Book Review: "Be Still My Unbeating Heart" by Josh Winning

What fun this was! I mean, I was already sold on the description: “A cozy vampire vacation mystery set in a seaside Italian village, featuring a reformed vampire, his magical talking cat, and a handsome, brooding detective.” But Josh Winning did such a great job with this book.

Bastian is a vampire. But a vegetarian one. Five years ago he cleaned up his act and kicked the whole feeding off humans thing.

Everybody needs a little time away, even the undead. So Bastian and his best friend, Whitby (the aforementioned talking cat), head to Vernazza, a beautiful Italian village. Bastian is hoping to enjoy the sunshine (as long as he has sunscreen), take in the sights, dance a little, and maybe find a handsome man to enjoy it all with.

However, on their first beach walk, Bastian stumbles over the body of a young woman. It looks like she’s been killed by a…vampire? Of course, the police find him near the body and immediately suspect Bastian of murder and take him into custody.

Bastian is put on house arrest, guarded by Nicole, a handsome police inspector, who initially seems immune to his charms. But Nico starts to fall for Bastian, and realizes, as more bodies appear, that someone else is responsible, and is framing vampires. Yet the police commissioner has summoned the Vampire Council, and that could wind up causing more harm than good.

I really enjoyed this book. Bastian and Whitby are the oddest of pairs and their banter is quite fun. And while the mystery is definitely twisty, there’s a lot of dialogue about accepting who you are and embracing your differences—which works for everyone, not just vampires. I’d love to see another book in this series!

Book Review: "Villa Coco" by Andrew Sean Greer

I hope when I eventually get the opportunity to travel to Italy that I love it as much as I love books set there! Even when I don’t love the book, an Italian setting always makes me feel better.

Our narrator has just (barely) graduated from college but his career prospects seem dim. He’s encouraged by his advisor to apply for a job in Italy, to be assistant to the Baronessa, an eccentric wealthy woman who shows no signs of slowing down, even at age 92.

Of course, what he pictured the job to be and what it is are vastly different. While he expected to spend the majority of his time cataloguing the art and antiques in the dilapidated estate, he quickly gets pulled in many different directions by the Baronessa, who is known as Coco.

Villa Coco always seems to be full of larger-than-life guests, from princesses to plumbers. The whole experience is well beyond his comfort zone, but he falls under Coco’s spell. And while his cataloguing efforts are hampered by the disappearance of items he knows he saw, he finds an even more noble calling. When the Baroness loses someone close to her, she realizes the one thing she must do is locate the love of her life and be reunited before it’s too late.

There is definitely lots of emotion (repressed and otherwise) in this book, and the eccentric characters lightened the mood a bit. Parts of the book felt almost like an E.M. Forster novel—I kept expecting Maggie Smith to pop in. I wanted to love the book more than I did, but it was fun.

Book Review: "The Accidental Italian" by Michael Hartwig

Chalk this up to another book I hadn’t heard of but stumbled upon. This was just wonderful in so many ways—any book set on the Amalfi Coast already has an advantage, but what a beautiful story.

With his marriage over, Theo decides to take a vacation to Positano. He’s not really a fan of Italy, but a friend had booked a hotel room she couldn’t use, so how could he pass it up? As soon as he arrives, he blown away by the beauty of the town, the water, and the handsome Italian men.

His beach lounger is next to Raffaello and Renata, an Italian couple. Theo is immediately drawn to Raffaello, but thinking the two are married, he keeps a low profile and doesn’t acknowledge that he speaks Italian. When at a dance club one night, Theo overhears two men talking about trafficking young children. While he doesn’t want to get involved, he needs to alert the police.

Much to his surprise, the police detective he reports the conversation to is Raffaello. When he enlists Theo in a return trip to the club to see if he can identify the men he heard, the two develop a quick rapport—and there’s no doubt they’re attracted to one another.

Theo reawakens dormant feelings in Raffaello, feelings he has tried to hide for a long time. He knows he would love to be with Theo, but can he risk his life and his career for a possibility? Although the two draw ever closer, Raffaello cannot give Theo all he wants to.

This is a beautiful book, filled with longing, coming to terms with your own issues and reclaiming yourself, and some really hot steam. The story is definitely an emotional one in so many ways, and I couldn’t get enough. And I needed to go to Italy pronto.

Book Review: "One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker" by Timothy Janovsky

My favorite movie of all time is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, so when I was offered the chance to read an ARC of a spicy M/M romance retelling of the story, I was excited and nervous. Thanks so much to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity!

The Amorina Chocolate Factory has been in Dario Cotogna’s family for generations. Since his beloved grandfather died, Dario has been running the business, paying close attention to sustainability issues. But when his grandfather’s will is read, Dario is shocked: if he doesn’t marry before his 32nd birthday, the business will pass to his younger brother.

Dario isn’t dating anyone, but his grandfather thought of everything. A global competition is launched, and five contestants will be chosen. They’ll fly to Italy and stay for a week, to get to know Dario and the chocolate business, and then he will choose which one he wants to marry.

Charlie has never been out of his Pennsylvania hometown, let alone the country. He lives in a dilapidated house with his parents and grandparents, and he’s just found out the bank is about to foreclose. When Charlie reads about the contest, he realizes this could be his ticket to save his family and perhaps pursue his own dreams.

Charlie’s competitors are all very different: Selina, a trans supermodel; Beau, a musician always up for adventure; Ansel, a German watch expert; and Michelle, a design student. As the week progresses, Charlie and Dario’s connection deepens, but both are hiding their vulnerabilities. Will true love (and chocolate) win?

I loved that while this book was similar to the original story, it wasn’t a true retelling. (Spoiler alert: no Oompa-Loompas.) But Dario and Charlie were terrific, sympathetic characters, and their encounters were quite spicy. Timothy Janovsky never disappoints me!

The book will publish 1/27/2026.

Book Review: "It Had to Be Him" by Adib Khorram

Oh, I loved this book so much! Ever since I read Adib Khorram’s debut Darius the Great Is Not Okay seven years ago, I’ve been a huge fan. I’m grateful to BookSparks for the complimentary copy of his newest book as part of #FRC25!

Ramin plans to propose to his boyfriend Todd at dinner. He’s so ready to start the rest of their lives together. But rather than say yes to the proposal, Todd breaks up with Ramin in the middle of the restaurant. Worse, he tells Ramin he’s too boring.

As someone who’s struggled with self-esteem his entire life, Ramin is devastated. He’s determined to prove—at least to himself—that he’s not boring, so he plans an 8-week trip to Italy, where he can sightsee, shop, and sleep with lots of Italian men.

But the day he arrives in Italy (without his luggage, of course), he runs into Noah, his high school crush. Noah looks fantastic. Although it’s been years since they’ve seen each other, Ramin quickly realizes the crush is still there. He worries that Noah won’t be attracted to him or he’ll think he’s too boring.

Noah can’t believe he’s seeing Ramin again. He really enjoyed their friendship—which he now realizes was something stronger. He’s in Italy with his ex-wife and son, but all he wants to do is spend time with Ramin. Noah has always put everyone else’s happiness first; can he concentrate on his own for once?

Italy is at the very top of my travel bucket list, so the book had me at “buon giorno.” But Ramin and Noah are such appealing characters so I was hooked on rooting for their happy ever after. There’s some great steam and fun banter, and if you read Khorram’s last book, I’ll Have What He’s Having, you’ll recognize some characters!

Book Review: "Run Away with Me" by Brian Selznick

Thanks so much to Scholastic and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! This was a sweet and emotional read.

In the summer of 1986, Danny is 16 years old. He and his mother are spending the summer in Rome, as she has a job at a museum. Left to his own devices, he wanders the streets, visiting the sights, and waiting for something to happen to him.

And then he meets Angelo. Angelo seems to be following him through Rome—but once he steps out of the shadows, he has a powerful impact on Danny’s life. Angelo has stories about so many of the places and things they see, each of which focuses on love stories between men throughout history. Against this backdrop, the two boys’ attraction to one another quickly turns to love.

