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The House by the Sea
Ten-year-old Floriana is captivated by the beauty of the magnificent Tuscan villa that overlooks the sea just outside her small village. She likes to spy from the crumbling wall into the gardens. One day, Dante, the son of the villa's owner, invites her inside. From that moment on Floriana knows that her destiny is there, with him.
480 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2011
398 people are currently reading
6082 people want to read
About the author
Santa Montefiore
88 books2,689 followersSanta Montefiore is the number one bestselling author of over thirty novels and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages and she won an RNA Award for The Temptation of Gracie in 2019, which is currently in development for film. Born in England in 1970, she grew up in Hampshire and now lives in London with her husband, writer Simon Sebag-Montefiore, their daughter, son, and dog Simba.
Shadows in the Moonlight is the first novel of a trilogy following the character Pixie Tate, with Secrets of the Starlit Sea following in summer 2025. Santa loves to hear from readers and you can find her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.
Shadows in the Moonlight is the first novel of a trilogy following the character Pixie Tate, with Secrets of the Starlit Sea following in summer 2025. Santa loves to hear from readers and you can find her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
May 13, 2022
The House by the Sea by Santa Montefiore is a sweeping saga and a page-turner. I have tried to read it piece by piece while reading other books. However, from my experience, the best reading was when I had a proper time for this historical novel. Having read it, order as a page-turner even better. It is indeed a holiday read with a twisting plot over two generations revealed at the end of the novel. Here you can find all sorts of human emotions and the pressure of society that could change young people's lives forever. It showed an excellent example of modern England, too, showing the reality of being an owner of the "old" house with memories converted into even more memories holding rural hotel of England. It is an excellent example of the past century's mentality and actions that nowadays wouldn't be surprising—a ladder of social titles and wealth or fear of losing it.
August 23, 2012
I just adored this book, and this surprises me as I would usually find this kind of story quite bland and predictably fulfilling.
But I fell in love with the characters in a way that I haven't fallen in love with fictional characters for a very long time. Each time one of the characters was involved in a plot twist, or each time something very REAL happened to them, my heart just ached. I cared about them so much.
And even though the book ended with a typically happy ending, I didn't roll my eyes, or sigh, or close the book with a shrug; instead I almost cheered for joy, because all of the characters deserved their happy endings. These are people who probably exist in the real world. Montefiore has probably met them - or variations of them - and has given us great pleasure by transferring these wonderful souls onto paper for us to read about. I'm gushing, I know, but it was just brilliant.
This one will stay with me forever.
But I fell in love with the characters in a way that I haven't fallen in love with fictional characters for a very long time. Each time one of the characters was involved in a plot twist, or each time something very REAL happened to them, my heart just ached. I cared about them so much.
And even though the book ended with a typically happy ending, I didn't roll my eyes, or sigh, or close the book with a shrug; instead I almost cheered for joy, because all of the characters deserved their happy endings. These are people who probably exist in the real world. Montefiore has probably met them - or variations of them - and has given us great pleasure by transferring these wonderful souls onto paper for us to read about. I'm gushing, I know, but it was just brilliant.
This one will stay with me forever.
March 22, 2020
For those of you who enjoy gentle, escapist romance, this is a great choice. This books makes you believe in the power of love and reminds you what is important in life. The novel is an extremely relaxing read with an abundance of memorable characters, beautiful destinations, mystery, intrigue and romance. I loved the descriptive detail and more than once found myself carried off to the destinations of Italy and the English coastline.
The book consists of two different stories. The first story is set in Italy in the 1960's and tells of the blossoming love between Floriana, a poor village girl abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her drunkern father, and Dante, the son of one of the richest men in Italy. They first meet when Floriana, captivated by the beauty of La Magdalena, the beautiful home where Dante and his family spend their summers, is caught spying from the garden wall. He invites her over and the two become captivated by each other. Their relationship, however, faces many obstacles from the outset including the issues of a rich and prestigious man dating a poor orphan girl.
The second story is set in the present day on England's Devon coast. Marina and her husband Grey own a hotel and are struggling to keep it afloat. Marina hires a resident artist, Rafael Santoro, to teach painting in the hotel during the summer to bring in business. The handsome, charismatic Rafa, arrives like a breath of fresh air and makes quite an impression on Marina and her family as well as the rest of the hotel guests but appears to be hiding a dark secret.
I was constantly trying to figure out how the two stories were related at first but finally began to see where the author was coming from as more of Floriana's life was revealed. I was deeply moved by Floriana's story and fell in love with her character from the offset. Her strength and courage despite adversity was at times heart wrenching and I desperately wanted her to triumph against the odds. The whole Raffles/ Baffles plot was a genuine surprise as I had suspected Rafa as being the culprit.
My first introduction to this author did not disappoint and I'm looking forward to reading her next book.
The book consists of two different stories. The first story is set in Italy in the 1960's and tells of the blossoming love between Floriana, a poor village girl abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her drunkern father, and Dante, the son of one of the richest men in Italy. They first meet when Floriana, captivated by the beauty of La Magdalena, the beautiful home where Dante and his family spend their summers, is caught spying from the garden wall. He invites her over and the two become captivated by each other. Their relationship, however, faces many obstacles from the outset including the issues of a rich and prestigious man dating a poor orphan girl.
The second story is set in the present day on England's Devon coast. Marina and her husband Grey own a hotel and are struggling to keep it afloat. Marina hires a resident artist, Rafael Santoro, to teach painting in the hotel during the summer to bring in business. The handsome, charismatic Rafa, arrives like a breath of fresh air and makes quite an impression on Marina and her family as well as the rest of the hotel guests but appears to be hiding a dark secret.
I was constantly trying to figure out how the two stories were related at first but finally began to see where the author was coming from as more of Floriana's life was revealed. I was deeply moved by Floriana's story and fell in love with her character from the offset. Her strength and courage despite adversity was at times heart wrenching and I desperately wanted her to triumph against the odds. The whole Raffles/ Baffles plot was a genuine surprise as I had suspected Rafa as being the culprit.
My first introduction to this author did not disappoint and I'm looking forward to reading her next book.
August 2, 2012
I had to abandon this book; it just wasn't holding my interest. I liked Floriana & Marina, but found myself wishing someone would push Clementine off a cliff. I couldn't respect or like Grey because he let his children disrespect his wife and believe that she stole him from their mother. This book seemed to have promise, but failed to deliver it fast enough or enough to have me care about any of the characters. Clementine was horrid!
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April 28, 2022A fost ce mă așteptam și nu prea. Era clar că va fi o carte ușoară, dar nu credeam că va avea cu ce să mă enerveze ținând cont că asta mi-am dorit pentru aceste zile.
Povestea este frumușică, dar prezentarea aceteia lasă de dorit. A exagerat extrem de mult cu aspectul fizic al unui personaj. Am înțeles că era frumos, dar să menționezi asta pe fiecare pagină și să îți crape toate personajele după el e puțin exagerat. Zici că ar fi fost ultima adunătură de femei de pe planetă și el singurul salvator al speciei.
Relațiile dintre personaje, na...ca în povești. Se îndrăgostesc repede, se ceartă repede, își schimbă sentimentele și comportamentul instant. Totul este pe repede-înainte. Se întâmplă și miracole, rămâi și cu câteva nemulțumiri la final dacă stai să îl iei la bani mărunți. O carte previzibilă, după cum era de așteptat.
Acum că mi-am vărsat supărarea, pot spune și ceva frumos. Este într-adevăr o carte cu miros de vară. Avem o poveste din trecut și una din prezent care la un moment dat se vor combina frumos. Se citește repede, deci este perfectă pentru concedii.
Acum nu știu dacă vremea m-a supărat la lectura acestei cărți și la “Primăvară în Toacana” nu, fiindcă aceea mi-a plăcut mai mult.
Până data viitoare când voi avea iar poftă de Montefiore și poveștile ei, vă doresc spor la lecturile voastre!
Povestea este frumușică, dar prezentarea aceteia lasă de dorit. A exagerat extrem de mult cu aspectul fizic al unui personaj. Am înțeles că era frumos, dar să menționezi asta pe fiecare pagină și să îți crape toate personajele după el e puțin exagerat. Zici că ar fi fost ultima adunătură de femei de pe planetă și el singurul salvator al speciei.
Relațiile dintre personaje, na...ca în povești. Se îndrăgostesc repede, se ceartă repede, își schimbă sentimentele și comportamentul instant. Totul este pe repede-înainte. Se întâmplă și miracole, rămâi și cu câteva nemulțumiri la final dacă stai să îl iei la bani mărunți. O carte previzibilă, după cum era de așteptat.
Acum că mi-am vărsat supărarea, pot spune și ceva frumos. Este într-adevăr o carte cu miros de vară. Avem o poveste din trecut și una din prezent care la un moment dat se vor combina frumos. Se citește repede, deci este perfectă pentru concedii.
Acum nu știu dacă vremea m-a supărat la lectura acestei cărți și la “Primăvară în Toacana” nu, fiindcă aceea mi-a plăcut mai mult.
Până data viitoare când voi avea iar poftă de Montefiore și poveștile ei, vă doresc spor la lecturile voastre!
December 30, 2022
moderni pasaka
Kokia gi vasara be kelių pasakų apie princeses su laiminga pabaiga a.k.a. lengvo turinio blevyzgų. Būtent tokia buvo pirma pažintis su Santa Montefiore su 'Namas prie jūros'. Vienas geresnių šio žanro romanų, bet ir vėl ne tobula.
Fabula labai primena Sparkso kūrybą, kur pasakojamos dvi jautrios, jausmingos istorijos – viena iš praeities, kita iš dabarties, kurios aišku susijusios. Šį kartą sąsajų nuo pradžių nebuvo matyti, bet pajudėjus siužetui viskas darėsi perdėm aišku ir kadangi aiškiai matyti, kad autorė ne visai to siekė, tai kiek sugadino visą reikalą.
Kas dėl pačių istorijų tai praeities istorija apie Toskanoje užgimusią našlaitės ir princo meilę buvo nuostabi ir tikrai palietė, visą laiką kabant blogos pabaigos nuojautai. Dabarties istorijoje apie nelabai darnią šeimą, bandančią išsaugoti viešbutuką, štai perdėm nervino veikėjai, o ir siužeto vingiai kiek prasilenkdavo su logika. Tačiau žiūrint į istorijas kaip į vieną, pasakojimas žavus, toks grynų gryniausia pasaka su visais būtinais jos atributais.
Nebloga pirmoji pažintis, bet didelių laurų bendrai autorei kol kas kabinti tikrai negaliu.
Kokia gi vasara be kelių pasakų apie princeses su laiminga pabaiga a.k.a. lengvo turinio blevyzgų. Būtent tokia buvo pirma pažintis su Santa Montefiore su 'Namas prie jūros'. Vienas geresnių šio žanro romanų, bet ir vėl ne tobula.
Fabula labai primena Sparkso kūrybą, kur pasakojamos dvi jautrios, jausmingos istorijos – viena iš praeities, kita iš dabarties, kurios aišku susijusios. Šį kartą sąsajų nuo pradžių nebuvo matyti, bet pajudėjus siužetui viskas darėsi perdėm aišku ir kadangi aiškiai matyti, kad autorė ne visai to siekė, tai kiek sugadino visą reikalą.
Kas dėl pačių istorijų tai praeities istorija apie Toskanoje užgimusią našlaitės ir princo meilę buvo nuostabi ir tikrai palietė, visą laiką kabant blogos pabaigos nuojautai. Dabarties istorijoje apie nelabai darnią šeimą, bandančią išsaugoti viešbutuką, štai perdėm nervino veikėjai, o ir siužeto vingiai kiek prasilenkdavo su logika. Tačiau žiūrint į istorijas kaip į vieną, pasakojimas žavus, toks grynų gryniausia pasaka su visais būtinais jos atributais.
Nebloga pirmoji pažintis, bet didelių laurų bendrai autorei kol kas kabinti tikrai negaliu.
September 14, 2018
Cartea aceasta suavă mi-a făcut ”tranziția” de la vară la toamnă....
”Simt că tu ai închis cercul. Unde mă sfârșesc eu, începi tu și unde te sfârșești tu, încep eu, înțelegi?”
”Simt că tu ai închis cercul. Unde mă sfârșesc eu, începi tu și unde te sfârșești tu, încep eu, înțelegi?”
October 27, 2014
Interesting that I picked this up to read after reading The Secret Keeper. Both stories shift back and forth between two time periods. At least in Morton's book the reader clearly understand why and can make some connections between the two story lines. However, in The House by the Sea, it appears that one is reading two different stories simultaneously. Both are good stories but until I reached the last section I could only guess at the connection. Anyway, I saw this book in a discount book store and had to read it because of the author's romantic and musical name and the promise of romance and adventure in a European seashore setting. It was a fun read and I think I will read more of her novels. This is also called The Mermaid Garden.
January 9, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The House By The Sea
By: Santa Montefiore
*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟
I am new to the author, and I anticipated to like The House By The Sea much more than I actually did. Told in dual timelines, the past and present connection seemed disconnected for a lot of the book. Granted, there are good touching moments about redemption, love and lose that encompasse us as people, but overall, I didn't love this story. It's an average but heartfelt read.
The House By The Sea
By: Santa Montefiore
*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟
I am new to the author, and I anticipated to like The House By The Sea much more than I actually did. Told in dual timelines, the past and present connection seemed disconnected for a lot of the book. Granted, there are good touching moments about redemption, love and lose that encompasse us as people, but overall, I didn't love this story. It's an average but heartfelt read.
September 19, 2021
זה הספר השני של סנטה מונטיפיורי שאני קוראת, וגם בספר הזה (כמו בקודם - הפיתוי של גרייסי) נאבקתי עם הקריאה לאורך כל החצי הראשון של הספר.
העלילה מעניינת, אבל הקצב שבו היא מתקדמת איטי ומלא בתיאורי נוף עדינים אבל אלוהים כמה מפורטים.
העלילה נעה בין אהבתה של פלוריאנה לדנטה בטוסקנה בשנת 1966 למלון שמנהלת מרינה בדבון אנגליה בשנת 2009. המלון נקלע לקשיים כלכליים ומרינה מחליטה לשכור צייר שיעביר שיעורי ציור לאורחי המלון. הצייר שנבחר - רפאל הארגנטינאי הכריזמטי- הוא המפתח לקשר בין שתי העלילות, קשר שמאוד קל לנחש לבד.
למרות האיטיות שלו, הספר כתוב היטב. השליש האחרון של הספר היה מרתק, גם אם צפוי. התלבטתי בין 2 כוכבים ל-3, אבל בגלל שהספר סחט ממני כמה דמעות לקראת סופו, הכרעתי לטובת 3 כוכבים.
הספר מתאים לאנשים שיש להם סבלנות לקרוא תיאורי אווירה ונוף ושאין להם בעיה עם עלילה צפויה שמתקדמת לאט.
העלילה מעניינת, אבל הקצב שבו היא מתקדמת איטי ומלא בתיאורי נוף עדינים אבל אלוהים כמה מפורטים.
העלילה נעה בין אהבתה של פלוריאנה לדנטה בטוסקנה בשנת 1966 למלון שמנהלת מרינה בדבון אנגליה בשנת 2009. המלון נקלע לקשיים כלכליים ומרינה מחליטה לשכור צייר שיעביר שיעורי ציור לאורחי המלון. הצייר שנבחר - רפאל הארגנטינאי הכריזמטי- הוא המפתח לקשר בין שתי העלילות, קשר שמאוד קל לנחש לבד.
למרות האיטיות שלו, הספר כתוב היטב. השליש האחרון של הספר היה מרתק, גם אם צפוי. התלבטתי בין 2 כוכבים ל-3, אבל בגלל שהספר סחט ממני כמה דמעות לקראת סופו, הכרעתי לטובת 3 כוכבים.
הספר מתאים לאנשים שיש להם סבלנות לקרוא תיאורי אווירה ונוף ושאין להם בעיה עם עלילה צפויה שמתקדמת לאט.
July 15, 2021
רומן היסטורי קיטשי ומקסים ממש.
העלילה מתחלקת בין שני קווי זמן. סיפורה של פלוריאנה הענייה בטוסקנה של סוף שנות השישים של המאה ה20, המתאהבת בדנטה העשיר, וסיפורה של מרינה, החיה בעיירה בריטית בדבון בסוף שנות התשעים של המאה ה20, שמתמודדת עם ניהול המלון שלה ושל בעלה שנקלע לקשיים כספיים, ועם יחסיה העכורים עם ילדיו של בעלה מנישואיו הראשונים. מרינה שוכרת את שירותיו של ראפא, צייר ארגנטינאי, על מנת שיעניק שיעורי ציור לאורחי המלון, והוא מחולל שינוי במשפחתה של מרינה. יש עוד עלילות משנה נוספות ומשעשעות.
אהבתי את הכתיבה, את הצורה שבה הסופרת רומזת על הקשר בין הסיפורים, ואת האווירה המקסימה שיש בספר. נהניתי וממליצה.
העלילה מתחלקת בין שני קווי זמן. סיפורה של פלוריאנה הענייה בטוסקנה של סוף שנות השישים של המאה ה20, המתאהבת בדנטה העשיר, וסיפורה של מרינה, החיה בעיירה בריטית בדבון בסוף שנות התשעים של המאה ה20, שמתמודדת עם ניהול המלון שלה ושל בעלה שנקלע לקשיים כספיים, ועם יחסיה העכורים עם ילדיו של בעלה מנישואיו הראשונים. מרינה שוכרת את שירותיו של ראפא, צייר ארגנטינאי, על מנת שיעניק שיעורי ציור לאורחי המלון, והוא מחולל שינוי במשפחתה של מרינה. יש עוד עלילות משנה נוספות ומשעשעות.
אהבתי את הכתיבה, את הצורה שבה הסופרת רומזת על הקשר בין הסיפורים, ואת האווירה המקסימה שיש בספר. נהניתי וממליצה.
June 30, 2015
He de admitir que al principio del libro estaba un poco escéptica, ya que no es del todo mi tipo de literatura, pero, no sé si porque es verano y mucha parte de la historia se desarrolla en una playa, pero terminé amando el libro.
Son dos historias. El primer capítulo comienza en los años 60's con Floriana, una pequeña niña italiana que es huérfana de madre y vive sola con su padre alcohólico que no se preocupa por ella. Es una niña solitaria, con una sola amiga. Hasta que conoce a Dante Bonfanti y se enamora de él desde el momento en el que lo ve.
Luego, damos un brinco en el tiempo y el espacio, y llegamos al Inglaterra en el año 2009. Nos presentan a una peculiar familia. Grey Turner, su segunda esposa Marina y sus hijos Jake y Clementine. Clementine odia a su madrastra como se debe odiar siempre a las madrastras, sin saber porqué, sólo porque sí. Marina, es la dueña de un pequeño hotel en la playa que ama como si fuera un hijo ya que ella no pudo tener hijos propios.
Así que la historia brinca entre historias, entre tiempos y lugares. Vemos como Floriana crece, y cómo el tiempo no mueve ni un ápice su amor no correspondido por Dante (el cual era 8 años mayor que ella) y cuando se fue por cinco años a estudiar a USA, Floriana lo esperó, porque sabía que era ÉL el hombre con el que algún día se iba a casar. Cuando Dante regresa, cinco años después y con una Floriana mayorcita, deja de verla como la niña huérfana y sus emociones por ella se incrementan.
También vemos la lucha constante de Marina por no perder su hotel que corre peligro por la baja economía, sus intentos de ganarse a su hijastra, y demás. Y es así cómo contrata a Rafa Santoro. Un pintor que impartirá clases de pintura a los huéspedes del hotel a cambio de hospedaje y alimento. Rafa logra un impacto en todos. En Marina, en los huéspedes, pero sobre todo en Clementine.
El libro me gustó muchísimo, tardé bastante en leerlo porque la letra es muy pequeña y eso me cansa la vista, así que no podía avanzar mucho en un día. Pero tal vez, el hecho de que haya tardado tanto leyendo logró que me adentrara al cien en la historia. Sentí que llegué a conocer a todos los personajes descritos entre las páginas. Adoré a Floriana y su forma de verle siempre en lado positivo a la vida, aunque ésta nunca la haya tratado bien. Detesté a Costanza, la única amiga de Floriana por tenerle envidia y celos a una niña que no tenía ni la mitad que ella en su vida. Más aún detesté a la mamá de Costanza. Clementine también se me hizo un personaje insufrible al principio, pero ella es el personaje que más desarrollo tiene en la historia, porque comienza siendo una chiquilla malcriada (a pesar de ser una joven adulta) y logramos ver un cambio drástico en ella a lo largo de la historia.
La forma de escribir de la autora es muy bonita. Es muy descriptiva, pero no molesta. Además, que a pesar de haber muchos personajes secundarios y no realmente importantes, la autora se tomó la molestia de darle un cierre a todas las historias. No hubo ni un solo cabo suelto al finalizar de leer. Simplemente me encantó.
Es una historia dulce llena de enseñanzas, de amor, de esfuerzo, y de cómo hay que verle el lado positivo a la vida aunque ésta no se vea tan bonita desde donde estamos parados. Cómo todo pasa por algo, y cómo todo puede estar relacionado sin uno saberlo. Lo recomiendo muchísimo, especialmente ahora en verano, porque como ya dije, una parte de la historia se desarrolla en la playa, y se antoja leerlo en éstas épocas del año.
Son dos historias. El primer capítulo comienza en los años 60's con Floriana, una pequeña niña italiana que es huérfana de madre y vive sola con su padre alcohólico que no se preocupa por ella. Es una niña solitaria, con una sola amiga. Hasta que conoce a Dante Bonfanti y se enamora de él desde el momento en el que lo ve.
Luego, damos un brinco en el tiempo y el espacio, y llegamos al Inglaterra en el año 2009. Nos presentan a una peculiar familia. Grey Turner, su segunda esposa Marina y sus hijos Jake y Clementine. Clementine odia a su madrastra como se debe odiar siempre a las madrastras, sin saber porqué, sólo porque sí. Marina, es la dueña de un pequeño hotel en la playa que ama como si fuera un hijo ya que ella no pudo tener hijos propios.
Así que la historia brinca entre historias, entre tiempos y lugares. Vemos como Floriana crece, y cómo el tiempo no mueve ni un ápice su amor no correspondido por Dante (el cual era 8 años mayor que ella) y cuando se fue por cinco años a estudiar a USA, Floriana lo esperó, porque sabía que era ÉL el hombre con el que algún día se iba a casar. Cuando Dante regresa, cinco años después y con una Floriana mayorcita, deja de verla como la niña huérfana y sus emociones por ella se incrementan.
También vemos la lucha constante de Marina por no perder su hotel que corre peligro por la baja economía, sus intentos de ganarse a su hijastra, y demás. Y es así cómo contrata a Rafa Santoro. Un pintor que impartirá clases de pintura a los huéspedes del hotel a cambio de hospedaje y alimento. Rafa logra un impacto en todos. En Marina, en los huéspedes, pero sobre todo en Clementine.
El libro me gustó muchísimo, tardé bastante en leerlo porque la letra es muy pequeña y eso me cansa la vista, así que no podía avanzar mucho en un día. Pero tal vez, el hecho de que haya tardado tanto leyendo logró que me adentrara al cien en la historia. Sentí que llegué a conocer a todos los personajes descritos entre las páginas. Adoré a Floriana y su forma de verle siempre en lado positivo a la vida, aunque ésta nunca la haya tratado bien. Detesté a Costanza, la única amiga de Floriana por tenerle envidia y celos a una niña que no tenía ni la mitad que ella en su vida. Más aún detesté a la mamá de Costanza. Clementine también se me hizo un personaje insufrible al principio, pero ella es el personaje que más desarrollo tiene en la historia, porque comienza siendo una chiquilla malcriada (a pesar de ser una joven adulta) y logramos ver un cambio drástico en ella a lo largo de la historia.
La forma de escribir de la autora es muy bonita. Es muy descriptiva, pero no molesta. Además, que a pesar de haber muchos personajes secundarios y no realmente importantes, la autora se tomó la molestia de darle un cierre a todas las historias. No hubo ni un solo cabo suelto al finalizar de leer. Simplemente me encantó.
Es una historia dulce llena de enseñanzas, de amor, de esfuerzo, y de cómo hay que verle el lado positivo a la vida aunque ésta no se vea tan bonita desde donde estamos parados. Cómo todo pasa por algo, y cómo todo puede estar relacionado sin uno saberlo. Lo recomiendo muchísimo, especialmente ahora en verano, porque como ya dije, una parte de la historia se desarrolla en la playa, y se antoja leerlo en éstas épocas del año.
July 12, 2011
This is one of those books that would probably fall under the category "Women's Books." It's got a romance (or four), it has a semi-mystery (that is fairly easy to figure out), the atmosphere is charming and so is the writing.
I am not ashamed to admit that I ate it up with a spoon. Like the Calgon commerical, it took me away from my own life and placed me in Italy in a beautiful garden, as well as the lovely Devon, England. I am a sucker for happily-ever-after if it's done well...and Santa Montefiore does it beautifully.
As opposed to Calgon--yuck! I use nicer bath products...and if books were bath products, this would be a richly aromatic bubble bath that left your skin soft but not oily.
I am not ashamed to admit that I ate it up with a spoon. Like the Calgon commerical, it took me away from my own life and placed me in Italy in a beautiful garden, as well as the lovely Devon, England. I am a sucker for happily-ever-after if it's done well...and Santa Montefiore does it beautifully.
As opposed to Calgon--yuck! I use nicer bath products...and if books were bath products, this would be a richly aromatic bubble bath that left your skin soft but not oily.
February 10, 2018
Wow, this sucked harder than I thought possible! Very unlikely story. Years that don't quite match. Coincidences. Extremely unlikely character development. Losing an accent and speaking English like you're born in England when arriving at 18. Just... Nope. Won't be reading anything more by this author.
Normally I'd file this under "historical fiction" due to the dual time narrative, but there is just no history to it. It's paperback romance/chick lit, pure and simple.
Normally I'd file this under "historical fiction" due to the dual time narrative, but there is just no history to it. It's paperback romance/chick lit, pure and simple.
January 7, 2021
Grabbed this book from the free lending library, based on the jacket flap detailing the setting was between Italy and coastal England. I could tell from the cover and the flap that it would be a fluffy, "old-lady-style" read, and it was! I made a few connections by halfway through the book, but it was fun to watch the characters develop, and there were definitely a few surprises to keep me interested. It was just a story to enjoy without reading too much into or out of it, and enjoy the descriptions of the 2 settings.
April 10, 2023
Cel mai mult mi-au plăcut peisajele creionate de autoare în această frumoasă carte! Interesantă și povestea interzisă de dragoste dintre doi copii inocenți ce nu fac parte din aceeași lume. Totuși, mi-ar fi plăcut să existe mai multă autenticitate la personajul feminin, Clementine. Probabil, dacă veți citi cartea, veți înțelege.
Dar sunt convinsă că merită citită povestea. Îți umple, așa, sufletul de dragoste!
Spor la citit!
Dar sunt convinsă că merită citită povestea. Îți umple, așa, sufletul de dragoste!
Spor la citit!
July 11, 2011
Love, love, loved this! Review to follow.
July 30, 2020
I thought the setting would make this a better book but no. Characters were unlikeable and the plot was predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
Heerlijk boek! Heb m ook super snel uitgelezen omdat ik zo in het verhaal zat.
Nu nog mijn favoriete quote (naar een idee van Amy :))
Je ziet er prachtig uit.’
‘Alleen in jouw ogen.’
‘Wiens ogen doen er verder nog toe?’
Nu nog mijn favoriete quote (naar een idee van Amy :))
Je ziet er prachtig uit.’
‘Alleen in jouw ogen.’
‘Wiens ogen doen er verder nog toe?’
February 23, 2023
Santa Montefiore este autoarea căreia îi plac descrierile și împletirea frumoasă a evenimentelor trecute cu cele prezente. Este deja a treia întâlnire pe care o am cu cărțile sale și pot spune că sunt, oarecum, familiarizată cu subiectele. Elemente precum faptul că Toscana este minunată, că are un aer aparte, că florile de acolo parcă sunt unice în lume, că verile în Italia sunt magice, contribuie la crearea unui cadru incredibil și a unei opere faine. De asemenea, faptul că personajele și întâmplările din trecut se întrepătrund cumva cu cele din prezent, își are rolul lui bine așezat în carte.
Undeva spre finalul lecturii afli și elementul misterios al cărții, acel ceva despre care te-ai întrebat cam de prin prima jumătate ce ar putea fi.
Ei bine, subiectul acestei cărți este următorul: Floriana, o fetiță de zece ani, locuiește în Toscana. Este abandonată de mama ei și obligată să trăiască cu tatăl dependent de alcool, de care are grijă ca un om mare. Este fascinată de domeniul La Magdalena, de pe zidul căruia spionează întreaga proprietate. Asta până când Dante, fiul patronului, o vede și o invită înăuntru. Între cei doi se înfiripă o strânsă prietenie, care se va transforma în dragoste profundă, însă circumstanțele nu le sunt favorabile.
Zeci de ani mai târziu și la sute de kilometri depărtare, proprietarii unui hotel rustic de pe coasta Marii Britanii au probleme financiare și caută modalități de a atrage clienți. Marina, proprietara, îl angajează pe Rafa Santoro, un artist care să-i inițieze pe oaspeți în tainele picturii. Însă acest bărbat tânăr, charismatic și chipeș nu sosește deloc întâmplător în casă.
Am bănuit la un moment dat care este legătura dintre el și Marina, iar acest lucru a mai evaporat din farmecul pe care l-ar fi avut sfârșitul dacă nu îmi dădeam seama. Cu toate acestea, nu pot spune că nu mi-a plăcut cartea.
Undeva spre finalul lecturii afli și elementul misterios al cărții, acel ceva despre care te-ai întrebat cam de prin prima jumătate ce ar putea fi.
Ei bine, subiectul acestei cărți este următorul: Floriana, o fetiță de zece ani, locuiește în Toscana. Este abandonată de mama ei și obligată să trăiască cu tatăl dependent de alcool, de care are grijă ca un om mare. Este fascinată de domeniul La Magdalena, de pe zidul căruia spionează întreaga proprietate. Asta până când Dante, fiul patronului, o vede și o invită înăuntru. Între cei doi se înfiripă o strânsă prietenie, care se va transforma în dragoste profundă, însă circumstanțele nu le sunt favorabile.
Zeci de ani mai târziu și la sute de kilometri depărtare, proprietarii unui hotel rustic de pe coasta Marii Britanii au probleme financiare și caută modalități de a atrage clienți. Marina, proprietara, îl angajează pe Rafa Santoro, un artist care să-i inițieze pe oaspeți în tainele picturii. Însă acest bărbat tânăr, charismatic și chipeș nu sosește deloc întâmplător în casă.
Am bănuit la un moment dat care este legătura dintre el și Marina, iar acest lucru a mai evaporat din farmecul pe care l-ar fi avut sfârșitul dacă nu îmi dădeam seama. Cu toate acestea, nu pot spune că nu mi-a plăcut cartea.
March 12, 2019
Villa Magdalena is voor mij een van de beste die ik van Santa Montefiore gelezen heb.
Ik hou ervan wanneer een boek twee verhaallijnen heeft, vooral een mix tussen heden en verleden.
Het hedendaagse verhaal gaat over Marina die een hotel uitbaat en dit drijvende probeert te houden en een nakend faillisement wil vermijden. Ze heeft het zwaar hiermee maar probeert er voor te vechten. Haar relatie met haar stiefdochter Clementine verloopt daarentegen ook niet gemakkelijk en ze lijken elkaar steeds mis te intrepreteren. Met een inwonend kunstenaar proberen ze het hotel weer de rails te krijgen. Gelukkig heeft deze mysterieuze Rafa een goede invloed op het humeur van Clementine.
Het andere vertelt het verhaal van Floriana en Costanza, 2 kleine meisjes die opgroeien in Italië. Wanneer ze de familie Bofante en speciaal Dante ontmoeten verandert er heel wat in hun leven.
Tussen Floriana en Dante onstaat een vriendschap die uitgroeit tot een mooie liefde.
Het boek las als een trein, mooi vlot leesbaar, mooie interacties tussen al de neven karakters. Na een tijdje valt alles wel in zijn plooi en weet je wel ongeveer wat je als einde moet verwachten. Maar dat is helemaal niet erg.
De laatste hoofdstukken, few, zeer emotioneel, ik moest er zelfs een traan bij laten.
Een echte aanrader.
Ik hou ervan wanneer een boek twee verhaallijnen heeft, vooral een mix tussen heden en verleden.
Het hedendaagse verhaal gaat over Marina die een hotel uitbaat en dit drijvende probeert te houden en een nakend faillisement wil vermijden. Ze heeft het zwaar hiermee maar probeert er voor te vechten. Haar relatie met haar stiefdochter Clementine verloopt daarentegen ook niet gemakkelijk en ze lijken elkaar steeds mis te intrepreteren. Met een inwonend kunstenaar proberen ze het hotel weer de rails te krijgen. Gelukkig heeft deze mysterieuze Rafa een goede invloed op het humeur van Clementine.
Het andere vertelt het verhaal van Floriana en Costanza, 2 kleine meisjes die opgroeien in Italië. Wanneer ze de familie Bofante en speciaal Dante ontmoeten verandert er heel wat in hun leven.
Tussen Floriana en Dante onstaat een vriendschap die uitgroeit tot een mooie liefde.
Het boek las als een trein, mooi vlot leesbaar, mooie interacties tussen al de neven karakters. Na een tijdje valt alles wel in zijn plooi en weet je wel ongeveer wat je als einde moet verwachten. Maar dat is helemaal niet erg.
De laatste hoofdstukken, few, zeer emotioneel, ik moest er zelfs een traan bij laten.
Een echte aanrader.
December 2, 2011
I am stingy in my highest praises of books, but I'm pretty sure I can say that this would be a favorite of mine. I absolutely adored everything about this book. Some of it is probably the beautiful imagery and the fact that I adore gardens, italian anything, and writing that grips you and keeps you guessing without ever really knowing. Only one of the many plot twists did I sort of predict correctly, and I wasn't entirely sure about it, either. I didn't really believe the back cover when it described the book as "having it all", but it totally does.
Of course, part of a good book recommendation is knowing what kind of book a person likes to read - but if you have liked any of my other reviews, surely you'll like this book. I will definitely be reading every other book Santa Montefiore has ever written, even if they can't live up to this one. And I hope I'll read it again someday. It was just so lovely, delightful, fun, and intriguing.
Of course, part of a good book recommendation is knowing what kind of book a person likes to read - but if you have liked any of my other reviews, surely you'll like this book. I will definitely be reading every other book Santa Montefiore has ever written, even if they can't live up to this one. And I hope I'll read it again someday. It was just so lovely, delightful, fun, and intriguing.
September 6, 2017
A heartwarming story of the present connecting to the past through winding paths of lives spent separated. The reader traverses with the characters from Italy to England to Argentina.
October 21, 2024
That was a sweet story. I wanted to read another book by the same author and was pleased.
October 7, 2025
I don't often read book after book but, when I do It's like a book slump in reverse... a book high. I just can't get enough! I finished Missing Sister and immediately started this one, a new author to me, Hello Santa Montefiore lovely to meet you and Hello Book Buddies 🙋🏽♀️
.
I wasn't sure I'd like this one to be completely honest. I am on a little book adventure finding new authors, exploring new books and low and behold. Hello to The House By The Sea. I loved it! Page after page I was enthralled. I went through a riot of feelings which made it so hard to put the book down in the wee hours (I'm exhausted!) I found myself travelling betwern Herba a little village in Tuscany, Italy and the beautiful seaside village of Devon, England.
.
Floriana had every right to be resentful and angry but everyday she woke up with renewed faith and hope. Life had been both naughty and nice to her. In her 11 years she's had more to deal with than most adults. As much as that should've broken her little spirit and to be fair there are cracks, she still pushed out her chest and faced the world. As the years progressed her load became heavier but, she always believed God would come through for her even in the most darkest of times, and, like the scriptures says, God's timing is perfect.
.
I absolutely agree with Glamour when they say The House By The Sea is 'A sweeping saga'
.
On to next we go! Santa Montefiore let the adventures begin ❤️
.
I wasn't sure I'd like this one to be completely honest. I am on a little book adventure finding new authors, exploring new books and low and behold. Hello to The House By The Sea. I loved it! Page after page I was enthralled. I went through a riot of feelings which made it so hard to put the book down in the wee hours (I'm exhausted!) I found myself travelling betwern Herba a little village in Tuscany, Italy and the beautiful seaside village of Devon, England.
.
Floriana had every right to be resentful and angry but everyday she woke up with renewed faith and hope. Life had been both naughty and nice to her. In her 11 years she's had more to deal with than most adults. As much as that should've broken her little spirit and to be fair there are cracks, she still pushed out her chest and faced the world. As the years progressed her load became heavier but, she always believed God would come through for her even in the most darkest of times, and, like the scriptures says, God's timing is perfect.
.
I absolutely agree with Glamour when they say The House By The Sea is 'A sweeping saga'
.
On to next we go! Santa Montefiore let the adventures begin ❤️
July 11, 2021
"Nu este pierdut pana nu spui tu ca este pierdut”
" Asculta la mine. Trebuie sa mergi inainte. E ca atunci cand umbli pe sarma. Daca nu privesti inainte, iti pierzi echilibrul"
"Trebuie sa faci ce vrei tu. Daca iti place sa calatoresti, atunci ar trebui sa vezi lumea. Nu cred ca e important sa te ridici la nivelul altora. Pana la urma e viata ta si nu stii cat te mai poti bucura de ea
-Asta e un gand morbid.
- Poate. Dar te ajuta sa te concentrezi sa iti gasesti calea. Cunosc natura umana destul de bine incat sa stiu ca niciodata nu vei fi fericita tranindu-ti viata pentru altii. Trebuie sa o iei pe drumul tau si sa te lamuresti singura."
"Nimic nu e vreodata alb sau negru. Cu cat capata mai multa experienta, cu atat are mai multa intelepciune pentru a –si judeca viata, oamenii care i-au modelat-o si cu atat are mai multe unelte pentru a intelege motivatiile celor din jur“
"Taie franghia. Elibereaza-te. Te poti ridica la mari inaltimi, in ciuda startului teribil pe care l-ai avut in viata. Mai probabil, datorita lui."
" Ce straniu e ca atunci cand primesti raspunsul la o intrebare, apare alta "
« Simt ca tu ai inchis cercul. Unde ma sfarsesc eu, incepi tu si unde te sfarsesti tu, incep eu. Intelegi ?"
"
" Asculta la mine. Trebuie sa mergi inainte. E ca atunci cand umbli pe sarma. Daca nu privesti inainte, iti pierzi echilibrul"
"Trebuie sa faci ce vrei tu. Daca iti place sa calatoresti, atunci ar trebui sa vezi lumea. Nu cred ca e important sa te ridici la nivelul altora. Pana la urma e viata ta si nu stii cat te mai poti bucura de ea
-Asta e un gand morbid.
- Poate. Dar te ajuta sa te concentrezi sa iti gasesti calea. Cunosc natura umana destul de bine incat sa stiu ca niciodata nu vei fi fericita tranindu-ti viata pentru altii. Trebuie sa o iei pe drumul tau si sa te lamuresti singura."
