What do you think?
Rate this book
Toscana para dos
La doctora Isabel Favor, autora de un best-séller de autoayuda, lo pierde todo en pocas semanas y se da cuenta de que puede solucionar la vida de todo el mundo excepto la suya. Arruinada, decide ir a Italia para darse un respiro. Allí conoce a Lorenzo Gage, un actor disoluto en plena crisis existencial… y al que le tienta la idea de seducir a una mujer como ella. Isabel comprenderá entonces que ha escapado de un caos para caer en otro.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 4, 2002
458 people are currently reading
4708 people want to read
About the author
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
47 books15.8k followersSUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 785 reviews
August 4, 2020
2.5 Stars
My least favorite SEP book so far :(
The heroine was annoying and uptight and I couldn't relate to her for most of the story.
But what really grated on my nerves were all those stereotypes, myths and inacurrate information about Italy and Italian people.
Not all Italians are passionate people. Not all Italian men are Casanovas. Not all Italian women are drop-dead gorgeous. Not all Italians are tied to the mafia. Not all Italian food is heavenly.
Oh, and the Italian language is not the only language that uses hand gestures. In fact, I'm pretty sure almost all languages use them to one degree or another.
It's funny how we all turn a blind eye to stereotypes and inaccurate information in books until it gets personal - until we stumble upon a book that talks about our own culture or language.
My least favorite SEP book so far :(
The heroine was annoying and uptight and I couldn't relate to her for most of the story.
But what really grated on my nerves were all those stereotypes, myths and inacurrate information about Italy and Italian people.
"All Italian men are mama's boys."
"By tradition, Italian men live with their parents until they marry. Their mamas cook for them, do their laundry, run their errands, treat them like little kings. Then the men don't want to get married because they know younger women like me won't cater to them like their mammas."
"Fewer Italian men get married all the time. This is why we have such a low birthrate in Italy, one of the lowest in the world."
"The Italian population could decrease by half every forty years if the trend doesn't change."
"Most Italians don't even go to mass"
"My American guests are always shocked to learn that only a small percentage of our population truly practices Catholicism."
"The gregarious Italians didn't believe in wasting their decorating money on solitary spaces like bedrooms when they could spend it on the kitchens and gardens that were their gathering places."
etc.
etc.
etc.
Not all Italians are passionate people. Not all Italian men are Casanovas. Not all Italian women are drop-dead gorgeous. Not all Italians are tied to the mafia. Not all Italian food is heavenly.
Oh, and the Italian language is not the only language that uses hand gestures. In fact, I'm pretty sure almost all languages use them to one degree or another.
It's funny how we all turn a blind eye to stereotypes and inaccurate information in books until it gets personal - until we stumble upon a book that talks about our own culture or language.
June 26, 2015
This one was great. I really enjoyed it.
Set in Italy. What's not to love? The scenery, the food, the wine ... Belissimo.
As with SEP, we have a few side stories going and I loved them too.
And I got an epilogue!!
She's Dr. Isabel Favor, America's diva of self-help.
He's Ren Gage, Hollywood's favorite villain.
Sometimes you just know that God has a sense of humor.
“He pushed the steelframed glasses up on his perfect nose. “I don't pay much attention to the selfhelp movement, but even I've heard of you. Is the doctorate real or phony?”
“I have a very real Ph.D. in psychology, which qualifies me to make a fairly accurate diagnosis: You're a jerk. Now, leave me alone.”
Set in Italy. What's not to love? The scenery, the food, the wine ... Belissimo.
As with SEP, we have a few side stories going and I loved them too.
She was a gift - a gift he nearly hadn't found the guts to claim. Now, as he watched her standing fearless against the elements, her power stole his breath ... she was everything to him.
He silenced her with a kiss.
“She threw up her hands. "All right. Why not?"
"Why not?"
"Sure."
His arms fell to his sides. "That's it? I pour my heart out. I love you so much I've got freakin' tears in my eyes. And all I get in return is 'Why not'?"
"What did you expect? Am I supposed to fall all over you just because you've finally come to your senses?"
"Would it be too much to ask?"...He'd begun to glare at her again, his eyes growing stormier by the minute."When do you think you might be ready? To fall all over me, that is.”
And I got an epilogue!!
December 13, 2023
Eat, pray, have sex with a hot stranger, help fix his ex's marriage and finally, love. All set in Italy.
SEP's particular brand of romance is phenomenal!
SEP's particular brand of romance is phenomenal!
November 6, 2020
10++++ stars for the audiobook!
I loved travelling to Italy with Isabel and Lorenzo again. It was so much fun. The narrator did a FABULOUS job bringing this story to life. ❤
I laughed and I cried. I'm such a sap for a wonderful love story.
And I simply adored the side story of Tracy & Harry and their kids. Steffie, Jeremy, Brittany and Connor really made the story. They were so darn cute and made me laugh.
I highly recommend this audiobook!!!
*******************************************
Susan Elizabeth is one of my most favorite author’s. There isn’t much I don’t love about her writing. Her stories are so easy to fall in love with because of her creative plots, her strong characters and the lovely places where it all takes place. I’ve never been to Italy. Reading Breathing Room took me there and quite honestly I cannot imagine a more beautiful, more romantic place.
I would love to have just a smidgen of the creative mind that Susan Elizabeth Philips has. I love how she presents the contrast between the two main characters leaving you wondering how the two will fit together. In Breathing Room we have Isabel Favor who is strikingly beautiful and a woman who is a bit of a control freak and someone that has a plan for every aspect of her life. Then there is Lorenzo Gage who has no control over his life, a life that he lives a bit frivolously just because he can. I absolutely loved these two together!
Isabel ~ was a stunner. She was a beautiful and very successful “self-help diva”. But could she help herself. For a woman who needed a life of order she was being forced to take a closer look at her carefully planned life. Things were no longer perfect and she needed to fix this.
Ren ~ Loved this guy. He was a bit vagarious and rather sexy. His life appeared to be filled with all that he needed and he never had trouble catching the eye of most women. Seeking refuge in Italy Ren decides to take stock of who he has become. But when his eyes settle on a beautiful woman he gets a bit side-tracked and life as he knew it would never be the same.
Isabel and Ren didn’t belong together. Their lives couldn’t have been any more different. It would be these differences that pull them together. As they experience Italy together, resisting the attraction was futile. Be it the beauty of Italy, the taste of the food and wine, Isabel and Ren didn’t stand a chance.
Ren’s Villa was a safe haven for him and he loved having this beauty at his finger tips. But when Isabel senses there is something brewing among his family and friends that share this beauty with him, they decide to take a closure look at what’s going on.
Things get a bit muddled for Isabel and things start to fall into to place for Ren. Neither expected the other to fit so perfectly into their lives. Both just needed to learn how to…..
This was such a fantastic story. Among the things I love about a SEP book is that in addition to the main storyline she always gives us secondary characters and a secondary story. The “extra” came in for the form of a family. I loved Tracy & Harry and their kids. Steffie, Jeremy, Brittany and Connor were so damn cute and added the humor. Yet another thing I love about SEP writing. ❤
I loved travelling to Italy with Isabel and Lorenzo again. It was so much fun. The narrator did a FABULOUS job bringing this story to life. ❤
I laughed and I cried. I'm such a sap for a wonderful love story.
And I simply adored the side story of Tracy & Harry and their kids. Steffie, Jeremy, Brittany and Connor really made the story. They were so darn cute and made me laugh.
I highly recommend this audiobook!!!
*******************************************
Susan Elizabeth is one of my most favorite author’s. There isn’t much I don’t love about her writing. Her stories are so easy to fall in love with because of her creative plots, her strong characters and the lovely places where it all takes place. I’ve never been to Italy. Reading Breathing Room took me there and quite honestly I cannot imagine a more beautiful, more romantic place.
