The Little Theatre by the Sea

by Rosanna Ley

Faye has just completed her degree in interior design when she finds herself jobless and boyfriend-less. While debating what to do next she receives a surprise phone call from her old college friend Charlotte who now lives in Sardinia and is married to Italian hotelier, Fabio.

When Charlotte suggests that Faye relocate for a month to house-sit, Faye wonders if a summer break in sunny Sardinia might be the perfect way to recharge her batteries and think about her future. But then Charlotte tells Faye that there's something more behind the sudden invitation: her friends Marisa and Alessandro are looking for a designer to renovate a crumbling old theatre they own in the scenic village of Deriu. The idea certainly sounds appealing to Faye, but little does she know what she's letting herself in for if she accepts this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity . . .

Genres: Romance, Italy, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery, Family, Audiobook

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2017

About the author

Rosanna Ley has worked as a creative writing tutor for over 15 years. Affiliated to several colleges and universities in England, she also runs her own writing courses in the UK and abroad. She has worked with community groups in therapeutic settings and completed an MA in creative writing for personal development in order to support this. Her writing holidays and retreats take place in stunning locations in Italy and Spain and whilst not teaching or writing she mentors and appraises the work of new writers. Rosanna has had numerous articles and short stories published in UK magazines, and 12 novels of contemporary fiction published in the U.K, Germany, Greece and the U.S.A under a pseudonym. Her books are inspired by the culture and landscapes of Italy, Sicily and the Canary Islands and feature strong female voices from the past and present, along with an intense undercurrent of mystery and romance. Rosanna spends some time every year travelling around Europe looking for writing inspiration and more tranquil settings for writing holidays. She loves cliff walking and her favourite writing place is somewhere with a sea view. When she is not travelling, Rosanna lives with her artist husband in a Victorian cottage in West Dorset by the sea.
(From the author's website)

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆Beautifully charming, full of Character.

Little theatre by the sea is full of charm and character.

When Faye splits from her boyfriend and loses her job she doesn't know what to do.
Faye is newly qualified in Interior design!
So when her friend Charlotte contacts her from Sardinia she decides to head off to Sardinia. After all nothing is holding her back.

Charlotte is going away with her husband, and asks Faye if she will house sit for a little while.
But there is one other thing that sparks Faye's interest, the offer of a potential  job.
Charlotte informs Faye the job is to restore a beautiful old theatre.
What better way to take her mind off her ex and to use this time to decide what to do with her life.

I mean surely how hard can it be??
Has Faye bitten off more than she can chew!
Faye has to overcome many hurdles and hostility towards the renovation.

The theatre has so much beautiful charm and secrets galore.
It is enriched with history it's no wonder the locals are against the renovation.

I thoroughly loved reading this charming book. It is full of beautiful scenery, charm, Secrets, romance, intriguing characters, heartache, family drama. Perfect mix.

Not just a perfect summer read, I believe this is a book for anytime read.
Perfect balance of old and new.

Highly recommend to readers who love Chick Lit, romance, theatre, possible YA, general fiction.

I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mature aged student of 30 and having recently completed her degree in interior design, Faye loses both her job and her boyfriend. When her friend Charlotte comes up the prospect of house sitting while she and her husband are away, the reality turns out to be different to what Faye expects, for Charlotte has an ulterior motive. She has suggested Faye as a designer for her friends Marisa and Alessandro Rinaldi, who have ideas of renovating the old theatre their father owned and where their mother used to act. For various reasons it has been let go over the years and now looks a little worse for wear though not without a certain charm. But not everyone in the village of Deriu wants the theatre restored. Some will do their best to try and prevent it happening. Tensions run high and Faye is at a loss to understand all the undercurrents of the situation and the intense dislike that exists between some other inhabitants and the Rinaldis.
Intrigue, conflict, romance and beautiful descriptions of both Sardinia and the theatre make this an easy and enjoyable read. I did get over hearing about Alessandro’s navy eyes. I felt it was repeated far too often. I got it first time round. But that is a minor quibble in what was a good red. I really liked how we not only heard about the marriage of Faye’s parents in Dorset but also that of Marisa and Alessandro’s parents in Sardinia. It added to the general theme of love, keeping secrets and history.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed this one more than the previous one. Probably because there seemed to be more going on. A story with more than a few secrets that end up revealed. An entertaining read worth investing the time in.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, The publisher and Rosanna Ley for letting me read this book for an honest review.

I simply loved this book. It's full of beautiful descriptions, wonderful warm characters, lots and lots of drama, and completely full of charm. Chuck in some romance and what else could you possibly want?

