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The Itinerary
When Lisa’s dad passed away, she and her mom planned a European vacation as something to look forward to in their time of grief. With her mom's untimely death just weeks before the trip, Lisa decides to embark on the non-refundable journey on her own, armed with her mom's bare-bones itinerary and well-loved copy of Bob Adams' Adventures.
As Lisa navigates the roadblocks that pop up in each city, a charming stranger keeps coming to her rescue, which leads Lisa to wonder—is it serendipity or just plain old stalking?
As Lisa navigates the roadblocks that pop up in each city, a charming stranger keeps coming to her rescue, which leads Lisa to wonder—is it serendipity or just plain old stalking?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
6 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 13, 2024
This was a lot of fun!
January 25, 2025
(Advanced reader copy from NetGalley) The book have an interesting story to it, but I was not a big fan of how it played out. Lisa, the main character, is very much an American traveling in Europe which was portrayed well, but also the thing that annoyed me the most. Other than that the story was enjoyable to read and fun.
July 4, 2024
I knew I wasn't going to vibe with this book by page 3 and I almost called it quits then but it was only 150ish pages and I wanted to see if maybe just maybe it got better....it didn't.
The story felt very list like. "I did this and then I did this and then I settled the bill and did this." I'm not even going to get started on the Rocky stalking her through Europe situation or their romance because I can absolutely see people loving it.
The thing that got to me and got to me early, is how little effort went into researching these European destinations.
#1 the Italian immigrations do not care if you don't have luggage with you. Because you pick up your suitcase after customs always but also they barely look at you anyway. Too many tourists fly into Rome for that.
#2 If you order a latte in Italy you will get a glass of milk. Also every coffee bar you go to, you pay first.
#3 the Vatican is not a building. There are the Vatican Museums that are closed on Sundays yes but those are the Vatican museums. St Peters Basilica, not closed on Sundays... So super unsure where she was trying to go.
And because I don't want to type anymore so I'll leave it at this
#4. YOU CAN NOT CLIMB THE STAIRS TO THE TOP OF THE EIFFEL TOWER! trust me, I tried. It is a liability issue because of the wind. You can climb to the second floor and then elevator to the top.
Okay that is all. Have a lovely day.
Wait no! I just remembered. The Pharmacies in Italy are not like pharmacies in America. You won't find shampoos and toothpaste and whatever else she bought there. Literally just medicine.
Okay now I'm done.
Thanks netgalley for the review copy.
The story felt very list like. "I did this and then I did this and then I settled the bill and did this." I'm not even going to get started on the Rocky stalking her through Europe situation or their romance because I can absolutely see people loving it.
The thing that got to me and got to me early, is how little effort went into researching these European destinations.
#1 the Italian immigrations do not care if you don't have luggage with you. Because you pick up your suitcase after customs always but also they barely look at you anyway. Too many tourists fly into Rome for that.
#2 If you order a latte in Italy you will get a glass of milk. Also every coffee bar you go to, you pay first.
#3 the Vatican is not a building. There are the Vatican Museums that are closed on Sundays yes but those are the Vatican museums. St Peters Basilica, not closed on Sundays... So super unsure where she was trying to go.
And because I don't want to type anymore so I'll leave it at this
#4. YOU CAN NOT CLIMB THE STAIRS TO THE TOP OF THE EIFFEL TOWER! trust me, I tried. It is a liability issue because of the wind. You can climb to the second floor and then elevator to the top.
Okay that is all. Have a lovely day.
Wait no! I just remembered. The Pharmacies in Italy are not like pharmacies in America. You won't find shampoos and toothpaste and whatever else she bought there. Literally just medicine.
Okay now I'm done.
Thanks netgalley for the review copy.
May 2, 2024
4.25 ⭐
[NetGalley Read #2]
Really liked this.
• Positives:
Main characters (Lisa and Rocky) are well-written. They have great chemistry and are relatable and funny.
Europe as the setting is a great choice. All the descriptions of museums, paintings, architecture and food are quite nice. Also the whole mystery element is resolved quite well.
Lisa's relationship with her mother is written very well and the ending is sweet.
• Negatives:
Can't think of many.
It's a sweet little story with good dialogue, great characters and a beautiful setting. Worth a read. 👍
[I was able to read it in advance on NetGalley]
[NetGalley Read #2]
Really liked this.
• Positives:
Main characters (Lisa and Rocky) are well-written. They have great chemistry and are relatable and funny.
Europe as the setting is a great choice. All the descriptions of museums, paintings, architecture and food are quite nice. Also the whole mystery element is resolved quite well.
Lisa's relationship with her mother is written very well and the ending is sweet.
• Negatives:
Can't think of many.
It's a sweet little story with good dialogue, great characters and a beautiful setting. Worth a read. 👍
[I was able to read it in advance on NetGalley]
April 27, 2024
I got an Advanced Reader Copy of The Itenerary. This is my honest opinion and review of the book.
I couldn't put it down! This cute and fade to black romance story is easy to devour, I finished it within one day.
This story follows Lisa as she goes on a trip through Europe. She planned the trip with her mom, and they used a copy of Bob Adam's Adventures as a trip outline. Before the trip, her mom unfortunately passed away, but everything was non-refundable, so she went alone. On her journey, she meets a guy who seems to know everything about what she should see and do while traveling and has connections everywhere. This guy ended up being almost everywhere she was - is he a stalker or is it fate. Either way, a fling was just what she needed.
This cute and fun, fade-to-black romance is the perfect thing to curl up and enjoy over a weekend.
I couldn't put it down! This cute and fade to black romance story is easy to devour, I finished it within one day.
This story follows Lisa as she goes on a trip through Europe. She planned the trip with her mom, and they used a copy of Bob Adam's Adventures as a trip outline. Before the trip, her mom unfortunately passed away, but everything was non-refundable, so she went alone. On her journey, she meets a guy who seems to know everything about what she should see and do while traveling and has connections everywhere. This guy ended up being almost everywhere she was - is he a stalker or is it fate. Either way, a fling was just what she needed.
This cute and fun, fade-to-black romance is the perfect thing to curl up and enjoy over a weekend.
July 15, 2024
4.25⭐️
This book is a “Read Now” book on @netgalley
I loved this book! I found it entertaining, sweet, fun, and sometimes sad. It is a light easy read that kept me turning the pages.
The story follows Lisa, an adult orphan, on her solo trip to Europe that was meant to be a trip she took with her mother. Her mother unexpectedly passed away (not a spoiler) a few weeks before the planned vacation and within a year of her father’s passing.
We travel with Lisa to places such as Florence, Venice, Geneva, and Paris. There are quite a few mishaps along the way starting with lost luggage, a drunken make-out session, and a possible stalker.
Following her mom’s itinerary written in her trusty Bob Adam’s Adventures guide, Lisa sees plenty of sights and meets a few fun characters… one who happens to keep bumping into her at various spots along the way. Is he a stalker or is it just coincidence? You will enjoy finding out!
Book: The Itinerary
Author: Penny Pentley
Publisher: Five Cents Publishing
Publish Date: May 21, 2024
My rating = 4.25⭐️
This book is a “Read Now” book on @netgalley
I loved this book! I found it entertaining, sweet, fun, and sometimes sad. It is a light easy read that kept me turning the pages.
The story follows Lisa, an adult orphan, on her solo trip to Europe that was meant to be a trip she took with her mother. Her mother unexpectedly passed away (not a spoiler) a few weeks before the planned vacation and within a year of her father’s passing.
We travel with Lisa to places such as Florence, Venice, Geneva, and Paris. There are quite a few mishaps along the way starting with lost luggage, a drunken make-out session, and a possible stalker.
Following her mom’s itinerary written in her trusty Bob Adam’s Adventures guide, Lisa sees plenty of sights and meets a few fun characters… one who happens to keep bumping into her at various spots along the way. Is he a stalker or is it just coincidence? You will enjoy finding out!
Book: The Itinerary
Author: Penny Pentley
Publisher: Five Cents Publishing
Publish Date: May 21, 2024
My rating = 4.25⭐️
May 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before publication (tomorrow). The Itinerary
by Penny Pentley.
After Lisa's father passed away, her mom wanted to plan a 2 week trip traveling Europe but a week before they go her mom also passes away. The holiday is non refundable so Lisa travels alone, dealing with her grief but also trying to have the holiday her mom wanted them to have together. Her mom wrote an Itinerary that she tried to follow and her mom also wanted Lisa to find love... She meets some interesting people on her travels and the same guy (Rocky) keeps appearing in the same cities she is in, is it fate, coincidence or is he a stalker!
Lovely book and well written. Some sad bits when her grief gets the better of her. I travelled on a holiday not long after my fathers' passing and he was supposed to be there with us. Made it bitter sweat but I know he would of wanted me to still go!
by Penny Pentley.
After Lisa's father passed away, her mom wanted to plan a 2 week trip traveling Europe but a week before they go her mom also passes away. The holiday is non refundable so Lisa travels alone, dealing with her grief but also trying to have the holiday her mom wanted them to have together. Her mom wrote an Itinerary that she tried to follow and her mom also wanted Lisa to find love... She meets some interesting people on her travels and the same guy (Rocky) keeps appearing in the same cities she is in, is it fate, coincidence or is he a stalker!
Lovely book and well written. Some sad bits when her grief gets the better of her. I travelled on a holiday not long after my fathers' passing and he was supposed to be there with us. Made it bitter sweat but I know he would of wanted me to still go!
