Drink Wine and Be Beautiful

by Kimberly Sullivan

Italian Tales of love, betrayal, longing, desire - and hope

Italy serves as the backdrop for stories of Italian women and expatriate women living in Italy.

A freak snowstorm in Rome changes the travel plans of two women, touching their lives in ways they could never have imagined. An ambitious Italian professional working in Brussels rails inwardly at her privileged boss, until fate presents her with a rare opportunity. A long desired trip to Bali, Indonesia serves as a needed chance for introspection. A cautious housewife in Rome thinks back to a fateful missed connection in Florence. A first-time mother feels debilitating guilt for not bonding with her newborn, until an elderly neighbor provides her with a new perspective.

The twenty-one stories in this collection follow women's lives as they confront betrayal and love, alienation and community, despair and-ultimately-hope.

Genres: Short Stories

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2023

About the author

I write the women’s fiction stories I love to read, both contemporary and historic tales of women and the rich lives they lead along their journeys of self-discovery. A lifetime admirer and longtime resident of Italy, I’m often guilty of sneaking the bel paese into my stories.

Award-winning author of five novels, one short story collection and coeditor of two historical fiction anthologies. Proud member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and the Historical Novel Society.

Please follow me on BookBub at: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kimbe...

Reviews

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all these short stories about women rediscovering and reimagining themselves. Every single one of them had beauty and depth, and I have to admit that I loved the settings in different places that were beautifully described. I liked the characters and the writing style suited me perfectly. Can't wait to read something else from this author.

[MeMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Sullivan focuses on women, their lives and challenges, and the friendships that get them through it all. This short story collection follows women's lives as they experience love, loss, grief, betrayal, and more. Female main characters struggle to face relatable challenges, such as learning to fit in with society and culture. They also accommodate difficult personalities in life and at work and confront painful pasts. Italy and other European countries are the settings in most of these stories. Depending on life experiences, each level in the collection may evoke a different reaction in the reader.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize how many stories would be in this when I first requested it. I do so love me some shirt stories! Even better when they are located in places I’ve never been to. Most of these stories take place in Italy/Europe at some point in the telling. I think my favorite story was towards the beginning where a married couple is trying to save their marriage. Mainly because the ending was chefs kiss. The phone in the wine! Every story was about a dynamic female character but they were always different. A few stories were very emotional even. The endings were the best parts.

After reading the stories, I’m now ready to go travel.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something freeing about opening a book of short stories. There is an absence of long-term commitment as you are free to pick up the book for a quick short story, set it down after reading one or two and not look back until you are ready for another. Or if you like, you can zoom through the characters' lives and experiences in a fast and frenzied pace, The choice is yours.

Short commitments, no worries about a slow burn to get through to the twists and turns and great writing make this book by Sullivan a no brainer for a recent trip I took. While I got through a few on the plane, I was also able to devour another armchair adventure while waiting at the gate to board.

These stories can make you think about things you might have buried and would rather not but trust me, you should pay these thoughts a visit. Kimberly Sullivan has a talent for using few words to convey so much meaning and emotion. I recognized my family in some of these stories. I cried to my own story after a trigger of loss of a grandmother surfaced. Somehow within just a few pages, a flood gate opened of memories and nostalgia and in just a couple pages of one story, all those superstitions came flooding back. After finishing others, I have added places to visit on my travel list and may have crossed a couple off too!

I have purchased a copy of Drink Wine and Be Beautiful to gift to my mother who will no doubt love this collection as much as I do. While I received a ARC of this book, I highly recommend you grab a copy for yourself as it is just that good! Many thanks to Netgalley and Kimberly Sullivan for this opportunity. More of this authors work can be found at https://kimberlysullivanauthor.com/

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute treasure! This book of short stories was perfect for me. I’ve been in somewhat of a reading slump and being able to dive into so many different peoples perspectives, quirks and futures was absolutely perfect!

So many variations so that you’re guaranteed a different story with every touch to the kindle screen. I especially enjoyed the very first story. Becoming friends over an ex is something that happened to me. The last story was as equally good where two very different women literally know how it feels to step into each others shoes, which is enlightening for both of them.

If you’re looking for something to break boredom, to get you out of a reading slump, to read something that allows you to see the Italian coast, or simply to just read some great imaginative stories , I highly recommend this one from the awesome Kimberly Sullivan. Five stars for wonderful writing, characters that are easy to understand and stories that instantly grab you from the first paragraph to the last! Thank you to Kimberly and to Kate Rock for having me on this tour! I loved this book!

[Grace Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect summer story collection and not just because of its inspiring title (inspiring for me to pour another glass). If you’re off to the beach bring it along because short fiction is an easy read in the sun. If you’re staying closer to home then curl up with it (wine optional) and travel to Milan, the South of France, Matera, Marrakesh, Mostar, Bali, Germany and more. It’s an odyssey of female perspectives on life at all ages. Some stories are flash length, while others are more lengthy.

Tales of love lost, won, and ending, revenge, the inspiration which can come from a luggage mixup, and so much more. We take a peek inside the lives of so many women here, a revealing peek behind the mask so often worn in daily life and straight to the heart.

If you enjoy shorter fiction, give it a try. The same writer has several novels too which are waiting for you if you like these tastes of her take on women’s fiction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories that takes the reader on an armchair vacation. Each story is either set in Italy or has ties to Italy, along with the venture to other locations and countries. Throughout each story, the reader is introduced to a woman or group of women who go through some personal growth. Some of the stories I didn't want to end because I became invested with the characters and their stories. One of my favorite stories "Heat Wave" took place in Rome and showed how the kindness of others can affect your life. This collection of stories is perfect for reading straight through or to pick up intermittently and read a story or two Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Rock Book Tours for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @kimberlyinrome and @katerockbooktours for my digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 5/26/23
295 pages

I so enjoyed this book! When I first read that the author of 𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 (see my review on 10/26/22) had published a collection of short stories described as “Italian Tales of love, betrayal, longing, desire - and hope,” I knew I had to read them. I thought I could read the collection in a day or two (and I certainly could), but these stories are rich with drama and emotion, so I found myself savoring them and reading one or two each night. I really enjoy this author’s writing style. If you enjoy emotional stories surrounding strong females (who don’t necessarily always make the best choice), you will enjoy this collection.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each story packed a punch - sometimes gently, sometimes shockingly so. To create a character with a narrative in a few pages is to be admired and these short stories deliver. I wanted to be on holiday reading them poolside or, even better, in an Italian cafe with the sun beaming down.

Four stars as there sometimes felt like there was something lacking. This could be due to my personal preference; I don't normally go for short story anthologies so found myself wanting more from the characters or a continuation of the narrative.

I gratefully received a copy of this book via The Niche Reader.

[Elaine Schroller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Kimberly Sullivan's collection of short stories about women finding their way in the world while experiencing love, despair, loss, anger, anomie. I loved the twists and surpises in Roman Snow, the female friendship in Amica del Cuore, and the poignancy of Heat Wave. The twenty-one stories are set mostly in Europe, but also in Bali, Morocco, and Ecuador. This mix of countries and cities, each with its own personality, was an added bonus - I could read "wherever" I wanted to go - Florence today, the Balkans tomorrow. - which is one of my favorite things about reading.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful collection of short stories either based in Italy or featuring Italian characters. The protagonists are almost exclusively women and there is a recurring theme of relationship difficulties, but these stories are a welcome distraction from the boredom of daily life and provide a glimpse into everyday Italy. As the author points out, there is a regrettable dearth of opportunities for publishing short stories and consequently, there is a dearth of short stories to read, and it's a format that really should be brought back. #DrinkWineandBeBeautiful #NetGalley

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

21 short stories centered around living in Italy. I would love to travel to Italy so reading these stories made me feel as if I was there. Each story tells a woman’s POV of events that happened to them while they were in Italy. The central theme is woman finding themselves and becoming stronger. I loved the variety of stories. The fact that they were short complete stories meant I could read one and skip around to another that for my mood at the moment. A wonderful read!

[Janet Braithwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this collection of stories set either in Italy or featuring Italian women. It really conjured up memories of places I have visited. I moved that there was a range of ages of characters in the stories and different scenarios. When I started the anthology I didn’t appreciate quite how many stories would be included. A lovely relaxing read.

[Jackie Cyr]

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

Wow, this book had me hooked from the cover.
I recently visited Italy so it was nice to read stories about the countryside.

There are 21 stories in this book and it follows womens journeys with love and betrayal.

I highly recommend this read.

[Lya Badgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!
Have you ever dreamed of living in Italy?
Kimberly Sullivan's Drink Wine and Be Beautiful will make you believe you can.
This collection of vignettes is not for the faint of heart or simple tourist, but a deep dive into the lives of not so perfect women enjoying the perfect views.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid set of stories that will likely be enjoyed by those that pick it up. The focus is on women, and the author has a good voice and talent. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!

[RjS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable collection of thought-provoking short stories. Wide ranging themes (whilst all focused on women’s experiences) so I am sure there will be something to appeal. I particularly liked the stories that had a twist at the end.

[Jennifer Hazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drink Wine and Be Beautiful is an excellent collection of short stories. I skipped around depending on how long the story was and how long I had to read. Each story that I read was engaging and left me wanting more - especially the first one.

[Dorette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Kimberly Sullivan does not disappoint. Her impressive range of stories, called forth a range of emotions, equally as powerful.

And I loved the tangle of them; a mix of joy, jealousy and shame in “Amica del Cuore” about leaving behind a cretino, and finding a friend of the heart in Rome.

“Early Morning Jogs” about rekindling marital bliss, by ….well, you’ll have to read it to find out! Pangs of remorse and independence. Defiance, exhilaration and sadness.

Then there was “Roman Snow” about a luggage mix-up that leads to more shaking up. If your luggage has ever been lost, what happened? Did you feel anger? Longing? Helplessness? You'll have a new appreciation for what happened in its life away from you before it found its way back to you again.

For more of Kimberly Sullivan’s great writing check out her book length fiction on her website. https://kimberlysullivanauthor.com/

[Susan • BryantParkBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isn’t this the best title? It’s a great life motto!

Drink wine and be beautiful is a collection of 21 short stories all mostly taking place in Italy. There are several stories that show women who have needed strength to leave a bad marriage, or to rekindle with an old flame. I especially liked the very first story, about an American who meets a handsome Italian man, but his wife knows he’s sleeping around and she tells the American to avoid him. They become life long friends and she asks for the American’s help many years later when she gets cancer.

Some of the stories were very short and I went through several quickly. I could easily imagine myself in a Italian piazza with a glass of Chianti reading this book!

Thank you @katerockbooktours and @kimberlyinrome for my gifted ebook.

[Caitlin Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories had me reaching for a box of tissues, a bottle of Prosecco, and my phone for google flights simultaneously.

So many of the stories had sad endings, but I also found them to have many messages about strength and female empowerment.

I love books with short chapters or stories on days when I’m on the go and can have quick and easy stopping points. This was the perfect book for days like today!!

[anusha_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of short stories. Each story is interesting and depicts small tribulations and the ifs and buts of life. They are stories that elucidate the many facets of many women’s lives.
I loved all the stories but I loved some more. The zeitgeist of the stories is strong women, their dreams, wishes, career, families, children, guilt, happiness, sacrifice and a lot more. Some stories evoke pathos: an unfaithful husband, an abusive husband, a teenage mother,  and others downright feel-good.
A small nudge, assurance, hope, feeling good, and getting the right vibes are what gets us through our mundane life. Sometimes we need that old friend to remind us about how good we were or how capable we are. When we are children we yearn to be adults and when we grow old, we look at youngsters and sigh. We often look at others and feel that they are probably happier than us but the grass is always greener on the other side. The stories are all these and much more.
A story about a new mother struggling with motherhood is something every mother can relate to. She meets an elderly woman who narrates her struggle and boosts her morale. The new mother starts enjoying parenthood.
A wife discovers about the escapades of her husband after his death.
A very feminist story about how a lady who strikes back at her male boss who keeps degrading her was brilliant and I just loved the ending. There was another feminist story depicting a resilient lady, that surely brings a warm glow.
The author probably got the title from E. M. Forster's quote “They travelled for thirteen hours down-hill, whilst the streams broadened and the mountains shrank, and the vegetation changed, and the people ceased being ugly and drinking beer, and began instead to drink wine and to be beautiful.”
A fascinating collection of stories that is bound to make the reader feel good.
Thanx netgalley for a copy of this amazing book.