Faye has just finished her degree in interior design. Faye is excited and full of dreams of the future. But when her boyfriend dumps her and she is fired from her job. Those dreams are shattered and she is left feeling stranded and unsure about her future

While debating what to do with her life Faye gets a call from an old friend who now lives in the beautiful town of Sardinia. Charlotte suggests to Faye coming and house sitting for them while they are aware for a month. Charlotte also tells Faye that there is also a job opportunity for her to renovate the old theatre. Faye doesn't think the job could be more perfect or come at a more perfect time and do jumps at the chance to go and house sit and work in the beautiful town. But when she gets there things aren't quite how her friend foretold and she finds herself in the middle of some complex decisions.

You can find my review on Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today and on Amazon on publication date.

Escape the dreary February weather and escape to the beautiful sunny town of Sardinia.

Happy reading everyone

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I'm not entirely sure whether I fell for the town of Deriu in Sardinia first, or the Little Theatre By The Sea, for within the very early part of the book both found their way into my heart to stay.

I found so much to love in this book, from the various secrets that were being hidden, to the various villagers in Deriu, to all of the Italian food being consumed that sounded delicious, and just the overall story as it was unfolding.

It has been many years since I last read a book by Rosanna Ley, so really wasn't sure what to expect with this one, and was pleasantly surprised by just how much I was enjoying it. The theatre that is at the heart of the book has a certain charm to it, and the aim is for it to be renovated back into working condition and to become the heart of the community.

However not everyone likes the Rinaldis, Alessandro and Marissa who own the theatre, and they determined to stop the project from going ahead. Faye is persuaded to visit Sardinia, primarily as a holiday but also to offer her thoughts on the theatre project, as she had recently qualified as an interior designer.

In amongst the main story of Faye, the Rinaldis and the theatre, we occasionally have chapters where the focus changes to the story of Molly and Ade. They are Faye's parents are are going through a rough patch. Mainly we see things from Ade's point of view, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him in places, he is just a man that doesn't really know what he wants.

I think this may be the first time I have visited Sardinia, either in real life or fiction, and I feel as though I now have a great feel for at least some of the island, as well as the way of life, and some of the history of the place. Keep you eyes out for a bit of local history, set in the second World War that tells of a courageous man.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book as well as the story as a whole. I read the first 20% or so before bed one night and spent most of the night when I was meant to be sleeping, wondering what was going to happen next, and in awe of the first views of the little theatre by the sea, which to me is the sign of a good book.

For me The Little Theatre By The Sea was a brilliant reintroduction to Rosanna Ley, so now I just need to work out why I haven't read as many of her books as perhaps I should, or at the very least keep an eye out for future releases.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice pleasant tale in the sunshine of Sardinia following the story of Faye and a run down village theatre. A spot of intrigue, a blossoming romance and some heartache along the way. This would make a perfect holiday read. My first book by this author but I will be reading more.

[Liz Fenwick]

A fabulous read...loved it

[Katie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK but not amazing. At times the characters really annoyed me, I just wanted them to stop being so secretive although at the end I guess it made sense. I actually preferred the sub plot of Molly and Ade and I couldn't really warm to Faye that much, she was a bit one dimensional.

[Jill's Book Cafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a sucker for an enticing cover and a catchy strapline, then like me you’ll have no difficulty in seeing the appeal of this book. However I’m glad to say that while living up to expectations, it also had an added depth and a darker sub text which made it more than the standard easy beach read.

If I’m honest, it’s the elements of the story that the blurb doesn’t allude to that I found as engaging as the main theme of Faye renovating the crumbling old theatre in the enchanting seaside village of Deriu in Sardinia. Getting to know the inhabitants of the village; the story of the theatre, and meeting it’s owners Marisa Rinaldi and her enigmatic, handsome brother Alessandro was only part of the story. On the other side was the disintegrating marriage of Faye’s parents as they come to terms with what their future holds. This theme offered a balance to the book, on the one side the youthful Faye looking forward to a new career, while her parents are looking back over a life full of secrets and lies. Interspersed with their respective unfolding dramas are the back stories of the Rinaldi family, the theatre and the suffering of the village during the second World War.

What could have been a formulaic romance based on the enticement of a ‘gorgeous summer read about love and starting over’ (and I’m not being critical – to a degree all romances are formulaic) became a more engaging read full of secrets and family drama on all sides. I liked the main characters, Faye was a perfect blend of enthusiasm, confidence and at times self-doubt (ie normal), her parents Molly and Ade were a strange mix – I started as team Molly but warmed to Ade as the story unfolded. The reality is they were both products of their past and became more human as the full picture emerged. The Italian characters, and Alessandro in particular, were more complex and intriguing. There was always a hint of something missing, some piece of the jigsaw that was needed to make the picture complete. As to whether that final piece was ever produced you’ll need to read it to find out.