Of course, their relationship has an end date, since Danny will have to go back to the U.S. with his mother at the end of the summer. This only serves to intensify their feelings for one another and the emotions related to Danny’s impending departure.

As much as this is a love story between two young men, Brian Selznick has also written a gorgeous love letter to Rome. I’ve never been but Italy is very high on my bucket list. Selznick’s prose made me feel immersed in the sights and sounds of the city.

Having grown up in the 1980s, I love books set during that time. It’s always interesting to read a love story that takes place before the immediate connections that mobile phones and email could provide. The added bonus is the beautiful illustrations that Selznick drew. This book really packed a punch.

Book Review: "Eating & Praying" by Davis Summers

Tyler was a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment field. Before the age of 30, he had produced six movies (one that was nominated for Best Picture) and a television show. But the job came at a cost—his ego-driven, workaholic, hard-drinking ways led to the end of his relationship with his boyfriend, Leo.⁣

⁣ Suddenly he’s an emotional wreck and nothing seems to matter anymore. He prays for a sign, some guidance about what to do next, and he finds it: blog posts from a woman who has been living her own Eat Pray Love journey. So he quits his job and decides to go to Italy, India, and Bali, so he can find his purpose again.⁣

⁣ Italy fills him with life, great food, emotional connections, and, much to his surprise, even some romance. But through his time there, he also keeps feeling that something is missing, something that keeps waking him up in the middle of the night.⁣

⁣ By the time he reaches India to spend 30 days in an ashram, he’s worn down emotionally and his extravagance has burned through his savings. Finding himself literally kept out of the ashram, he must begin a long journey back to the airport. And on a hike he was ill-prepared for, he finally begins to confront the issues that have been plaguing him, realizing that the problems he was addressing were masking others.⁣

⁣ Wouldn’t it be amazing to have the chance to re-evaluate your life against historical backdrops, to confront what’s ailing you emotionally? This was a fun and thought-provoking concept, while at the same time, it addresses bigger issues such as unresolved grief, the need for love and acceptance, and realizing where your mistakes lie.⁣

⁣ There’s even a fun meta moment when Tyler is at a restaurant that Julia Roberts went to in Eat Pray Love, and he’s recreating that experience!⁣ ⁣

Book Review: "Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack

This was a fun romp that I’ve had on my stack for a while. I recently took a two-day vacation just an hour or so away, so what better time to read this book?

”Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I want to commit a homicide.”

Eleanor Dash is a successful mystery writer who has written a series of books that follow the protagonist and her handsome sidekick as they solve murders across Europe. Amazingly, her foray into fiction was inspired by a trip to Rome, where she fell in love and got embroiled in a robbery and murder.

Ten years later, Eleanor is more than ready to kill off the sidekick, Connor, who was modeled after her real former boyfriend-turned-nuisance, Connor. She’s tired of him being the focus of her fans, and she’s tired of him blackmailing her to give him a share of her advance for each book. So she’s ready to kill him off—at least the fictional Connor.

But on a trip of Italy arranged by her publisher to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her series—which of course, Connor is part of, along with several other mystery authors—she learns that someone might actually be trying to kill Connor. (Although who wouldn’t?) And when she becomes the target of attempted murder as well, she needs to figure out who might want her dead—and it’s someone on the tour.

This was definitely enjoyable and compulsively readable. Eleanor’s voice is fun and I hope she will be back in another book—although I could definitely do without the footnotes!!

Book Review: "Just One Taste" by Lizzy Dent

I love rom-coms so much, but I feel there needs to be a sub-genre of culinary rom-coms, or something like that. Because when you throw any food-related elements into a rom-com, it’s quite often a win for me.

Olive is a restaurant critic in London, writing savage reviews of pretentious places. It’s ironic, because she grew up in her father’s Italian restaurant, although after her parents’ divorce her relationship with her father was strained, and she hadn’t been to the restaurant in years.

When her father dies suddenly, she is shocked to learn that she has inherited the restaurant and the building it’s in. She definitely wants to sell it, much to the chagrin of Leo, the sous chef who became her father’s surrogate son.

Her father was in the middle of writing a cookbook when he died, and Olive agrees to finish it. It will mean traveling to Italy, where her family vacationed when she was young, and working with Leo, since he’s the chef who can develop the recipes. (It doesn’t hurt that Leo is absolutely gorgeous.)

The trip to Italy fills Olive with inspiration, as well as unresolved feelings about her father. The more time she spends with Leo, the less certain she is about selling the restaurant and the more intense the chemistry between them grows. But she saw the way the restaurant destroyed her parents’ marriage—could she have the restaurant and Leo, too?

Lizzy Dent’s books are always so enjoyable for me. This one made me absolutely ravenous, and it was an emotional read as well. Italy, pasta, banter, steam, and emotion: could I ask for anything more?

Book Review: "Wish You Weren't Here" by Christy Schillig

Ava couldn’t be more of a type A person if she tried. Despite having an artist for a mother, Ava lives for schedules and plans. When her mother died, she decided to abandon her dreams of teaching and become a lawyer instead, like her father.

She’s already secured a job at a prestigious law firm, and the last thing she needs to do is go to Italy for her final law school credits. Before Ava was born, her mother spent time in Urbino, so that is where Ava is headed. Just before she heads to Italy, she believes her long-time boyfriend will propose, but she is shocked when he suggests they take a break instead.

James and Ava don’t quite have a meet-cute; it’s more like a meet-angry. James is an hour late to pick Ava up at the airport, and she figures that he’s just a hired driver. Imagine her surprise when she finds out he’s a talented photographer and art history professor—and she’s going to be the TA for his class.

They’re both immensely attracted to each other, but they always seem to make the other one angry just before something can happen. It doesn’t help matters that Ava is living in the guest house on his family’s property, and quickly becomes a part of the family.

James doesn’t have to work too hard to get Ava excited about the art and beauty of Urbino, and she is energized by what she finds out about her mother’s time there. But James also wants to get Ava to abandon her rigid adherence to schedules and enjoy life—and love, even if she’s going to be heading back to the U.S. to start her job.

This is a gorgeously romantic story. Yes, you can predict what will happen, but the incredible setting, the banter and chemistry between James and Ava, the memorable supporting characters, the emotions, and the steam all make it an incredible book to get lost in. I can’t believe this is a debut; it’s clear Christy Schillig has quite a career ahead of her!

Book Review: "The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley

I always am a bit worried that a sequel won’t live up to its predecessor. In the case of The Guncle Abroad, my fears were completely unwarranted: it had all of the humor, emotion, and heart that the original did.

Five years have passed since Patrick took care of Maisie and Grant, his niece and nephew, following the death of his sister-in-law, who was also Patrick’s best friend. During this time, Patrick has relaunched his acting career and moved to New York City, while the kids are back at home in Connecticut with their father, Greg.

When Greg decides to get married to an Italian woman, he once again enlists his brother’s help, because the kids—particularly Maisie—are vehemently opposed to the marriage. Patrick agrees to travel with the kids through Europe, with their final destination being Lake Como, where the wedding will take place.

“That was the thing about grief, none of us wanted to travel with it, exactly, but the suggestion that we would or should be over it was somehow an even more unwelcome passenger.”

As they make their way through London, Paris, and Salzburg, en route to Venice and Lake Como, Patrick tries to provide Maisie and Grant with more “Guncle Rules” to help them process the changes coming to their lives. At the same time, Patrick is dealing with his own questions about his recently ended relationship as well as the grief he still feels for Sara. But most of all, he wants to make the kids happy—mostly with him.

There are some uproariously funny moments in this book with several of the supporting characters. There also are moments of true poignancy which made me tear up. This is a book about all kinds of love—romantic, filial, familial—as well as the balance between moving on and holding on to memories. I loved this so much!!

Book Review: "The Sicilian Inheritance" by Jo Piazza

If you read a ton of books set in Italy, can you be considered an honorary citizen? Asking for a friend.

Sara’s aunt Rosie was one of her favorite people. She was an absolute dynamo, fun-loving and wild, but smart as hell, accomplishing anything she set her mind to. Rosie’s death leaves Sara devastated, and at a time when her marriage and her career have both fallen apart, the loss knocks her for a loop.