April 28, 2024
I love to travel, and I even love to live vicariously through my friends’ trips between my own trips. This cute book appealed to me for that reason right off the bat. Lisa is on her own in Europe, and it was fun to read her descriptions of the different places she was, the food she ate, and the people she saw. I looked forward to each new location she visited and to reading the details of each place. Add to that the romantic twist, and this book was a delightful read. I do wish it was a bit longer simply because I was enjoying it so much. At times, it did run the risk of being a bit depressing given what Lisa was dealing with, and I do wish that was not quite so prevalent. I understand why it was, but I would rather have had more development in the relationship at hand and a bit less maudlin behavior.. All in all, this was a fun story which I enjoyed reading; it was light and fun. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2024
Like many a wonderful vacation, I never wanted this book to end! Penny Pentley has done it again with The Itinerary, giving readers richly drawn characters, breathtaking locales, and romance that would make even the coldest hearts skip a beat. Closed-door (but not in the least less exciting for that!) romance that made me swoon and simply stellar writing. 5/5 would recommend to romance readers everywhere this summer! I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. This is my honest opinion and review of the book.
June 26, 2024
Fade to black romance that was so fun to read. I really enjoyed this story. The MC goes on a trip alone that she was supposed to go on with her mother, but mom sadly passes before the trip. The grief, the joy, the shame of being happy, the hunky male MC…chefs kiss. I just wish it was a little longer. I listened to the audio narrated by the author and thought she did a great job.
May 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Itinerary by Penny Pentley.
These are my thoughts:
This was a 4.5⭐️ for me.
The last thing Lisa was looking for was to meet a kind, handsome stranger and have a summer fling.
Grieving Lisa, goes on a two-week trip to Europe. This was supposed to be the trip she and her mother took together, after Lisa’s father’s death a year ago. Now, on a plane to Italy, Lisa nurses a double broken heart, as her travel companion died merely two weeks before the trip. Since everything for the trip was booked and mostly non-refundable, Lisa decides to embark on this journey and follow the handwritten itinerary her mother put together.
Through twists and turns, Lisa learns about the kindness of strangers; that you can plan as much as you want, but that sometimes, life has other plans for you. It is also a story about facing your fears and choosing to be happy - taking a leap of faith, even if change seems scary. Also, that summer fling? Who knows what it can lead to…
It was interesting to see how Lisa dealt with her grief and all the mishaps that happened throughly the trip. How she started off quite unsure and somewhat, inflexible and gradually opened up to different and new experiences.
I loved all the random strangers that popped up through the trip as well. It just comes to show how small acts of kindness can change a situation and how, even the smallest of gestures, can make a difference, even if it’s just for a moment.
I thought Lisa and Rocky had great chemistry and he was just such a gentleman - I think we all want to meet a Rocky at least once!
This was a fun, light read; perfect for summer! It will take you to Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France and make you want to go traveling too!
I recommend this to anyone who wants an entertaining and relatively fast read (less than 300 pages). It is also perfect for the no spice readers, since this book is a closed door romance (sexual intimacy is implied/alluded to; some “naughty thoughts”, but no on page descriptions).
These are my thoughts:
This was a 4.5⭐️ for me.
The last thing Lisa was looking for was to meet a kind, handsome stranger and have a summer fling.
Grieving Lisa, goes on a two-week trip to Europe. This was supposed to be the trip she and her mother took together, after Lisa’s father’s death a year ago. Now, on a plane to Italy, Lisa nurses a double broken heart, as her travel companion died merely two weeks before the trip. Since everything for the trip was booked and mostly non-refundable, Lisa decides to embark on this journey and follow the handwritten itinerary her mother put together.
Through twists and turns, Lisa learns about the kindness of strangers; that you can plan as much as you want, but that sometimes, life has other plans for you. It is also a story about facing your fears and choosing to be happy - taking a leap of faith, even if change seems scary. Also, that summer fling? Who knows what it can lead to…
It was interesting to see how Lisa dealt with her grief and all the mishaps that happened throughly the trip. How she started off quite unsure and somewhat, inflexible and gradually opened up to different and new experiences.
I loved all the random strangers that popped up through the trip as well. It just comes to show how small acts of kindness can change a situation and how, even the smallest of gestures, can make a difference, even if it’s just for a moment.
I thought Lisa and Rocky had great chemistry and he was just such a gentleman - I think we all want to meet a Rocky at least once!
This was a fun, light read; perfect for summer! It will take you to Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France and make you want to go traveling too!
I recommend this to anyone who wants an entertaining and relatively fast read (less than 300 pages). It is also perfect for the no spice readers, since this book is a closed door romance (sexual intimacy is implied/alluded to; some “naughty thoughts”, but no on page descriptions).
May 18, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
✨ spoilers ✨
This book really reminded me of my first few solo trips, the family feeling that hostels bring, the wonderful 1-day friendships and the need for connections with strangers 🫶🏼. Also it is nice to read about other characters in the book being queer and the author didn’t bet an eye.
The story isn’t exactly all happiness, because Lisa is grieving both her parents. Because of that, it is so nice that she has a ‘stable’ connection with Rocky. He gives her direction and something to fall back on. And he shows up for her! First accidentally, but the gesture in Venice was to die for 🥹. “What happens next is between me and Rocky.” I disagree with this decision haha, I want to know all about what went on! Throughout this book Penny mostly skips through the explicit scenes, so the book isn’t that spicy or smutty 😅🤷🏼♀️.
