Bella Fortuna

by Rosanna Chiofalo

“Sometimes tough, sometimes tender, always heartfelt and honest, Bella Fortuna is a lively, finely-stitched tale of life and love, family and friendship, and a zest for cose Italiane !”—Peter Pezzelli, author of Home to Italy Valentina DeLuca has made hundreds of brides’ dreams come true. At Sposa Rosa, the Astoria, New York, boutique where she, her sisters, and their mother design and sew couture knock-off gowns, she can find the perfect style for even the most demanding customer. Now, it’s her turn. Valentina has loved Michael Carello ever since he rescued her from a cranky shopkeeper when she was ten years old. He’s handsome, chivalrous, and loyal. And in a few weeks, she’s going to marry him—in Venice. But just when she thinks everything is falling into place, Valentina is forced to re-examine her life to see what truly makes her happy. And as she soon learns, in a place as magical as Venice, what seems like misfortune can turn out to be anything but, although who knows what may be waiting around the next corner? The chance to enjoy a moonlit gondola ride, to sip Prosecco in St. Mark’s Square, to eat mouthwatering gelato, to put aside “sensible” for once and see where the warm Italian breezes guide her as she visits all the sights she’s dreamed The Doge’s Palace, Il Rialto, the little islands of Murano and Burano. And maybe, along the way, to discover that bella fortuna— good luck—isn’t what you’re given, but what you make. “Chiofalo brings the Italian immigrant community and neighborhoods richly to life.”— Publishers Weekly “Well-drawn characters . . . A charmer.” — BookPage

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Italy, Chick Lit, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, New York

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Rosanna Chiofalo is a first-generation Italian American whose parents emigrated from Sicily to New York in the early 1960s. She is the author of Bella Fortuna, Carissima, Stella Mia, Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop, and the novella "Seven Days of Christmas" which appears in the WHEN THE SNOW FALLS collection. She lives with her husband in New York City. Visit: RosannaChiofalo.com.

Reviews

[Jon Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from a first time author.

I admit, I won this book in a give-away on some other site and it was sitting on my shelf for a few weeks before I read it.

Actually, what got me to read this book was the hot-headed, very rude and hateful review by Amy S. Foster! Yes, a one star review got me to take notice and see what all the emotion and hateful rudeness was all about.

I am at the other end of the spectrum and loved this book. The characters were interesting and funny at times. The story was fun, light-hearted, charming, and a pure joy to read.

Had this been the author's tenth book, I might have given it 4 stars, but for a first time novelist - Bravo to you Ms. Chiofalo - 5 stars on a great first novel.

I understand not everyone will agree on everything. Negative reviews (when tastefully done) give potential readers insight into a book.

Positive reviews give readers a chance to want to buy the book.

When someone admits they've only read 10 pages, well, that can't really be considered a valued review now can it?

I read the ENTIRE book, not just 10 pages!

I look forward to more books by this author despite the "celebrity" reviews.

Thank you Ms. Chiofalo for a wonderful read.

[Amy Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an author, I rarely talk smack about books because I know how hard it is to not only write one but to get one published. I hate having to do this because I am sure the author is a lovely person and it's heartbreaking to read negative reviews (if she's smart she'll avoid them altogether) But her acknowledgement "page" went on for pages. She thanked everyone in the world. It was off putting. I got to page 10 before I had to put it down. She writes like english is not her first language. Her phrases are awkward. For example she says of NY "Probably nowhere else in the world will you encounter as many people from different ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds-well, except for at an airport!" Clumsy. Then she goes on to be completely racist as she talks about the Asian who runs a store she visits as a child and chides her with "She here every day. Hide in back. Teenk I no see. I no idi-uht. She never buy anyteeng. She steal." Who does that? It's like busking on the corner in blackface.
This author has been in the publishing industry for twenty years. I can only assume it's her connections that helped get this book published. Hey, all the more power to her! It's hard to get published. But on a practical level, I would have to advise anyone who is interested in reading this book to get it at the library. If you pay for it, you may well be disappointed.

