Lucia Fitzroy lives in her sister’s garage and hasn’t set foot in Italy since her heart was spectacularly broken years ago. Teaching night-school Italian is as close as she’ll let herself get. Lark Thatcher is eternally helpful. But she can’t keep a job, just moved back in with her mum, and accidentally introduced herself as a small horse on day one of class. When a mysterious benefactor sends the whole night-school class on a field trip to Florence, the grumpiest teacher in England and her most chaotic student are forced to plan the excursion together. Cue limoncello disasters, terrible picnic wine, and feelings nobody ordered. But how do you fall for someone who’s allergic to staying? And what happens when the country that broke your heart is calling you back? Amore and Other Disasters is a gloriously messy sapphic romcom about limoncello hangovers, accidental families, and the five days in Florence that change everything, from bestselling Sapphic writer Sienna Waters, author of The Farmer Has a Wife, The Wrong Date, and For My Finale.
3.5. I enjoyed the story and although I had a couple of days of interrupted reading due to other commitments, I easily got back in to the story each time. Possibly because of my interrupted reading, parts felt a bit jumpy and others a bit long to move on….. There were also character sign posts that were often mentioned in similar ways, that worked well for me settling back after interrupted reading, but on a run of reading seemed a bit over done. (This shows that you can’t please everybody, sometimes even the same body!) I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters and they all played a part. I could have happily read more, not just about the mains but some of the side character’s stories and what happened to them…… not necessarily their future as there is an epilogue, but how they got there. (Which is a long way of saying the secondary characters were well drawn and didn’t overshadow the mains). It’s a light book, that could have been a bit deeper. I enjoyed what the writer did do, and would have liked to read more.
I’ve enjoyed every Sienna Waters book I’ve read. The stories are always easy to follow, contain complex characters and are very romantic.
I felt for both Lark and Lucia. Lark definitely never deserved the treatment she received but you can also understand that Lucia’s unresolved trauma causes trauma responses that are usually cold and hurtful. Lark was deserving of a grand gesture, I’m glad she got one. The side characters: Trish, Wilfred, Callan, Kassie, Allegra and Maisie were all wonderful in their own ways. Their participation in the story, the advice and the quiet acknowledgment of the chemistry between Lark and Lucia really supported the plot.
It felt a bit quick at the end but I enjoyed the pacing overall.
Thank you to Sienna Waters and BookSprout for providing me with an eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a beautiful Ice Queen love story with Italian as a back drop! Lucia is a teacher of Italian but she harboring a fear of love. Lark is a happy go lucky woman who runs from permanance! When Lark decides she's going to take an Italian night class, and the teacher is Lucia! Sparks don't fly immediately but eventually. But Lucia is reluctant! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! 5 stars!!
Amore and Other Disasters is a sapphic, grumpy/sunshine, romance featuring Lucia Fitzroy and Lark Thatcher.
Lucia lives in her sister's garage. Years ago she endured physical trauma and emotional heartbreak while in the country she once adored, but has not returned to since. While she mostly stays home, she is teaching an Italian night class. It is there she meets Lark, one of a handful of individuals who signed up for the class.
Lark lives to help others, even if they don't need it. She tends to move around a lot, in life and in love. Learning that her parents were getting divorced, she quickly moved back home to support her mother through this emotional period.
When an anonymous benefactor allows their small class to take a trip to Florence, Lucia definitely needs some convincing however everyone's excitement leads her to agree. Lark jumps in offering to assist with planning and scheduling, causing her to spend more 1:1 time with Lucia. What starts out as a spark, get fanned into a flame.
This was an adorably charming and heartwarming story that also had me repeatedly laughing out loud. I loved the dynamic between Lucia and Lark, as well as the supporting characters. The quirky members of the class end up being a sort of found family, each contributing to the lighthearted energy of this book. I enjoyed Lark's mother and her many words of wisdom, as well as the relationship between Lucia and her sister, Allegra.
I'm a fan of Waters' books and always look for an opportunity to read and review them. I would definitely encourage you to check it out.
Special thanks to Booksprout and author Sienna Waters for this ARC. Happy to share my honest review.
Sienna Waters has become one of my most favorite authors and this book is another reason why. I absolutely adored Amore and other disasters and found myself smiling wide, laughing out loud and sighing happily throughout the whole book. I love all things Italian and was stoked to be able to read a sapphic romcom featuring Italy! This book was full of humor, heart and warmth. Amore and Other Disasters was so much fun to read and provided me with a feel good sapphic romance that I will be adding to my re-read list when I'm in the mood for laughter and a swoon worthy wlw story.
At its core this book is all heart and laughter with a sweet love story that will make your heart smile. I'm a fan of the grump meets sunshine love interest and Sienna Waters does a fantastic job of it in this book. Lucia is our resident grump and for good reason. Like most of us, she has experienced a trauma that has impacted her life and now she teaches introductory Italian to adults. She’s bored, underwhelmed and has lost the spark for teaching that once defined her. Enter Lark, a wonderfully opposite bundle of chaotic sunshine who might be exactly what Lucia needs to awaken a part of herself she thought long dead. AAHHH they are so cute together! Our girls are brought together by Larks desire to add a little culture and depth to her life and discover Lucia’s Italian for beginners class. What ensues is a charming and light hearted romance that totally won my heart. Lucia has her walls built up and is totally guarded. Her relationship with her sister Allegra is heartwarming and helped me to see that Lucia is truly all heart. With Lark, what you see is what you get, and I could totally respect that. I found her particular brand of chaos to be quite refreshing. Lark may be non committal but she is sincere and kind. The chemistry between Lark and Lucia is noticeable right at first but they sort of dance around each other just a bit. But their chemistry is there and their connection is genuine…it’s all about the journey, afterall. Though I could see the spark right away, everything changes or intensifies through the Italy trip. I was rooting for Lark and Lucia from their first meeting. They are relatable and flawed and so deserving of love…just like the rest of us. The friendship first style employed in this book allows for a deeper connection to form between our lovely ladies but the light hearted component is never lost and I loved that. The characters in this book are real people with real life challenges to overcome. Their relationship developed organically and they worked so well together. Lark added levity to Lucia and Lucia grounded Lark. They were perfect for one another!
Sienna Waters' writing style always keeps me happy and entertained and this book was no different. She writes with a crisp and confident clarity that aids in balancing humor with the emotional depth necessary in a sweet sapphic romance. I especially appreciate Waters' use of sharp dialogue. Sometimes we get playful and funny and sometimes we get sincerity and emotion. Her unique voice shines through and makes for an authentic and enjoyable wlw story.
Amore and Other Disasters is a feel good and heartfelt sapphic romcom that offers a swoon worthy love story coupled with a fun Italian adventure. I loved this latest book by Sienna Waters and I highly recommend it for all lovers of funny, charming, grumpy and sunshine sapphic romance. You will not be disappointed. Bravo Sienna Waters! Grazie per questo meraviglioso libro!
Lucia lives in her sister Allegra’s garage, or ‘studio flat’ as Lucia prefers to call it. The sisters had an Italian mother and an English father, but both died several years before. Lucia spends her days translating legal texts, and some evenings teaching adult education Italian. In reality she is hiding, and has been for the last fifteen years, since everything went wrong for her in Italy. Lark is allergic to permanence - never having had a long term job or relationship. After her mum Maisie tells Lark that she and her father are getting divorced, Lark moves home to try to help Maisie overcome her despondency from the break. However, Lark is surprised by how happy her mum seems. To give herself something to do, Lark decides to attend evening Italian classes at the local school. This is a very British story, a whole collection of characters from the Italian classes who we grow to love, as well as Allegra and Maisie especially Lark and Lucia. Early in this book Lark comes across as very young. Her enthusiasm for life and her way of speaking seem very young, and I was surprised when I learned her age. Even Maisie’s attitude towards her is often as though she is talking down to a child. I loved the relationship between Lucia and her sister Allegra, the way they argue but in a loving way, and how younger sister Allegra (who is also the school headmistress) tries to look after Lucia. This story is longer than I expected, with a lot of fun scenes. We see a very comically accident prone Lark, both physically and verbally, and a very defensive Lucia. Both characters are very well written, but I really loved the enthusiasm and naivety of Lark. Overall, a lovely story.
Amore and Other Disasters is another fun, feel-good romcom from Sienna Waters. I am always excited to pick up one of her books. They are quick, easy reads that give low-angst romance and satisfying happily-ever-afters. Grumpy night-school Italian teacher Lucia has her safe, isolated world tilted on its axis when golden retriever Lark barrels into the classroom. Has the closed-off ice queen found a reason to open up? Has the commitment-phobe student found a reason to stay? The class of adult students is quite an entertaining group that breaks the tension and grows into a close-knit found family. I smiled a lot while reading this story and very much enjoyed Lark's personality. The two main characters are lovely and perfectly matched, and I am also a fan of the quirky supporting cast. I will always recommend this author for sweet sapphic romance. #maincharactersover30 #grumpysunshine #blackcatgoldenretriever #Italian #Italy #Florence #England #teacher #translator #unemployed #smalltown #romcom #languagelessons #foundfamily #icequeen #lowangst #lowspice #sweet #HEA #epilogue I received an ARC from Booksprout. This is my honest opinion.
Lark who flitted from one job to another always willing to help friends or relatives but never committing to anything permanent.
Lucia heartbroken, hermit, no real friends teaches a beginner Italian evening class.
This semesters class has Trish on the lookout for husband number 3, Wilfred retired postal worker but surprisingly good at advice, Kassie quiet but apparently later we learn taught herself Italian, Callan single, bad pickup lines looking for a girlfriend. And of course Lark. Somehow this diverse group becomes friends good friends there to support each other. Lucia and Lark mostly Lark’s doing fall in love not without problems because Lucia’s girlfriend left her after a bad accident which makes Lucia doubt everything and push Lark away a few times. Surprisingly Lark who in the past has been afraid of commitment stands strong.
The story was excellent as always I’m a big fan of Sienna’s books. The characters entertaining. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.
Grumpy has a whole new meaning in the form of Lucia (definitely not Lucy!) who is miserable and well, very, very, very grumpy. A broken heart 15 years ago took away all her joy and so she translates boring legal stuff and teaches a night class of adults learning Italian. Lark like her name, floats on the breeze and never stays if the C word comes up - Commitment. Moving in with her about to he divorced mum (from her dad) she decides to take Italian classes on a whim. Full of the usual humour and colourful cast of characters, particularly the other adult students, this is another good book but hasn’t made it into my top 100 by Sienna. Why? Dunno just other books rank higher. What I did enjoy was resonating with Lucia and her injury, and the weather dictating the level of pain for the day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lucia Fitzroy's life consists of translating legal paperwork and teaching Italian to adults in night class once a week. She put up walls 15 years ago after having her heart broken. Lark Thatcher lives to take care of others but has commitment issues and runs when she gets scared. A spark lights when Lark takes Lucia's class to learn Italian. Slowly the walls start coming down while commitment becomes possible. A good job on the inner dialogs to get an idea of how their actions were sometimes dictated by those thoughts. I liked Lucia's sister Allegra who is a bundle of energy and love for her older sister as well as Lark's mom. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars. The vibes were immaculate and I loved the Italian backdrop—it’s exactly the kind of escapism I was looking for. The romance was super charming and cozy, too. My only real gripe was the writing. It felt very 'rinse and repeat' at times, with the same phrases and character beats popping up every few chapters. It made the middle feel way longer than it needed to be. If you can look past the repetitive stuff, it’s a sweet story, but it definitely had some structural hiccups.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the characters in this book. It is a sweet and funny story about finding love when you least expect it. Lark just needs to get over her nervousness and then get Lucia to look past her fears and give her a chance. I know I absolutely butchered the Italian language far worse than Lark ever could, but it was fun trying. This is a great book you do not want to miss. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another winner from SW. A lovely easy read with a fairly large cast of characters that you get to know and enjoy. Nice pacing and of course a HEA. It’s made me want to study Renaissance art and visit Florence! Totally recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a slow start book and I was not sure I would like it. However it warmed up and I enjoyed it. The switching of perspectives confused me at times. A good book about finding friendship in strangest of places. A good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a charming book. I loved the characters and their growth and the tension and the overall tone. I read this book over the holidays and it was such a warm read that made me feel good inside.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Amore and Other Disasters is such a delightful read! Lucia and Lark are the perfect grumpy/sunshine duo, and their chemistry jumps off the page. The setup—a night-school Italian class that turns into a chaotic trip to Florence—is pure rom-com gold. There are laugh-out-loud moments, sweet surprises, and plenty of heartfelt scenes that make you root for them both.
Sienna Waters does a fantastic job blending humor, romance, and a gorgeous Italian backdrop. If you love messy adventures, witty banter, and a sapphic love story that feels authentic and warm, this book is an absolute must-read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lucia is carrying around a hurt from 15yrs ago and has closed herself off. Lark is a whirlwind that you can't escape and the only one to spark something in Lucia. The story is funny and touching. The characters are all enjoyable. I felt like I was right there with them in Italy. A wonderful slow burn romance.