Book Review: One Summer in Sicily by Nancy Barone

One Summer in Sicily by Nancy Barone kept me warm in the run up to Christmas as I spent time with her main character Gilly as she travelled to Sicily on a trip that would change her life.

A new fun and fresh rom-com set in Sicily by Canadian-Italian author Nancy Barone.

In an attempt to resuscitate her twenty-five-year-old marriage, aerophobic Gillian Dobson knocks down a few tranquilisers and takes a dreaded flight to the Sicilian Island of Lipari to surprise her husband, away on a business trip. But her troubles are just about to begin...

I loved that Gilly wasn't your usual fresh-faced twenty-something on a girls trip, quite the opposite. She had conquered her fear of flying to try and spice up her failing marriage after her husband travelled to Sicily on business by joining him at his hotel there. Sadly, she was in for a surprise as much as her errant hubby.

Instead of flying home immediately to lick her wounds, we watch Gilly begin to rebuild her life, and not just without her husband, but with a new business venture, and of course, a new Italian man.

For me, the book was more about an older woman finding her footing when starting again at life, rather than a romance, but it was still an enjoyable read. Friendship and family featured heavily too. 

I especially liked the descriptions of the food as, like Gilly, I adore Italian cakes and pastries.

Forget the calories 4/5

About the author, Nancy Barone

Nancy Barone grew up in Canada, but at the age of 12 her family moved to Italy. Catapulted into a world where her only contact with the English language was her old Judy Blume books, Nancy became an avid reader and a die-hard romantic. Nancy stayed in Italy and, despite being surrounded by handsome Italian men, she married an even more handsome Brit. They now live in Sicily where she teaches English.

Nancy is a member of the RWA and a keen supporter of the Women’s Fiction Festival at Matera where she meets up once a year with writing friends from all over the globe.

Or if you are in the mood for a sweet Christmas romance, how about the next book I will be reviewing, The Gingerbread Café by Anita Faulkner.

Or if you fancy a Christmas romance which still brings the heat (not just because part of the novel is set in Capri), you might want to try my debut novel Christmas Evie which is available on all e readers now:

"Evie, a dating disaster, agrees to go on a date with one of her friend's brothers. It has nothing to do with Nathaniel, the hot guy working at the tea rooms or the King Clause, which means she's to be married by Christmas.

Nathaniel offers to look after his sister Rosalie's tea rooms while she's in hospital. It has nothing to do with the fact he thinks the owner of the florist opposite the tea rooms is 'the one.' Nor his mistake in telling his mum he'll be bringing home a girl to Capri for Christmas. Or forgetting to tell Evie he has a twin.

A case of mistaken identity threatens to turn Christmas, and Evie's dreams, into more than a dating disaster. With her heart at stake, can she set her future on the right twin?"

Smashwords Link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1479377...

Also available on Apple, Rakuten and Barnes and Noble, Amazon and all other reader sites.

5 Star Reviews:

"Read the book in 1 day. Loved it" Sophie O'C, West Yorkshire, England

"I'm hooked" Barbara W, New Zealand