The built-up to Rocky telling Lisa how he knows her itinerary goes on longer than needed, but their chemistry makes up for it! And the crux about why he seems to be stalking her is very funny, after what happend with his Bob Adam’s copy earlier 👀.
After all, this is a great rom-com which could turn into a sappy movie with me crying in my popcorn at the end! It reminded me of the beauty of Europe and the never-ending twists and turns in flings; which hopefully always end good 😉💕.
✨ spoilers ✨
This book really reminded me of my first few solo trips, the family feeling that hostels bring, the wonderful 1-day friendships and the need for connections with strangers 🫶🏼. Also it is nice to read about other characters in the book being queer and the author didn’t bet an eye.
The story isn’t exactly all happiness, because Lisa is grieving both her parents. Because of that, it is so nice that she has a ‘stable’ connection with Rocky. He gives her direction and something to fall back on. And he shows up for her! First accidentally, but the gesture in Venice was to die for 🥹. “What happens next is between me and Rocky.” I disagree with this decision haha, I want to know all about what went on! Throughout this book Penny mostly skips through the explicit scenes, so the book isn’t that spicy or smutty 😅🤷🏼♀️.
The built-up to Rocky telling Lisa how he knows her itinerary goes on longer than needed, but their chemistry makes up for it! And the crux about why he seems to be stalking her is very funny, after what happend with his Bob Adam’s copy earlier 👀.
After all, this is a great rom-com which could turn into a sappy movie with me crying in my popcorn at the end! It reminded me of the beauty of Europe and the never-ending twists and turns in flings; which hopefully always end good 😉💕.
April 22, 2024
This was a pleasant read, but I did not feel engaged with Lisa, the protagonist.
Elisabeth (aka Lisa) embarks on a solo trip to Italy and France. The itinerary, planned as a mother/ daughter trip, begins just weeks after her mother’s unexpected demise. Lisa’s hesitation to undertake the trip alone is eclipsed by her desire to honor her mother’s memory and by the fact that all the bookings were prepaid and nonrefundable. Consequently, the trip is bittersweet, full of beautiful experiences frequently overshadowed by her grief, which is compounded by having lost her father within the past year as well. Amidst all this emotional turmoil, Lisa meets a man and encounters him in every city on her itinerary. Is this fate, coincidence, or something more nefarious?
While the theme of grief is certainly understandable in Lisa’s circumstances, its dominance in a story that unfolds as an interesting travelogue and budding romance dampened my enjoyment of the book. Lisa’s insecurity eventually leads to an over-the-top emotional reaction that seemed out of proportion to the issue. The ending seemed rushed and unrealistic.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Elisabeth (aka Lisa) embarks on a solo trip to Italy and France. The itinerary, planned as a mother/ daughter trip, begins just weeks after her mother’s unexpected demise. Lisa’s hesitation to undertake the trip alone is eclipsed by her desire to honor her mother’s memory and by the fact that all the bookings were prepaid and nonrefundable. Consequently, the trip is bittersweet, full of beautiful experiences frequently overshadowed by her grief, which is compounded by having lost her father within the past year as well. Amidst all this emotional turmoil, Lisa meets a man and encounters him in every city on her itinerary. Is this fate, coincidence, or something more nefarious?
While the theme of grief is certainly understandable in Lisa’s circumstances, its dominance in a story that unfolds as an interesting travelogue and budding romance dampened my enjoyment of the book. Lisa’s insecurity eventually leads to an over-the-top emotional reaction that seemed out of proportion to the issue. The ending seemed rushed and unrealistic.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 19, 2024
The Itinerary
By: Penny Pentley
Review Score: 4 Stars
Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•You can really feel the emotion as Lisa goes on this trip without her Mom.
•I loved the Itinerary she follows!
•Ok, her and Rocky? Absolutely love their chemistry.
•This book is a bit predictable, as I guessed the surprise pretty early on, but it didn’t take away from the story itself.
———————————————
The Itinerary was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Books Go Social. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!
Release Date: Out Now!
The Itinerary is such a fun book. Yes, there is definite sadness (I didn’t say it was a “light” book). But I also just really enjoyed the journey.
I loved the places that Lisa visited. It was fun to see Europe through her eyes, and to learn about the people she meets along the way.
It was also fun to see her and Rocky. I loved their relationship from the start!
The other thing I loved about this book is the realization that, nothing is perfect. You can follow an itinerary exactly, and something may happen that you didn’t expect. As an avid traveler, and a Type A personality, it was personally hard for me to learn such a thing. However, the realization made travel all the better.
I really enjoyed this book!
By: Penny Pentley
Review Score: 4 Stars
Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•You can really feel the emotion as Lisa goes on this trip without her Mom.
•I loved the Itinerary she follows!
•Ok, her and Rocky? Absolutely love their chemistry.