So with a story that has something to offer all ages, and an idyllic Sardinian setting that lends itself to the perfect escapist read, this book really does hit the spot. Many thanks to Tina at Trip Fiction for a copy of this book as part of their TF Book Club.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed travelling vicariously to both Dorset and Sardinia – not easy to do justice to two beautiful locations but I think this book does. At times I did wonder where the story was going, especially the back story with Faye’s parents but it all came together delightfully in the end. A light summer read with dark, brooding hero set on the shores of the Mediterranean.

[Michaela]

Eine schöne Geschichte, die von mir 3.5 Sterne bekommt. In der Mitte passierte mir zu lange nichts Neues, aber dennoch hatte ich viele schöne Lesestunden.

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our first outing for the TripFiction Book Club - #TFBookClub - we featured this novel set in Sardinia and Dorset. To see some of the discussion, the articles from Marco Polo Guides, Visit Dorset and Not Just Travel, Rosanna talking about location, just click on this link: http://www.tripfiction.com/tfbookclub...



Faye has been invited to stay in Sardinia by her friend Charlotte - who is well settled in Deriu on the west coast of Sardinia (which is the less touristy side of the island) - in order to tackle the overhaul of the local theatre. She has just finished her degree and is well equipped on the design side, but is in no way prepared for the machinations of the locals.

"In Sardinia what you see is not always what you get." "And eagles do not catch flies" Quite so.

So she begins the process of settling on the island, meeting Alessandro and Marisa, the brother and sister whose mission it is to renovate the theatre. But the locals don't like change and some have more reason to maintain the status quo than others.

Meanwhile, back home in Dorset, Faye's parents are experiencing a particularly difficult period in their marriage and at one point Faye feels she has to return home to really understand what is going on. Some blowy walks on the famous Chesil Beach and Cogden Beach are the polar opposite of the Mediterranean climate that Faye has come to appreciate.

The overwhelming feel of Sardinia, evoked by the author, is what really drew us in. Whether it was the gamut of tasty dishes such bottarga or porceddu or the aromatic wines that accompanied the food, the senses were truly stirred. In fact seemingly the food is so healthy, says the author, that the people living on the island are living to over 100 years old, more than any other place.

I enjoyed the smooth opening to the book, setting the scene as the story unfolds. The novel then at times struggled to keep the style fresh, and the interactions of the characters was at times a little laboured and repetitive. But on the whole a good read for the beach, especially if you are holidaying in Sardinia - or want to be transported there for the price of a paperback.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Faye finishes her degree on interior design architecture she is at a loss of what to do, she has no money and her long term boyfriend had dumped her, so when her old friend Charlotte calls her to ask her to come and house sit for herself and her husband Fabio at their home in Sardinia she is delighted, especially when she hears that there may be a job for her as well

She soon finds out however that the job is not quite as it seems - it is renovating an old theatre that has fallen into disrepair for Marissa and Alessandro Rinaldo but the villagers of Deriu are dead against the idea and also dispute the Rinaldo's ownership of the theatre. With seemingly the whole village against it and all sorts of undercurrents and secrets can Faye carry on with her first commission.........especially as she thinks that Alessandro himself is keeping secrets from her or will she have to go back home?

A great book - I loved the descriptions of Sardinia and the local characters all with their own secrets, especially Pasquale and the simmering undercurrents between him and Alessandro - and interspersed with this the story back in West Dorset of Faye's parents. Rosanna Ley is one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley is a beautifully written and thought provoking novel about the restoration, renovation and architectural redesign of the little theatre by the sea, il Piccolo Teatro, set with the backdrop of Sardinia.

The Little Theatre was built in the 1820's and is filled with deep, dark shadows and secrets.

You will feel as if you are on holidays throughout most of the book and may be tempted to visit Sardinia yourself.

I was on a real adventure and seaside holiday in Italy reading this book but it's not all holiday.

There are secrets and mysteries that lie between the mirrors, doors and walls of this Little Theatre by the Sea.

I loved all the descriptions and the writing of this novel, The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley.

You will fall in love with Italy.

[Zarina]

Rosanna Ley's Bay of Secrets is one of the most memorable novels I've read within the women's fiction genre. Focusing on The Lost Children of Francoism it was beautiful, heartbreaking, intriguing and enlightening all at once, and so I've been seeking out Rosanna's books ever since. But none of them have quite captured that same level of beautiful storytelling to me, and The Little Theatre by the Sea was my least favourite yet. With unlikeable characters at the core, slight contradictory elements, a completely unnecessary storyline (that of the parents) detracting from the main plot and making it slow to progress, and an ending seemingly there only to shock, this one really wasn't for me, and that's a shame.

[Natalie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

On paper, a book like The Little Theatre by the Sea has the ingredients for a fabulous, summer read. It has an interesting-enough premise, it’s set in a fine, exotic location and it’s by the best-selling author of The Villa and The Saffron Trail. The end product, however, is like a pleasant but not particularly memorable holiday because you may have enjoyed some moments that provided short bouts of escapism, but you certainly won’t venture there again in a hurry.