She’s completely unprepared for Rosie’s dying request that she travel to Sicily, where their ancestors are from, and scatter her ashes. Rosie also left her the deed to a plot of land in Sicily, and she asks Sara to research whether it truly belongs to their family. Oh, and one more thing: Rosie wants Sara to look into the murder of her grandmother, Serafina, in the early 1920s.

When Sara arrives in Sicily, she is taken by the beauty of the island, but she quickly realizes that nothing is what it appears. She isn’t sure whom she can trust, there’s doubt about whether her family actually owns the land—and if they do, whether she can lay claim to it—and there are all sorts of conflicting stories about Rosie’s grandmother. The more she digs, the more danger she’s in.

The narrative shifts between Sara in the present and Serafina’s in the 1910s and 1920s. The story is part mystery, part historical fiction, but it’s a fascinating look at how women find power and can thrive despite the barriers they face. I did feel like one narrative had more closure than the other, though.

I’ve read a few of Jo Piazza’s books—one of her own and two she co-wrote with Christine Pride—and I really love the way she writes. I enjoyed this a great deal, and thought it was cool it was based on a story from Piazza’s family.

Book Review: "Stars in an Italian Sky" by Jill Santopolo

I’ve been wanting to travel to Italy for a long while now, so needless to say, each time I read a book that is set there, I get the urge to plan a trip. And after reading Stars in an Italian Sky, I want to go pronto, pronto.

In 1946, Giovanna, her father, and her sister return to Genoa after fleeing during WWII. They reopen her father’s tailoring shop, where Giovanna not only helps with the customers, but dreams of her own designs as well. One day, Vincenzo, the handsome son of a count, comes into the store to have some clothes altered. At that moment it’s as if lightning struck Giovanna in the form of Vincenzo.

The two spend a great deal of time together, much of it in secret. Vincenzo knows his father would never approve of him marrying a tailor’s daughter, but he knows that his heart wants nothing but Giovanna. Yet when the country votes to become a republic, abolishing the monarchy and nobility, it creates a rift that changes everything for both.

In 2017, Cass and her boyfriend Luca, an artist, are ready to get married. But when they bring their families together to celebrate their engagement, and Cass’ grandmother meets Luca’s grandfather, it reveals past history that neither Cass’ family or Luca’s was aware of.

The dual-timeline story was romantic, emotional, and fascinating to see the parallels between both couples. The actions of Vincenzo’s family—and Luca’s, for that matter—were infuriating at times, but love endures. This was such a beautiful story of following your own path, no matter the consequences, and no matter how long it takes.

I’m a big fan of Jill Santopolo and love all of the emotion she brings to her books. I’ll be waiting for her next one!

Book Review: "The Villa" by Rachel Hawkins

This book had me wanting to go to Italy on the next available flight!

You’ve probably been seeing this everywhere on Bookstagram. I know I have been anticipating this for a while, as I’m definitely a fan of Hawkins’ books.

Emily has been having a tough time lately. Her marriage has fallen apart, her health has been shaky, and she’s way overdue on delivering her 10th cozy mystery. And then there’s her childhood best friend Chess, who is creating an empire out of her self-help books, and is even pals with Oprah.

Chess suggests Emily join her on a six-week stint in Italy. She’s rented a famous villa in Orvieto which was the scene of a notorious murder of an up-and-coming musician. The night of the murder and the events surrounding it inspired both a famous horror novel written by the victim’s girlfriend, and a quintessential 1970s album written by her stepsister.

The beautiful setting does inspire Emily but it also magnifies some of the difficulties in her relationship with Chess. And as Emily becomes more obsessed with the murder and figuring out what truly happened, she realizes that there are secrets and mysteries in her own life that need solving—and they could prove dangerous.

This really never caught my interest completely. It’s not a thriller or even a mystery, but more of a drama, and while one twist actually was a bit surprising, another I predicted within the first few pages.

Many others have loved this, so maybe it’s just me.

Book Review: "Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks" by Giovanni Ruscitti

This was a moving memoir about discovering one’s heritage.⁣

Did your parents or grandparents ever tell you stories about your family’s history? Giovanni Ruscitti used to hear stories of his parents and grandparents’ life during World War II in Cansano, Italy. Cansano was invaded by the Nazis and the town’s residents had two choices: stay and get killed, or flee.

Following the war, the town was destroyed. Ruscitti’s parents and grandparents immigrated to a small town in Colorado in the 1950s and 1960s. But in 2013, he traveled to Cansano for the first time with his parents, along with his wife and a few of his children. His eyes were opened as the stories of his heritage came to life in front of them.

This was a tremendously moving and beautiful account. I’ll admit that as a third-generation American I lack the connection to my heritage that Ruscitti has, so that enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Thanks so much to Get Red PR Books for inviting me on the tour and providing a complimentary copy of the book!! Grateful to Giovanni Ruscitti for sharing his and his family’s story.

Book Review: "One Italian Summer" by Rebecca Serle

This utterly bellissima book (look at me, speaking Italian) left me a giant puddle of emotions!

I don’t know why, but Rebecca Serle’s books hit me in a place that few others do. She deals with grief and love and choices and desires, and bends the concept of reality slightly, which might not work for everyone, but it definitely works for me. I loved her last two books, The Dinner List and In Five Years, and both had me in tears.

Katy’s mother Carol was her everything—best friend, confidante, advisor. To Katy, Carol knew everything about everything, and was always quick with a gift, some advice, a drink, food, a hug, whatever. Carol’s death has shaken Katy to her core, so much so that she’s not sure what she wants from the rest of her life, or even her marriage, now that her mother is gone.

Carol and Katy were supposed to take a trip to Positano, a place Carol had immensely fond memories of from her youth. Katy decides to take the trip—alone—in the hope that her mother’s memories will buoy her, point her in the right direction for the rest of her life. And there, Katy finds Carol—the Carol of 30 years earlier, at the crossroads of her own decisions. Katy learns things about her mother that she never knew, as well as herself.

Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced a lot of loss in my life, but Serle’s books resonate so much with me. In addition to the gorgeous imagery (not to mention all the food!), Serle imbues this book with love, regret, passion, grief, uncertainty—all such real, palpable emotions.

To Ariele Stewart and Atria Books, I say molto grazie for the advance copy of One Italian Summer in exchange for an unbiased review. You'll want to get your hands on it when it publishes on 3/1. (And for audiobook lovers, Lauren Graham narrates the audio version.)

Book Review: "Hotel Portofino" by J.P. O'Connell

In Hotel Portofino, drama abounds for an English family running a hotel in post-WWI Italy.

Bella fell in love with the Italian Riviera on her honeymoon and always hoped they’d get back there. She finally convinced her husband Cecil that they should buy a hotel there, for English tourists summering in Italy. She knows that running a hotel will be a great deal of work, but she’s hoping that it may distract her adult children, both of whom were drastically affected by the war.

She’s also hoping that the hotel might save her crumbling marriage. But right now she can only concentrate on the chaos around her—a wealthy, old ladyfriend of Cecil’s is bringing her daughter to the hotel as a possible love match for their son. There’s a new nanny on her way, and the Italian housekeeper is acting suspicious. And Bella is not prepared for the theft of a painting or a local acolyte of Mussolini looking to make a name for himself by targeting the hotel.

I read this with a friend and we both agreed that while there was a lot of potential with this book, it really fell flat. The plot was mostly melodramatic and very typical of the Downton Abbey-type programs I think this wanted to be like. I found most of the characters unlikeable (and honestly, couldn’t tell them apart at times) and wanted something unexpected to happen to shake things up, but to no avail.

This is going to be a PBS series later this year so it’s possible the book was written after the show was filmed, and that might explain the hollow feel of the story, almost like it was the novelization of a performance. Still, I had a good conversation about the book with a good friend, so not all was bad!

Book Review: "The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany" by Lori Nelson Spielman

Lori Nelson Spielman's newest book, The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, serves up a healthy dose of family drama and secrets set against a gorgeous Italian backdrop.