"Nimic nu e vreodata alb sau negru. Cu cat capata mai multa experienta, cu atat are mai multa intelepciune pentru a –si judeca viata, oamenii care i-au modelat-o si cu atat are mai multe unelte pentru a intelege motivatiile celor din jur“
"Taie franghia. Elibereaza-te. Te poti ridica la mari inaltimi, in ciuda startului teribil pe care l-ai avut in viata. Mai probabil, datorita lui."
" Ce straniu e ca atunci cand primesti raspunsul la o intrebare, apare alta "
« Simt ca tu ai inchis cercul. Unde ma sfarsesc eu, incepi tu si unde te sfarsesti tu, incep eu. Intelegi ?"
"
March 20, 2012
this book ended up being quiet spiritual.
wisdom:
-"we are all rootless...until we find our soul mate. ... when you do, the world will shift into place and you will no longer feel dislocated."
-don't forget the past, accept it and let it go so it doesn't ruin your present - you can't change what happened, but you can choose to change the way you view it
-design: create a beautiful place from the heart
-when you are with someone, you should like who you are and be a better version of yourself
-what mattes is the heart as it is the only thing you can take with you
-all human beings are equal in God's eyes - you ARE as precious as everyone else
-be present
-don't stunt your ability with your negative attitude
-just be yourself, it will radiate and attract more than fancy clothes
-reasons for love: for their patience, compassion, way of looking at the world, that they love you
-scents: sandalwood, fig, anais anais,
wisdom:
-"we are all rootless...until we find our soul mate. ... when you do, the world will shift into place and you will no longer feel dislocated."
-don't forget the past, accept it and let it go so it doesn't ruin your present - you can't change what happened, but you can choose to change the way you view it
-design: create a beautiful place from the heart
-when you are with someone, you should like who you are and be a better version of yourself
-what mattes is the heart as it is the only thing you can take with you
-all human beings are equal in God's eyes - you ARE as precious as everyone else
-be present
-don't stunt your ability with your negative attitude
-just be yourself, it will radiate and attract more than fancy clothes
-reasons for love: for their patience, compassion, way of looking at the world, that they love you
-scents: sandalwood, fig, anais anais,
December 31, 2018
"-¿Le has dicho lo bien que he cuidado de ti?
- Le he dicho que he llevado la vida más feliz que se pueda tener.
- No éramos ricos.
- Ella tampoco. Pero igual que tú, es rica en todo lo que importa".
¡Qué bonita, bonita y entrañable historia!
De esas que de a poco se van colando en los sentidos y en el corazón.
Dos historias. Dos lugares "La Toscana", Italia en 1966 y Devon, Inglaterra en el 2009.
Ambas interesantes, intrigantes. Con secretos y dolores escondidos. Con personajes cálidos y especiales. Y con un hilo conductor que al final, hace que converjan en un momento especial.
Bien narrada, detallada, sencilla, especial, íntima.
Se ama el pasado, y también el presente.
¡Qué hermosa manera de terminar, prácticamente, mi año literariamente hablando!
Santa Montefiore...¡Qué hermosa historia has escrito!
La incluyo en mi top 10 del 2018.
- Le he dicho que he llevado la vida más feliz que se pueda tener.
- No éramos ricos.
- Ella tampoco. Pero igual que tú, es rica en todo lo que importa".
¡Qué bonita, bonita y entrañable historia!
De esas que de a poco se van colando en los sentidos y en el corazón.
Dos historias. Dos lugares "La Toscana", Italia en 1966 y Devon, Inglaterra en el 2009.
Ambas interesantes, intrigantes. Con secretos y dolores escondidos. Con personajes cálidos y especiales. Y con un hilo conductor que al final, hace que converjan en un momento especial.
Bien narrada, detallada, sencilla, especial, íntima.
Se ama el pasado, y también el presente.
¡Qué hermosa manera de terminar, prácticamente, mi año literariamente hablando!
Santa Montefiore...¡Qué hermosa historia has escrito!
La incluyo en mi top 10 del 2018.
September 6, 2020
I have never read something by this author before and I don't think she is an author that I will seek out in the future.
I really didn't like this book, I found it incredibly hard to get through, to the point that I downloaded the audiobook, just so I didn't have to try and physically read it.
I thought the plot was repetitive and dull, there wasn't a proper plot until about half way through the book.
The characters were extremely unlikable and very one dimensional. There was no heart to them at all and following them for close to 500 pages was horrible.
The writing style wasn't too bad, it's not the kind of style that I like to read, but I can appreciate the way that she has written the book. Although her dates and timings don't always match up, she did a good job of trying to create a timeline.
I really didn't like this book, I found it incredibly hard to get through, to the point that I downloaded the audiobook, just so I didn't have to try and physically read it.
I thought the plot was repetitive and dull, there wasn't a proper plot until about half way through the book.
The characters were extremely unlikable and very one dimensional. There was no heart to them at all and following them for close to 500 pages was horrible.
The writing style wasn't too bad, it's not the kind of style that I like to read, but I can appreciate the way that she has written the book. Although her dates and timings don't always match up, she did a good job of trying to create a timeline.
November 30, 2020
At first I thought I had accidentally purchased a book from a religious publisher because every character prays and ponders blessings and god all the time, but no this is a Simon and Schuster book so that bit was confusing because definitely reads like Christian fiction, especially because there is a lot of focus on shaming the female characters who are having too much sex and mucho moralizing. But the worst is the love story, which is straight up pedophilia--a TEN year-old girl starts crushing on an eighteen year old boy so she gets all dolled up and goes to his villa and then strips down and throws her dress over the wall of his villa and he catches it and there is actually a scene where this adult man and underage little girl in panties are rendezvousing together and that's when I knew this book would only earn one star. Yuck.
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