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The Dolce Vita Divas
A BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, uplifting read from NUMBER ONE bestseller Maddie Please!
Sunshine, Sisterhood, and Second Chances
At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself feeling ever so slightly... meh. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left wondering: Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
Pack your bags for a heartwarming, fun, and sun-drenched adventure as Jo discovers that life after 64 might just be the most exciting chapter yet.
Sunshine, Sisterhood, and Second Chances
At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself feeling ever so slightly... meh. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left wondering: Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
Pack your bags for a heartwarming, fun, and sun-drenched adventure as Jo discovers that life after 64 might just be the most exciting chapter yet.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
1335 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Maddie Please
19 books229 followersMaddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.
After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.
Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.
After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.
Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 8, 2025
EXCERPT: When I was a child, birthdays always seemed to take forever to come round. But as the years passed, time appeared to gain pace. Then one year, about five minutes after my last birthday, another one was hovering into view and this time it was a really big one. Sixty-five.
I knew people usually talked about the big 5-0 or 6-0 as being significant, but at my age every milestone had begun to count. Being sixty-four had enjoyed some slightly comical connotations thanks to the Beatles. Will You Still Need Me? Well, at sixty-five it felt like no-one actually did. And it didn't really feel funny at all.
ABOUT 'THE DOLCE VITA DIVAS': At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left wondering: Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
MY THOUGHTS: As always, Maddie Please hits exactly the right note with her latest novel featuring 'women of a certain age' - it is lighthearted, poignant and funny. She addresses all our fears, insecurities and concerns. She makes us feel better about ourselves (should we need it) and makes us laugh. I always want to live in her novels. Her characters are people I would like to be friends with (or even BE) and who doesn't want to go to Capri to visit a tall, dark and handsome ex-boyfriend with liquid chocolate eyes! I wish I had one of those . . .
A beautiful hotel in Capri, sun, friends - it all sounds quite idyllic. And the food - pastries and coffee for breakfast, and all that beautiful pasta! I can smell the garlic and the basil, the sun-warmed, vine-ripened tomatoes.
I loved the characters in this book. Jo, divorced and often put upon by her adult children, and Suzy, single and recently been through a relationship break-up, are not only the best of friends, but the perfect foil for one another. Jo is quieter, more unassuming and likes to fade into the background. Suzy likes to be centre-front, have full-on fun and is always on the lookout for the next great adventure. They balance one another beautifully.
Paulo's mother is another great character - Ellen's memorial coincides with the Contessa's 90th birthday and she is determined to make the absolute most of it. Paulo's little grandson Eric is another delightful character and he and Jo forge quite a special relationship.
This is a book about friends, family and second chances, set in a beautiful part of the world.
If you are looking for an uplifting, fun read, you really can't do better than Maddie Please. Just knowing there is a new book by this author on the horizon is enough to bring a big smile to my face.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheDolceVitaDivas #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.
After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.
Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Dolce Vita Divas by Maddie Please for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to The Dolce Vita Divas Written by Maddie Please and superbly narrated by Penelope Freeman. I enjoyed both formats equally.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I knew people usually talked about the big 5-0 or 6-0 as being significant, but at my age every milestone had begun to count. Being sixty-four had enjoyed some slightly comical connotations thanks to the Beatles. Will You Still Need Me? Well, at sixty-five it felt like no-one actually did. And it didn't really feel funny at all.
ABOUT 'THE DOLCE VITA DIVAS': At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left wondering: Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
MY THOUGHTS: As always, Maddie Please hits exactly the right note with her latest novel featuring 'women of a certain age' - it is lighthearted, poignant and funny. She addresses all our fears, insecurities and concerns. She makes us feel better about ourselves (should we need it) and makes us laugh. I always want to live in her novels. Her characters are people I would like to be friends with (or even BE) and who doesn't want to go to Capri to visit a tall, dark and handsome ex-boyfriend with liquid chocolate eyes! I wish I had one of those . . .
A beautiful hotel in Capri, sun, friends - it all sounds quite idyllic. And the food - pastries and coffee for breakfast, and all that beautiful pasta! I can smell the garlic and the basil, the sun-warmed, vine-ripened tomatoes.
I loved the characters in this book. Jo, divorced and often put upon by her adult children, and Suzy, single and recently been through a relationship break-up, are not only the best of friends, but the perfect foil for one another. Jo is quieter, more unassuming and likes to fade into the background. Suzy likes to be centre-front, have full-on fun and is always on the lookout for the next great adventure. They balance one another beautifully.
Paulo's mother is another great character - Ellen's memorial coincides with the Contessa's 90th birthday and she is determined to make the absolute most of it. Paulo's little grandson Eric is another delightful character and he and Jo forge quite a special relationship.
This is a book about friends, family and second chances, set in a beautiful part of the world.
If you are looking for an uplifting, fun read, you really can't do better than Maddie Please. Just knowing there is a new book by this author on the horizon is enough to bring a big smile to my face.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheDolceVitaDivas #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.
After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.
Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Dolce Vita Divas by Maddie Please for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to The Dolce Vita Divas Written by Maddie Please and superbly narrated by Penelope Freeman. I enjoyed both formats equally.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 30, 2025
The thing I always enjoy about Maddie Please's books is that they feature older characters, I guess because they are more relatable to the point I am in life, as well as the fact that you don't see it as often. It's just plain fun to have feel good books based on characters that are over 30!
Joanne is retired and turning 65 and since her husband has gone off with his secretary, she's left to figure out what her future looks like, especially now that her grown son has come back to live with her after his own relationship ends. When an invitation to a celebration of life for one of their friends who passed away 5 years ago comes in the mail, her best friend Susie, suggests they take a mini vacation to the isle of Capri, and go to the celebration and have a getaway and Jo knows that while she is there, she will come face to face with her first love, Paulo. There is so much to enjoy about this story-found family, second chance love, the setting, the food, even the characters like Paulo's mother were so much fun.
This is a reminder that it's never too late to take life by the hand and lead it in the next direction instead of letting it lead you.
Thanks to Boldwood books and netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Joanne is retired and turning 65 and since her husband has gone off with his secretary, she's left to figure out what her future looks like, especially now that her grown son has come back to live with her after his own relationship ends. When an invitation to a celebration of life for one of their friends who passed away 5 years ago comes in the mail, her best friend Susie, suggests they take a mini vacation to the isle of Capri, and go to the celebration and have a getaway and Jo knows that while she is there, she will come face to face with her first love, Paulo. There is so much to enjoy about this story-found family, second chance love, the setting, the food, even the characters like Paulo's mother were so much fun.
This is a reminder that it's never too late to take life by the hand and lead it in the next direction instead of letting it lead you.
Thanks to Boldwood books and netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
January 19, 2026
A true love story. Paola and Joanne met while at University. she lost his phone number and her friend ended up marrying him. They are now both in their 60s and Joanne and Susie are invited to Paola's hotel in Italy to celebrate his late wife's life. Paola an Joanne have the same chemistry and rekindle their relationship.
Love has survived and they restart the rest of their lives making up for lost time.
i enjoyed this story.
Love has survived and they restart the rest of their lives making up for lost time.
i enjoyed this story.
May 26, 2025
Joanna (Jo) Dawson is approaching her 65th birthday and is looking for a new adventure. She is recently divorced from Greg, who left her for a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously). Her daughters have their own families, but her son has recently returned to live in the granny flat in her home. Susie, her best friend has an offer for Jo. Their friend Ellen passed away a few years ago, and her husband is offering an all-expense paid trip to Italy to honour her and celebrate his mother's birthday. Jo isn't sure she wants to go as they had a relationship in the past, but she agrees to go for Susie's sake. Susie has just recently kicked out the man she was living with. Off they go, for what they hope will be a great holiday. Capri is even better than they imagined and staying at the hotel that Paulo and Ellen ran is amazing. They begin to enjoy themselves, with Susie finding a gentleman that she has fun with. Jo finds that she is still attracted to Paulo, her first love, but not sure what to do about that. With some funny family moments, situations that Jo finds herself in that makes me laugh, and Paulo's mother and aunts adding humour to the story, I wasn't sure whether Jo and Paulo might try again, but I enjoyed finding out.
I really enjoy Susie and Jo together. They are BFFs that have one another's back, get themselves in some funny situations and enjoy life. There are some hilarious moments at the beginning when they are spending a weekend somewhere else and I almost had an accident laughing so hard. Once they arrive in Capri, Paulo's mother and aunts take over the humor. Paulo's grandson is a mixed bag. He is only 5 but is spoiled rotten by his rich, indulgent mother. She overrules Paulo's son when it comes to discipline until someone gets hurt. This little boy is so confused, but he loves Jo for some reason and I enjoyed their relationship. She is the only one that gets him to mind. This is not a romance like others I have read, it is a slow, second chance relationship that two older, mature characters would like to rekindle. The problem is where they live as well as Jo's meddling family. I wanted to slap her son who had moved back home and taken total advantage of the situation. I definitely recommend this fun read to those who enjoy second chance romance in later life, stories of friendship, new beginnings and figuring out what you want out of life. The audiobook was narrated by Penelope Freeman. She does a wonderful job with the various voices of the characters, the expression, accents and tone. I enjoyed the audiobook and recommend it to those who enjoy this format.
I really enjoy Susie and Jo together. They are BFFs that have one another's back, get themselves in some funny situations and enjoy life. There are some hilarious moments at the beginning when they are spending a weekend somewhere else and I almost had an accident laughing so hard. Once they arrive in Capri, Paulo's mother and aunts take over the humor. Paulo's grandson is a mixed bag. He is only 5 but is spoiled rotten by his rich, indulgent mother. She overrules Paulo's son when it comes to discipline until someone gets hurt. This little boy is so confused, but he loves Jo for some reason and I enjoyed their relationship. She is the only one that gets him to mind. This is not a romance like others I have read, it is a slow, second chance relationship that two older, mature characters would like to rekindle. The problem is where they live as well as Jo's meddling family. I wanted to slap her son who had moved back home and taken total advantage of the situation. I definitely recommend this fun read to those who enjoy second chance romance in later life, stories of friendship, new beginnings and figuring out what you want out of life. The audiobook was narrated by Penelope Freeman. She does a wonderful job with the various voices of the characters, the expression, accents and tone. I enjoyed the audiobook and recommend it to those who enjoy this format.
May 3, 2025
Joanna, facing a milestone birthday and currently living alone, wonders if there’s more to life. When her friend Susie suggests a trip to Italy in honor of a mutual friend who has passed away, Joanna is hesitant but agrees to go. When they meet the men in the rental unit next to theirs, Joanna is shocked to realize that one of those men is “the one who got away” decades ago. Could this be her second chance?
This author has become one of my favorite non-mystery writers. I love that her primary characters are all older women and their friends as they navigate whatever life throws at them. At first, I was annoyed with Joanna for letting herself be such a bathmat when it came to her (grown) kids, but as the book progressed, she learned to stand up to them and I almost wanted to cheer. The friends who accompanied her on this trip were a great support network, even though they were dealing with issues of their own. I wasn’t surprised that the group of men they met included her friend from long ago, but I was surprised that they recognized each other after all that time. From there, the book was more or less predictable, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure, but I enjoyed watching the different relationships grow as the story continued.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s books, whether it be another stand alone or the next book in a series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This author has become one of my favorite non-mystery writers. I love that her primary characters are all older women and their friends as they navigate whatever life throws at them. At first, I was annoyed with Joanna for letting herself be such a bathmat when it came to her (grown) kids, but as the book progressed, she learned to stand up to them and I almost wanted to cheer. The friends who accompanied her on this trip were a great support network, even though they were dealing with issues of their own. I wasn’t surprised that the group of men they met included her friend from long ago, but I was surprised that they recognized each other after all that time. From there, the book was more or less predictable, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure, but I enjoyed watching the different relationships grow as the story continued.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s books, whether it be another stand alone or the next book in a series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 10, 2025
I have enjoyed some of Maddie Please's previous books with older FMCs and seeing as that is where I am in life, it is great to read feel-good fiction targeted at that age.
Joanne is a retired woman, about to celebrate a key birthday and reflecting on her life.
She's going to hit 65, divorced, with an ex-husband shacked up with his secretary, three grown-up children, two granddaughters and has recently, reluctantly, welcomed her son back home while he mops up his life after a breakup.
A short birthday break with one of her best friends, Susie, gives her reason to want to stretch her wings a little further, out of the comfort of her staid life.
They find themselves in Capri, to celebrate the life of one of their friends, Ellen, who passed away, and Jo faces a person she classes as her first love. Paulo.
I'm not going to detail what what happens, but there is plenty of wine, pasta, and humour. The side cast of characters, including the indomitable Contessa, mother of Paulo, and little Eric, Paulo's 5-year-old grandson, bring much enjoyment to the tale, and ultimately, seeing a woman grab her life back when others are saying "What? At your age?", is just inspirational!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Joanne is a retired woman, about to celebrate a key birthday and reflecting on her life.
She's going to hit 65, divorced, with an ex-husband shacked up with his secretary, three grown-up children, two granddaughters and has recently, reluctantly, welcomed her son back home while he mops up his life after a breakup.
A short birthday break with one of her best friends, Susie, gives her reason to want to stretch her wings a little further, out of the comfort of her staid life.
They find themselves in Capri, to celebrate the life of one of their friends, Ellen, who passed away, and Jo faces a person she classes as her first love. Paulo.
I'm not going to detail what what happens, but there is plenty of wine, pasta, and humour. The side cast of characters, including the indomitable Contessa, mother of Paulo, and little Eric, Paulo's 5-year-old grandson, bring much enjoyment to the tale, and ultimately, seeing a woman grab her life back when others are saying "What? At your age?", is just inspirational!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
April 27, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
This book was an uplifting story of two women- Jo & Susie- embracing a fresh chapter in life in Capri. If you are into second chance romance, you will enjoy this book. I loved the reminder that it's never too late to find meaningful happiness.
If you are at a point in your life when you feel stuck or craving for more out of life, although not a non-fiction, this book will inspire you.
This book reminded me that no matter your age, you are still deserving of real and passionate love.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books & Maddie Please for this exclusive access to the book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was an uplifting story of two women- Jo & Susie- embracing a fresh chapter in life in Capri. If you are into second chance romance, you will enjoy this book. I loved the reminder that it's never too late to find meaningful happiness.
If you are at a point in your life when you feel stuck or craving for more out of life, although not a non-fiction, this book will inspire you.
This book reminded me that no matter your age, you are still deserving of real and passionate love.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books & Maddie Please for this exclusive access to the book in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2025
KU Free Trial | No cheating protagonists, no mean characters, no unnecessary misunderstandings, it's like this one was written just for me! | Not a lot more to say than that; you get what you came for with this one and finish feeling satisfied and cheerful. Been awhile since I read the Old Ducks, I don't remember Juliette at all!
July 16, 2025
Books by the author, Maddie Please, delight me because they feature older women as the primary characters. As someone who just celebrated her 65th birthday, I enjoyed reading about Joanna’s view of turning that age on her birthday. And then you factor in her best friend, Susie, and an all-expenses paid trip to Capri, and you are off on a delightful heartwarming adventure. Wonderful characters, including a precocious grandson. As you experience flashbacks to Jo and Susie’s college days, you will cheer them on to explore life at an “advanced age” and to discover that you are never too old to live life to its fullest and discover … or rediscover … true love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
April 30, 2025
I loved this book: it’s a lovely story with so much humour & it is a great read, a typical Maddie Please book about older people & second chances. She is one of those authors whose new books I eagerly await & will buy without question, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read an early copy of Dolce Vita Divas, thanks to Boldwood Books & Netgalley.
Susie & Joanna are the main characters in Dolce Vita Divas. They’ve been best friends since they were at university together; now approaching 65 they’re wondering what else life has to offer them, each feeling a bit jaded & lonely with failed relationships & children now grown up; will it just be more of the same, or could it be more fun? They go to a hotel for a spa weekend to celebrate their birthdays, then receive an invitation from their old uni friend Paolo to go to Italy for a joint celebration of his mother’s birthday & of the life of Ellen, Paolo’s late wife. Feeling in need of adventure - & the opportunity to meet some handsome Italian men - they decide to go, & make plans to travel to Capri where the celebration is taking place at the hotel owned & run by Paolo & his family. This is where the fun really begins ……
I really liked Susie & Joanna, they’re strong women willing to face the challenges that may lie ahead despite their fears. Written with empathy & sensitivity, I thought they were believable & realistic characters. Being of a similar age, I could empathise with their situation & thought this was realistically depicted. There are some great supporting characters in Ceci (Paolo’s mother) & her 2 younger sisters Sylvia & Lucia; like so many siblings they were continually bickering, true to life & providing plenty of lol moments. Eric, Paolo’s 5 year old grandson was another great character, who suffered under his mother’s experimentation with methods of parenting and was continually testing boundaries.
It’s a great story, well told. Written with Maddie Please’s usual warmth & humour, it’s an entertaining read that deals sensitively with issues that face many older women who find themselves unexpectedly single in later years, with a strong feeling of optimism & hope. I loved this book; it lived up to my expectations & more. I think it’s one of her best books yet.
Susie & Joanna are the main characters in Dolce Vita Divas. They’ve been best friends since they were at university together; now approaching 65 they’re wondering what else life has to offer them, each feeling a bit jaded & lonely with failed relationships & children now grown up; will it just be more of the same, or could it be more fun? They go to a hotel for a spa weekend to celebrate their birthdays, then receive an invitation from their old uni friend Paolo to go to Italy for a joint celebration of his mother’s birthday & of the life of Ellen, Paolo’s late wife. Feeling in need of adventure - & the opportunity to meet some handsome Italian men - they decide to go, & make plans to travel to Capri where the celebration is taking place at the hotel owned & run by Paolo & his family. This is where the fun really begins ……
I really liked Susie & Joanna, they’re strong women willing to face the challenges that may lie ahead despite their fears. Written with empathy & sensitivity, I thought they were believable & realistic characters. Being of a similar age, I could empathise with their situation & thought this was realistically depicted. There are some great supporting characters in Ceci (Paolo’s mother) & her 2 younger sisters Sylvia & Lucia; like so many siblings they were continually bickering, true to life & providing plenty of lol moments. Eric, Paolo’s 5 year old grandson was another great character, who suffered under his mother’s experimentation with methods of parenting and was continually testing boundaries.
It’s a great story, well told. Written with Maddie Please’s usual warmth & humour, it’s an entertaining read that deals sensitively with issues that face many older women who find themselves unexpectedly single in later years, with a strong feeling of optimism & hope. I loved this book; it lived up to my expectations & more. I think it’s one of her best books yet.
April 30, 2025
The Dolce Vita Divas by Maddie Please
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
My Opinion
Maddie Please has once again written a heart-warming adventure. A wonderful, light-hearted read. Maddie Please has shown that even though her characters are older, they can still have fun.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
My Opinion
Maddie Please has once again written a heart-warming adventure. A wonderful, light-hearted read. Maddie Please has shown that even though her characters are older, they can still have fun.
Rating 4/5
May 4, 2025
4.5*
Your husband has left you for a younger model, the kids are all grown up and have lives of their own though one of them has moved back home into the granny flat. What do you do when you’re offered the chance to visit Capri?! You take it of course… well I would, I’d love to go to Capri!!
Jo is heading à l’Italia with bestie Susie for some sun to celebrate the life of one of her oldest friends. Admittedly the fact that her late friend’s widower is the guy she fell for at uni but the stars were not aligned for them. Maybe the zing can happen second time round?!
This is only my second read from Maddie Please but I adored my trip to Capri. The friendship between Jo and Susie was just brilliant. The characters Please created to support this duo in their trip were lifelike. They made me chuckle and well up with emotion. The trio of Ceci, Lucia and Sylvia are hilarious, they’re like girls in a playground.
The Dolce Vita Divas is a gorgeous heartwarming read. Please has created a wonderful story of living life to its fullest and taking second chances when life has been delivering lemons. If you haven’t read any of Maddie Please’s books and love feel good fiction, get these books on your reading list!!!
Your husband has left you for a younger model, the kids are all grown up and have lives of their own though one of them has moved back home into the granny flat. What do you do when you’re offered the chance to visit Capri?! You take it of course… well I would, I’d love to go to Capri!!
Jo is heading à l’Italia with bestie Susie for some sun to celebrate the life of one of her oldest friends. Admittedly the fact that her late friend’s widower is the guy she fell for at uni but the stars were not aligned for them. Maybe the zing can happen second time round?!
This is only my second read from Maddie Please but I adored my trip to Capri. The friendship between Jo and Susie was just brilliant. The characters Please created to support this duo in their trip were lifelike. They made me chuckle and well up with emotion. The trio of Ceci, Lucia and Sylvia are hilarious, they’re like girls in a playground.
The Dolce Vita Divas is a gorgeous heartwarming read. Please has created a wonderful story of living life to its fullest and taking second chances when life has been delivering lemons. If you haven’t read any of Maddie Please’s books and love feel good fiction, get these books on your reading list!!!
April 5, 2025
This is my second book by Maddie Please and I just couldn’t put it down it was an excellent read.
Jo’s husband has left her for a younger woman AKA the TBT thin, blonde, trollop, her children and grandchildren have their own lives and she feels at a crossroads.
What perfect timing for her and her best friend Susie to make a trip to Capri to remember their late friend Ellen and get away from it all. However Ellen’s husband Paulo is Jo’s first love and what follows is a time for them to reconnect with plenty of drama, fun and laughs along the way.
This book was brilliant and I didn’t want it to end, the flashbacks to when Jo was young were great and there was plenty of humour which had me laughing out loud.
There were plenty of great characters which were so descriptive and I especially loved Ceci.
Thanks to NetGalley, Maddie Please and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Jo’s husband has left her for a younger woman AKA the TBT thin, blonde, trollop, her children and grandchildren have their own lives and she feels at a crossroads.
What perfect timing for her and her best friend Susie to make a trip to Capri to remember their late friend Ellen and get away from it all. However Ellen’s husband Paulo is Jo’s first love and what follows is a time for them to reconnect with plenty of drama, fun and laughs along the way.
This book was brilliant and I didn’t want it to end, the flashbacks to when Jo was young were great and there was plenty of humour which had me laughing out loud.
There were plenty of great characters which were so descriptive and I especially loved Ceci.
Thanks to NetGalley, Maddie Please and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
April 8, 2025
The Dolce Vita Divas by Maddie Please is a most delightful contemporary novel that I read in just one sitting.
Maddie Please has created a wonderful, light-hearted read about second chances and really living life whatever your age.
All the characters are over sixty. They prove that age is no barrier to having fun. “I used to think life had passed me by and then I realized it hadn’t… Take every chance you get.” We need to grab life with both hands. We are never too old to re-write our story and to have a good ending – even an eighty-five-year-old knows how to live life. After all age is just a number.
The action is in the first person from the lead characters point of view. We get to know her intimately. Her life has been full, raising children but her first love has never left her heart. After her husband of many years left her (before the book opened), she realizes that now is the time to make some life changes.
A holiday in Capri with a friend, and in memory of another friend, offers new possibilities.
The landscape is in glorious technicolour compared with grey England. The reader can ‘feel’ the warmth and ‘see’ the vibrant colours.
We witness sibling rivalry and see various different parenting styles. We see that everyone appreciates being given boundaries as when we know the rules, life is simpler for all.
As we grow older, our role in life changes. Our children are grown and “I wanted to feel needed again.” We need to be adaptable as life changes. Growing older can still mean life is full and fun.
I always enjoy the novels of Maddie Please. They bring a smile to my face. Light-hearted banter is amusing and her characters are a joy to behold.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Maddie Please has created a wonderful, light-hearted read about second chances and really living life whatever your age.
All the characters are over sixty. They prove that age is no barrier to having fun. “I used to think life had passed me by and then I realized it hadn’t… Take every chance you get.” We need to grab life with both hands. We are never too old to re-write our story and to have a good ending – even an eighty-five-year-old knows how to live life. After all age is just a number.
The action is in the first person from the lead characters point of view. We get to know her intimately. Her life has been full, raising children but her first love has never left her heart. After her husband of many years left her (before the book opened), she realizes that now is the time to make some life changes.
A holiday in Capri with a friend, and in memory of another friend, offers new possibilities.
The landscape is in glorious technicolour compared with grey England. The reader can ‘feel’ the warmth and ‘see’ the vibrant colours.
We witness sibling rivalry and see various different parenting styles. We see that everyone appreciates being given boundaries as when we know the rules, life is simpler for all.
As we grow older, our role in life changes. Our children are grown and “I wanted to feel needed again.” We need to be adaptable as life changes. Growing older can still mean life is full and fun.
I always enjoy the novels of Maddie Please. They bring a smile to my face. Light-hearted banter is amusing and her characters are a joy to behold.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
May 22, 2025
Italian translations were incorrect throughout the book!
I gave up halfway through due to the number of glaring ERRORS in the Italian translations! First of all, it is PAOLO not Paulo and FEDERICO, not Frederico! A typical, lazy English person who never bothered to check and just assumed their names were similar to the English spellings! Furthermore, some of the Italian words that are used in translation are incorrect,some also have the wrong spelling and at times, the singular is used rather than the plural and vice versa! The author should have had a proofreader that spoke Italian fluently or a native Italian speaker to check these translations were accurate! As a former teacher of Italian, I couldn't concentrate on the story for the startling number of errors in the Italian language! Very unprofessional! Plus there were mistakes with the ages of the characters,too! One minute Susie is 63 then two pages later she is 64,without having a birthday inbetween! Also if Joanna met Paulo (Paolo)when they were 18 at university in 1985 as the book states, then she can't possibly be 65 now! The maths doesn't work! 18 plus 40 years later is 58! Also, there is a passage that states Joanna was curled up under a blanket in their flatshare, with Paolo before he met Ellen! Yet Joanna said she never saw him again after her first date because she lost his address until she met him again with Ellen! A total disaster of a book! I could not concentrate on the story for all the incorrect information!Shame as Capri is a wonderful place and I was looking forward to basking in the nostalgia of when I visited there many years ago!The author needs to address all these errors as the book is unreadable!
I gave up halfway through due to the number of glaring ERRORS in the Italian translations! First of all, it is PAOLO not Paulo and FEDERICO, not Frederico! A typical, lazy English person who never bothered to check and just assumed their names were similar to the English spellings! Furthermore, some of the Italian words that are used in translation are incorrect,some also have the wrong spelling and at times, the singular is used rather than the plural and vice versa! The author should have had a proofreader that spoke Italian fluently or a native Italian speaker to check these translations were accurate! As a former teacher of Italian, I couldn't concentrate on the story for the startling number of errors in the Italian language! Very unprofessional! Plus there were mistakes with the ages of the characters,too! One minute Susie is 63 then two pages later she is 64,without having a birthday inbetween! Also if Joanna met Paulo (Paolo)when they were 18 at university in 1985 as the book states, then she can't possibly be 65 now! The maths doesn't work! 18 plus 40 years later is 58! Also, there is a passage that states Joanna was curled up under a blanket in their flatshare, with Paolo before he met Ellen! Yet Joanna said she never saw him again after her first date because she lost his address until she met him again with Ellen! A total disaster of a book! I could not concentrate on the story for all the incorrect information!Shame as Capri is a wonderful place and I was looking forward to basking in the nostalgia of when I visited there many years ago!The author needs to address all these errors as the book is unreadable!
July 15, 2025
It’s not often I find a character in a book who’s my age, 64. Though my husband didn’t run off with another woman, and I never had an old flame, I could somewhat relate to Jo and found this book intriguing after reading a review on one of the blogs I follow. I’m glad I picked it up.
With believable characters and plot twists, this book kept me reading, smiling, and sometimes laughing. From the comfort of my recliner, I enjoyed traveling from England to Italy, staying in an old hotel on a beautiful island, and eating plenty of delicious food.
The Audible narrator does an excellent job giving each character a distinct voice and using a variety of accents including British, Italian, and southern American. I love the ending. If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good human relations and travel story
without too much romance, The Dolce Vita Divas is for you.
With believable characters and plot twists, this book kept me reading, smiling, and sometimes laughing. From the comfort of my recliner, I enjoyed traveling from England to Italy, staying in an old hotel on a beautiful island, and eating plenty of delicious food.
The Audible narrator does an excellent job giving each character a distinct voice and using a variety of accents including British, Italian, and southern American. I love the ending. If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good human relations and travel story
without too much romance, The Dolce Vita Divas is for you.
August 23, 2025
A lovely story of friendship, family, and love
A true-to-life tale of the complications of family as dynamics change when children become adults, marriages fail, adult children move back home, and first loves ignite once again in a warm, Italian setting. The vividly drawn characters are so realistic that I could picture each one, from the handsome Italian hotel owner to his proper Contessa mother, to the sixty-something British divorcee who has long pined for her first love (the Contessa’s son whom she met in college), to the Contessa’s spoiled six-year-old great grandson whose parents are devoid of any parenting skills. Quite an enjoyable book that will appeal to readers seeking a positive, light-hearted tale set on an exotic island.
A true-to-life tale of the complications of family as dynamics change when children become adults, marriages fail, adult children move back home, and first loves ignite once again in a warm, Italian setting. The vividly drawn characters are so realistic that I could picture each one, from the handsome Italian hotel owner to his proper Contessa mother, to the sixty-something British divorcee who has long pined for her first love (the Contessa’s son whom she met in college), to the Contessa’s spoiled six-year-old great grandson whose parents are devoid of any parenting skills. Quite an enjoyable book that will appeal to readers seeking a positive, light-hearted tale set on an exotic island.
June 30, 2025
What a wonderful story!
Author Maddie Please outdid herself in this book! Handsome Paulo, beautiful Jo, Jo’s sidekick Susie, Paulo’s mother Ceci. So many people gather at a gorgeous place in Capri for Ceci’s birthday and to celebrate Paulo’s wife Ellen’s death 5 years ago (at Ellen’s request). It rekindles an old love story…well, you’ll just have to see how it turns out. Highly recommend reading!
Author Maddie Please outdid herself in this book! Handsome Paulo, beautiful Jo, Jo’s sidekick Susie, Paulo’s mother Ceci. So many people gather at a gorgeous place in Capri for Ceci’s birthday and to celebrate Paulo’s wife Ellen’s death 5 years ago (at Ellen’s request). It rekindles an old love story…well, you’ll just have to see how it turns out. Highly recommend reading!
August 13, 2025
It was wonderful to read something that described what the bigger population is now experiencing! It was descriptive, with out being in poor taste. To all my mature friends as well as my children!!!
It was wonderful to read something that described what the bigger population is now experiencing! It was descriptive without being in poor taste. To all my mature friends as well as my children!!!
It was wonderful to read something that described what the bigger population is now experiencing! It was descriptive without being in poor taste. To all my mature friends as well as my children!!!
September 13, 2025
This book was OK. It was a feel good kinda of story. I was interested due to me being closer to 65 than I would like to be. Not a funny story at all so don’t believe the write up about it. 65 year old woman who is now divorced goes on a vacation with her best friend to Italy for a dead friend’s celebration of life. Her husband was someone she was in love with before he got together with his wife. Will they get together? Read it to find out.
June 19, 2025
Not the best!
I found this book very hard to read, though it had a good plot line.
One of my main errors with the book is it was released in 2025 according to Amazon, at the end of 1984 she was 18, and she would currently be approaching 60 at a push. Most definitely not 65 and I did not get the impression this book was set in the future!! Sorry!
I found this book very hard to read, though it had a good plot line.
One of my main errors with the book is it was released in 2025 according to Amazon, at the end of 1984 she was 18, and she would currently be approaching 60 at a push. Most definitely not 65 and I did not get the impression this book was set in the future!! Sorry!
September 2, 2025
Old girls rock!
I loved this book! For those who thought they were "over the hill"and would never experience true love,for those who think they are old at 65,for those who have forgotten their expectations...this is a great read! Wonderful writing style and detailed views of Capri!
I loved this book! For those who thought they were "over the hill"and would never experience true love,for those who think they are old at 65,for those who have forgotten their expectations...this is a great read! Wonderful writing style and detailed views of Capri!
October 10, 2025
another heartwarming story from Maddie!
I have recently discovered books by Maddie Please and cannot get enough of them! I love her style of writing and am eager to look for the next book of hers to dive into! Thank you so very much, Maddie, for providing hours of reading pleasure!!
I have recently discovered books by Maddie Please and cannot get enough of them! I love her style of writing and am eager to look for the next book of hers to dive into! Thank you so very much, Maddie, for providing hours of reading pleasure!!
November 11, 2025
Another great read from Maddie Please
This book touches the heart of being over 60 and what that means to many. Maddie is able to bring humour and also depth into her stories that resonate with women the world over. The adventures and thoughts that await her characters could bring a light into the hearts of her readers as you can assimilate with them on every pages.
This book touches the heart of being over 60 and what that means to many. Maddie is able to bring humour and also depth into her stories that resonate with women the world over. The adventures and thoughts that await her characters could bring a light into the hearts of her readers as you can assimilate with them on every pages.
February 13, 2026
I have loved everything by Maddie Please that I have read, this book is no exception. Jo and Paulo met at university, but she lost his number. The next time she met him, he was going out with her friend who he later married. 40 years later, she goes to Capri to stay in Paulo and Jenny's hotel to a memorial to Jenny's life 5 years after her death.
May 9, 2025
Maddie Please, please!
This author is in her prime. The stories so lively, the premise so viable. May we all remember any age can be young, all ages can be beautiful, and there is no old age, just an older age. The sparkle in my eye is Maddie Please.
This author is in her prime. The stories so lively, the premise so viable. May we all remember any age can be young, all ages can be beautiful, and there is no old age, just an older age. The sparkle in my eye is Maddie Please.
May 16, 2025
a fun easy read to lose yourself in, i devoured this in a day it was just enjoyable.
i loved the characters and it was a story of first love, friendships and finding the perfect ending .
perfect for a sunny day or losing yourself in
i loved the characters and it was a story of first love, friendships and finding the perfect ending .
perfect for a sunny day or losing yourself in
May 27, 2025
Roll up! Roll up! Get your happiness here!
This is a joyful read, funny, sweet and just lovely. The perfect book to take on holiday, or to make you feel as if you're on holiday, even if it's grey and drizzly outside.
This is a joyful read, funny, sweet and just lovely. The perfect book to take on holiday, or to make you feel as if you're on holiday, even if it's grey and drizzly outside.
July 13, 2025
I really enjoy books by Maddie Please and I can relate to so much. She right about women in their 60’s and you feel like they all become your best friends. As always, you laugh, cry and love the journey that these characters of hers get into.
January 24, 2026
5 stars again
Another lovely feel good read again set in beautiful Italy about loss ,love, & life with characters you care about & want everything to turn out right for them 5* again
Another lovely feel good read again set in beautiful Italy about loss ,love, & life with characters you care about & want everything to turn out right for them 5* again
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