To read the rest of this review please visit: http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...

[Sharon Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2017/0...

Before I say anything else I have to share with you that I loved everything about this novel. The Little Theatre by the Sea is a story that has a lot of depth and more than one storyline which I found totally engaging.

Faye in Deriu who is not only working with the Rinaldis for the restoration of the theatre but also trying to work out the intrigue that’s very apparent within the community (not to mention trying to block the attraction she’s feeling towards Alessandro) while her parents back home in Dorset have their own emotional journey to make. I was just as much involved with Ade and Molly as the main storyline. That’s not all. A missing young woman and a childhood sweetheart all bring conflict to the story.

Rosanna Ley had me emotionally involved with this Sardinian community from beginning to end. Their lifestyle, the history and where their future might lead all became important to me. The restoration was fascinating too. I loved the way this made me think about a building – its true purpose and how to achieve it. A living and breathing entity. I wanted to be an interior designer too! and felt envious of Faye going on to study theatre restoration. ‘Il Piccolo Teatro’ is steeped in history and has a firm place in the communities memories and lives. No wonder it is an emotive subject for the people who live there. The way this storyline unwound was perfectly paced (as were all the plots) and just when I had thought I had it sussed there was one more twist. This author certainly pulled a veil across one character that I hadn’t seen through! Such a shock! Did it change the way I thought about them? In all honesty not really. My sadness and empathy just went that little bit deeper.

I didn’t have a favourite character. I enjoyed the heat of Enrico Volti’s anger, the arrogance of Alessandro Rinaldi, the independence of Faye and the richness of finding something new from something old.

I have a couple of favourite scenes. One for its fear and the tension it brought, one for the perfection and made the world brighter.

The Little Theatre by the Sea is a story of mystery and intrigue, of people growing apart and coming together, life and death, love and hate. It’s a story that has lodged in my heart.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a complicated book but rich in descriptions of smells and tastes as well as characters. Great beach read which made me want to return to Italy

[Gemma Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book

[Cynthia Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant holiday reading. Makes me want to visit Sardinia now.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Rosanna Ley's work since the publication of her debut novel The Villa over five years ago. I think she was one of those authors whom at the time I stumbled across her book quite by accident on Amazon and liked the sound of it, so took a chance and have never really looked back. I have enjoyed everything this author has written, some more than others I'll admit but I do always get that warm,inviting feeling when I pick up one of her new books in which there is always such an evocative sense of time and place. The author clearly always does such impeccable research into whatever topic she may be covering and I love how with each book the reader is transported to a new country and more or less instantaneously is made to feel like they are right there with the character experiencing all the sights, sounds and smells.

The Little Theatre by the Sea is Rosanna's sixth novel and months ago when I spotted the beautiful cover on the net with a most intriguing title I knew I wanted to read this new story as soon as I could lay my hands on a copy. This time we are transported to the warm and sunny climes of the island of Sardinia. Truthfully it's a place I would have given scant previous thought to but similar to the author's other books I soon felt right at home in the setting and the areas, countryside and history of the island being described made me feel like I had already visited the island. In fact by the time I finished the book even though I had not once left the comfort of my armchair I believed I had been right there with Faye as she does her best to renovate and rejuvenate the little theatre whilst at the same battling some of her own inner personal demons.

Faye Forrester receives a call from her good friend Charlotte who is now married to a successful hotel owner and living on the beautiful island of Sardina. She has an offer for Faye one which will be hard to refuse seen as Faye has spent the last months working flat out to complete her interior designer degree. This phone call is fate, serendipity or simply meant to be. Call it what you will Faye knows she needs the break and the time to acclimatise to the fact she has reached her goal of gaining the degree but the next step for her is unknown and that scares her ever so slightly. I think when we first met Faye she like so many other characters in books is at a crossroads in her life and is keenly aware the next major decision she makes is one which will have far reaching consequences for the rest of her life. She doesn't want to be hasty or brash but yet at the same time she wishes to prove to both herself and her family that the years spent working to achieve her degree and giving up a high powered job to do so were not wasted ones and that she can become successful given the right time scale and job opportunity. On a romantic level I felt Faye was still hurting ever so slightly that former boyfriend Julian had left her and maybe with this new opportunity more than just a new career may open for her. Faye readily accepts Charlotte's offer of minding her house while she is away and the same time an opportunity to look at renovating a special little theatre presents itself? Can Faye afford to let this pass her by even if things may become quite challenging with opposition and obstacles placed in her path?

The story did move along at a lovely steady pace and in a way the rhythm of the story matched that of life on the island - periods of calm, peace and tranquillity interspersed with some small periods of unrest or disquiet. I think that's what I liked about this book at times everything seemed to be OK and Faye was maturing and making some decisions and then at others there were a few twists thrown in that I had never seen coming but were essential to upset the flow of things and bring added elements to the story to make it the very good read it proved to be.