For more than 200 years, there has been a curse in the Fontana family: no second-born daughter has ever found lasting love. Emilia tries not to let the idea of a curse bother her—sure, she wouldn't mind a companion, but she loves working as a baker at her family’s Italian deli and bakery, her Brooklyn neighborhood, and her family (sort of). But her cousin Lucy is weighed down by the curse and desperately tries to find luck with any man who pays her even the slightest bit attention. (Even those who don't.)

Emilia is shocked when her long-estranged great-aunt Poppy invites her and Lucy on an all-expense-paid trip to Italy. Poppy says they must make it to the Ravello Cathedral on her 80th birthday, where she will meet her true love, and the Fontana Family curse will be lifted. (Not that Poppy believes in the curse, but...)

Their grandmother, who raised Emilia and her sister, has forbidden anyone in the family to have contact with Poppy, over something that happened years and years before. But traveling to Italy has always been a dream for Emilia, and the idea of the curse being lifted is too powerful to give up (particularly for Lucy), so they disobey Nonna and join Poppy for the trip.

Of course, there are many family secrets that have been kept hidden for years, secrets that threaten to topple them all. Both Emilia and Lucy realize that they will need to make changes within themselves if they have any chance of happiness, and that may mean standing up for themselves for once. But will Poppy meet her true love? Will the curse be lifted? Will Emilia speak her mind?

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany was a dramatic story, a story of love and loss and courage and family and secrets. I enjoyed the second half more than the first—I found most of the characters pretty frustrating for a while and I wished Emilia would stop being a doormat for everyone. But as Poppy shared her love story and the family secrets kept hidden, the beauty and emotion of the story overtook me.

Italy is a place I’ve not yet had the chance to travel to but Spielman’s imagery made me long for it. Hopefully I'll get there someday!!

Book Review: "Love & Gelato" by Jenna Evans Welch

"You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it's for the same two things...love and gelato."

Lina is only in Italy because of a promise she made to her mother on her deathbed.

She isn't moved by the country's beauty—she's having too difficult a time dealing with the fact that she's going to be living WITH HER FATHER (about whom she never knew anything), much less living in a house in the midst of a famous cemetery, because he is the caretaker.

Why didn't her mother ever tell her anything about her father? What could have happened 16 years ago that would have been so bad that she not only fled Italy, but she never returned, and never made contact with the man again? All Lina wants is answers, and what she knows she doesn't want is to spend time getting to know Howard, umm, her father, or settle in—she's ready to head back to the U.S. and move back in with her best friend, Addie.

But little by little, Italy's charm starts to wear her down, and so does Ren, the handsome Italian-American boy who lives not too far away. And when Lina gets her hands on her mother's journal from the time she spent in Italy, she's determined to find everything she can about why her mother kept so much a secret from her, and why she left this magical place and a man she was supposedly in love with.

"Maybe that was just part of the Italian experience. Come to Italy. Fall in love. Watch everything blow up in your face. You could probably read about it on travel websites."

The deeper she gets into her mother's journal, the more confusing things become. It looks like her mother was an expert at keeping secrets, and if they're revealed, they could be painful for some. So with Ren as her sidekick, she embarks on a journey to trace her mother's steps and figure out the path her love story took—no matter what the consequences. And along the way she understands just how her mother fell in love with such a beautiful country, and how complicated the line between love and friendship can become.

Having just read a fairly emotional book, I was looking for something lighter and fun. Love & Gelato totally hit the spot—it was sweet, well-written, and I fell totally in love with it. It was a YA novel that certainly didn't feel like one, and yet the characters spoke like teenagers, not like sarcastic comedians.

Jenna Evans Welch's prose made this novel sparkle like the Italian countryside, and her imagery was tremendously evocative. There really isn't anything surprising in this novel—not even the "surprise" that Lina discovers—but that doesn't matter. Love & Gelato has so much charm, heart, and romance at its core that I flew through the book, and now I'm sad that it's all over.

If you're feeling like you need a change of pace from brooding thrillers or family dysfunction, Love & Gelato may be just what il medico ordered! I know I'll be reading Welch's new book when it's released in May.