[Rahaf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where do I begin?
I devoured this book not because of the high-intensity interest in the storyline, but because I am too stubborn to start something and discontinue. Actually, I didn't devour this book, I gulped it down.
This book was a bad book. It pains me to call a book bad, but this was just a bad book.
From the atrocious grammar mistakes to the terrible description and lack of growth of characters to the redundant and useless information, I have so many issues with this book.
Since I can go on forever about the bad aspects of this book, the good in it is worth mentioning.
There were many story lines in this book. Had they been developed properly and more sincere, this book would have actually been good.
The descriptions of Venice were nice and felt like real writing.
The description of the wedding planning was not executed properly, but the pieces about the gown making business were good.
The touch of coziness in this book was nice. Had it been enhanced and had a little more charm, this book would have been warm and welcoming.
Overall, this book has two stars because it really does have potential. The story lines are entertaining and touched on various topics. but still need a tremendous amount of development.
Put simply, this book needs a Simon Cowell who will rip it apart and then put it back together in a significantly better way than before.

[Manda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this book than it was capable of delivering, unfortunately. With some strict editing it could have been salvaged, even if it does fall into the "girl disappointed in love, travels, finds herself and a new romance" trope. As it is, there's way too much extraneous description and nonessential information about the characters clogging up the text. And despite the book prominently displaying an illustration of a Venetian scene on its cover, it takes a full 2/3 of the book to even get there and not even all of that final third is spent there.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Fortuna – by Rosana Chiofolo

*ARC Supplied by Publisher*

This was one of the most romantic books I have read so far this year. It is not a novel that mistakes sex for romance …in fact, there is only one sexual scene and it is hot without being vulgar. This is a debut novel and I see that the author still has some seasoning she needs to do, but for a first –wow - I can’t wait to see what Ms Chiafalo will do for an encore!

This is a book of second chances, of close Italian –American families, of love, friendship and enemies. It is also a small peek into the bridal industry and the making of what should be the perfect gown. Set in the ethnic area of Astoria (Queens) New York, we follow a mother, Olivia, and daughter, Valentina, as they fall in love both the first time AND the second time. The story mostly concentrates around Valentina and her upcoming wedding to Michael.

I will not bore you with my synopsis since the perfect one has already been written. I will tell you that Ms Chiofolo has managed to capture that bustling area perfectly and has written some of the most complex and likable characters that I have read in a long time. She has also managed to capture the heartache that comes from losing the one you love to either death or deceit.

I love ‘happy endings’, and as romance readers, many of us are used to them and sometimes take them for granted. However in Ms Chiofolo’s novel I wasn’t positive I was going to get a happy ending and I didn’t even care. The story just captivated me and I would have went anywhere the author chose to take me without even a whimper.

[Kaylie Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's rare that I will give a book just one star, particularly a book that centers around Italian culture. I am such a fan of Italian authors like Mariana Fiorato and Adriana Tringiani that I thought I might enjoy this book as well. Sadly, I was mistaken. Not only was the writing clunky, but the plot lines were absolutely ridiculous. Skip this one.

[Jane Lump · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing was so forced and awkward and the travel descriptions were overdone and felt like they were lifted from Fodor's. I liked the bridal industry as a backdrop, but this was way too corny for me! I found myself scanning parts that were just too dull!

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Insipid...don't bother...I only finished it because I'm a tightwad and I bought it before coming to Italy. Terrible.

[Ingrid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can I rate this zero stars? Sheesh, I'll never get the hours wasted reading this book back.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Rosanna Chiofalo
Published By: Kensington
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"Bella Fortuna" by Rosanna Chiofalo was a good chit lit fiction romance. I found this novel of a 'Italian American Family' who lived in Queens but also there is some twist in this journey of the story that end up in in Venice. The main character Valentina (the oldest sister), with her mom (Olivia/Sera) and sisters(Connie & Rita) are the owners of a bridal shop called Sposa Rosa. We find from the read that Valentina is preparing for her 'Dream Wedding' with Michael who has been the 'man of her dreams' that is to take place in Italy in the month of June. However, Michael two months before the wedding had different ideas... like changing his mind! Now just what was really up with that? Remember when he came into the shop while Valentina was trying on her wedding dress and he stood there looking and Oliver yells.."Malocchio! Malocchio!...get out! It s bad luck forever!"...Was it? Well, poor Valentina life is now turned upside down again.

Now, the setting moves on to Italy with all of its art and history...and all I can say is this author really makes you feel that Italy is a beautiful romantic place to be especially for a wedding with all of its "happiness and perfection."

I must say the decriptions that this author gave the reader of Italy made me even want to visit this magical place! We find that Valentina has decided to take a vacation for three weeks...yes to Italy. Did she enjoy herself in Italy?...What will happen to poor Valentina?...now, this is the part when I will say you must pick up "Bella Fortuna" to see what is in store for her. Will Valentina learn to live and love again and what was going on with Olivia's mom with her first love? What had happened to Tracy? Was "Bella Fortuna" somewhat predictable?...Yes, but that is OK because I still enjoyed this novel because it held my attention until the end. I found the characters to be well developed and believable bringing each page to life with sadness and even happiness.

I found the storyline of "Bella Fortuna" was wonderful and the romance was a fantastic read especially the Italy visit and would I recommend this read...Yes!

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book had a lot of potential. It just did not quite get there. The story follows Valentina and every once in a while her mother Olivia. The changes in POV were a bit abrupt sometimes and definitely skewed as to how many pages each were given. 90% of the story was from Valentina's POV while the rest was from Olivia's. It was an awkward amount which I think ended up detracting more than helping. I think Olivia's story would work better as its own separate story.

I didn't mind this story up until almost the end, and then it was ruined. Those who have read it probably know the scene I am talking about. I literally had to stop reading and decide if I could finish the book because I was so weirded out by what had just occurred. I only had about 30 pages left so I went ahead and finished it.

I think the story line of this novel was good. There was love, loss, surprise, hate, friendship. The writing style just did not do it for me. There were too many unnecessary details, and I wish I had been shown rather than told everything flat out. Overall, it was not terrible, but could definitely been better without that one scene.

[Sue Seligman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after reading a recommendation on Adriana Trigiani's facebook page. I enjoyed this book very much. The story is about a young woman who owns and operates a bridal shop in Astoria with her mother and sisters; they are Italian American, and very much a product of their culture. The progression of the novel varies between the first person narrative of the young woman, Valentina, and the third person perspective of her mother, Olivia. I enjoyed the glimpses into their early lives, although some may find the scenes from the past a bit confusing since there seems to be little order or organization as to when they appear. The descriptions of Astoria, Manhattan and Italy are vivid and realistic; the only minor issue that I had was the frequent sprinkling of Italian conversation which didn't seem to occur with a direct translation. However, I was able to figure most of what was implied. I enjoyed the characters and the family relationships. This novel touched on the themes of marriage, mother-daughter and sister relationships, and friendship...a very entertaining read.

[Marie Schuh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I take issue with a book that seems to treat you like you're in elementary school with the quality of writing, but doesn't explain the things you wish it did (such as all the Italian.) Believe the warnings to stay away!

[Florence Csage · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Sicilian heritage made me absolutely love this book! Valentina and her family and neighborhood friends were delightful and charming. For a debut novel, it is fantastic!

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop Sugar Challenge 2019: book that features a wedding

I enjoyed the family dynamic of this book and thought the first half was fantastic. The second half of the book, with Valentina’s time in Italy, felt so rushed. I get that sometimes you can fall in love quickly, but when it comes to a novel, it just feels like there was a need to figure out how to wrap up the storyline and blast the consequences or continuity of the rest of the book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out as an enjoyable read. But half way thru,it became a dud.The author went off on tangents that had nothing to do with the story,only seemed to fill pages.I couldn't wait to finish it.I spent enough time getting into the story and was not going to quit. Too many good books waiting for me to read.

[Chelsey Wolford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about this book was truly heartwarming. I especially loved the wonderful and sometimes crazy DeLuca family. They embodied their Italian heritage and I was able to feel right at home when they were together. I really love books like this that can really take on a culture and a heritage and portray it through the characters and their actions. Valentina was our main character and the DeLuca sister that was preparing for her wedding day. I was glad to learn that our author, Rosanna, is Italian herself and I often wondered, while reading, if any of the characters were based off of her own family!

I have always loved to read about weddings and I loved following Valentina as she planned for hers. Not to mention she is having a destination wedding in, yep you guessed it….Italy! I was so thrilled when I learned this and I loved reading along as she made her wedding gown and prepared for a cake and everything else that goes along with any girl’s big day. I also enjoyed it whenever her sisters were around, even though they only got on Valentina’s last nerve. I felt by the time I had reached the end of the book that I deserved an invitation to this wedding!

I loved the romance in this book because it was not overdone. I am not one to get all wrapped up in mushy gushy romances, but I love the more realistic ones. I felt like this book fit the latter category. This book really tugged on my emotions at times and I can honestly say that I am very pleased with Rosanna Chiofalo’s writing. I have read a few reviews in which it was critiqued negatively. I am quite the opposite. Every author has their own style and I try to embrace them all! I am very excited for her next book. I would recommend this book to anyone just for the Italian culture and an inside look at the dynamics of a crazy but loveable Italian family!

***Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Fortuna……..by Rosanna Chiofalo
I received this ARC from Kensington Books for an honest review.

This novel captured my heart and soul. It is set in Astoria, a neighborhood of small shops and homes, in Queens, N.Y. We follow an Italian couple who immigrated to New York from Sicily, both husband and wife trained in tailoring. They have three daughters, and fulfill the dream of opening a bridal shop, after struggling for years. The shop is called Sposa Rosa, the Pink Bride.
Olivia, the hard working woman who owns the shop, lost her husband years ago to cancer. Her daughters, Valentina, Connie and Rita, help her with customers, plus designing and sewing wedding dresses. Valentina is the oldest, weeks away from marrying the man she has loved since she was six.
We meet a delightful cast of characters in Astoria, very much a part of Valentina’s childhood and now as a young woman. There are curses, malocchio, which is the evil eye, tarot readings, and so much love and laughter between these pages. We learn about Olivia’s younger years in Sicily, meeting Nicola, her future husband, and a few secrets she keeps totally to herself!
I became so attached to these characters I didn’t want the novel to end. Filled with forgiveness and hope , I would recommend this novel to everyone, especially those of us growing up in a family of any ethnicity, with lots of stories to tell.
I fell in love with this book, when I saw a bookmark included with another book to review. It was a picture of a beautiful bridge in Venice, with just a wisp of a vision of a bride. I immediately looked up the book and author, and e-mailed Kensington books begging to read and review it. It has been my pleasure to do so. I only hope Ms.Chiofalo has many more stories to tell!


Pat Fordyce

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo is a great read that is packed with personality. The novel centers around the DeLuca family – Olivia and her three daughters who work together at their wedding dress shop, Sposa Rosa. Olivia and her husband came to America after World War II looking for a better life and had it until he passed away fourteen years ago. With stubborn determination, Olivia transforms their tailor shop into a designer wedding dress boutique that she runs with her three daughters, Valentina, Connie, and Rita.
Working with demanding brides, the DeLuca ladies have great insight into weddings and the stress that comes with them, but are thrilled for Valentina who is planning her own wedding. Valentina is to wed Michael, a boy who grew up in the same Astoria, New York neighborhood, and has been her knight-in-shining-armor since childhood. After designing and making the perfect dress and planning a dream wedding and honeymoon in Venice, Valentina is ready to walk down the aisle in Italy. An unpredictable tragedy, however, shakes the DeLuca clan to the core, and forces them to reassess what family really is.
I honestly felt like someone had been secretly watching family get-togethers hosted by my Italian-American in-laws – the characters are warm and relatable and endearingly blend Italian phrases and fragemented English idioms. The novel is well written and addictive – Chiofalo has true voice – and is ideal for a book club as it has recipes that are mentioned in the story and has a great book discussion guide. This is a great read with lots of heart and Italian flair. From shelfishness.blog.com

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo
Through the years Valentina DeLuca, Italian and Christian has endured the neighbors and others and loves Michael but he's into others. Years later when she's grown and is a wedding dress designer who is getting married to Michael we find out about her and his past histories having been raised in the same neighborhood.
Her sisters and mother are also in the sewing business-different aspects of it. They are finally to be married in Italy and she's just finished her wedding dress. Tracy, who she thought would be her lifelong friend turns on her when they were teens and she gets back at her later in life for the betrayal.
The book also travels back to when their parents had first come to America and the fears and dreams as they lived their lifes on the streets of Greenwich Village and Astoria Park. Lots of secrets over the years.
Love the talk of the design field and jaunts to Central Park, some cooking secrets, Italian phrased explained in English and the travel to Italy=whoa! and the recipes at the end of the book.
Betrayal, cancer, travel, death, and love make this a really great book to read.

[Jessica at Book Sake · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reviewed by Gabi for Book Sake.

I was excited to get this book for review, because I have been itching to travel and since I can't right now, I enjoy living vicariously through stories. Bella Fortuna was easy to get into and I read it in just two sittings because I didn't want to put it down. While the initial love story had some predictable points, there were many surprises and twists that I really didn't see coming and it made the story feel more real to me. The dynamic of the DeLuca family was very heartwarming, and the author had you laughing and crying along with them, and I loved the confrontations with the Bridezillas. I also appreciated the time that was taken to describe Venice in a way that allowed me to feel like I was along for the tour. Anyone that likes a good romance, on location in a fantastic Italian city, will enjoy this novel, but if you also enjoy a family of supporting characters and the relationships that they have with each other, then this book is definitely one to grab!

Book Received: For free from publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Capediva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable and Formulaic – OK for the beach

Neighborhood girl is engaged to her childhood crush, planning a Venice wedding. Engagement ends badly with crush revealing a secret. Shortly thereafter, girl decides to grow a backbone and go to Venice anyway. Girl meets and falls for a tour guide/art historian. She realizes how much she loves him, what true love really is and how little she actually loved Guy #1. She moves to Venice permanently to marry the Italian and everybody lives happily ever after. Sound familiar? It ought to – it’s the plot for countless fluffy romances. If you’re looking for a mindless beach read, it’s fine. If you’re looking for a significant new work, keep looking.

[Shoshana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad book. Bad writing. Dull plot.

First-gen Italian-American main character, in an Italian neighborhood, says "cannolis." Enough said.

[Corinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! I wish it had a more detailed ending as I feel it ended a bit abruptly. It was a quick read and continued to hold my interest.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just loved this book....the italian words, the dress shop, italy...it was hard to put down.

[Theheartofbookclubbing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary 📖: Valentina, a talented wedding dress designer and creator works along side her two sisters and mother at their family owned boutique - Sposa Rosa. Her traditional Italian mother, Olivia, immigrated from Italy to Astoria, New York, an Italian dominated community. The Italian culture traditions, superstitions, food and sayings are embedded throughout the book and the different characters. Valentina is engaged to her childhood crush and is set to wed in the romantic city of Venice, Italy. However, two weeks before their wedding something unexpected happens and changes the course of her life forever.

QOTB (Quote of the Book) 💬: “His touch sends a thousand butterflies loose in my stomach.”

Thoughts 💭: Bella Fortuna was a fun and easy read. The animated characters and light hearted dialogue bring out a romantic comedy feel. The book is a little slow paced at the beginning, with majority of the events taking place near the end of the book. Overall, if you’re looking for a fun & light love story, you may find this book charming.

Follow us on Instagram (@theheartofbookclubbing) for reviews, recipes and more! 💕 📖

[Angelosdaughter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wondering if I want to finish this book...

It was good until Valentina goes to Venice and runs into smarmy Stefano.
And then to describe him as a Rick Springfield lookalike! I thought she might be bringing him back to meet Aldo, or that she and Aldo, who is her best friend and knows her better than anyone else, might, after all, fall in love even though Aldo is gay. Stranger things have happened, and it's a shame they didn't happen in this story.
I would have liked the story better if she had enjoyed Venice on her own, as a sort of sabbatical, and recovery from her failed wedding, clearing her mind and heart of Michael and going home with a clear head instead of being drawn in by a smarmy tour guide who has probably used his charms on other unsuspecting female tourists, and behaving like a loose woman herself in response to Stefano's stalkerlike behavior. Valentina, ignoring the adviv

[Alice Kimsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting book!

This is not my normal genre I usually read but I truly enjoyed it. I was attracted to the cover. Venice is one of my favorite places I've ever been. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that there are a lot of lines written in Italian and I don't know Italian. This would have been ok if the author had translated, maybe in parentheses, after the lines. I sometimes felt like I was missing something. Otherwise, I loved the book and want to read more by this author.

[Regine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listen to the audio book it was disappointing. The Author set this book in Astoria, Queens with a the main character having an Italian background and the person reading the book sounded as if they put on a false Italian accent like someone that was more from Jersey then New York. On top of that Astoria is more known for Greek Heritage then Italian. I think people need to do better research before writing.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read, especially if you've ever been to Venice, Italy. I had just been so it was easy to imagine the main character strolling through the canal city. And it was a special treat when she visited Burano, also, which I also enjoyed on our recent Italy tour. The ending was hard to believe, but nice to think it could possibly happen.