The colours on the cover of this book may lead one to think this read will be all sweetness and light but I found this to be the opposite and at times there were some dark or sinister tones making themselves known. There was an overwhelming feeling of things being hidden and left unsaid and that Faye had to fill in the gaps or read between the lines of characters to truly ascertain what exactly was going on in what at first appears to be a quiet, sleepy village but dig a little deeper like everywhere I suppose and there is more bubbling beneath the surface than at first meets the eye. The theatre owners brother and sister Alessandro and Marisa Rinaldo were not my favourite of those characters we met. I felt Alessandro blew very hot and cold for the majority of the novel at some stages he was open and willing to talk to Faye re some of her ideas connected to the renovation and then at other periods just like Faye herself he surprised me with some of his actions or words. I never felt I really warmed to him and as for Marisa she was the nicer of the two but still there was a slightly aloof feeling she seemed to be giving off.

Pasquele was the other character that featured on the island, to be honest I really didn't know what to make of him. Early on it mentioned that he was in his 70's and then later he said he lived with his mother and I was left wondering had I read his age correctly given what age his mother must be. At times I think his character, who spends his days reliving memories of the theatre in its heyday and the times he spent acting on the stage, read like he was younger than he was. Pasquele seemed to have this aura about him of other worldliness, someone who was always there in the periphery of each scene or popping up when something was developing. I felt for him in some ways and in others he was like the proverbial bad penny that becomes increasingly difficult to get rid of.

As well as the story unfolding surrounding the theatre the book did move back to England and to the problems unfolding in the marriage of Ade and Molly (Faye's parents). I did question for the majority of the book why was the focus shifting back here every so often surely Sardina and Faye should have been the direct focus? But I think that's where Rosanna Ley excels every element of the story does eventually prove to be essential and though you may gloss over something or read through a chapter or two quite quickly, come the climax of the novel you think ah right that's why such and such a thing was included. I enjoy having the wool pulled over my eyes and being lead down the entirely wrong path and with The Little Theatre by the Sea this is exactly what happened to me. There was certainly a false sense of security and then boom all your suspicions were blown out of the water and the reader (well in my case) was proved to very wrong in their assumptions. Hints and clues and events from the past regarding Ade and Molly were there and I just couldn't fully grasp what the author was trying to suggest until the big reveal came and I was glad I had not guessed the outcome of this book.

The Little Theatre by the Sea was another good read from Rosanna Ley. Although it's not my favourite of her six books I still did very much enjoy it. Faye was a likeable character whom the reader can see needed the experience of living on the island and trying to put forward her plans to renovate the theatre on both a professional and personal level. This book wasn't simply about bringing a crumbling theatre back to life it explored the characters feelings and situations in great depth and allowed hidden secrets and emotions to come to the surface with some very surprising revelations coming to the fore. I was definitely lulled into a false sense of security regarding a character and almost felt slighted in a way as to how they turned out given my feelings towards them for the majority of the story.

Rosanna Ley for me is up there with Lucinda Riley and Lesley Pearse as one of my favourite authors and even though this wasn't my favourite read of hers, I think The Villa will always be mine, I would still highly recommenced a few hours getting lost in Faye's story and I look forward to where Rosanna will take us next.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Completely predictable! OK if you like that sort of thing but too much emotional analysis for me. Will he, won't he, did she didn't she,oh it went on forever!!! I liked the descriptions of Sardinia but found the portraits of the people in the village rather patronising.

[Marion2505 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meine Meinung:

Ein traumhaftes Buchcover

Das Buchcover von „Das kleine Theater am Meer“ finde ich wunderschön. Vor allem die aufgedruckten Ornamente rund um den Buchtitel sind ein toller Hingucker. Aber auch das Städtchen mit seinen Booten und dem Meerblick versprechen eine wundervolle Sommergeschichte.

Der Schreibstil

von Rosanna Ley ist locker-flockig und leicht zu lesen. Ich bin ohne Probleme in der Geschichte angekommen und fand es auch sehr interessant, dass das Buch nicht nur Fayes Geschichte erzählt, sondern auch die Geschichte ihrer Eltern. Auch die Landschaftsbeschreibungen von Sardinien und vor allem die Beschreibungen der kulinarischen Erlebnisse, die Faye dort erwarten, konnten mich wirklich begeistern. Oft wäre ich gerne bei ihr gesessen und hätte all die wunderbaren Dinge gemeinsam mit ihr genossen.

Weniger begeistern konnte mich der Umstand, dass tatsächlich jeder in diesem Buch ein Geheimnis zu haben schien. Schon zu Beginn war ich ein wenig verwundert, wie sich das Verhältnis von Faye zu ihren Eltern gestaltet. Aber kurz darauf wurde klar, dass auch ihre Eltern untereinander irgendwelche unausgesprochenen Dinge mit sich herumtragen.