I would love to have just a smidgen of the creative mind that Susan Elizabeth Philips has. I love how she presents the contrast between the two main characters leaving you wondering how the two will fit together. In Breathing Room we have Isabel Favor who is strikingly beautiful and a woman who is a bit of a control freak and someone that has a plan for every aspect of her life. Then there is Lorenzo Gage who has no control over his life, a life that he lives a bit frivolously just because he can. I absolutely loved these two together!
Isabel ~ was a stunner. She was a beautiful and very successful “self-help diva”. But could she help herself. For a woman who needed a life of order she was being forced to take a closer look at her carefully planned life. Things were no longer perfect and she needed to fix this.
Ren ~ Loved this guy. He was a bit vagarious and rather sexy. His life appeared to be filled with all that he needed and he never had trouble catching the eye of most women. Seeking refuge in Italy Ren decides to take stock of who he has become. But when his eyes settle on a beautiful woman he gets a bit side-tracked and life as he knew it would never be the same.
Isabel and Ren didn’t belong together. Their lives couldn’t have been any more different. It would be these differences that pull them together. As they experience Italy together, resisting the attraction was futile. Be it the beauty of Italy, the taste of the food and wine, Isabel and Ren didn’t stand a chance.
Ren’s Villa was a safe haven for him and he loved having this beauty at his finger tips. But when Isabel senses there is something brewing among his family and friends that share this beauty with him, they decide to take a closure look at what’s going on.
Things get a bit muddled for Isabel and things start to fall into to place for Ren. Neither expected the other to fit so perfectly into their lives. Both just needed to learn how to…..
This was such a fantastic story. Among the things I love about a SEP book is that in addition to the main storyline she always gives us secondary characters and a secondary story. The “extra” came in for the form of a family. I loved Tracy & Harry and their kids. Steffie, Jeremy, Brittany and Connor were so damn cute and added the humor. Yet another thing I love about SEP writing. ❤
June 24, 2015
5 STARS
Yes, I’m going to say it again… absolutely bloody fantastic. I almost regret starting another book. I just want to bask in the afterglow, but then I know I’ll be feeling the same blissful joy after each and every SEP book I read. There have only been a small number of books that I can say I wanted to pick up and read again right after I finished them… and this is one of them.
Our heroine here, Dr. Isabel Favor, is a quirky, advice-filled control freak, that will drive most anyone crazy, but for our movie star villain, Lorenzo Gage, she is just what he needed to tame his wicked heart.
She made a mental note to give him a list of the Healthy Relationship Rules of Fair Combat, not one of which advocated yelling “shut up.”
And what better place for her to pick up the pieces of her shattered life… Tuscany. Honestly, this has to be one of the most romantic places on earth.
Today he’d received the distinct impression she was actually praying for him, and what kind of crap was that to have to put up with from a woman you wanted for sex?
Isabel was lacking passion in her esoteric life… But the combination of Italy and Ren… was like jumping off a cliff into the abyss of self indulgence. The ultimate drug for her order-driven soul. And she quickly became addicted.
“You’re nearly as rotten as you want me to believe.” He gave her his bone-melting smile.
“Baby, all you’ve seen is my good side.”
These two were so perfect together. And despite their polar differences, there was an attraction that neither one of them could ignore. The dialogue was so entertaining. I actually had to restrain myself from adding an update every other page.
He had vast experience with mortal women, but goddesses were another matter, and he’d angered this particular deity beyond reason.
A bolt of lightning split the sky, and they flung themselves into the fury of the storm.
Then there is Ren… don’t even get me started… LOVE LOVE LOVE. In fact, I’m selling my house and moving to Italy ASAP. I need to find this man! I must admit, I do have a HUGE weakness for Italian men…and Lorenzo Gage does not disappoint.
His arms fell to his sides. “That’s it? I pour my heart out. I love you so much I’ve got freakin’ tears in my eyes. And all I get in return is ‘Why not?’” “What did you expect?” Am I supposed to fall all over you just because you’ve finally come to your senses?”
“Would it be too much to ask?”
This is a stand-alone book. And it is pure SEP. And I will be reading it again… and again.
Yes, I’m going to say it again… absolutely bloody fantastic. I almost regret starting another book. I just want to bask in the afterglow, but then I know I’ll be feeling the same blissful joy after each and every SEP book I read. There have only been a small number of books that I can say I wanted to pick up and read again right after I finished them… and this is one of them.
Our heroine here, Dr. Isabel Favor, is a quirky, advice-filled control freak, that will drive most anyone crazy, but for our movie star villain, Lorenzo Gage, she is just what he needed to tame his wicked heart.
She made a mental note to give him a list of the Healthy Relationship Rules of Fair Combat, not one of which advocated yelling “shut up.”
And what better place for her to pick up the pieces of her shattered life… Tuscany. Honestly, this has to be one of the most romantic places on earth.
Today he’d received the distinct impression she was actually praying for him, and what kind of crap was that to have to put up with from a woman you wanted for sex?
Isabel was lacking passion in her esoteric life… But the combination of Italy and Ren… was like jumping off a cliff into the abyss of self indulgence. The ultimate drug for her order-driven soul. And she quickly became addicted.
“You’re nearly as rotten as you want me to believe.” He gave her his bone-melting smile.
“Baby, all you’ve seen is my good side.”
These two were so perfect together. And despite their polar differences, there was an attraction that neither one of them could ignore. The dialogue was so entertaining. I actually had to restrain myself from adding an update every other page.
He had vast experience with mortal women, but goddesses were another matter, and he’d angered this particular deity beyond reason.
A bolt of lightning split the sky, and they flung themselves into the fury of the storm.
Then there is Ren… don’t even get me started… LOVE LOVE LOVE. In fact, I’m selling my house and moving to Italy ASAP. I need to find this man! I must admit, I do have a HUGE weakness for Italian men…and Lorenzo Gage does not disappoint.
His arms fell to his sides. “That’s it? I pour my heart out. I love you so much I’ve got freakin’ tears in my eyes. And all I get in return is ‘Why not?’” “What did you expect?” Am I supposed to fall all over you just because you’ve finally come to your senses?”
“Would it be too much to ask?”
This is a stand-alone book. And it is pure SEP. And I will be reading it again… and again.
April 3, 2018
Say hello to the beautiful countryside of Tuscany!
Scenic, romantic, lovely, well-written, engaging and did I mention lovely? I could smell the lavender and feel the warmth of the Italian night wrapped around me. I traveled to Italy while reading this book. I wanted to savor every word. It is vacation wrapped in a lovely book.
A movie star hero, a sweet previous guru heroine, a lovely side cast of Italian neighbors and a side plot of an engaging family. What more can a girl wish for? If you need an escapist read set in a wonderful location, then look no further. It is fun, sweet and steamy. One of the best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!
Scenic, romantic, lovely, well-written, engaging and did I mention lovely? I could smell the lavender and feel the warmth of the Italian night wrapped around me. I traveled to Italy while reading this book. I wanted to savor every word. It is vacation wrapped in a lovely book.
A movie star hero, a sweet previous guru heroine, a lovely side cast of Italian neighbors and a side plot of an engaging family. What more can a girl wish for? If you need an escapist read set in a wonderful location, then look no further. It is fun, sweet and steamy. One of the best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!
July 17, 2019
I really struggled to find an audio book this week. I thought I wanted to listen to a sci-fi, nope. Thriller perhaps? Nope! Then I found this one and decided to give it a try, romance was the flavour of the week it seemed. And I really enjoyed it. Up until the end at least…
Isabel is a self-help guru who has just lost everything when her accountant is found to have committed major tax fraud. With no money to her name, newly single and destitute and with nothing to lose, she decides to go and have a break away from the world in a house in a village in Tuscany. However, the man who owns the house is a world famous actor villain, and she has encountered him before. And he was less than honest.
It was a solid fun, cute and romantic read. I enjoyed the characters even though they felt a bit dated.
There were some laugh out loud moments for sure. I caught myself cackling a few times in some of the scenes. I really enjoy the way Phillips develops the relationships between her characters. Every one of her books is a slow-burn and they are generally extremely satisfying reads. In fact her book “Match Me If You Can” is one of my favourite romance books of ALL TIME!
However the ending ruined it for this one. I am not sure where it went with a lot of the “goddess” stuff, I didn’t really know what I was suddenly listening to at the end it all got a bit weird. And I was ultimately unsatisfied with the ending, otherwise this would have been a good 4-star read for me. Such a shame!
Did I enjoy the audio version?
I did indeed, the narrator Kate Flemming did a great job. She has such a strong voice that her male portrayals were not too bad at all and I loved her voice when she was using the little kids voices! Cute!
Would I recommend Breathing Room?
If you are a romance fan you should check it out! You may even enjoy the ending more than I did!
I purchased Breathing Room at my own expense on audible.com
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Isabel is a self-help guru who has just lost everything when her accountant is found to have committed major tax fraud. With no money to her name, newly single and destitute and with nothing to lose, she decides to go and have a break away from the world in a house in a village in Tuscany. However, the man who owns the house is a world famous actor villain, and she has encountered him before. And he was less than honest.
It was a solid fun, cute and romantic read. I enjoyed the characters even though they felt a bit dated.
There were some laugh out loud moments for sure. I caught myself cackling a few times in some of the scenes. I really enjoy the way Phillips develops the relationships between her characters. Every one of her books is a slow-burn and they are generally extremely satisfying reads. In fact her book “Match Me If You Can” is one of my favourite romance books of ALL TIME!
However the ending ruined it for this one. I am not sure where it went with a lot of the “goddess” stuff, I didn’t really know what I was suddenly listening to at the end it all got a bit weird. And I was ultimately unsatisfied with the ending, otherwise this would have been a good 4-star read for me. Such a shame!
Did I enjoy the audio version?
I did indeed, the narrator Kate Flemming did a great job. She has such a strong voice that her male portrayals were not too bad at all and I loved her voice when she was using the little kids voices! Cute!
Would I recommend Breathing Room?
If you are a romance fan you should check it out! You may even enjoy the ending more than I did!
I purchased Breathing Room at my own expense on audible.com
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
December 13, 2019
Ren și Isabel— un înger și un demon... se întâlnesc, se testează, se luptă, se iubesc. O poveste alertă, intensa și cu profunde momente pline de umor. O poveste de iubire intensa!
January 3, 2011
Disclaimer: I read this book several years ago, so some things are hazy. But a GR friend asked me to write a review. So here it is:
I was thrilled when this book came into the local library. I went through a pretty big SEP phase, because I loved the humor in her books, and the steamy romance (for the time). She had a couple that I read and enjoyed that were more serious, such as Dream a Little Dream and This Heart of Mine. But in general, her books are laugh out loud funny (a real plus, since I love to laugh). That's a major reason why I was a little bit disappointed with Breathing Room. I laughed once or twice, but it was pretty somber, in my opinion. I felt bad for Isabel. She was a woman who did not know how to relax and be real. She is probably one of the most uptight women I've ever read about. When she had sex with Gage for the first time, she was so uptight, she made him wear two condoms. I'm not even sure that's feasible. Needless to say, it was miserably bad sex. What made it more sad was that it was a manifestation of Isabel's control issues. It didn't have to be bad if she allowed herself to not be in control for once. She met a guy she was seriously attracted to, and she had to control that and morph it into something that fit her well-organized, but colorless existence.
Ren is probably one of my favorite SEP heroes. I found him to be a very interesting character. Ren was an actor (he wanted to be a serious actor) who had made a career of playing the 'bad guy' in action movies, due to his rough, not very pretty features. As a lifelong action movie fan, I could really visualize this guy, and it gave him an edge when it came to liking him. I felt bad for him, the way Isabel treated him. When he started being not-so nice to her, I could see why she wasn't his favorite person. I'm not making excuses for a jerky hero, but let's just say he has more motivation for being a chest-beating jerky type than most of SEP other heroes, who tend to be of the uber-jerky variety.
I enjoyed the beauty of Italy, and the cottage where Isabel ends up staying. I liked seeing this very rigid, emotionally-controlled woman relax and learn to enjoy life.
Let me tell you, I am not a woman's fiction fan. It gives me hives! This book was very close to being one of those types of books, which is another reason why I was disappointed with it. I thought the romance was too subtle, and I found the idea of Isabel and Ren getting past their issues and coming together to be dubious. Of course, they do, since this is romance. It's fairly well-done, but occurs a little too slowly and underplayed for me. The next time they made love was much better, so that was good.
The secondary romance was very good, but very woman's fiction-y, to this reader. It was about a couple who had married young, and had too many children (in the husband's opinion). From I remember, they had five. He started drawing away from his wife and the crazy family life, and working too much. When it turns out the wife is pregnant again, this almost destroys their marriage. The husband is forced to join them in Italy, and they slowly repair their marriage, and deal with the real issues as to why Tracy wants to keep having babies.
As you can see, I gave this book four stars. Although it did disappoint me in ways that I mentioned above, it was a very good book, and I found it moving. I don't consider it a stellar romance book. However, Ren lingers in my memory, because I really liked him. I just wish that the romance between Ren and Isabel was more in the forefront, and that there were more funny parts (a sure draw to a SEP for me). Me and my plebian tastes.
I was thrilled when this book came into the local library. I went through a pretty big SEP phase, because I loved the humor in her books, and the steamy romance (for the time). She had a couple that I read and enjoyed that were more serious, such as Dream a Little Dream and This Heart of Mine. But in general, her books are laugh out loud funny (a real plus, since I love to laugh). That's a major reason why I was a little bit disappointed with Breathing Room. I laughed once or twice, but it was pretty somber, in my opinion. I felt bad for Isabel. She was a woman who did not know how to relax and be real. She is probably one of the most uptight women I've ever read about. When she had sex with Gage for the first time, she was so uptight, she made him wear two condoms. I'm not even sure that's feasible. Needless to say, it was miserably bad sex. What made it more sad was that it was a manifestation of Isabel's control issues. It didn't have to be bad if she allowed herself to not be in control for once. She met a guy she was seriously attracted to, and she had to control that and morph it into something that fit her well-organized, but colorless existence.
Ren is probably one of my favorite SEP heroes. I found him to be a very interesting character. Ren was an actor (he wanted to be a serious actor) who had made a career of playing the 'bad guy' in action movies, due to his rough, not very pretty features. As a lifelong action movie fan, I could really visualize this guy, and it gave him an edge when it came to liking him. I felt bad for him, the way Isabel treated him. When he started being not-so nice to her, I could see why she wasn't his favorite person. I'm not making excuses for a jerky hero, but let's just say he has more motivation for being a chest-beating jerky type than most of SEP other heroes, who tend to be of the uber-jerky variety.
I enjoyed the beauty of Italy, and the cottage where Isabel ends up staying. I liked seeing this very rigid, emotionally-controlled woman relax and learn to enjoy life.
Let me tell you, I am not a woman's fiction fan. It gives me hives! This book was very close to being one of those types of books, which is another reason why I was disappointed with it. I thought the romance was too subtle, and I found the idea of Isabel and Ren getting past their issues and coming together to be dubious. Of course, they do, since this is romance. It's fairly well-done, but occurs a little too slowly and underplayed for me. The next time they made love was much better, so that was good.
The secondary romance was very good, but very woman's fiction-y, to this reader. It was about a couple who had married young, and had too many children (in the husband's opinion). From I remember, they had five. He started drawing away from his wife and the crazy family life, and working too much. When it turns out the wife is pregnant again, this almost destroys their marriage. The husband is forced to join them in Italy, and they slowly repair their marriage, and deal with the real issues as to why Tracy wants to keep having babies.
As you can see, I gave this book four stars. Although it did disappoint me in ways that I mentioned above, it was a very good book, and I found it moving. I don't consider it a stellar romance book. However, Ren lingers in my memory, because I really liked him. I just wish that the romance between Ren and Isabel was more in the forefront, and that there were more funny parts (a sure draw to a SEP for me). Me and my plebian tastes.
December 17, 2018
I loved this book so much. I laughed and laughed and swooned and smiled. I felt like I got a romance novel, a self-help book (that I liked), and a vivid travel guide on Tuscany all in one. It was fabulous.
“Breathing Room is a book for any woman who’s dreamed of wandering through a Vineyard, of lazing under the Tuscan sky, or of reforming a deliciously wicked man. This is a story of hope and renewal, of love and redemption when it’s needed the most. Sometimes it takes a special place, a special love, a little breathing room, for life to deliver all of its glorious promise.”
Breathing Room is a lighthearted romance with tons of witty dialogue, an element of hate-to-love and complex characters that are multidimensional and mature. Not to mention, you will feel like you are actually in Tuscany. Her vivid description of the food and Tuscan Landscape was truly impressive and awe inspiring. What I would do for a glass of Chianti and a wedge of pecorino cheese right now.
While reading a book by SEP, I often wonder how many degrees the woman holds. Psychology, Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Business, Speech Pathology, History, Culinary Arts? I find myself in constant awe at the thoroughness she puts into so many subjects, and I never find myself bored or bogged down. I make it sound like she’s solving some of the worlds greatest mysteries, I know. I just think she knows about the human condition.
Her characters and themes are so much more in depth than I usually find in other romance novels. Yes, her books are lighthearted and almost always extremely funny, but I find that I’m always moved in some way by her characters and the lessons they learn. Whether it’s the washed up actor, the athlete in his prime, the bored housewife, the heroine struggling to find her way, the depressed widower, I always relate. In this particular book, for instance, two secondary characters are having marital problems and Isabella makes them talk through their issues. I felt like I was sitting in a therapy session getting suggestions on how to effectively communicate with my husband. There were so many take aways in this book like that.
I really appreciate all the thought and research that SEP puts into her novels. They truly feel like an escape for me. Nothing is rushed or overlooked. I always feel like I’m there with the characters feeling their feelings, smelling the smells, tasting the food, seeing the beauty in the landscapes she paints. I wish I could find more contemporary romance writers like her.
“Breathing Room is a book for any woman who’s dreamed of wandering through a Vineyard, of lazing under the Tuscan sky, or of reforming a deliciously wicked man. This is a story of hope and renewal, of love and redemption when it’s needed the most. Sometimes it takes a special place, a special love, a little breathing room, for life to deliver all of its glorious promise.”
Breathing Room is a lighthearted romance with tons of witty dialogue, an element of hate-to-love and complex characters that are multidimensional and mature. Not to mention, you will feel like you are actually in Tuscany. Her vivid description of the food and Tuscan Landscape was truly impressive and awe inspiring. What I would do for a glass of Chianti and a wedge of pecorino cheese right now.
While reading a book by SEP, I often wonder how many degrees the woman holds. Psychology, Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Business, Speech Pathology, History, Culinary Arts? I find myself in constant awe at the thoroughness she puts into so many subjects, and I never find myself bored or bogged down. I make it sound like she’s solving some of the worlds greatest mysteries, I know. I just think she knows about the human condition.
Her characters and themes are so much more in depth than I usually find in other romance novels. Yes, her books are lighthearted and almost always extremely funny, but I find that I’m always moved in some way by her characters and the lessons they learn. Whether it’s the washed up actor, the athlete in his prime, the bored housewife, the heroine struggling to find her way, the depressed widower, I always relate. In this particular book, for instance, two secondary characters are having marital problems and Isabella makes them talk through their issues. I felt like I was sitting in a therapy session getting suggestions on how to effectively communicate with my husband. There were so many take aways in this book like that.
I really appreciate all the thought and research that SEP puts into her novels. They truly feel like an escape for me. Nothing is rushed or overlooked. I always feel like I’m there with the characters feeling their feelings, smelling the smells, tasting the food, seeing the beauty in the landscapes she paints. I wish I could find more contemporary romance writers like her.
April 11, 2025
Contemporary Romance
Publication date : October 13, 2009
I was touched, charmed, entertained and amused by this story. I enjoy SEP's writing. Her descriptions are vivid without being long or boring. Her story and characters come to life, you can feel like you are there with them. I enjoyed Isabel Favor and the silver screen villain, Lorenzo Gage. They were flawed and messed up but there was something endearing about them that made me root for them.
I enjoyed the banter and sizzle between these two. At first you think no way these two would end up together...but the more I read on, the more I could see how they completed each other. I also enjoyed the sub-plot between Ren's ex-wife Tracy, her new husband Harry and their kids.
If you are looking for a story of renewal and hope, of love and redemption, of beautiful setting under the Tuscan sky, then try this one.
Publication date : October 13, 2009
I was touched, charmed, entertained and amused by this story. I enjoy SEP's writing. Her descriptions are vivid without being long or boring. Her story and characters come to life, you can feel like you are there with them. I enjoyed Isabel Favor and the silver screen villain, Lorenzo Gage. They were flawed and messed up but there was something endearing about them that made me root for them.
Here’s the life lesson I’ve learned, Fifi: Some people are born to play the hero, and some are born to play the bad guy. Fighting your destiny only makes life harder than it needs to be. Besides, people remember the villain long after they’ve forgotten the hero.
I enjoyed the banter and sizzle between these two. At first you think no way these two would end up together...but the more I read on, the more I could see how they completed each other. I also enjoyed the sub-plot between Ren's ex-wife Tracy, her new husband Harry and their kids.
“People try to bail out without a fight, and too often people take the easy way out. Doesn't anybody have backbone anymore?"
If you are looking for a story of renewal and hope, of love and redemption, of beautiful setting under the Tuscan sky, then try this one.
February 26, 2021
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
Ha empezado genial y, por fin , pensaba que había encontrado la novela de SEP que me encantaría, dejando de lado Besar a un angel (única que realmente he disfrutado)
Un argumento tópico pero con unos personajes preparados para guerrear, divertida, fresca y picante.
Después pierde fuelle y ha llegado al punto en que me ha conseguido aburrir... mala cosa
Una toscana desaprovechada, demasiados personajes que terminan distrayendo y restan el espacio para evolucionar una relación basada en el sexo...
Sorprendida de que Ren me haya gustado mucho más que Isabel. De ella he acabado un poquito hartita, rezos que me descolocan y hasta allá de los cuatro pilares...
Una pena, porque hasta la mitad la estaba disfrutando mucho....
Ha empezado genial y, por fin , pensaba que había encontrado la novela de SEP que me encantaría, dejando de lado Besar a un angel (única que realmente he disfrutado)
Un argumento tópico pero con unos personajes preparados para guerrear, divertida, fresca y picante.
Después pierde fuelle y ha llegado al punto en que me ha conseguido aburrir... mala cosa
Una toscana desaprovechada, demasiados personajes que terminan distrayendo y restan el espacio para evolucionar una relación basada en el sexo...
Sorprendida de que Ren me haya gustado mucho más que Isabel. De ella he acabado un poquito hartita, rezos que me descolocan y hasta allá de los cuatro pilares...
Una pena, porque hasta la mitad la estaba disfrutando mucho....
September 15, 2009
A wonderful book that I enjoyed from cover to cover. The wine country of Italy setting was divine. Ren was a bad boy to die for! I loved the interaction between Ren and Isabel.
August 12, 2016
me ha encantado!!! dan unas ganas tremendas de ir a la Toscana, de ser Isabel y como no, conocer a un Ren!!!
March 21, 2020
This is ‘Eat Pray Love’ - done all in Italy.
He cooks, she eats, they love and then she prays.
I love SEP but this was somewhat of a letdown, as her trademark angsty heartwrenching chemistry does not shine through. The h/H as a couple did not work for me. For one, there were too many distractions in the form of excessive characters (a glutful of ‘em), vague happenings/subplots, filler narratives and a medley of secondary romances. Surfeit of sec characters and sec romances are a SEP USP but they were just that here-a surfeit!
The sexy badboy meets the straitlaced/schoolmarm/control freak ( ?cold fish) trope must be most romance readers’ favorite. But this lady never really unfreezes or humanizes, but remains irritatingly calm, detached and patronizing throughout. The chemistry between the two was good at times but was mostly unconvincing. She is a self-help guru with some almost vaguely otherworldly vibes. Even her climactic Nirvana was more hair-raising scary than allaying to behold.
She is such a strong omniscient character that she almost un-alpha-nises this very hot H.
So as you can probably tell, the h just refused to grow on me. I tried!
The H was to die for. And it was not so because he happens to be the most beautiful male specimen Hollywood has to offer. He was really a sweet endearing guy with some serious issues to workout, but has a heart of pure gold. Personally, I would have wanted a sweet cloying romance for him but maybe the powers that be see his requirements more clearly - a personal self help guru available 24x7!
Two secondary romances should be good but! The H's ex, her marriage woes and basketful of kids were awww so cute and endearing *eyeroll* but then too much of a good thing can be annoying. Actually they themselves were not so bad as their omnipresence was.
That search for the fertility figurine was complete wtf lunacy/mass hysteria.
The Italian/Tuscan bg was bucolic sublimity and an armchair touristy heaven.
The humor when it shines through was well... humorous and pun-ny.
Ren emerged holding a plate piled with leftovers. He slapped it in front of her."Eat and go home."
"We used to be married, "Tracy explained. "Ren has leftover hostility."
=)
He cooks, she eats, they love and then she prays.
I love SEP but this was somewhat of a letdown, as her trademark angsty heartwrenching chemistry does not shine through. The h/H as a couple did not work for me. For one, there were too many distractions in the form of excessive characters (a glutful of ‘em), vague happenings/subplots, filler narratives and a medley of secondary romances. Surfeit of sec characters and sec romances are a SEP USP but they were just that here-a surfeit!
The sexy badboy meets the straitlaced/schoolmarm/control freak ( ?cold fish) trope must be most romance readers’ favorite. But this lady never really unfreezes or humanizes, but remains irritatingly calm, detached and patronizing throughout. The chemistry between the two was good at times but was mostly unconvincing. She is a self-help guru with some almost vaguely otherworldly vibes. Even her climactic Nirvana was more hair-raising scary than allaying to behold.
She is such a strong omniscient character that she almost un-alpha-nises this very hot H.
So as you can probably tell, the h just refused to grow on me. I tried!
The H was to die for. And it was not so because he happens to be the most beautiful male specimen Hollywood has to offer. He was really a sweet endearing guy with some serious issues to workout, but has a heart of pure gold. Personally, I would have wanted a sweet cloying romance for him but maybe the powers that be see his requirements more clearly - a personal self help guru available 24x7!
Two secondary romances should be good but! The H's ex, her marriage woes and basketful of kids were awww so cute and endearing *eyeroll* but then too much of a good thing can be annoying. Actually they themselves were not so bad as their omnipresence was.
That search for the fertility figurine was complete wtf lunacy/mass hysteria.
The Italian/Tuscan bg was bucolic sublimity and an armchair touristy heaven.
The humor when it shines through was well... humorous and pun-ny.
Ren emerged holding a plate piled with leftovers. He slapped it in front of her."Eat and go home."
"We used to be married, "Tracy explained. "Ren has leftover hostility."
=)
October 1, 2015
WoW I am so glad I missed this book when I was on a SEP binge a few years back. This book is slow to start and kinda weird in the beginning but if you stick with it you really won't be disappointed. The heroine is the perfect in control woman whose life implodes while our hero is the popular Hollywood villain gearing up for a role of a lifetime. They were the definition of opposites attract. There was also an engaging secondary story about how kids and miscommunication can shake the foundations of a marriage.
August 22, 2016
Terminado lectura conjuta con Patry y Noe...Gracias chicas,me lo paso pipa!!
Bueno la verdad que de todos los leído de la SEP este me ha resultado un poco flojito...Pero no quiere decir que no me haya gustado...Eso si, la sonrisa te la saca seguro.Hay momentos muy divertidos,Los personajes secundarios te encantan.
Y los principales cuando se pican entre si,esta genial...Pero ella hasta el último momento no se ve cambios en el personaje y él me ha gustado más.
La historia es sencilla sin mucho drama y fácil de leer.
Bueno la verdad que de todos los leído de la SEP este me ha resultado un poco flojito...Pero no quiere decir que no me haya gustado...Eso si, la sonrisa te la saca seguro.Hay momentos muy divertidos,Los personajes secundarios te encantan.
Y los principales cuando se pican entre si,esta genial...Pero ella hasta el último momento no se ve cambios en el personaje y él me ha gustado más.
La historia es sencilla sin mucho drama y fácil de leer.
May 27, 2024
Една щипка лошо момче към нея прибавена още една праведно момиче , забъркани в чуден коктейл. Посолени обилно с много СЕФ хумор, добавени горещи секс сцени, примесени с абсолютната красота на Италия , в частност на Тоскана . Съчетани обилно с вкусове и ухания от италианската кухня. И накрая черешката върху тортата - малко магия за разкош. Това намерих тук и погълнах на един дъх и с огромно удоволствие :)
August 16, 2015
I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips and this book is just what you expect from her, with a twist here and there. Isabel's perfect life is falling apart and for a famous self-help guru, that is a disaster. She goes to Italy to regroup and reevaluate and meets Ren, America's favorite actor baddie. The way these two change each other and affect those around them is wonderful to read.
November 19, 2016
It was 12 hours after finishing this that I realized how the story parallels Kiss an Angel. It's only a couple points, mainly the good girl vs. bad man and a component of faith. But it's an interesting parallel because this story did those things so very much better.
I think the main thing it did better is undermine the certainty of the good/bad polarity. Isabel is clearly not an angel and Lorenzo (Ren) is clearly not evil. Indeed, it's really only Ren who perceives them in those roles and it's clear from the story that neither designation is accurate. Indeed, one of my favorite parts of this book is that we first see Ren fleeing the theater in the middle of one of his movies because he just doesn't want to watch himself do the terrible things depicted. So we know up front that he's being more than a little unfair to himself every time he calls himself a natural villain or talks about how it's the only role he's suited to play.
Anyway, I loved Isabel as she tries to recover from her life falling apart. In public. This is particularly hard for her because she has built her career and image around being something of a wellness guru. Having that fall apart (and in such a way as to wipe out her savings and assets) is a blow she's struggling to absorb. So she starts with all the sympathy and I really loved seeing her try to work out how the principles she has used to gain so much success fell apart to leave her with functionally nothing. I liked how driven she was and that her motivation seemed to truly be to help people. She has a core of good and while she doesn't always live up to it, she nevertheless keeps trying.
And that pretty much sums up Ren by this time in his life, too. He's kind and generous even as his image of himself seems stuck a decade in the past when he was selfish and reckless. Yeah, he plays villains in the movies and likes that (what actor doesn't?), and it's clear that he takes his craft seriously and is good at what he does because he cares about it so much. But that isn't who he is despite his intuition that he might be.
My favorite part of the story, though, is how Isabel develops an appreciation for Ren by getting to know who he is even as she comes to understand how he perceives himself (and where those diverge). She really is good at understanding others, even as she has to admit her limitations in trying to change them. Better, even as she acknowledges (and refuses to engage in) the moral quagmire of trying to change others against their will. I really appreciated that dynamic and her refusal to manipulate because she wants to help others be the best version of themselves they can be and that just doesn't work through coercion and deceit.
Anyway, the main thing keeping this from five stars is I think Ren goes beyond anything reasonable in his self-hate. He undermines himself constantly and the whole "I don't deserve her because she's so good" thing became tedious. Worse, he . I hate that trope and was disappointed to find it such a big part of the later parts of this story. And yes, it really is about the only thing dropping this under five stars. Even the secondary romance was a fun addition to the story.
A note about Faith: Isabel isn't a religious person, really, but prayer is an active part of her life and part of her core principles in a way that is intrinsic and powerful. This worked out better than I expected given that she doesn't really have a religious tradition to pull it together. This works mainly by the sheer sincerity in Isabel's very personal approach to prayer and God. I loved that part of the manifestation of her self doubt was losing her ability to pray. And I liked how she got it back slowly, over time, and starting first with relearning how to pray for others. This made prayer in integral part of her core being and I liked how SEP made that part of her reintegration and self-discovery. But I particularly liked how Isabel's self-discovery ended up happening best when she turned herself towards helping others. Indeed, finding yourself through service to others was wonderfully and powerfully depicted here as it seldom is in fiction (i.e. by illustration and example and with a marvelous lack of empty platitudes and psychobabble).
A note about Steamy: This was higher than usual for SEP. There are three or four explicit sex scenes with Ren and Isabel. The first isn't steamy, really, as it's something of a disaster they spend a third of the book (or so) getting past. The additional explicit scene with the secondary couple put this solidly on the high side of my mid-steam tolerance. I think the extra sex scenes were completely necessary as they are part of Isabel working out the changes to her core principles.
I think the main thing it did better is undermine the certainty of the good/bad polarity. Isabel is clearly not an angel and Lorenzo (Ren) is clearly not evil. Indeed, it's really only Ren who perceives them in those roles and it's clear from the story that neither designation is accurate. Indeed, one of my favorite parts of this book is that we first see Ren fleeing the theater in the middle of one of his movies because he just doesn't want to watch himself do the terrible things depicted. So we know up front that he's being more than a little unfair to himself every time he calls himself a natural villain or talks about how it's the only role he's suited to play.
Anyway, I loved Isabel as she tries to recover from her life falling apart. In public. This is particularly hard for her because she has built her career and image around being something of a wellness guru. Having that fall apart (and in such a way as to wipe out her savings and assets) is a blow she's struggling to absorb. So she starts with all the sympathy and I really loved seeing her try to work out how the principles she has used to gain so much success fell apart to leave her with functionally nothing. I liked how driven she was and that her motivation seemed to truly be to help people. She has a core of good and while she doesn't always live up to it, she nevertheless keeps trying.
And that pretty much sums up Ren by this time in his life, too. He's kind and generous even as his image of himself seems stuck a decade in the past when he was selfish and reckless. Yeah, he plays villains in the movies and likes that (what actor doesn't?), and it's clear that he takes his craft seriously and is good at what he does because he cares about it so much. But that isn't who he is despite his intuition that he might be.
My favorite part of the story, though, is how Isabel develops an appreciation for Ren by getting to know who he is even as she comes to understand how he perceives himself (and where those diverge). She really is good at understanding others, even as she has to admit her limitations in trying to change them. Better, even as she acknowledges (and refuses to engage in) the moral quagmire of trying to change others against their will. I really appreciated that dynamic and her refusal to manipulate because she wants to help others be the best version of themselves they can be and that just doesn't work through coercion and deceit.
Anyway, the main thing keeping this from five stars is I think Ren goes beyond anything reasonable in his self-hate. He undermines himself constantly and the whole "I don't deserve her because she's so good" thing became tedious. Worse, he . I hate that trope and was disappointed to find it such a big part of the later parts of this story. And yes, it really is about the only thing dropping this under five stars. Even the secondary romance was a fun addition to the story.
A note about Faith: Isabel isn't a religious person, really, but prayer is an active part of her life and part of her core principles in a way that is intrinsic and powerful. This worked out better than I expected given that she doesn't really have a religious tradition to pull it together. This works mainly by the sheer sincerity in Isabel's very personal approach to prayer and God. I loved that part of the manifestation of her self doubt was losing her ability to pray. And I liked how she got it back slowly, over time, and starting first with relearning how to pray for others. This made prayer in integral part of her core being and I liked how SEP made that part of her reintegration and self-discovery. But I particularly liked how Isabel's self-discovery ended up happening best when she turned herself towards helping others. Indeed, finding yourself through service to others was wonderfully and powerfully depicted here as it seldom is in fiction (i.e. by illustration and example and with a marvelous lack of empty platitudes and psychobabble).
A note about Steamy: This was higher than usual for SEP. There are three or four explicit sex scenes with Ren and Isabel. The first isn't steamy, really, as it's something of a disaster they spend a third of the book (or so) getting past. The additional explicit scene with the secondary couple put this solidly on the high side of my mid-steam tolerance. I think the extra sex scenes were completely necessary as they are part of Isabel working out the changes to her core principles.
November 18, 2015
Non credevo avrei dato una valutazione così bassa alla SEP, ma questo libro, oltre ad avermi annoiata a morte, mi ha pure indisposto. Considerato che è del 2002 e che finora in Italia non si era visto, la CE poteva pure lasciarlo al resto del mercato mondiale e dedicarsi alla pubblicazione di altro.
Non nutro particolari simpatie per i libri con una forte componente analitica dei caratteri dei personaggi e quando uno dei protagonisti è uno psicologo questo succede sempre. Preferisco leggere tra le righe e fare le mie analisi da sola.
Ma non è questo ciò che mi ha infastidito di più.
Probabilmente, se non fossi italiana avrei potuto apprezzare un pelino di più il libro ma quello che forse per la CE era un punto di forza del romanzo, per me è stata una colossale delusione.
Breathing Room, infatti, è ambientato in Italia, precisamente nelle colline toscane.
Forse la SEP si è fatta una bella vacanza da quelle parti, forse ha solo studiato il nostro Paese, forse entrambe le cose, ma quello che è certo è che avrebbe potuto sottotitolare il libro:
"La sagra dei cliché sul popolo italiano, ovvero come gli Americani vedono gli Italiani."
E li vedono male.
Gli Italiani sono un popolo di mammoni, Mama's Boys, che adorano essere coccolati e viziati dalla mamma fino a un'età indecente. Ciò implica per il nostro Paese una drastica diminuzione delle nascite, perché nessuno si vuole sposare, preferendo rifugiarsi tra le cosce di mammà fino all'età adulta.
La protagonista si stupisce che gli italiani non vadano costantemente in chiesa, essendo l'Italia un paese notoriamente cattolico, come se l'avere il Papa in casa ci rendesse tutti ferventi credenti.
In un attimo la SEP è capace di trasformarci da "tombaroli" in "fungaroli".
Ovviamente, l'ombra della mafia e del pizzo non poteva mancare, così come la corruzione delle forze dell'ordine.
Tralascio i cliché più ovvi, come il fatto che gli italiani gesticolino quando parlano o il fatto che da noi le cene siano infinite e che il cibo sia qualcosa da venerare.
Oh, scordavo una caratteristica fondamentale di noi italiani: la superstizione!
Credevo di leggere un romance non un fantasy in cui si va alla ricerca di una statuetta magica col potere di ingravidare le donne, Lorenzo come Indiana Jones e Isabel come Lara Croft.
Esagero? Forse. Ma non ho apprezzato tutti questi cliché mascherati da simpatia.
La storia è strabanale.
Lui, Lorenzo, di nobili origini italiane, è un famoso attore americano, noto per le sue parti da cattivo. Bello e dannato, si imbatte in Isabel, una psicologa americana caduta in disgrazia che ha affittato il suo casolare in Toscana per rimettere in piedi la sua vita.
Finale prevedibile con gemelli.
Mi spiace molto perché ho amato i libri della Phillips, ma questo proprio non mi è piaciuto.
Non nutro particolari simpatie per i libri con una forte componente analitica dei caratteri dei personaggi e quando uno dei protagonisti è uno psicologo questo succede sempre. Preferisco leggere tra le righe e fare le mie analisi da sola.
Ma non è questo ciò che mi ha infastidito di più.
Probabilmente, se non fossi italiana avrei potuto apprezzare un pelino di più il libro ma quello che forse per la CE era un punto di forza del romanzo, per me è stata una colossale delusione.
Breathing Room, infatti, è ambientato in Italia, precisamente nelle colline toscane.
Forse la SEP si è fatta una bella vacanza da quelle parti, forse ha solo studiato il nostro Paese, forse entrambe le cose, ma quello che è certo è che avrebbe potuto sottotitolare il libro:
"La sagra dei cliché sul popolo italiano, ovvero come gli Americani vedono gli Italiani."
E li vedono male.
Gli Italiani sono un popolo di mammoni, Mama's Boys, che adorano essere coccolati e viziati dalla mamma fino a un'età indecente. Ciò implica per il nostro Paese una drastica diminuzione delle nascite, perché nessuno si vuole sposare, preferendo rifugiarsi tra le cosce di mammà fino all'età adulta.
La protagonista si stupisce che gli italiani non vadano costantemente in chiesa, essendo l'Italia un paese notoriamente cattolico, come se l'avere il Papa in casa ci rendesse tutti ferventi credenti.
In un attimo la SEP è capace di trasformarci da "tombaroli" in "fungaroli".
Ovviamente, l'ombra della mafia e del pizzo non poteva mancare, così come la corruzione delle forze dell'ordine.
Tralascio i cliché più ovvi, come il fatto che gli italiani gesticolino quando parlano o il fatto che da noi le cene siano infinite e che il cibo sia qualcosa da venerare.
Oh, scordavo una caratteristica fondamentale di noi italiani: la superstizione!
Credevo di leggere un romance non un fantasy in cui si va alla ricerca di una statuetta magica col potere di ingravidare le donne, Lorenzo come Indiana Jones e Isabel come Lara Croft.
Esagero? Forse. Ma non ho apprezzato tutti questi cliché mascherati da simpatia.
La storia è strabanale.
Lui, Lorenzo, di nobili origini italiane, è un famoso attore americano, noto per le sue parti da cattivo. Bello e dannato, si imbatte in Isabel, una psicologa americana caduta in disgrazia che ha affittato il suo casolare in Toscana per rimettere in piedi la sua vita.
Finale prevedibile con gemelli.
Mi spiace molto perché ho amato i libri della Phillips, ma questo proprio non mi è piaciuto.
August 6, 2018
Review written August 6, 2018
3.5 Stars - A nice, fun and good enough SEP romance
I listened to the 10:40 hours audiobook narrated by Kate Fleming (aka Anna Fields).
**********************************************
Two grownups, a enemy to lovers topic, a grumpy gorgeous hero and a snobbish orderly, very pedantic, suspicious but somewhat love-bitter heroine. All in all a contemporary romance from 2002 in the traditional “romcom” style by the always great Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP) — What can possibly be wrong?
Blurd and main characters:
• Dr. Isabel Favor has sacrificed everything to build her self-help empire. Then, in a matter of weeks, it all comes crashing down. She loses her money, her fiancé, and her reputation. Broke, heartsick, and soul-weary, she heads for Italy in search of a little breathing room.
• Lorenzo Gage makes his living killing people .. on the silver screen, that is. He's viciously handsome and sublimely talented. While on vacation in Italy he spots Isabel sipping a glass of wine in a sidewalk café. A good guy wouldn't think of seducing such a tidy-looking woman... but he'd never seen the fun in playing the hero.
**********************************************
Not great, not the highest Susan Elizabeth Phillips quality, but still a great terrific narrator and a funny, witty, sweet and very heart touching enjoying contemporary. Not to forget: It took me a time to do these ten audiobook hours but it wasn’t because of my interest in the book just my traveling summer vacation life.
... Still, as always when reading SEP romances, I really like her style and this “sweet” romance genre.
**********************************************
I LIKE - witty, funny and nice...
3.5 Stars - A nice, fun and good enough SEP romance
I listened to the 10:40 hours audiobook narrated by Kate Fleming (aka Anna Fields).
**********************************************
Two grownups, a enemy to lovers topic, a grumpy gorgeous hero and a snobbish orderly, very pedantic, suspicious but somewhat love-bitter heroine. All in all a contemporary romance from 2002 in the traditional “romcom” style by the always great Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP) — What can possibly be wrong?
Blurd and main characters:
• Dr. Isabel Favor has sacrificed everything to build her self-help empire. Then, in a matter of weeks, it all comes crashing down. She loses her money, her fiancé, and her reputation. Broke, heartsick, and soul-weary, she heads for Italy in search of a little breathing room.
• Lorenzo Gage makes his living killing people .. on the silver screen, that is. He's viciously handsome and sublimely talented. While on vacation in Italy he spots Isabel sipping a glass of wine in a sidewalk café. A good guy wouldn't think of seducing such a tidy-looking woman... but he'd never seen the fun in playing the hero.
**********************************************
Not great, not the highest Susan Elizabeth Phillips quality, but still a great terrific narrator and a funny, witty, sweet and very heart touching enjoying contemporary. Not to forget: It took me a time to do these ten audiobook hours but it wasn’t because of my interest in the book just my traveling summer vacation life.
... Still, as always when reading SEP romances, I really like her style and this “sweet” romance genre.
**********************************************
I LIKE - witty, funny and nice...
February 14, 2019
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The trope is a good one - capable and famous professional woman's life falls in a heap, so she goes to Tuscany for a holiday for some 'breathing room'. Has a fling with a hot US actor who is also half-Italian. He is sick of being typecast in movies as the bad guy. They fall in love. They both do some growing up (aka personal growth). HEA.
Although it has some likeable moments, somehow the book doesn't entirely work. Maybe it's the humour. It just annoyed me in this book, and I kept wishing that these terrific characters, lovely setting and decent storyline were showcased in a more serious style. But, it is romantic. The ending is nice. I guess it's a suitable book to finish reading on Valentine's Day LOL.
Although it has some likeable moments, somehow the book doesn't entirely work. Maybe it's the humour. It just annoyed me in this book, and I kept wishing that these terrific characters, lovely setting and decent storyline were showcased in a more serious style. But, it is romantic. The ending is nice. I guess it's a suitable book to finish reading on Valentine's Day LOL.
August 27, 2009
Breathing Room is one of those romances I could finish and immediately start again. I adore both Ren and Isabel. They have amazing chemistry and their dialogue is fantastic.
The romance is one that blossoms over time and we really get a sense of the two of them in the meantime. This isn't a two-day whirlwind romance. I love that.
The secondary characters are just as wonderful. Plus, I adore the setting. This book never fails to make me want to visit Italy. Definitely a must read.
The romance is one that blossoms over time and we really get a sense of the two of them in the meantime. This isn't a two-day whirlwind romance. I love that.
The secondary characters are just as wonderful. Plus, I adore the setting. This book never fails to make me want to visit Italy. Definitely a must read.
September 9, 2010
One of my favorite SEP books! The scenic descriptions of Italy made me feel like I was right there. There were some silly parts to this book, but the romance was sizzling and I didn't want this book to end!
August 5, 2016
I really loved the heroine in this book - she was really unique, in a good way. I loved the setting, the story and the steamy scenes. One of my favorite books by this author.
March 2, 2013
I am soo happy I think I wanna cry right now!!
This book was so good. Chicago Stars level good. After the dissapointment in most of Wynette series I have to admit that I started reading with low expectations but SEP did it again! The book was yummy! It has humor, drama, romance and a hero to-die-for.
Ren is most likely one of my favorite romance heroes of all time. He is gorgeous, a little arrogant, has a sense of humor, he is a great guy in bad boy's clothes. He knows he has issues, he knows why he has them but he doesn't let them get in his way! Of course at the end he spoiled it just a little but then this is a story and it has to have twists so I won't hold it against him.
The heroine I have to admit was a little spooky at some points with all the spiritual stuff but I liked her although I didn't believe it in the beginning. She is a psychologist with strong religious beliefs and a backbone a mile long. Does she have emotional breakdowns through the book? Well yes but considering that her bussiness manager stole all her fortune, her ex-fiance impregnated another woman while they were together and the man she fell for is scared to admit his feelings for her I think she is allowed some slack.
The substory between Tracy and Harry is beautiful. The secondary characters interesting and the plot although in the usual for SEP style "famous heroes, childhood traumas, unusual pairings" is anything but boring!
All in all a very nice book!*happy dance*
[image error]
This book was so good. Chicago Stars level good. After the dissapointment in most of Wynette series I have to admit that I started reading with low expectations but SEP did it again! The book was yummy! It has humor, drama, romance and a hero to-die-for.
Ren is most likely one of my favorite romance heroes of all time. He is gorgeous, a little arrogant, has a sense of humor, he is a great guy in bad boy's clothes. He knows he has issues, he knows why he has them but he doesn't let them get in his way! Of course at the end he spoiled it just a little but then this is a story and it has to have twists so I won't hold it against him.
The heroine I have to admit was a little spooky at some points with all the spiritual stuff but I liked her although I didn't believe it in the beginning. She is a psychologist with strong religious beliefs and a backbone a mile long. Does she have emotional breakdowns through the book? Well yes but considering that her bussiness manager stole all her fortune, her ex-fiance impregnated another woman while they were together and the man she fell for is scared to admit his feelings for her I think she is allowed some slack.
The substory between Tracy and Harry is beautiful. The secondary characters interesting and the plot although in the usual for SEP style "famous heroes, childhood traumas, unusual pairings" is anything but boring!
All in all a very nice book!*happy dance*
[image error]
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 26, 2022
Not one of Phillips's best.
Isabel is a down-on-her-luck self-help guru who hasn't managed to help herself to a successful family life or career. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Gage is a Hollywood star famous for playing villains. The two meet in Italy, have a one-night-stand (already not a plot point I enjoy) then part ways, seemingly forever. Only it turns out that Isabel has somehow rented a house owned by Ren.
For characters who have so much animal magnetism that they originally jumped into bed with each other after about five seconds, they really do come across as quite bland. Phillips has failed to inject any of her signature humour into their dialogue (though she tried valiantly). In fact, the secondary couple, featuring Ren's ex-girlfriend and her estranged husband, rather stole the show.
To top it all off, there's a VERY weird climax which involves Isabel going crazy and running up a mountaintop in the middle of a thunderstorm...
Isabel is a down-on-her-luck self-help guru who hasn't managed to help herself to a successful family life or career. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Gage is a Hollywood star famous for playing villains. The two meet in Italy, have a one-night-stand (already not a plot point I enjoy) then part ways, seemingly forever. Only it turns out that Isabel has somehow rented a house owned by Ren.
For characters who have so much animal magnetism that they originally jumped into bed with each other after about five seconds, they really do come across as quite bland. Phillips has failed to inject any of her signature humour into their dialogue (though she tried valiantly). In fact, the secondary couple, featuring Ren's ex-girlfriend and her estranged husband, rather stole the show.
To top it all off, there's a VERY weird climax which involves Isabel going crazy and running up a mountaintop in the middle of a thunderstorm...
April 11, 2018
El primer SEP que leo :)
Me ha resultado una historia bastante típica sobre la Toscana (soy europea, no me impresionan los viñedos, ni el aceite de oliva...), pero sus personajes tienen una profundidad fascinante, repletos de pequeños detalles que los hacen únicos, manías y gestos que se repiten y los hacen complejos. Me ha gustado el desarrollo emocional de cada uno y la pareja secundaria me ha encantado; los niños son lo más divertido de la novela. Está llena de buen humor, la narración es perfecta, sus personajes se ciñen a su manera de ser y tiene un buen desenlace.
La escena de la cafetería, al principio de la historia, me ha parecido sublime. Pero la intensidad de ese momento no vuelve a repetirse, de hecho las escenas posteriores carecen de pasión y todo resulta un poco mecánico. No es que buscara intensidad, pero habría sido perfecto si hubiera sido similar al inicio, porque la química entre los protagonistas de repente se esfuma.
Ella es recta y muy fría, exactamente como se describe. Él es un cabeza de chorlito, exactamente como se dice que es. Pero pierden fuerza a medida que avanza y se apagan, ya no hay interés en ellos.
Como es el primero que leo, no me aventuraré a profundizar más en esta reseña. Me ha gustado, era lo que esperaba; me ha gustado su forma de escribir, el estilo y el desarrollo. Me ha entretenido.
Lectura conjunta con mis compis Noe y Noe :D
Me ha resultado una historia bastante típica sobre la Toscana (soy europea, no me impresionan los viñedos, ni el aceite de oliva...), pero sus personajes tienen una profundidad fascinante, repletos de pequeños detalles que los hacen únicos, manías y gestos que se repiten y los hacen complejos. Me ha gustado el desarrollo emocional de cada uno y la pareja secundaria me ha encantado; los niños son lo más divertido de la novela. Está llena de buen humor, la narración es perfecta, sus personajes se ciñen a su manera de ser y tiene un buen desenlace.
La escena de la cafetería, al principio de la historia, me ha parecido sublime. Pero la intensidad de ese momento no vuelve a repetirse, de hecho las escenas posteriores carecen de pasión y todo resulta un poco mecánico. No es que buscara intensidad, pero habría sido perfecto si hubiera sido similar al inicio, porque la química entre los protagonistas de repente se esfuma.
Ella es recta y muy fría, exactamente como se describe. Él es un cabeza de chorlito, exactamente como se dice que es. Pero pierden fuerza a medida que avanza y se apagan, ya no hay interés en ellos.
Como es el primero que leo, no me aventuraré a profundizar más en esta reseña. Me ha gustado, era lo que esperaba; me ha gustado su forma de escribir, el estilo y el desarrollo. Me ha entretenido.
Lectura conjunta con mis compis Noe y Noe :D
October 9, 2017
I liked the audiobook better than the paperback.
When I read the paperback in 2007 I gave it 3 stars. It was ok. I recently listened to the audiobook and found it much more enjoyable. So I changed it to 4 stars. I didn’t enjoy the heroine when “I” was doing the reading, but the audiobook narrator’s voice and emotional interpretations made the heroine more interesting and likeable.
The author’s other books might have more wit, charm and laughter than this book. But this book was still good. I will read almost anything that she writes.
STORY BRIEF:
Successful self help psychology author/speaker loses all her money and her reputation. She goes to live in a farmhouse in Tuscany, Italy for awhile to regroup. She meets handsome movie star with emotional scars and flaws.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Kate Fleming was great.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: about eight. Setting: current day mostly Italy with a little New York City and California. Copyright: 2002. Genre: contemporary romance.
When I read the paperback in 2007 I gave it 3 stars. It was ok. I recently listened to the audiobook and found it much more enjoyable. So I changed it to 4 stars. I didn’t enjoy the heroine when “I” was doing the reading, but the audiobook narrator’s voice and emotional interpretations made the heroine more interesting and likeable.
The author’s other books might have more wit, charm and laughter than this book. But this book was still good. I will read almost anything that she writes.
STORY BRIEF:
Successful self help psychology author/speaker loses all her money and her reputation. She goes to live in a farmhouse in Tuscany, Italy for awhile to regroup. She meets handsome movie star with emotional scars and flaws.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Kate Fleming was great.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: about eight. Setting: current day mostly Italy with a little New York City and California. Copyright: 2002. Genre: contemporary romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 785 reviews