The Villa

by Rosanna Ley

When Tess Angel receives a solicitor's letter inviting her to claim her inheritance - the Villa Sirena, perched on a clifftop in Sicily - she is stunned. Her only link to the island is through her mother, Flavia, who left Sicily during World War II and cut all contact with her family.

Initially resistant to Tess going back to her roots, Flavia realises the secrets from her past are about to be revealed and decides to try to explain her actions. Meanwhile, Tess' teenage daughter Ginny is stressed by college, by her blooming sexuality and filled with questions that she longs to ask her father, if only she knew where he was.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Italy, Contemporary, Mystery, Romantic

577 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Rosanna Ley has worked as a creative writing tutor for over 15 years. Affiliated to several colleges and universities in England, she also runs her own writing courses in the UK and abroad. She has worked with community groups in therapeutic settings and completed an MA in creative writing for personal development in order to support this. Her writing holidays and retreats take place in stunning locations in Italy and Spain and whilst not teaching or writing she mentors and appraises the work of new writers. Rosanna has had numerous articles and short stories published in UK magazines, and 12 novels of contemporary fiction published in the U.K, Germany, Greece and the U.S.A under a pseudonym. Her books are inspired by the culture and landscapes of Italy, Sicily and the Canary Islands and feature strong female voices from the past and present, along with an intense undercurrent of mystery and romance. Rosanna spends some time every year travelling around Europe looking for writing inspiration and more tranquil settings for writing holidays. She loves cliff walking and her favourite writing place is somewhere with a sea view. When she is not travelling, Rosanna lives with her artist husband in a Victorian cottage in West Dorset by the sea.
(From the author's website)

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess Angel receives a letter from a solicitor saying she has inherited a villa in Sicily, from someone she has never met. That alone tells you this is a light novel meant purely as escapism. It turns out the owner of the Villa Sirena which sits atop a cliff was someone her mother Flavia worked for before she left Sicily. Sicily is a subject that is off-limits with her mother. It is as though she has tried to wipe the past from her life. But Tess is determined to at least investigate the situation and go and look at the villa.
The setting of Sicily is so vivid it is a character in its own right. The descriptions are stunning. The underwater descriptions when Tess goes diving are magical. Probably about as close as I will ever get to either so I really enjoyed the images.
I liked Tess as a character and also her mother Flavia. Tess is a single parent and Ginny, her teenage daughter is as bratty as most teenage girls in novels seem to be these days. One thing I found annoying was the constant alliterative expressions used by Ginny. ‘Zippedy zebras, perishing pelicans, blubbering buffaloes’ and various other alliterative terms litter the book. It was preferable to swearing (although there is some of that too from various characters) but after a while still became irritating. More so because it’s not the sort of thing I could imagine any teenager ever saying.
It is a novel of secrets, feuds, love, treasure, forgiveness or lack thereof, denial and smouldering passions. Sicilian food also plays a prominent part. It is purely an escapist read but enjoyable, so long as you accept it as such.
The cover is lovely but it is a shame it didn’t match up with the description in the book which mentioned several times that the villa is pink. The villa on the cover is decidedly yellow.

[Anne Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected to love this book - recommendations from Rachel Hore, Veronica Henry and Kate Furnivall; written by an author who runs workshops on creative writing; the Italian (Sicily) setting I love; the story of three generations of women. I was so disappointed. The wartime story of the grandmother, Flavia, could have been better if more developed, but the love story never really convinced me, and it was all annoyingly written in italics, as retold in Flavia's notebook for her daughter. Ginny the grand-daughter had to be the most inauthentic young voice I've come across - struggling with "the ball" (depression, anxiety, puberty... I'm not sure really!) and using irritating exclamations like "meandering meerkats" and "fabulous flamingos" which I've yet to hear teenagers use in this neck of the woods. Then there was the main story of Tess, who inherits a villa from a man she's never met, throws in her job and heads out to Sicily with her scuba kit, gets involved in mafiosi, treasure hunters and old family feuds, while juggling the smouldering Tonino (the ceramic artist) and Giovanni (the slimy one). The dialogue frankly struggles - in the writing tips (I kid you not) at the back, she says "Do read your work aloud to yourself. This will show you where the story sags and where dialogue doesn't flow." If I'd read this one on a sunny beach rather than wet Yorkshire I might have enjoyed it better, but I still rather wish she'd followed her own advice.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

On paper, there is nothing wrong with this book. The skill that went into it is palpable, the words have a smooth, easy flow to them, and the whole thing altogether feels like a quintessential summer read... And yet, it just could not keep my attention. It took me a whole month to finish it, during which time I took it on holiday, and read about three other books, simply because this, I just would not think to reach for. In the end, I brought it into work to keep it in my locker so I would have something to read during my lunch breaks, in small increments, and not be upset that I couldn't continue.

This book is, to put it simply (and kind of rudely tbh), hollow. It is boring for some 460 pages, boring and slow and lacking a point of view (or having too many of them, I'm undecided), it stretches and drags, and then, it devolves into a flurry of action and movement, which brings it to a rushed climax in some 20 pages... which was the only part where I found myself engrossed at all, which is kind of a cheap tactic, to keep your readers engaged by constantly throwing at them things that require their attention.

My problem is, you can really tell that the author is a teacher of creative writing. Technically, this is perfect. If I were to give it a letter grade, it would be an A: all the T-s are crossed, all the i-s are dotted, all the loose threads are knotted off and tucked away neatly, the character arcs are resolved and not one of them is left dangling. But it still lacks the je ne sais quoi that makes books great, that makes characters loveable (honestly, pretty much all of them I found either annoying or immature at one point or the other), that makes someone keep turning the pages.

For a summer read of low commitment, I enjoyed this. But knowing that I took it on holiday and in the evenings instead of reading I opted for watching re-runs of The Office, that's saying something.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me completely and utterly spellbound. I have never read a book that has made me want to visit a place more than this one has. So much history, Rosanna Ley has really brought the taste and essence of Sicily into 'The Villa', I could almost taste the Sicilian food on the tip of my tongue, I could actually see in my mind the Villa Sirena standing proud above the sea. I felt like I was there, within the hustle and bustle of the Sicilian market, diving under the waves with Tess. Wow, just wow.

It begins when Tess recieves a letter from a solicitor, stating that she has inherited Villa Sirena in Sicily, from a man, Edward Westerman, whom she has never heard of, seen or met. Tess has never pondered about Sicily before now, the only connection between her and the island is her mother, Flavia. It turns out that Flavia has a lot of secrets that have been swept under the rug, specifically to do with her childhood whilst she was a young girl, living in the war-torn part of Sicily, the place that she once called home. When Flavia hears of her daughter Tess receiving this letter, she is reluctant for her daughter to go back to the place that has haunted her for many years, but knowing that Tess has the same fire inside her that Flavia once had inside herself, she realises there is no stopping her, and the secrets that were so silently swept underneath the rug are about to be uncovered the last time.

Fantastic book, 10/10, 5 stars, LOVED IT!

[Tiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Villa. The best part? Wonderfully evocative descriptions of Sicily, her people and of course, the food! Bliss. Sicily is definitely on my to-travel-to list.

The Villa is a well-crafted multi-generational tale of family, of the bonds between mother and daughter, and of love.

Switching seamlessly between the past and the present, Sicily and the UK, we are introduced to grandmother Flavia, daughter Tess and granddaughter Ginny. It tells a tale of forbidden love, lost love and grief. Yet amongst this is romance, discovery and hope.

Tess has been bequeathed a villa in Sicily by Edward Westerman - a man she has never met and her mother's former employer. Tess travels to Sicily to see (and fall in love with) the Villa Sirena and finds more than she bargained for...

Tess is a likeable character. Single parent to Ginny she gains gumption. We see her grow as a person as the story develops.

Flavia is a gem! Her wonderful Sicilian recipes are included throughout the story.

Ginny is a typical teen, struggling with who she is and who she wants to be. The only downside I found was Ginny's "jumping jellyfish" and "stuttering sealions" malarkey. I don't know a teen that thinks, let alone says phrases like that - it didn't sit well with me.

The Villa is a perfect Summer read. Think sun-drenched terraces, draping bougainvillea, citrus-scented air, gorgeous Sicilian men.... are you convinced?!

[Vanya Prodanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Приятна книга за четене през летните месеци, особено ако си падате по Италия и средиземнороския тип мъже. Аз, уви, така и не разбрах какво им е хубавото, но всеки с вкуса си.
Неочаквано за мен книгата ми допадна. Много ми хареса как като при рисуването наслагваш слоеве и цялата картина започва да се разкрива постепенно, така и тук историята беше разказана именно с награждане. Задържа ти се интересът през цялото време.
Не ми допаднаха постоянните препратки към италианската храна (знам, че е сицилианска, ама, не ми пука никак каква е реално :Р ) и това, че авторката ту пише от името на героя си, ту говори за него от трето лице с някакво определение. Много шантаво и объркващо, особено като си се потопил в разказа.
Книгата се чете много бързо, независимо от размера й. Историята като цяла е лека и разтоварваща. Макар, че на мен още да ми държи напрежение какво всъщност се е случило на "мамчето" в миналото. Твърде, ама, твърде трагично ми дойде. Просто да си имате едно на ум. :)

[Nicola L · Rating 4 out of 5]

*"Lolloping Lemurs!" Lovely escapist summer reading....*

Sigh. Why is it that characters in books so often inherit gorgeous old houses abroad from complete strangers? That just never happens in real life, does it? Needless to say, though the plot of this book is admittedly a bit cliché in places, pick it up and you're guaranteed a great summer read. I mean, the gorgeous cover just screams `sunshine' and a girly romance, and happily, that's just what I got when I gave this a try.

In the novel we meet Tess, a single mum to 18-year-old Ginny, who unexpectedly inherits a Sicilian villa from a complete stranger, though a stranger apparently well-known to her mother Flavia. As the novel unfolds we learn about Flavia's past in Sicily during WWII, a forbidden romance, feuding Sicilian families and the secrets of a hidden treasure...

I found myself absorbed in this novel pretty quickly- the writing is very evocative with its great details of food, the Sicilian coastline and also the rugged Dorset coastline where we initially meet Tess. Character development for Tess and Flavia in particular, is well-done. As the book progresses, it lapses into a two story approach, with flashbacks to Flavia's past as we get to learn more about her life growing up in Sicily. I think that this was carried out successfully and it was well-balanced, with not too much given to either Tess or Flavia's story- equal attention was paid to both. I also found myself interested in the possible romance aspect for Tess in particular- with the apparent choice of two hunky men (one a bit of a pantomime villain!), I was intrigued to see who she would choose.

So, what didn't I like so much about this novel? Without giving away any spoilers, some characters did feel a bit `dropped in' at the last minute and weren't greatly developed. Some characters I liked more than others, which is to be expected but I do have to say that one other thing that really, REALLY irritated me about this novel was Ginny's `voice' and the stupid phrases she used when she was deriding herself for any reason. `Jumping jellyfish' and `lolloping lemurs' (I kid you not) are really not part of any teenagers' vocabulary of curse words. I found these turns of phrase to be so incredibly jarring and a bit off-putting, particularly when the author had no issue with her other older characters swearing elsewhere in the text. A teenager would probably far rather use bad language than embarrass themselves by thinking such ridiculous phrases. Also, given that a lot of attention is paid to the food of Siciliy, it would have perhaps been a lovely idea to include a proper breakdown of the recipes at the end of the book.

Issues with teenager's aside, I did find this novel to be a lovely summer read- I think if you are a fan of Erica James or Santa Montefiore's then you would enjoy this book a lot. This would make an excellent book for the beach or by the pool- it's great to dip in and out of and the lush descriptions of Sicily and Villa Sirena make me want to head somewhere hot and sunny in a really big way!

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rather unfairly in my opinion categorised as Chick Lit. This is not to decry Chick Lit per se, because it is often slick and enjoyable, but simply to indicate that such books are usually rather more formulaic than this. I suppose that it is so categorised because of the settings which bring to the reader's mind a holiday atmosphere and relegate it to be read on a beach. It is indeed escapist reading but that is not a fault when done as well as this.

In fact not only does it contain a wealth of minor historical detail regarding the strictures and attitudes of post-war England, but it is structured in such a complex way as to make it far more than light-reading. The characterisation is strong, a feature which I greatly appreciate, and those sections set in Sicily (which form the greater part of the novel) are quite splendidly researched. The atmosphere of place, and the complications of the lives of the characters which lead them to the same place ensure continued interest. The theme of redemption runs strongly through the book. I dearly wish somebody would inexplicably leave me a villa in such a delightful place, but to read The Villa is an excellent alternative, and I revisit this book often.

[Nathalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Teile davon fand ich spannend und gut (Flavas Geschichte) und es hätte von mir aus auch nur diese Geschichte sein können. Vor allem die Teile mit Flavas Enkelin, Ginny, habe ich eher quergelesen, sie liest sich wie jemand der von jemand viel Älterem erfunden wurde, benutzt unsinnige Ausdrücke und ist auch sonst sehr jämmerlich. Auch ihre Mutter ist nicht viel besser, und wurde mir durch ihre dumme Affäre am Anfang unsympathisch und dann lässt sie sich auf Sizilien auch noch rumschieben und in eine Vendetta/Verschwörung rein ziehen. Und taucht ständig alleine. Von einer 38-jährigen Mutter erwarte ich etwas mehr. Ob die Darstellung der Sizilianer übertrieben/kulturell überheblich/falsch/richtig ist, wage ich nicht zu sagen, war ich noch nie da. Nur das die Sizilianer gerne über ihre Insel fabulieren kann ich bestätigen.
Ja, Flavas Geschichte hätte einen guten Roman ergeben.

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 2 out of 5]

Книгата като цяло запази ниско ниво на изказа, макар че героите все пак претърпяха развитие и станаха силни. Успяха да се справят с житейските си проблеми. Имаше приключения, любов, подводно гмуркане, но това не притъпи усещането ми за незрелите решения на героите. Всичко сякаш беше скалъпено и направено. Ако искате да научите повече неща за Сицилия прочетете Ники Пелегрино и "Школа по готварство Храна на любовта" - разликите между двете книги са огромни. Ако "Вила в Сицилия" се филмира, ще бъде сто пъти по-интересна. Не ми харесват и обръщенията на писателката към героите си: старицата, тийнейджърката, момичето, сицилианецът, мамчето..., които поставят дистанция и се объркваш кой кой е. По този начин сякаш говореше за непознати герои, а не за Флавия, Тес или Тонино. Интересен сюжет - слабо изпълнение с някаква фриволност.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Доста амбициозно начинание е тази книга, опитала се да събере историите на 3 поколения жени, на няколко рода сицилианци, на красивата природа и вкусните ястия.
Не е нито много добра , нито лоша, чете се лесно.
Но мисля, че проблема й е в това , че е ненужно разтегната на места , които не казват нищо и забързана на важните места.

[Селина Йонкова]

неангажираща, ухаеща на силно и дъхаво кафе, синя и гореща, пълна с клишета, но и събуждаща желания за пътуване, похапване и пийване.

[Angela Lopez De Arriba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novela romántica y que te hace desear visitar Sicilia. Con personajes cercanos y creíbles, tres generaciones con sus problemas y secretos. Cada una tiene su propio peso en la historia. Son historias de tres generaciones con sus peculiaridades. La abuela escribe su historia, la madre descubre el amor y la hija se asoma a la vida adulta.
Tess recibe una herencia de alguien que no conoce, pero que su madre si sabe quién es pero no quiere saber nada de todo ese asunto.

https://sonrieangela.blogspot.com/202...

[Shanoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leider konnte mich diese Geschichte nicht überzeugen. Zum einen fand ich sie sprachlich relativ schlicht bzw. einfach gehalten und zum anderen war die Handlung sehr vorhersehbar und streckenweise auch etwas langatmig. Vor allem die Verbindung zwischen den Rezepten und den anderen Erzählsträngen fand ich nicht gut gelungen, das wirkte nicht harmonisch und hat für mich dann nicht gepasst, obwohl ich sonst kulinarische Themen auch in Romanen sehr schätze.

[Angela Petch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosanna Ley's advice to aspiring authors at the end of her Q and A pages says it all: "...ultimately listen to your own heart" - the writing in this book is descriptive and beautiful. Having lived and worked in Sicily for a couple of years, I think she has captured this magical island with all its complexities and stunning beauty perfectly. The story is entertaining - a search for treasure and a search for self; a search for love but not in a sickly sentimental way. Three women - all related - but with different questions are all convincingly portrayed and, being of different generations, provide different layers to their paths. I loved it. Absolutely "unputdownable". Five stars totally deserved.

[MihaelaMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Най- сетне завърших книгата . Историята и стилът на писане за мен бяха вълшебни и ме пренесоха в Сицилия , накараха ме да усетя вкуса ѝ и да и се насладя. Определено тази книга се оказа много приятна изненада за мен и я препоръчвам за лятото , а и не само https://booumouse.blogspot.com/2019/0...

[Chloe Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read and a big book at nearly 500 pages. The characters were strong and the story immersive.
It had the now and then connecting all the way through with a great timeline that all wraps up at the end. An enjoyable read ✅

[Veselina Bakalova-Mihaylovska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много приятно лятно четиво! Хубава история за 3 поколения жени, всяка със своите тайни и стремежи. Няма нещо уау в сюжета, но се чете бързо и авторката през цялото време успява да поддържа интереса!

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading these Rosanna Ley books is a little like going on a holiday to a foreign country, with none of the uncomfortable parts of travel. The story and characters were interesting, as usual.

[Julie Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid decent chick lit

[Diana Glemžienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skaitai ir jauti saulę, jūrą, užuodi itališką maistą...

[The Librarian's Granddaughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is interesting. I liked that the chapters were short because it made it easier for me to absorb what was written. In my opinion, the volume of the book was too large and the plot could fit in a more compact package. The cover definitely catches the eye, and I think that's what made me take the book. In general, the action is developing dynamically, but I still think that some of the things could have been shortened. Despite the few things I didn't like, the book turned out to be pleasant company on a warm day.

The narrative is conducted from three points of view. Tess is the single mother of an eighteen-year-old daughter. She is not happy with her work and love life. One day she learns that a rich Englishman left her a house in Sicily. Her mother's family worked for him years ago. Flavia, Tess's mother, fled Sicily quite young and has so far refused to talk about her life there. In the course of the story, we learn more about her past. Ginny is Tess's daughter. She fights her demons and tries to fit into a world where it is difficult for her to be herself. Perhaps I was most bored with Ginny's chapters, because in these other two we find secrets from the past and try to solve the puzzle.

I also want a rich Englishman to leave me a villa in Sicily. Alas, there is no prospect of this happening. As a matter of fact, we don't understand exactly why Tess gets the key to the place. Arriving there, she encounters two beautiful but quite different Italians. It immediately became clear to me what kind of person Giovanni was. I also guessed early on what Millie's job was. I liked Tonino. People with good hearts can be seen from afar. The family enmity came to me a little more. I was pleased with the development at the end of the book.

I was sad for Flavia and her fate. No one has the right to dictate to another how to live his life. Unfortunately, this is still the case in many nations, where adults decide who their children to marry. Her story with Peter was sad. I felt a little sorry for Lenny, too. It was a little chaotic for me to read the recipes out of nowhere. Ginny annoyed me at first. That with Ben was pretty irresponsible. I don't know how her mother didn't go crazy. I have no words for David, and their relationship was the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the book could be sustained from two points of view and Ginny could simply be mentioned here and there. For me, her part was pure filling for volume. I liked the descriptions of Sicily and I would definitely like to visit the place.

[Nicola Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I browsed through the Kindle store and stumbled across this I just knew it was the book for me.

Having inherited a villa in Scicily, from a man unknown to her--a man who was her mother's employer many years ago--Tess leaves England and goes to Scicily in search of answers; why did that man, Edward, leave the villa to her and not to her mother, Flavia? Why does her mother never speak of where she came from? What happened to her mother that she would want to abandon everyone and everything she ever knew to go to England?

Tess falls in love with the place, but soon realises that within such beauty lies ugliness; beyond the navy blue sea, the shimmer of schools of fish in the ocean, and the scent of fruit-bearing trees, lies bitterness, greed, power and egotism--all packaged as tradition and family honour, of course.

Tess's daughter, Ginny, remains in England with Flavia and, after finishing school, is practically traumatised by her inability to decide on what to do with her life. She is only sure of what she DOESN'T want: university. As if that pressure wasn't enough, her father, who abandoned her and her mother before Ginny was even born, turns up at her door wanting to be a part of her life--it may be eighteen years, but better late than never; or is it?
This particular part of the story didn't really do anything for me, but perhaps someone of that age may be able to relate to it as I do recall those insecurities about life when I was eighteen.

But for me, the real story here was Flavia's, Tess's mother: the headstrong woman who, as a girl, abandoned her family, her friends, her home and country in search of the man she loved, and in search of a better life. This was the story that captivated me and reminded me of a part of my own life. Her story seems honest, difficult, sometimes content but--in my opinion--simply unfair, just as life can be. But both her and Tess's story were those of intrigue and seduction and just as the characters fell in love, so too did I: with Scicily, with the food, with falling in love, and with the idea of living.

A beautiful novel to leave you with beautiful thoughts and dreams. Thank you to the author for this creation. It has had such a wonderful impact on me.

I'll have to check out other books by this author. Definitely recommend.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up The Villa hoping that it would be the sweeping family saga set in a seaside town I wanted The Rocks to be. It was! This followed three women, each representing a different generation of their family. Tess, a single mother who wrestled with whether or not to continue having an affair, was the main character. When she learned she inherited a Villa in Sicily from an unknown benefactor, her trip there forced her mother, Flavia, to examine the loves in her own past. Tess's daughter Ginny, led a predictable life as a teen and was thrilled to have the house to herself while her mother traveled abroad. Reading this was like traveling with old friends to a romantic location.

This wasn't exactly a literary masterpiece, but the writing was solid enough to delve into the hearts of the women while also giving flowery descriptions of the food Flavia made and the Italian sights Tess saw. Filling this length novel were plots involving romance, mystery, and self-realization. I was pleasantly surprised that all the plots were equally represented and each explored in absolute proportion for the overall story. The interactions between characters at the Villa occurred naturally and I liked both Tonino and Giovanni, the two hot-blooded Italians interested in Tess. The romance that developed wasn't too cheesy, but was believable. The mystery was intertwined with family drama as 'ancient grudge breaks to new mutiny' through Tonino and Giovanni. I could have done without the chapters devoted to Ginny, which were really juvenile and didn't add much to the main story. There was also a frequent reference to a weird physical condition ailing Ginny that became annoying.

The love story Flavia wrote in her journal was interesting, but didn't shed any light on the neighborhood mystery Tess became trapped in. Ultimately, the three narratives didn't do much to move forward the others, instead they could have been stand alone stories. Still, the setting was visibly portrayed and brought the beauty of Sicily to my living room.

This was absolutely enchanting! I enjoyed reading it and would read more by this author.

Please read more of my reviews on my blog: http://fastpageturner.wordpress.com
or follow me on twitter at @dana_heyde

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not aware of this author until very recently, when her writing was recommended to me. Unfortunately I cannot recall who it was that suggested I might enjoy her novels. Well whoever it was you were right! As soon as I looked her up I immediately purchased the three titles available on Amazon. This is the first one I have read, earliest one published in 2012. A perfect summer read and set in Italy, what more could I ask for. A delightful read and I will be reading the next two just as soon as I can.

Three intertwining stories of three generations of women, Tess Angel the main protagonist, her mother Flavia and her daughter Ginny. The novel begins as Tess receives a solicitors letter telling her that she has inherited a villa in Sicily. Despite her mother being Sicilian this comes as a complete shock as her mother Falvia left the island as a young girl and has never returned, so why has Tess been left a villa. One of the conditions of the inheritance is that she has to go over there, despite her mothers reservations this is of course what she does. She falls in love with the villa and meets some interesting Sicilians that will be able to help her unravel the mystery of why her mother cut all ties with her homeland during World War II. Meanwhile back in the UK we have the parallel stories of Tess's mother and daughter both of whom are stressed out, the former with secrets she has long kept from her daughter and the latter with the difficulties of becoming a young woman with lots of questions that she cannot get the answers to.

I thoroughly enjoyed this very readable story devouring it on the plane on a recent trip and am already planning to read two more novels by this author, that I have already purchased for my Kindle. Bay of Secrets and Return to Mandalay what more recommendations do you need to try this author for yourself.

http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...

[BestChickLit.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is, as the cover suggests, the ideal choice to settle down with on holiday. I’ll admit it did not grab my imagination from the outset, but once the mysterious family history took root I was hooked. The story follows three generations of women as they discover more about themselves, their history and their relationship with each other. Throw into the mix a beautiful Sicilian destination, three generations of romance and some delectable recipes and the package is complete.

This tale of self-discovery is fascinating because you are not only taken on the journey of the three heroines and their dark family history, but you also learn a little about how to strengthen family bonds by simply giving them a little space. Despite the idyllic Mills and Boon-esque location the heroine, Tess, remains the embodiment of the modern, self-confident woman and doesn’t fall trap to the domineering male characters. Her daughter, Ginny, seemed a little one dimensional and I’d hope that 18-year-olds think about much more than boys and losing their virginity, but perhaps this is more of a comment on the carefree lifestyle of today. Nowadays we all have such an open world of choices available to us that this question of ‘what to be?’ is overwhelming. This is shown perfectly in the reflections of Tess and Ginny and, thankfully, the answer is shown to be more of a trial and error concept than ‘choose a career and stick to it’. It is rare to find a book that offers mystery, adventure, romance and self-help, but somehow Ley has managed it perfectly.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Wright on behalf of BestChickLit.com

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. thank you!

This is not the easiest book to review. On one hand it is a really interesting story and on the other it seemed to fall a little short in execution in some areas.

I will start with the positive. This story takes place for the majority in Sicily and the author does a wonderful job of describing the scenery. In addition to that, those who love the food of Sicily will really enjoy the constant references and recipes for their dishes. I understood none of it however I am not much of a cook so take it for what it is.

The story blends a little bit of mystery and a little bit of a love story. I loved how it reflected on the love story of Tess in the present day and then traveled back to her mothers story. I am drawn to stories that are drafted this way and the book did not disappoint.

On a not so favorable note, I found the mystery a little far fetched and lacking a certain something. Also the story if Ginny almost seemed a little surplus and could have been left out altogether as this was a long read. I really didn't get the concept of the her "ball". Although I know what it was referring to it just was a little weird and could have been described differently.

Overall this was an interesting read and will appeal to those who have an interest in the area of Sicily and its customs. A solid 3 stars

[Deborah Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to banish winter blues, or spring has not yet arrived where you are, then this book will lift your spirits and keep you flipping the pages. For me it was like an Enid Blyton for grown-ups - with lashings of sicilian cuisine instead of ginger beer, a mystery of hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed in a secret location, and sinister, glowering baddies who will stop at nothing to get the treasure for themselves.

Sun, sea and sand - yes. Gorgeous dilapidated villa - yes. Romance with handsome hunks - yes.

The depth comes from the fact that at its heart it is the story of three generations of women and their daughters. I was particularly entertained by Ginny the teenager and her search for direction, so different from her grandmother Flavia's teenage experience in Sicily in the wartime years.

Not groundbreaking, but nevertheless extremely enjoyable escapism and recommended for anyone needing to lift their mood.

[Mrs. Midnight Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Както казах, тази книга ме извади от дупката, в която бях попаднала относно четенето! Лежерно, но в същото време изключително напрегнато откъм действия четиво! От тези книги, които ме карат да усещам всякакви емоции - тъга, любов, щастие, жажда за пътешествия, ненавист, симпатия, тревога и очакване. И макар за мен Сицилия да е дестинация, която не бих посетила, обичам Италия, обичам книгите, които предават атмосферата й.
Сюжетът на книгата в началото изглежда доста повъ��хностен, но с всяка страница, авторката те убеждава, че грешиш в представата си. Има интрига, макар че животът да ме е срещал с толкова много хора, че някои герои ми бяха прозрачни, далеч преди да бъде показана истинската им самоличност.
Тази книга заслужава ревю, което скоро ще получи!

[Sonia Reppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good escape. Set in Sicily and England, the story is about three women; and although there were some convenient plot devices, it's a good beach read. The writing is wonderful and makes you feel like you're at the coast in Sicily watching the water sparkle. As I've mentioned in other reviews, I'm usually not intrigued by the well-used plotline of someone digging up secrets from their family's past, and in this case the main character also has inherited a house; and I also get a little annoyed if dialogue between the main character and her love interest is immediately deep and trying too hard to be profound; but these were minor things. I went through the 550 pages pretty fast.