•This book is a bit predictable, as I guessed the surprise pretty early on, but it didn’t take away from the story itself.
———————————————
The Itinerary was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Books Go Social. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!
Release Date: Out Now!
The Itinerary is such a fun book. Yes, there is definite sadness (I didn’t say it was a “light” book). But I also just really enjoyed the journey.
I loved the places that Lisa visited. It was fun to see Europe through her eyes, and to learn about the people she meets along the way.
It was also fun to see her and Rocky. I loved their relationship from the start!
The other thing I loved about this book is the realization that, nothing is perfect. You can follow an itinerary exactly, and something may happen that you didn’t expect. As an avid traveler, and a Type A personality, it was personally hard for me to learn such a thing. However, the realization made travel all the better.
I really enjoyed this book!
May 5, 2024
This was a fun and quick read that takes you across Europe for some quick destinations. We meet Elisabeth (aka Lisa) on a flight to Europe where she is taking a trip that was meant to be spent with her mother. Sadly both her parents have passed away and Lisa is forced to complete the leg of the trip on her own due to the whole thing being non refundable. The only thing Lisa has to remember her mom is her well worn, annotated Bob Adams travel itinerary book.
Along the journey of exploring the sights and cuisine of Europe, Lisa deals with the loss of her mother and the fact that she is here on the trip alone instead of enjoying it in the company of her mother. I did like how the author delved into Lisa’s emotions and how she dealt with the grief of her mother. I also enjoyed the romance that sparked along the way with Rocky. The big reveal at the end was entertaining and the fact that Lisa questioned the instalove connection was refreshing and realistic. I do wish the ending wasn’t so rushed.
Thank you NetGalley and the author, Penny Pentley for the ARC Copy of The Itinerary. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Along the journey of exploring the sights and cuisine of Europe, Lisa deals with the loss of her mother and the fact that she is here on the trip alone instead of enjoying it in the company of her mother. I did like how the author delved into Lisa’s emotions and how she dealt with the grief of her mother. I also enjoyed the romance that sparked along the way with Rocky. The big reveal at the end was entertaining and the fact that Lisa questioned the instalove connection was refreshing and realistic. I do wish the ending wasn’t so rushed.
Thank you NetGalley and the author, Penny Pentley for the ARC Copy of The Itinerary. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2024
I really loved the storyline of this. A very sad premise, but also so heart-warming and uplifting with a little dash of fate/destiny thrown in there. There's a few secrets around who the guy Lisa keeps bumping into is and while I did manage to guess why they kept ending up in the same places I totally didn't guess the bigger secret at all, and I'm really annoyed about it because the hints were all there! But I thought that was a really cute addition to the story.
The only thing that annoyed me though was that I wasn't hugely keen on Lisa. I know she's been through a lot recently, and that side of it was fine, I felt sorry for her and was rooting for her to have a great holiday despite what she's been through. But having seen her as a tourist I totally get why mainland Europeans hate English speakers. She did at least redeem herself with her fair amount of French at the end of the trip, but she definitely came off as kind of rude at the beginning in Italy and Germany just assuming everyone would be able to speak English. There was also a few of the sights that she was kind of rude about. But I liked her and the mystery guy together; their relationship was cute and I loved him as an MMC. I also loved the panic attack/phobia rep all round.
The only thing that annoyed me though was that I wasn't hugely keen on Lisa. I know she's been through a lot recently, and that side of it was fine, I felt sorry for her and was rooting for her to have a great holiday despite what she's been through. But having seen her as a tourist I totally get why mainland Europeans hate English speakers. She did at least redeem herself with her fair amount of French at the end of the trip, but she definitely came off as kind of rude at the beginning in Italy and Germany just assuming everyone would be able to speak English. There was also a few of the sights that she was kind of rude about. But I liked her and the mystery guy together; their relationship was cute and I loved him as an MMC. I also loved the panic attack/phobia rep all round.
April 21, 2024
What a lovely book. As someone who loves to travel, I really enjoyed the travel and exploration element of this story, particularly as I have visited a lot of the places which feature in the book so I could really imagine myself wandering through the streets of Rome and Paris with a sense of nostalgia!
The storyline itself is well written and very romantic without explicit details. I really enjoyed finding out the true identity of the FMC’s love interest, and I was guessing throughout why she kept bumping into him!
The grief element of the story was dealt with sensitively and did not overpower the storyline, but felt subtle yet still, of course, very important to the plot and story. I did find the conversational element a little monotonous and flat at times between the FMC and MMC, but I don’t feel this distracted from the books storyline at all.
I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who love romance, meet-cute and travelling! It is a brilliant combination of them all.
Author: Penny Pentley
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Publishing date: May 21 2024
The storyline itself is well written and very romantic without explicit details. I really enjoyed finding out the true identity of the FMC’s love interest, and I was guessing throughout why she kept bumping into him!
