Sono sorpreso ! You were always supportive of him, and you knew he had to build up his business. I think you would have understood, as Carina does.’ They stared at each other in horror and disbelief at what had just happened. One of them had killed a man, a fellow soldier and compatriot. This crazy war had turned everything on its head, and now they were fugitives. I have read a couple of Carol's books before and I really enjoyed this one. There were bits that I found a bit disappointing but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. It’s Bianca,’ she explained, naming Carina’s wedding planner. ‘You need to decide about the stemware for the champagne reception. Flutes or coupes?’ The younger nodded and they drained their amaro, a locally produced, bitter-tasting herbal liqueur. They swayed unsteadily as they stood up from their wooden stools – this was far from their first drink of the evening – pushing their way through the throng of uniformed men, all yelling and singing and carousing.

Busy, with the wedding plans. Although I just found out that Giorgio is leaving for a few days. He has business in the US.’ Philippa’s tone made it clear what she thought of that. ‘The timing isn’t the best, but he’s an ambitious young man. He wants to provide for his family,’ Rafaella said neutrally. Carina looked from one parent to the other. She could sense her mother’s frustration, and felt torn between the two of them. The multiple third-person POV works to an extent in providing their thoughts, but the voice shifts repeatedly from one person to another. At the same time, it’s not omnipresent narration either. This makes it hard to connect with the characters.

Summary

Swept away by his enthusiasm, the wedding preparations temporarily abandoned, Carina hurriedly followed her father out of the room while her mother mused that this wasn’t the first time her husband had brushed his daughter’s wedding aside recently. Rafaella shook her head. ‘It was a long time ago, it doesn’t matter now . . . after the war—’ She clamped her lips tightly shut. ‘No, this is not the time.’ And went about her kneading with renewed gusto.

The book is set in beautiful Italy and it makes you want to visit there. I think the "villans" in this piece didn't get their comeuppance and I think that was the only mistake.Philippa frowned. ‘But you were in love with Antonio, weren’t you?’ she pondered, naming Salvatore’s father who’d died a decade earlier. Concerned that the question was too personal, she added, ‘I’d never seen a more devoted couple.’ Lately, that sensation was stronger than ever. Salvatore seemed distant, his kisses perfunctory. She told herself that after the wedding it would be different – they would be less busy, and she’d be able to devote herself to him once again – but deep down she knew it was more than that. They’d been married for twenty-five years, having celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in the spring, but their relationship had never felt the way it did right now. Jon said: "It is indeed, Carol. And Nina. We are going to be talking about - people might be reading books over the bank holiday... Read More Related Articles

To summarize, Secrets of the Villa Amore is an easy and light read despite the complex plot. It’s nothing great or memorable, though. A time pass read. There was a tussle in the darkness and blows were exchanged, fists flying as pent-up fear and anger found a release. The mood changed rapidly when one of the soldiers drew his weapon. Wait! the young man wanted to shout, but knowing it was futile the word died on his lips. He nodded as their eyes met for a split second.The writing style is easy, almost too easy, and highly simplified. While this adds to the pace, it doesn’t evoke enough emotions to connect with the characters. Still, I wanted Giorgio to get his due for being an absolute douchebag, so one character did inspire strong emotions in me. Whenever Philippa tried to talk to him about Carina and Giorgio, Salvatore shut her down immediately. He seemed determined that this wedding should go ahead, as did Rafaella, and Philippa couldn’t understand why it was so important to them or why she felt that everyone was in on something apart from her. In all the years she’d lived with the Russo family, she had never felt excluded once. Now, for the first time, she was starting to feel like an outsider. Glancing out of the kitchen window, she saw Salvatore and Carina stroll across the terrace, passing the fountain with its statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and festivity, on their way to the vineyards beyond. Sometimes, Philippa felt that she loved and hated those grapes in equal measure. Yes, they had given her a wonderful life, with two beautiful houses, holidays to the South of France and the Seychelles, as well as the opportunity to mingle with interesting and cultured people, but it felt as though she was forever coming second to a pile of fruit – at least in her husband’s eyes. It seemed to be a theme with the men in her life, she thought wryly.