Auf Sardinien angekommen ging es dann munter weiter. Der Auftrag zum Wiederaufbau des kleinen Theaters ist ziemlich geheimnisvoll und lange tappt Faye da im Dunkeln. Ich glaube, ich hätte sofort meine Sachen gepackt und wäre wieder nach Hause gefahren. Auch die Auftraggeber, die Geschwister Marisa und Alessandro Rinaldi, sprechen sich nicht wirklich aus, so dass es immer mehr Verwirrungen gibt.

Anstrengende Protagonisten

muss der Leser hier aushalten. Denn keiner spricht wirklich mit dem anderen, so dass es immer wieder zu Missverständnissen führt. Faye hat mir zu Beginn sehr gut gefallen und ich habe mich voller Vorfreude mit ihr ins Abenteuer Sardinien gestürzt. Aber leider lässt sie sich sowohl von den Ereignissen in Sardinien als auch von ihren Eltern immer wieder von ihren Plänen ablenken und handelt für meine Begriffe oft sehr eigenartig.

Überhaupt habe ich die Protagonisten durchweg sehr distanziert beobachtet und konnte zu keinem ein wirkliches Verhältnis, geschweige denn Zuneigung, aufbauen. Nur ein einziger Protagonist hat es tatsächlich geschafft, mich zu überraschen, was mich wirklich gefreut hat.

Viel zu viele Geheimnisse

sind in diesem Buch untergebracht. Ich bin ja eine große Liebhaberin von Familiengeheimnissen und war daher ziemlich euphorisch, auch in diesem Buch das Geheimnis des Dorfes aufzudecken. Doch schon nach relativ kurzer Zeit war ich mehr als demotiviert was diesen Plan anging. Jeder schien mindestens ein Geheimnis zu haben und je mehr ich über jeden einzelnen erfahren habe, umso genervter war ich. Wenn sich dann tatsächlich mal eine Sache aufgelöst hat, war die Auflösung aber sowas von unspektakulär, dass ich nur genervt mit den Augen rollen konnte. Manchmal sind ein paar Geheimnisse weniger, einfach mehr …

Und leider konnte mich auch die „Liebesgeschichte“, die sich im Laufe des Buches irgendwie auch nicht so wirklich entwickelt hat, nicht begeistern. Mir fehlte hier ganz viel Gefühl.

Mein Fazit:

„Das kleine Theater am Meer“ von Rosanna Ley ist für mich leider nur eine nette Geschichte, die mich streckenweise mehr genervt als gut unterhalten hat. Dennoch kann ich sie jedem empfehlen, der auf der Suche nach einer leichten Urlaubslektüre mit Sommergefühl ist, denn dieses kommt hier absolut nicht zu kurz.

[Certified Book Addicts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Theatre by the Sea is the sixth novel by English author Rosanna Ley. The first I have read by Rosanna, I was drawn to the bright, summery cover and the cute title. The perfect beach read, it is set in Dorset, England and the fictional town of Deiru (inspired by the town of Bosa), Sardinia. Rosanna beautifully describes Sardinia and I doubt there will be a reader who is not ready to holiday there after reading her book! Told in the third person, the reader follows the footsteps of protagonist, Faye, as her life falls apart, leading her to the opportunity for the adventure of a lifetime.

In her early 30s, Faye has undergone a major career change in her hometown of Dorset from personal assistant to interior design. Fresh out of college, Faye also finds herself without a boyfriend and without a job. With her positive attitude, fate is on Faye’s side when she receives a phone call from close friend, Charlotte. British born Charlotte is living in Deiru with her Sardinian partner and initially needs Faye to house sit. Digging a little deeper, the truth comes out when Faye is asked to inspect Charlotte’s friends, the Rinaldi’s, theatre while in Deiru. An old theatre, it is desperately in need of the touch of an interior designer. With barely a second thought, Faye is on a plane trip that will show her how strong she is in difficult times.

Through a variety of Sardinian characters, Rosanna describes the people and their unique culture with aplomb. The owners of the theatre are 30 something Marissa and Alessandro Rinaldi, who want to bring tourists into the village. Dreams of revitalizing the theatre and expanding its use portray the optimism held by the young along with their understanding of the need for change. Even so, Alessandro is more reluctant for change as he has many happy memories with the theatre whereas Marissa has some terrible experiences, making her more willing to take Faye’s ideas onboard. The siblings come across opposition from many of the elderly, eccentric locals such as Pasquele and Enrico. Both men have long held ties to the theatre, Pasquel’s with his past life as an actor and the Rinaldi’s mother. It becomes much deeper as Pasquel’s story unravels and disturbingly darker with a mystery to solve.

Rosanna also shows small village mentality by placing Faye in Deiru. Faye experiences being an outsider for the first time in her life and as such, is deeply distrusted by the locals. People will barely look at Faye, let alone speak to her, so it is with much patience that she begins to make inroads. Faye is the consummate girl next door; pretty, friendly and happy. She is also a born peace maker as she referees arguments between the locals. I enjoyed watching Faye attempt to befriend everybody, though not always successfully, as in real life.

With themes of old versus the new and starting over, Rosanna further explores secrets and following dreams through married life. Using alternating chapters, Faye’s father intermittently tells his story of married life to Molly. For much of their marriage, Faye’s parents have kept life changing secrets from each other.This eventually leads to the couple separating, Ade to travel and Molly to continue the suburban life. Both discover that life isn’t necessarily greener on the other side but is it too little too late?

The Little Theatre By the Sea is the perfect summer escape for chic lit fans!

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Theatre by the Sea has the perfect combination of sun, sea, sand, scandal and Sardinia. It is well written book that really captures the sights and sounds of Sardinia as well as its turbulent history. Rosanna Ley's descriptive writing brings the Island to life and is demonstrative of the research done for this book.

The chapters divide the narrative of Faye in Sardinia, facing the challenge of the theatre renovation and the hostility of the locals, with her parents marriage that is falling apart. I found her parents story very touching; it brought to the fore that as children of whatever age, we do sometimes forget that parents are people too, with a life separate to that of their children. I think Abe and Molly represent a demographic of their time, getting married due to a pregnancy , keeping problems to themselves and staying together for the sake the children. After retirement they suddenly find themselves spending more time together and slowly all those repressed feelings come out and boil over.

Faye was a character I really admired for following her dreams by leaving her secure job as a PA to go to university and study Interior Design. Her enthusiasm for her new job really comes through in Rosanna Ley's writing. There is obviously a love interest in Alessandro, the dark, brooding secretive gorgeous Italian, who blurs the line between client and something more. There are also many secrets among the other residents of Deriu, who are not all on board with the renovations for reasons of their own; Pasquale, who acted at the theatre and whose father was the caretaker; Enrico Volti who also wants it left alone due to a feud with the Alessandro and Marissa concerning ownership of the theatre.

The theme of renovation, the past and the present working together runs throughout the narrative. In the Theatre there is the balance of keeping the original architecture but including some modern elements to bring it up to date to suit modern needs. It is also apparent in the mix of Deriu, the old historical village merged with newer buildings of the growing village, as well as with the residents; family feuds from the past continuing the present and the mistrust of anyone new to Deriu. Ade and Molly have to let go of past mistakes to give them a chance of a future together; we all need to renovate our lives at some point to take us into the future.

The Little Theatre by the Sea is the perfect summer read; it has a beautiful setting; interesting characters and a engaging story line full of romance, heartache, secrets, and some surprises. Pure escapism for the summer.

[Jasbr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie im Klappentext erwähnt handelt das Buch von Faye, die das Haus ihrer Freundin Charlotte auf Sardinien hütet und dort ein Jobangebot bekommt. Sie ist Innenarchitektin und soll nun das kleine Theater in der Stadt Deriu aus dem Dornröschenschlaf wecken.

Leider ist der Klappentext etwas missverständlich: Zwar besitzt Charlotte ein Hotel, Faye kümmert sich aber während des Aufenthalts auf der Insel nicht darum. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt auf der Renovierung des Theaters.

Anfangs hat mich das etwas irritiert, denn fand ich es aber nicht mehr schlimm. Denn richtig schön war es, die Insel zu entdecken. Ich war noch nie auf Sardinien, aber aufgrund des sehr anschaulichen Schreibstils der Autorin wurde man richtig dorthin entführt. Das italienische Lebensgefühl, das Meer und die Eigenheiten der Inselbewohner kamen wirklich gut herüber. Das hat mir wirklich gut gefallen.

Allerdings hat es das Buch auch etwas in die Länge gezogen. Denn mit der eigentlichen Geschichte - der Renovierung des Theaters - ging es nur langsam voran. Außerdem hatte ich das Gefühl, dass auch das etwas in den Hintergrund rückt. Hier hätte ich mir einfach noch mehr Einzelheiten gewünscht.

Dafür hätte ich auf die Geschichte in der Geschichte verzichten können. Denn auch wenn Faye die Hauptperson ist, switcht die Handlung zwischendurch nach England zu ihren Eltern, die Eheprobleme haben. Ich habe es beim Lesen als harten Bruch empfunden und wäre lieber bei der Hauptgeschichte geblieben, da diese Nebenhandlung nicht für die eigentliche Geschichte relevant war - zumindest in meinen Augen.

Gut gefallen dagegen hat mir, dass es auch ein bisschen Liebe und ein bisschen Spannung gab. Von beiden nicht zu viel, sondern genau richtig. So wurde die Story nicht kitschig, aber das Herz konnte sich freuen. Und auch nicht so gruselig wie man es von einem Krimi kennt, doch trotzdem gab es die Möglichkeit, mitzurätseln und ein Verbrechen aufzuklären. Die Mischung war sehr gelungen.