The grief element of the story was dealt with sensitively and did not overpower the storyline, but felt subtle yet still, of course, very important to the plot and story. I did find the conversational element a little monotonous and flat at times between the FMC and MMC, but I don’t feel this distracted from the books storyline at all.
I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who love romance, meet-cute and travelling! It is a brilliant combination of them all.
Author: Penny Pentley
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Publishing date: May 21 2024
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2024
4 ⭐️
This was such a delightful little romcom! Lisa and Rocky continue accidentally meeting on their 2 week solo trips through Europe, and eventually stop fighting fate and just spend their vacations together. Lisa was grieving the loss of her parents and taking the trip she was supposed to do with her mom, while Rocky was on a work trip. They were both super sweet people that I couldn’t help smiling for every time they ran into each other again. Also, I had the twist so wrong about why Lisa felt she knew Rocky the whole time, so that was a fun surprise at the end.
This book made me nostalgic for my trip to Europe with my hubby 2 years ago - I want to go back to see all the places we couldn’t hit last time. And I want real gelato right now.
Penny did a great job narrating her book! If I didn’t know she was the author also, I wouldn’t have guessed it because she definitely sounded like a practiced narrator.
Thank you to NetGalley and Five Cents Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
This was such a delightful little romcom! Lisa and Rocky continue accidentally meeting on their 2 week solo trips through Europe, and eventually stop fighting fate and just spend their vacations together. Lisa was grieving the loss of her parents and taking the trip she was supposed to do with her mom, while Rocky was on a work trip. They were both super sweet people that I couldn’t help smiling for every time they ran into each other again. Also, I had the twist so wrong about why Lisa felt she knew Rocky the whole time, so that was a fun surprise at the end.
This book made me nostalgic for my trip to Europe with my hubby 2 years ago - I want to go back to see all the places we couldn’t hit last time. And I want real gelato right now.
Penny did a great job narrating her book! If I didn’t know she was the author also, I wouldn’t have guessed it because she definitely sounded like a practiced narrator.
Thank you to NetGalley and Five Cents Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
April 30, 2024
This was a "read now" on netgalley.
After Lisa’s father passed away, she and her mother plan a trip to Europe using her Bob Adam’s Adventure Guide to create the perfect itinerary. Before Lisa can set out on this adventure, her mother unexpectedly passes away. Lisa is left going on this trip solo with the intention to honor her mother’s itinerary.
During her travels, Lisa experiences fun filled sights, people, and steps out of her comfort zone. The story provides you with an opportunity to vicariously sight see (or stir up nostalgia) as she goes to typical tourist locations in each city. Lisa’s grief over the significant losses is woven into the storyline when she meets another traveler. There were times during the story, I wished there was more development with the characters to create a deeper connection to the trip, her grief, and her potential love interest…or stalker?
Overall, this is a sweet, entertaining, meet cute that will want you to plan your next vacation.
After Lisa’s father passed away, she and her mother plan a trip to Europe using her Bob Adam’s Adventure Guide to create the perfect itinerary. Before Lisa can set out on this adventure, her mother unexpectedly passes away. Lisa is left going on this trip solo with the intention to honor her mother’s itinerary.
During her travels, Lisa experiences fun filled sights, people, and steps out of her comfort zone. The story provides you with an opportunity to vicariously sight see (or stir up nostalgia) as she goes to typical tourist locations in each city. Lisa’s grief over the significant losses is woven into the storyline when she meets another traveler. There were times during the story, I wished there was more development with the characters to create a deeper connection to the trip, her grief, and her potential love interest…or stalker?
Overall, this is a sweet, entertaining, meet cute that will want you to plan your next vacation.
May 29, 2024
Lisa's trip to Europe alone, her mom and traveling partner having died before the trip, leaves her less alone than she had thought. She meets another traveler, Rocky, not just once, but again and again in the various cities of Europe that she visits. She wonders if he knows her preplanned itinerary or if these meet-ups are mere coincidence.
The reader is hooked not only by the detailed travel experiences and sights Lisa relates to us as she goes from country to country, but by the question of when, why, and how Rocky might show up again along her travel route.
This was an enjoyable armchair travel to cities in Italy, France, Germany, and I loved visiting the famous sites with Lisa. I was surprised at how easily Lisa developed a romantic relationship with Rocky while always thinking they would never see each other again each time they meet each other.
Easy to read, with interesting main characters. the book was delightful as a light summer book.
The reader is hooked not only by the detailed travel experiences and sights Lisa relates to us as she goes from country to country, but by the question of when, why, and how Rocky might show up again along her travel route.
This was an enjoyable armchair travel to cities in Italy, France, Germany, and I loved visiting the famous sites with Lisa. I was surprised at how easily Lisa developed a romantic relationship with Rocky while always thinking they would never see each other again each time they meet each other.
Easy to read, with interesting main characters. the book was delightful as a light summer book.
November 2, 2024
Penny Pentley's "The Itinerary" is a heartwarming and poignant tale that expertly blends themes of grief, travel, and serendipitous romance. After the sudden death of her mother, Lisa decides to honor their planned European vacation, embarking on the journey alone with only her mom's sparse itinerary and a beloved travel guide.
The narrative captures the essence of solo travel in a foreign land—full of unexpected challenges and delightful surprises. Pentley's vivid descriptions of European cities make you feel as if you're strolling through the streets of Rome, Paris, and beyond, savoring the sights, sounds, and tastes of each unique location. The authenticity of Lisa's travel experiences, from minor mishaps to awe-inspiring moments, adds a layer of realism that travel enthusiasts will appreciate.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The narrative captures the essence of solo travel in a foreign land—full of unexpected challenges and delightful surprises. Pentley's vivid descriptions of European cities make you feel as if you're strolling through the streets of Rome, Paris, and beyond, savoring the sights, sounds, and tastes of each unique location. The authenticity of Lisa's travel experiences, from minor mishaps to awe-inspiring moments, adds a layer of realism that travel enthusiasts will appreciate.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
April 23, 2024
Plot - it was a nice story, I just don’t think it was executed brilliantly…
Pacing - too fast, she’s in all these wonderful places but there’s no real description of them. Having been to rome myself getting the beauty of the city onto the page would be so difficult and I just don’t think it was done well in this book at all.
Romance - I didn’t get any feelings from either the MMC or the FMC, there’s very little chemistry building, there’s no butterflies when they hold hands, no shock of desire when they kiss and when they do finally get to it it’s a no then a heck yeah I’m the matter of a paragraph.
You can tell however, that Penny Pentley has a really good sense of humour with some of the lines she has these characters come out with for example the ‘you guys fuck’ text was hilarious and exactly a question a sister would tease!
(A read now on Net galley review)
April 26, 2024
Rating: 2 stars
Form: ebook from netgalley (find under read now section)
I was absolutely ready to give this book 3 stars. It was cute and fun, but definitely not going to my favs category. It's a novella where instalove is expected because the book is 150 pages. I like the travel, I thought some parts were funny. The downside is the actually the fmc, Lisa. She's kinda boring & I hated the ongoing "I'm allergic to wine" joke. Around page 120ish I wasn't fully enthralled in the book anymore & the killer was Lisa. She was so upset with Rocky & for what? I was extremely irritated by this which is how we bumped down to 2 stars. It's a short book, but Lisa just isn't well written & has no depth to her. Probably because its a very short & quick read.The themes of grief & travel are main focuses in this novella.
Form: ebook from netgalley (find under read now section)
I was absolutely ready to give this book 3 stars. It was cute and fun, but definitely not going to my favs category. It's a novella where instalove is expected because the book is 150 pages. I like the travel, I thought some parts were funny. The downside is the actually the fmc, Lisa. She's kinda boring & I hated the ongoing "I'm allergic to wine" joke. Around page 120ish I wasn't fully enthralled in the book anymore & the killer was Lisa. She was so upset with Rocky & for what? I was extremely irritated by this which is how we bumped down to 2 stars. It's a short book, but Lisa just isn't well written & has no depth to her. Probably because its a very short & quick read.The themes of grief & travel are main focuses in this novella.
May 8, 2024
When Lisa’s dad passes away, she and her mother plan a European vacation to help them deal with their grief. When her mother passes away unexpectedly, she decides to continue the trip and uses her mother’s basic plan and a well-loved copy of Bob Adams’ Adventures to help plan her itinerary. As Lisa travels through each city, she meets a man who seems to pop up every time she needs rescuing. Soon she is unsure whether he is a stalker or a budding romance.
An interesting premise for a story. At times, the situation that Lisa is in with the death of her parents did tend to overwhelm the story, but the romance did give some glimmer of sunshine. I would have like to have had more time spent on the development of this romance, to even the balance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An interesting premise for a story. At times, the situation that Lisa is in with the death of her parents did tend to overwhelm the story, but the romance did give some glimmer of sunshine. I would have like to have had more time spent on the development of this romance, to even the balance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 20, 2024
After the death of her father, Lisa and her mother plan a trip to Europe to celebrate life and grieve the death of Lisa's father. But just weeks before their big trip, Lisa's mother also dies. Lisa decides to honor her mother's wishes by going on the trip solo. The book follows Lisa through Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and France, where she grieves her parents and maybe even finds love.
This is a sweet story about grief and love and adventure. And while I enjoyed the descriptions of the various European cities and sites, I could not relate to the main character, Lisa. I get that Lisa is supposed to be a young(ish) adult (I think), but she's written more like a cautious, paranoid older woman, which was hard for me to relate to.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet story about grief and love and adventure. And while I enjoyed the descriptions of the various European cities and sites, I could not relate to the main character, Lisa. I get that Lisa is supposed to be a young(ish) adult (I think), but she's written more like a cautious, paranoid older woman, which was hard for me to relate to.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2024
A sweet rom com that is delightfully fun while dealing with the grief of loss and traveling alone. This is a short book, but a well written one packed with activities of a traveler. Our female main character, Lisa, was meant to be on the trip with her mother, but her mother passed away just after making Lisa promise to stick to the trip plans. Lisa tries to follow her mom's itinerary, but keeps bumping into Rocky, who also seems to be following the same itinerary or is he a deranged stalker? You'll have to read to find out, but I will say the story is cute and has a happily ever after so I think you can guess the direction of things between Rocky and Lisa. The book makes me long to take my own adventure even though I am decidedly older than the characters of this book. The main takeaway, is regardless of your age, be honest about your opinions and make sure you enjoy life!
August 19, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Five Cents Publishing for the arc.
I enjoyed reading this story about Lisa West, a young woman who is embarking alone on the European vacation that she and her mother planned. Lisa's mother has recently passed away, and Lisa decides to continue on the vacation, primarily because her mother worked so hard on planning it, plus the trip was non-refundable. While traveling through the many stops, Lisa meets a young man named Rocky, who seems to pop up in every city on her itinerary.
This was a fun romp through Europe (starting with Italy, and ending in France). The author, Penny Pentley, provides a great narrative of the sights that Lisa sees on each stop, along with descriptions of the foods from that city. Pentley also delves into the grief that Lisa feels towards the recent death of her mother, who Lisa was very close, but also with the death of Lisa's father a couple of years ago. I appreciated how Pentley wrote how Lisa experienced her grief, all the while telling herself to appreciate the sights and tastes of each city because her mother took the time to plan everything. It was very sweet.
The romance between Lisa and Rocky is also very sweet, and cute. This was altogether a short story, but fun, and whet my appetite for traveling and eating.
I enjoyed reading this story about Lisa West, a young woman who is embarking alone on the European vacation that she and her mother planned. Lisa's mother has recently passed away, and Lisa decides to continue on the vacation, primarily because her mother worked so hard on planning it, plus the trip was non-refundable. While traveling through the many stops, Lisa meets a young man named Rocky, who seems to pop up in every city on her itinerary.
This was a fun romp through Europe (starting with Italy, and ending in France). The author, Penny Pentley, provides a great narrative of the sights that Lisa sees on each stop, along with descriptions of the foods from that city. Pentley also delves into the grief that Lisa feels towards the recent death of her mother, who Lisa was very close, but also with the death of Lisa's father a couple of years ago. I appreciated how Pentley wrote how Lisa experienced her grief, all the while telling herself to appreciate the sights and tastes of each city because her mother took the time to plan everything. It was very sweet.
The romance between Lisa and Rocky is also very sweet, and cute. This was altogether a short story, but fun, and whet my appetite for traveling and eating.
May 2, 2024
this book is such a cute read!!!!
despite having quite an american air to the way some of the destinations visited are talked about, i still found it enjoyable <3 i liked the writing, i think the backstory for Lisa could've been handled a tad bit better but for a short read, it was fine
i had a little hard time believing both the tumble into Lisa liking Rocky + the continued belief that he could be stalking her (the latter simply because of the framing) but for what it was, it was sweet as hell, and i enjoyed it a lot
despite having quite an american air to the way some of the destinations visited are talked about, i still found it enjoyable <3 i liked the writing, i think the backstory for Lisa could've been handled a tad bit better but for a short read, it was fine
i had a little hard time believing both the tumble into Lisa liking Rocky + the continued belief that he could be stalking her (the latter simply because of the framing) but for what it was, it was sweet as hell, and i enjoyed it a lot
May 21, 2024
'The Itinerary' by Penny Pentley is the ideal summer companion, whisking you away on a European adventure through Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and France. The protagonist, Lisa, embarks on a solo journey across Europe, and her vivid descriptions of the locales, the delectable cuisine, and the intriguing people she encounters are utterly captivating. Each new destination unfolds through her eyes, making you eagerly anticipate the next. The added element of romance only heightens the charm of this narrative. For those seeking a quick yet engaging read, this book hits the mark, especially for readers preferring romance without explicit content. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this delightful story.
May 20, 2024
Thank you to the Author for letting me listen to an ARC copy of the audiobook.
As I stated in another review recently romance, for the sake of romance is not a preferred genre for me. So if I can find romance that has a strong parallel plot line I’m in. In this book that plot line is different than when I’ve ever seen, the processing of grief.
I haven’t lost a mom, but I have lost a husband, and I have to say the processing of grief and the guilt of feeling like you’re “moving on“ are accurately portrayed in this book.
The rom-com parts fit a pretty traditional storyline but I didn’t mind it one bit.
As I stated in another review recently romance, for the sake of romance is not a preferred genre for me. So if I can find romance that has a strong parallel plot line I’m in. In this book that plot line is different than when I’ve ever seen, the processing of grief.
I haven’t lost a mom, but I have lost a husband, and I have to say the processing of grief and the guilt of feeling like you’re “moving on“ are accurately portrayed in this book.
The rom-com parts fit a pretty traditional storyline but I didn’t mind it one bit.
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