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Under Italian Stars: Escape to Italy where happiness comes from tragedy in this perfect uplifting beach read filled with friendship and romance
Can secrets help you to find love the second time around?
When Rachel’s Husband dies, she is shocked to discover he owns a hotel in Italy. Meanwhile, in Naples, Giacomo tells his nephew a secret.
Circumstances mean she can give everything up and move to Abruzzo. Starting afresh on the Trabocchi Coast, Rachel puts her grief aside to forge new friendships, and despite Aldo’s attempts to deceive her, she soon settles into the relaxed pace of life, with only one thing missing, love.
Can Luca help make her Italian dream come true and will Rosa’s sage advice, that the answers are hidden in the stars help her repair her shattered life?
Lose yourself in the majestic beauty of Abruzzo and find the answers to these questions inside, Under Italian Stars, where a legendary diamond lights up the heavens.
Add this heart warming story of love after tragedy to your holiday read collection and enjoy it while relaxing beside the pool.
When Rachel’s Husband dies, she is shocked to discover he owns a hotel in Italy. Meanwhile, in Naples, Giacomo tells his nephew a secret.
Circumstances mean she can give everything up and move to Abruzzo. Starting afresh on the Trabocchi Coast, Rachel puts her grief aside to forge new friendships, and despite Aldo’s attempts to deceive her, she soon settles into the relaxed pace of life, with only one thing missing, love.
Can Luca help make her Italian dream come true and will Rosa’s sage advice, that the answers are hidden in the stars help her repair her shattered life?
Lose yourself in the majestic beauty of Abruzzo and find the answers to these questions inside, Under Italian Stars, where a legendary diamond lights up the heavens.
Add this heart warming story of love after tragedy to your holiday read collection and enjoy it while relaxing beside the pool.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2024
17 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lillie
23 books4 followersTrained and working as a professional actor; working internationally in theatre and film, before setting up one of the UK’s most successful arts-education companies, Barry worked as a playwright. Working both on commissions and as an in-house writer for a Midlands based theatre company. In 2009 he decided to move out of theatre and concentrate on writing full time.
Barry quickly secured commissions from both magazines and the trade press before landing a job as a travel/features writer for an international, best selling magazine. The bulk of his non fiction work centred around travel and food writing with a vast majority of it being Italy related. He didn’t however restrict himself solely to travel writing and also had many commissions from magazines within the wedding and entertainment markets.
As a travel writer he’s been privileged to have experienced many diverse cultures, which include being kidnapped in the Middle East, trekking through the jungle in Borneo and surviving 79 days and nights in a camper van touring through New Zealand.
Barry feels his strengths lie in believable characters and comedy, whilst touching on subject matter that others may feel doesn’t lend itself to humour. When he’s not writing, Barry can be found dancing to classic disco music like no one is watching, tending to his allotment and sitting in cafes eavesdropping on conversations.
Barry quickly secured commissions from both magazines and the trade press before landing a job as a travel/features writer for an international, best selling magazine. The bulk of his non fiction work centred around travel and food writing with a vast majority of it being Italy related. He didn’t however restrict himself solely to travel writing and also had many commissions from magazines within the wedding and entertainment markets.
As a travel writer he’s been privileged to have experienced many diverse cultures, which include being kidnapped in the Middle East, trekking through the jungle in Borneo and surviving 79 days and nights in a camper van touring through New Zealand.
Barry feels his strengths lie in believable characters and comedy, whilst touching on subject matter that others may feel doesn’t lend itself to humour. When he’s not writing, Barry can be found dancing to classic disco music like no one is watching, tending to his allotment and sitting in cafes eavesdropping on conversations.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2024
When Rachel’s husband dies she is shocked to discover he has left her a hotel in Italy. It was always Marco’s dream that one day they should go home to Arbruzzo but fate decided otherwise and Rachel has to decide what she will do with this unexpected legacy. Should she sell up, or should she revive the business?
Still wrapped in grief, she flies to Italy where the land and the people and the way of life will help her heal and finally find love. Intertwined with Rachel’s story is that of Giacomo and the mystery of his lost love.
“Under Italian Stars” is a lovely heart-warming book. Far more than a romance it celebrates friendship, community and immerses you in the landscape of Arbuzzo. Reading the book is like going on holiday, so skilfully has the writer conveyed the sounds and scents of Italy. I particularly enjoyed the food, the long lunches and dinners are mouth-watering to read.
The dialogue sparkles, the romance unfolds slowly and I was totally involved with Rachel and her restoration of Le Stelle. It sounds a perfect place to stay and I only wish I could go on the website and book a week in one of the rooms overlooking the garden.
That not being possible I look forward to reading more about Rachel, Luca and the little known region of Italy where they live and work.
Still wrapped in grief, she flies to Italy where the land and the people and the way of life will help her heal and finally find love. Intertwined with Rachel’s story is that of Giacomo and the mystery of his lost love.
“Under Italian Stars” is a lovely heart-warming book. Far more than a romance it celebrates friendship, community and immerses you in the landscape of Arbuzzo. Reading the book is like going on holiday, so skilfully has the writer conveyed the sounds and scents of Italy. I particularly enjoyed the food, the long lunches and dinners are mouth-watering to read.
The dialogue sparkles, the romance unfolds slowly and I was totally involved with Rachel and her restoration of Le Stelle. It sounds a perfect place to stay and I only wish I could go on the website and book a week in one of the rooms overlooking the garden.
That not being possible I look forward to reading more about Rachel, Luca and the little known region of Italy where they live and work.
August 22, 2024
Under Italian Stars by Barry Lillie
As much as I enjoy Italian food and the weather of the Mediterranean I’ve never really had a yearning to visit Italy but Barry makes it sound so inviting. As I read Under Italian Stars I found myself wondering what on Earth Rachel was thinking about. Warm, fragrant Italian coastal village verses cold, wet dreary English town? Of course such a huge change coming so soon after an unexpected bereavement does need thinking about and this is handled with sensitivity.
A thoroughly enjoyable book, perfect for the summer. I’m now off to buy the next in the series.
As much as I enjoy Italian food and the weather of the Mediterranean I’ve never really had a yearning to visit Italy but Barry makes it sound so inviting. As I read Under Italian Stars I found myself wondering what on Earth Rachel was thinking about. Warm, fragrant Italian coastal village verses cold, wet dreary English town? Of course such a huge change coming so soon after an unexpected bereavement does need thinking about and this is handled with sensitivity.
A thoroughly enjoyable book, perfect for the summer. I’m now off to buy the next in the series.
December 17, 2025
This book is a delight for the senses, bringing Italy to life through sights and smells and tastes. The author captures the culture and setting beautifully, transporting the reader directly there. I liked the hotel environment and the interest around the ceiling with the diamond, and I found the descriptions of the towns and beaches very evocative. For me, this felt like a good choice for a light holiday read to supplement spending time in the beautiful country.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews