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Knjiga ljubavi
Lili, kraljica retro stila, i njen dečko Robi vode antikvarnicu knjiga u Sidneju. U pošiljci retkih knjiga pristigloj iz egzotičnog Najrobija, otkrivaju antički rukopis, erotsku Knjigu ljubavi, koja ima izuzetnu vrednost na tržištu. Ubrzo im na vrata kuca Vilijem, misteriozni Rus, koga je angažovala londonska firma za povraćaj ukradenih umetničkih dragocenosti.
Robi odbija da mu preda knjigu i nestaje sa zajedničkom ušteđevinom. Lili ostaje sa Rusom i njegovim moćnim poslodavcima koji žele knjigu po svaku cenu. Sklopivši savez iz nužde s Vilijemom, Lili kreće na put po svetu tražeći svog dečka i Knjigu ljubavi, što nam donosi veselu romantičnu komediju, punu zapleta, tajni i ljubavnih nedaća.
Robi odbija da mu preda knjigu i nestaje sa zajedničkom ušteđevinom. Lili ostaje sa Rusom i njegovim moćnim poslodavcima koji žele knjigu po svaku cenu. Sklopivši savez iz nužde s Vilijemom, Lili kreće na put po svetu tražeći svog dečka i Knjigu ljubavi, što nam donosi veselu romantičnu komediju, punu zapleta, tajni i ljubavnih nedaća.
269 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 29, 2010
This was a lovely confection with which to start the holidays vintage frocks, vintage books and a trip to Italy. They should make movies like this!
February 7, 2023
Jakby moja mama pytała to ja tego nie czytałam
February 25, 2012
As part of the International year of Reading, my local library has wrapped up some books in brown paper and created a lucky dip. This was one of the books I got and I wanted to enjoy it.
It is written by an Australian author and the blurb on the back seemed interesting, however it is dull. If there is any action (whether sex or fighting) it is over in a sentence and the charaters are trying to be complex and multilayered but I didn't buy it. Fioretti didn't give enough time on these characters and frankly I couldn't care less about them and their stupid decisions.
At the end of the book it said William and Lily will be back in 2011 but I so wont be there.
It is written by an Australian author and the blurb on the back seemed interesting, however it is dull. If there is any action (whether sex or fighting) it is over in a sentence and the charaters are trying to be complex and multilayered but I didn't buy it. Fioretti didn't give enough time on these characters and frankly I couldn't care less about them and their stupid decisions.
At the end of the book it said William and Lily will be back in 2011 but I so wont be there.
November 3, 2019
Zabavna i neocekivano zanimljiva!
September 14, 2024
So very dull.
December 3, 2011
The Book of Love is a contemporary tale of romance, mystery, adventure and comedy. Partners, Lily and Robbie, own an antiquarian bookshop in Sydney Australia. When Robbie discovers a rare book worth twenty million dollars amongst the boxes of second hand books purchased at a Nairobi market, he is determined to sell it and disappears leaving Lily broke and at the mercy of William, a fine arts broker, as well as shadowy figures who are determined to claim the book. In pursuit of Robbie, Lily and William travel to Rome but what they find is more valuable than a rare book.
Despite its contemporary setting, the Book of Love is reminiscent of classic black and white films starring Audrey Hepburn, a mix of Charade, Roman Holiday and How to Steal a Million. In fact I envision Lily looking a lot like Audrey Hepburn given her penchant for vintage dresses. Lily is a surprisingly complex character with a difficult past she has struggled to overcome and trapped in a bad relationship with the faithless Robbie out of obligation rather than love. She has low self esteem which causes her to doubt herself at every turn though she slowly begins to rebuild her self confidence over the course of the novel.
William, though Russian, I imagine to look like a young Sean Connery though with a posh English accent. I liked his principled character and admired his belief in honour and duty. He is certainly a wiser choice for Lily than the feckless Robbie who is casually selfish and cruel.
Though it is a bit of a slow start, the book picks up the pace as the chase begins. Fioretti maintains the tension as Lily and William try to evade other parties interested in the book and find Robbie before he sells the book. Naturally there are several romantic misunderstandings between Lily and William that threaten their burgeoning relationship - Lily lacks the confidence in her intuition and William is determined to do the right thing by her.
The Book Of Love is a well written, entertaining and charming debut novel by a Australian author Phillipa Fioretti. Lily and William's story is continued in The Fragment of Dreams.
Despite its contemporary setting, the Book of Love is reminiscent of classic black and white films starring Audrey Hepburn, a mix of Charade, Roman Holiday and How to Steal a Million. In fact I envision Lily looking a lot like Audrey Hepburn given her penchant for vintage dresses. Lily is a surprisingly complex character with a difficult past she has struggled to overcome and trapped in a bad relationship with the faithless Robbie out of obligation rather than love. She has low self esteem which causes her to doubt herself at every turn though she slowly begins to rebuild her self confidence over the course of the novel.
William, though Russian, I imagine to look like a young Sean Connery though with a posh English accent. I liked his principled character and admired his belief in honour and duty. He is certainly a wiser choice for Lily than the feckless Robbie who is casually selfish and cruel.
Though it is a bit of a slow start, the book picks up the pace as the chase begins. Fioretti maintains the tension as Lily and William try to evade other parties interested in the book and find Robbie before he sells the book. Naturally there are several romantic misunderstandings between Lily and William that threaten their burgeoning relationship - Lily lacks the confidence in her intuition and William is determined to do the right thing by her.
The Book Of Love is a well written, entertaining and charming debut novel by a Australian author Phillipa Fioretti. Lily and William's story is continued in The Fragment of Dreams.
August 20, 2012
A waste of paper! NOT recommended. This was certainly no mystery - nor was it suspenseful. In the early stages the plot had potential but somehow Fioretti 'lost the plot'. The characters lacked substance and I didn't feel an affinity with any of them. The words TRITE, TRIVIAL & WEAK come to mind when describing this story.
Not one member of our book group enjoyed this novel and our ages & reading interests are many and varied. The Book of Love did not even appeal to the romantics in our group or those who like a good mystery so I think that says something.
Not one member of our book group enjoyed this novel and our ages & reading interests are many and varied. The Book of Love did not even appeal to the romantics in our group or those who like a good mystery so I think that says something.
July 20, 2010
I really did not like this book. It seems as if the author spent too much time trying to develop characters that ended up being very two dimensional, the action started too late, the "heroine' was actually uninspiring and annoying actually- she made choices that made no sense and it just seemed to be someone trying to imagine a "more glamourous" life. It was full of cliches- cliched characters, settings and plot , so not impressed-several hours of my life I wont get back.
April 1, 2012
I am mystified how this book was actually published - let alone have people give it five stars.
All I am going to say in regard to this book is: it is poorly written with try hard characters and not remotely believable. Do not bother.
All I am going to say in regard to this book is: it is poorly written with try hard characters and not remotely believable. Do not bother.
Read
August 2, 2010Don't. Just don't.
July 9, 2025
An easy light hearted read with a conclusion that I hoped for.
January 26, 2018
Officially this is the worst book I've ever read.
OMG!
According to the author, William the one of the main characters was born circa 1920 but that didn't stop him in 2010 to run around the world chasing thieves and have sex with a young woman. Also the writer thinks that Soviet Union existed in 1917. Well, it wasn't.
Soviet Union was formed in 1922.
I'm left wondering how this book was actually published. How and why?
. . .
2.5 hours later: I'm not mad at myself anymore because wasting my time on this one.
I've already forgotten what the book was about.
Zero literature quality.
Zero.
OMG!
According to the author, William the one of the main characters was born circa 1920 but that didn't stop him in 2010 to run around the world chasing thieves and have sex with a young woman. Also the writer thinks that Soviet Union existed in 1917. Well, it wasn't.
Soviet Union was formed in 1922.
I'm left wondering how this book was actually published. How and why?
. . .
2.5 hours later: I'm not mad at myself anymore because wasting my time on this one.
I've already forgotten what the book was about.
Zero literature quality.
Zero.
April 14, 2012
I picked this up after reading a great review in an old university newspaper. Amazing how you come across things. I couldn't put it down once I started, it was fun, fresh and I loved Lily and William, the heroine and hero. It was a quick read but really full of atmosphere, sexy and funny. I'll read the sequel next.
August 19, 2021
Third time reading this one and to say I still love it is an understatement. I'm still not sure how she does it, but Phillipa Fioretti makes reading so comfortable - reading this book is like a warm hug, or a cup of tea and a happy memory.
As a Sydney-sider I can imagine Lily's little bookshop in Paddington perfectly (and am so envious), and then the travel through Italy is my dream holiday. I am channelling Lily everyday, from her love of gorgeous vintage fashion to her quirky and happy nature. Lily and William are so real and likable, that there isn't a dull moment, even if the mystery of the Book of Love isn't exactly 'action-packed'. It doesn't pretend to be miraculous or unbelievable - this story is down-to-earth, sweet, and simple. It's my ultimate comfort read.
As a Sydney-sider I can imagine Lily's little bookshop in Paddington perfectly (and am so envious), and then the travel through Italy is my dream holiday. I am channelling Lily everyday, from her love of gorgeous vintage fashion to her quirky and happy nature. Lily and William are so real and likable, that there isn't a dull moment, even if the mystery of the Book of Love isn't exactly 'action-packed'. It doesn't pretend to be miraculous or unbelievable - this story is down-to-earth, sweet, and simple. It's my ultimate comfort read.
August 3, 2019
The Book of Love did what it said on the box. Was it full of clichés? Totally. Was it predictable? Absolutely. Was it believable? Not at all. But those were exactly the reasons why I went for this book and I was not disappointed. It was reasonably well paced, the ending was satisfying and the characters had just enough sass and depth that I enjoyed reading about them.
The real stand-out was the setting - Sydney, in particular, was very well drawn out and I could exactly follow the paths that William and Lily took around the city; a wink to those who enjoy sightseeing on foot. Solid escapism on a winter weekend.
The real stand-out was the setting - Sydney, in particular, was very well drawn out and I could exactly follow the paths that William and Lily took around the city; a wink to those who enjoy sightseeing on foot. Solid escapism on a winter weekend.
February 9, 2018
In 2017 I wanted to read books about books!
Somehow they kept coming my way, and I've enjoyed having a lose theme - although it's 2018 and I'll probably still keep on the theme!
This was a fun book with a rare volume of ancient erotica and a mismatched couple (Lily and Robbie) a mysterious Russian and a chase to Italy with all manner of intrigue and danger - and, of course, the big question - is Robbie OR the Russian William the man for Lily?
Somehow they kept coming my way, and I've enjoyed having a lose theme - although it's 2018 and I'll probably still keep on the theme!
This was a fun book with a rare volume of ancient erotica and a mismatched couple (Lily and Robbie) a mysterious Russian and a chase to Italy with all manner of intrigue and danger - and, of course, the big question - is Robbie OR the Russian William the man for Lily?
February 5, 2018
Saffron 2018
August 16, 2019
Liluška, Liljuškaja, Liljadka, Liločka, Liljeniš.
May 15, 2020
The sense of place (at least in the opening in Sydney) is strong in the start of this book. The love story is the usual mix of will they won’t they. A fun way to spend a couple of hours.
April 5, 2022
It was pretty good
May 18, 2026
Knjiga ljubavi, izdavač Vulkan
February 22, 2013
Great book! Couldn't put it down. Just finished it.
It's a thriller and a mystery with some romance and a happy ending.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
The book is basically about a young lady (Aussie lass, formerly had drug addiction) who runs a book shop with her "boyfriend" who is a total creep. He goes to Africa and brings back a heap of books including one that it turns out has been stolen from Mafiosi who originally took it from a museum and they want the book back. The useless boyfriend runs off and takes all the money in the joint bank account so our heroine has no money and is in a panic.
The handsome Russian guy who does retrieval for a firm in England hired by someone else also after the book falls in love with our heroine and takes her with him to Italy to find the useless boyfriend (so she can see he's useless n pick handsome Russian guy instead) and get the book.
So we have some tense chase scenes through Rome and Venice, the handsome Russian (our hero/anti-hero?) gets beaten up, our heroine pulls a gun on one Mafia guy, locks him in the boot of the car (steal his gun) and points 2 guns at the other mafia guy and rescues our Handsome Russian. The Hero n Heroine track down the useless boyfriend who tricks the Hero n gives him a fake book (a copy of the real thing), tries to make Heroine think Hero doesn't care about her (and also tried to make Heo think Heroine doesn't care about him) and virtually kidnaps her. She hides in the bathroom at some place and won't come out. Useless boyfriend n his brother leaves her there. Nice family who are also Australian (like our Heroine) happen to be headed back to Rome, offer her a lift. She knows where useless boyfriend n his brother are doing the exchange of the real book (worth $20 mill apparently) and wants to find handsome Russian so she finds useless boyfriend and handsome Russian has gun pointed at him and asks useless boyfriend where our Heroine is. So buyer is some agent for museum so useless boyfriend will get deported shortly, and our Hero n Heroine get to spend some much needed time together. I'll let you read the happy/lusty/romantic ending for yourself.
Can't wait to read the next one in the series!
It's a thriller and a mystery with some romance and a happy ending.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
The book is basically about a young lady (Aussie lass, formerly had drug addiction) who runs a book shop with her "boyfriend" who is a total creep. He goes to Africa and brings back a heap of books including one that it turns out has been stolen from Mafiosi who originally took it from a museum and they want the book back. The useless boyfriend runs off and takes all the money in the joint bank account so our heroine has no money and is in a panic.
The handsome Russian guy who does retrieval for a firm in England hired by someone else also after the book falls in love with our heroine and takes her with him to Italy to find the useless boyfriend (so she can see he's useless n pick handsome Russian guy instead) and get the book.
So we have some tense chase scenes through Rome and Venice, the handsome Russian (our hero/anti-hero?) gets beaten up, our heroine pulls a gun on one Mafia guy, locks him in the boot of the car (steal his gun) and points 2 guns at the other mafia guy and rescues our Handsome Russian. The Hero n Heroine track down the useless boyfriend who tricks the Hero n gives him a fake book (a copy of the real thing), tries to make Heroine think Hero doesn't care about her (and also tried to make Heo think Heroine doesn't care about him) and virtually kidnaps her. She hides in the bathroom at some place and won't come out. Useless boyfriend n his brother leaves her there. Nice family who are also Australian (like our Heroine) happen to be headed back to Rome, offer her a lift. She knows where useless boyfriend n his brother are doing the exchange of the real book (worth $20 mill apparently) and wants to find handsome Russian so she finds useless boyfriend and handsome Russian has gun pointed at him and asks useless boyfriend where our Heroine is. So buyer is some agent for museum so useless boyfriend will get deported shortly, and our Hero n Heroine get to spend some much needed time together. I'll let you read the happy/lusty/romantic ending for yourself.
Can't wait to read the next one in the series!
September 7, 2013
I was surprised by how much I actually liked this book. I do have a sordid history of having a phase in my life where I read ONLY chick-lit books... they were easy, funny, relatable, and I could live my life vicariously through the romances and the heroine's actions.
They made me feel good - and isn't that what reading is all about??
But as I grew older, I started to hone my reading skills on more complex stories and faded away from the chick-lit genre. It came to a point where I started to scoff at these books and their simplicity. They were the bimbo's of the book world.
But I was wrong with 'The Book of Love'.
Give me some credit though. The title wasn't perhaps the most intriguing. Nor was the blurb. To me anyway.
You may ask, 'then WHY did you start reading it???'
Simple.
They made me.
They, as in my new book club, made me. It was the book they chose as their first book, and I begrudgingly agreed to read it.
And I do, honestly, take back all the nasty thoughts I had about this book.
The writing is simple, but in its simplicity a story with believable characters and plot lines rolled out. The feelings, confusions, love, and betrayal were so well portrayed, that I actually ached with the main character over the two men in her life.
But the best part was the plot. I was surprised more than once with a twist in character history, travels, and fates. The fact that a chick-lit book had as many twists as 'the Da Vinci Code' really threw me... and enthralled me at the same time.
Thus, I was dragged back into the world of chick-lit. I'm even considering reading the sequel to the book voluntarily. And this time I won't complain (nearly) as loudly.
They made me feel good - and isn't that what reading is all about??
But as I grew older, I started to hone my reading skills on more complex stories and faded away from the chick-lit genre. It came to a point where I started to scoff at these books and their simplicity. They were the bimbo's of the book world.
But I was wrong with 'The Book of Love'.
Give me some credit though. The title wasn't perhaps the most intriguing. Nor was the blurb. To me anyway.
You may ask, 'then WHY did you start reading it???'
Simple.
They made me.
They, as in my new book club, made me. It was the book they chose as their first book, and I begrudgingly agreed to read it.
And I do, honestly, take back all the nasty thoughts I had about this book.
The writing is simple, but in its simplicity a story with believable characters and plot lines rolled out. The feelings, confusions, love, and betrayal were so well portrayed, that I actually ached with the main character over the two men in her life.
But the best part was the plot. I was surprised more than once with a twist in character history, travels, and fates. The fact that a chick-lit book had as many twists as 'the Da Vinci Code' really threw me... and enthralled me at the same time.
Thus, I was dragged back into the world of chick-lit. I'm even considering reading the sequel to the book voluntarily. And this time I won't complain (nearly) as loudly.
February 10, 2017
4.5 stars
What a delightful book! I don't even know what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I was pleasantly surprised. Set between Sydney and Italy, there is the perfect mix of romance, mystery, and action.
Lily lives in Sydney with her boyfriend Robbie. Together they own an eclectic bookshop. Home from a book buying spree overseas, Robbie finds a valuable book hidden in the boxes. This sets off a chain reaction as the rightful owner and wishful owners try to hunt down the book.
I was even more delighted to find out that Lily's story continues in The Fragment of Dreams - it's straight to the top of my TBR list :)
What a delightful book! I don't even know what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I was pleasantly surprised. Set between Sydney and Italy, there is the perfect mix of romance, mystery, and action.
Lily lives in Sydney with her boyfriend Robbie. Together they own an eclectic bookshop. Home from a book buying spree overseas, Robbie finds a valuable book hidden in the boxes. This sets off a chain reaction as the rightful owner and wishful owners try to hunt down the book.
I was even more delighted to find out that Lily's story continues in The Fragment of Dreams - it's straight to the top of my TBR list :)
February 27, 2014
I've had this book for a while, and recently was able to grab enough time to read it.
At first, I found it dull and uninspiring, but as the story moved on, and one of the characters disappears, another moved in.
I liked the new Character. Moody and mysterious. I found the female character confusing, but her back story is told later on, and becomes understandable.
Anyone who hasn't been in a relationship with a controlling person, or hasn't had a problem and had someone take care of them, would think the choices the female Character makes would be crazy.
However, I know someone who has been in a relationship like that, and the female character is true to life.Not knowing which way is up, and who to trust.
I also love that at no time, does the male or female character reach for a shiny cello packet, before doing what comes naturally. When I read that in a book, it makes me want to put it down.
To finish, I did enjoy the book. There is one change I would make, if this is to be republished in the future.
Change the cover of the book.
The artwork is so wrong. There is nothing to say 'Pick me up and Read me.'
The cover would have been the publishers creation, with the Author having little say in what it looked like.
Give the reader a hint about what they are to find inside.
Overall, a lovely book to read.
At first, I found it dull and uninspiring, but as the story moved on, and one of the characters disappears, another moved in.
I liked the new Character. Moody and mysterious. I found the female character confusing, but her back story is told later on, and becomes understandable.
Anyone who hasn't been in a relationship with a controlling person, or hasn't had a problem and had someone take care of them, would think the choices the female Character makes would be crazy.
However, I know someone who has been in a relationship like that, and the female character is true to life.Not knowing which way is up, and who to trust.
I also love that at no time, does the male or female character reach for a shiny cello packet, before doing what comes naturally. When I read that in a book, it makes me want to put it down.
To finish, I did enjoy the book. There is one change I would make, if this is to be republished in the future.
Change the cover of the book.
The artwork is so wrong. There is nothing to say 'Pick me up and Read me.'
The cover would have been the publishers creation, with the Author having little say in what it looked like.
Give the reader a hint about what they are to find inside.
Overall, a lovely book to read.
March 13, 2016
The story grabbed me at the beginning, lost me in the middle and then pulled me back in at the end. I think this was because of the nature the relationship between Lily and Robbie which is fully explored later in the novel and thus their actions and attitudes made more sense. A lot of the situations were unbelievable and I found the character of William a bit “clunky”. Not as much humour as promised on the cover but overall an enjoyable read.
July 17, 2010
This is not the kind of book I usually read but I needed a break from my usual supernatural, crime, suspense read. It just picked that book because I liked the cover and I don't regret it. What a fun and cute story! A breath of fresh air. I totally agree with previous- this would make a cute movie :)
July 18, 2010
'Travel from Sydney to Rome in a whirlwind of vintage dresses and daring actions in this romantic comedy debut by Australian author Phillipa Fioretti.
An enchanting and stylish adventure about a Roman holiday gone wrong’. ♥
It's a good book. I enjoyed it lots.
An enchanting and stylish adventure about a Roman holiday gone wrong’. ♥
It's a good book. I enjoyed it lots.
August 6, 2011
This book had everything for me...love story, mystery and suspense and a lot of it was set in Australia as well! I am looking forward to reading more from Phillipa Fioretti...hope I don't have to wait too long!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews