family. Neil is a character I wholly disliked, he is selfish, arrogant, rude, and whinges about everything. His teenage daughters aren’t much better as they complain endlessly and like their father take advantage of Kathy’s good nature. Between them they seem to have sucked the life out of Kathy and stolen any self confidence she had, but in Florence, away from Neil, she remembers her dreams, ambitions and who Kathy Courage really is. I was really rooting for her throughout this novel, hoping for a happy ending.
Three Days in Florence is a warm, witty and fun read about remembering who you are and not settling for second best. It is enjoyable easy read, with memorable characters and the perfect setting in my opinion that combine to make this such a captivating and delightful read; I loved it.
I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton for my copy of Three Days in Florence and inviting me on the blog tour.
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