[Kerry | KerryGetsLiterary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed these short stories all centered around women's challenges and friendships. I was immediately drawn to the title, as I love wine, and the synopsis pulled me in further. I've always dreamed of traveling to Italy, and I've finally booked it (!), so these short stories were the perfect prequel to my trip. Upon initial reading, I wasn't sure if I would like them, but I related to the first story right away, as I actually made a friend over a mutual ex of ours as well. Trauma bonding, amiright? I think my favorite and the most memorable story for me was the couple on a trip in an attempt to save their rocky marriage. The ending was perfection!

I loved that almost all the stories took place in Italy and Europe. Although I've never been there, I could picture the setting and transport myself there, feeling the sun on my face and the breeze on my skin. I appreciated that all the women were from different backgrounds and walks of life, facing different challenges, but all so dynamic and nuanced.

The lovely thing about short stories is that one can read them in whichever order they prefer. One here and there between other books, all at once, in order or a random order. No matter how you choose to read them, the stories in Drink Wine and Be Beautiful are a delight and a joy to read.

[Kathy Strobos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking collection of short stories about women and self-discovery—female friendship, women’s dreams and guilt, their careers, and their marriages (an abusive husband, an unfaithful husband, new love, a second chance at love etc.). And about longing and betrayal, happiness and bitterness. Some are feel-good and some have quite a shocking twist so it is a wide-ranging collection. I also enjoyed taking armchair trips to so many different countries: Italy, Croatia, Bali, Morocco and Ecuador. I especially loved Amica del Cuore. Superstitions gave me a chill at the end.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They travelled for thirteen hours down-hill whilst the streams broadened and the mountains shrank and the vegetation changed, and the people ceased being ugly and drinking beer and began instead to drink wine and to be beautiful” - E M Forster
Beautiful collection of 21 short stories, described as ‘Italian tales of love, betrayal, longing and desire and hope”
Depicting the if’s and but’s of life.
The common theme is they’re all strong women
Loved the author’s style of writing.
Thanks @kimberlyinrome & @netgalley for the eARC

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed these stories!!! Kimberly Sullivan is amazing!

[Christy Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are charming and enjoyable short stories, with varied characters and situations.

[Feathered Quill Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feathered Quill Reviewer’s Choice Award-winner, Kimberly Sullivan, author of In the Shadow of the Apennines impresses again, with a collection of stories displaying emotional sophistication and surprise. Female main characters struggle to live through relatable challenges, such as learning to fit in with society and culture, accommodating difficult personalities in life and at work, and confronting painful pasts. Settings come alive in this collection; whether a character is soaking in the Mediterranean sunlight, or contemplating a memory while taking in a sweeping view of Luberon Valley, the rustic and romantic scenery and settings are just as well-drawn characters in these stories as are the people. From the medieval tower of Torano to the smell of lamb skewers over flame in Santo Stefano to a train ride overlooking the Neretva River and the snow-capped mountains beyond, characters move through their world as travelers, taking readers on journeys through parts of Europe. These characters are complex, intelligent women who seek love, adventure, and success. Each different protagonist exhibits a brilliant mix of American and European sensibilities.

The first story tells of two lifelong friends: when the younger narrator, foreign, needs to learn about Italian culture, the older woman acquaints her in fashion, relationship etiquette, and language. The second story is about a couple, married for over a decade, who try to improve their marriage with couple’s therapy, attempt a romantic getaway, and figure out what is not working. There are hard lessons that force the characters to display qualities such as cowardice, sarcasm, sincerity, or honesty. Friendship and relationship struggles arise and each story’s ending leaves lasting impressions. One story starts at a hotel in Dubrvnik, begins with a critical insight into the ways tourists behave abroad, but ends with a surprising revelation about the narrator and a past lover.

This is a collection that contains sharp and tender observations of the complexities of being human. In a deeply realized emotional story about a woman named Shawna who is grieving her recently-deceased, wealthy husband, the sophisticated widow disembarks from her life in Milan. She tells her social circle she will be retreating to a quiet Abbey in the hills. Instead, she boards her late husband’s yacht. When Shawna is resting aboard Massimiliano’s yacht, she thinks of her freedom, while looking out over the Liguria coast line. The San Marino church bells echo over the hills; she sips her bellini and feels free. The moment Shawna drops her dress to go “claim” her afternoon pleasure, ah! It’s a perfect serving of sensuality, and so self-assured in sexual swagger.

And if a reader is ever searching for a book of short stories that describes the right way to enjoy Bosnian coffee, well, this is that story collection. This is a wonderful read for those who love a book that guides the imagination to foreign destinations with a feeling of being at home anywhere in the world.

Quill says: Drink Wine and Be Beautiful masterfully delivers emotional complexity in settings rich with equal parts romance and melancholy.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relationships can be almost frighteningly beautiful in their complexity. From the way we meet that one person who truly understands our innermost thoughts to the way our lives evolve beyond that moment, our friendships speak to the way we both love and live. Time and circumstances may change, but the friends who were made for us stay true through the most emotionally charged and challenging times. The love we share with our closest friends knows no boundaries, and no one knows this better than author Kimberly Sullivan. Her collection of short stories displays a wide variety of relationships and the circumstances that sometimes put them to the ultimate test.

Drink Wine and Be Beautiful: Short Stories, by Kimberly Sullivan, is a collection of striking short stories that will hit home with virtually any reader. Sullivan’s focus is women, their lives and challenges, and the friendships that get them through it all. Taking place in Italy, Sullivan’s book of short stories contains a certain mystique that perfectly compliments the relationships wrapped within its covers. It is difficult to pinpoint one specific aspect of Sullivan’s work that stands out because each short story is unique, somehow relatable, and beautifully impactful on the reader. Sullivan is adept at colorful descriptions, heartfelt dialogue, and reaching out to readers via memorable characters. Despite some of the backgrounds of the various women, each one is fighting a battle that makes them incredibly vulnerable and relatable. Sullivan will, without a doubt, garner a sizable following from her work. The women who make up her short stories contain a bit of each of us. I was especially moved by the story titled Modern Art. This selection features two aging friends, Livia and Eleonora, who meet to explore contemporary art. Their bickering is classic. Their political differences keep them at odds, but they manage to look past that and maintain a healthy respect for one another’s opinions. The argument that seems to be the end of their lifelong friendship is painful to watch but absorbs the reader from beginning to end.

Cover to cover, the short stories in Drink Wine and Be Beautiful are engaging, full of characters, and create thought-provoking moments for readers. Readers will reflect on their own relationships, especially those they share with lifelong friends. I highly recommend Sullivan’s short stories to anyone looking for a deeply meaningful read doled out in small, manageable doses.

[Jennifer Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drink Wine and Be Beautiful by Kimberly Sullivan

This is a compilation of short stories following the lives of women through love, loss, grief, betrayal, etc. Most of these stories are set in Italy and throughout Europe. The stories do not follow a set path and they are not equal in length and content. Depending on life experience, I would expect readers to react differently to each story in the collection.

I personally enjoyed most of the stories, especially the first few. My favorites highlighted the strength of various women and how they worked through difficult situations. Others were incredibly sad and lacked resolution. Others still were incredibly short and seemed to be an afterthought of that woman’s life.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this collection of short stories. I would have wished for a little more cohesion or maybe chronology for how they were compiled. Each story is completely stand alone and that also makes it easier for the reader to skip through any that they are not interested in. Thank you to NetGalley and Kimberly Sullivan for this ARC in return for an honest review.