Insgesamt war es eine schöne Lektüre, allerdings wird mir das Buch nicht sooo lange in Erinnerung bleiben. Von mir gibt es deswegen 3 Sterne!

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faye is thrilled when she finally achieves her dream of becoming an interior designer, having had a career change, and she is now a graduate, at 33, in her chosen subject, and accepts an invitation from her old friend, Charlotte, to house-sit for her in Sardinia. But when she arrives on the island, she finds she's been lured there under false pretences, for though the house-sit is genuine, she's also asked to help re-design the local theatre,which has been gradually sinking into a dusty decline, having been closed for several years, following the death of it's owner, who knew Faye's parents briefly. Now his son and daughter want to breathe new life into the little theatre (which isn't actually by the sea, more like on top of a hill, with views of the sea) but, as often happens in these books, the locals don't want their theatre to be brought back to life,and are worried about having too much change. so Faye meets with some hostility at first, and coupled with her attraction to Alessandro, the original owner's son, she has mixed feelings at taking on the commission, especially as it is her first job, and she's not sure if she's cut out for something so precious to the local community. Meanwhile, back at home in Dorset, her parents are also undergoing something of a renaissance, as her father decides to retire,which opens up a whole other can of worms. This was an OK read, no prizes for guessing how it all turns out, but I didn't really find the characters that convincing, and at times they were downright irritating, and I lost count of the number of times the author describes Alessandro gazing at Faye with his navy blue eyes! OK for a holiday read, but nothing special, though the descriptions of Sardinia are lovely. 6/10

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[Victoria Sigsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a theatre lover, just had to read this. It started off great and I loved the description of the Island and that the people could walk up to the castle on the hill for free. Although it isn't Spain but set in Sardinia, this all reminded me of my visit to the Catalan area in Spain where I too could do this and also the idyllic feel to it, took me back to the time when I was a girl on holiday.
Then there is the description of the now abandoned theatre and how the author writes it so vividly that I can see it all in my head.
There was one storyline that runs through it which I thought was a cliché and showed these particular characters to not be the people they set off being and I thought I was going to be disappointed. However, this is when ,if the reader sticks with something they can sometimes be rewarded and I duly was with these two people. It wasn't what I expected which was very pleasing. In fact, none of the book was predictable and ,having thought this was going to be a certain type of story and plot, I was really pleased to find out otherwise. There will be reviews of this elsewhere so I won't post spoilers.
This was a great start to the New Year book wise and will certainly read more of this author.
However, before I start the book I had planned to,have decided that I need a break and am starting an animal biography next,if that's what you can call it.
This is an excellent book, recommend it.

[Narelle Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read through NetGalley and the publishers in return for an honest review.

I haven't read any of Rosanna Ley's books before but my mother loves everything she has written so I thought it was time to leap into to her storytelling. It was no disappointment - Ms Ley has a strong clear voice which creates quite vibrant characters and brings places to life.

Faye has just finished a degree as an interior designer as an adult student and feels she needs to quickly make her way in the world to prove this change of direction was all worth while - especially to her mother. Before she makes any real decisions about what to do next her old friend, Charlotte, contacts her and invites her to Sardinia to house sit and perhaps help with a project restoring an old theatre in the village.

It gets very interesting very quickly for Faye as she finds not everyone is on board with Marissa and Alessandro, the owners of the theatre, restoring it in any way. The village seems to have its own way of dealing with things and there is a element of darkness laying beneath the daily life of the people. Secrets have been hidden for a very long time. It becomes even more complicated when Faye realises she is quite attracted to Alessandro, something that appears to be a two way street.

Back home in England another story is playing out as Faye's parents find themselves separating and wanting very different things from life. Faye is not quite sure what situation to deal with first - life has become quite complicated.

There were certainly some interesting twists and turns in this book - I would just work out how I felt about a particular character and then something would happen within one page and I would have to completely rethink my opinion. Rosanna Ley is a very clever writer with a keen imagination who draws you into the world she is creating. I found myself looking up Sardinia so intrigued by the country unfolding in the book.

Absolutely going out to find the rest of her books - some reading for the Easter holidays.

[Manuela Prien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faye ist 33 und Innenarchitektin.Das Leben meinte es bis jetzt nicht unbedingt gut mit ihr,da bekommt sie einen Anruf von ihrer Freundin Charlotte aus Sardinien.
Faye kann dort Urlaub machen und nebenbei könnte sie einen Job bei Freunden von Charlotte bekommen.

Die Geschwister Marisa und Alessandro wollen ihr kleines Theater renovieren lassen und brauchen dafür Unterstützung.
Faye lässt sich auf den Deal ein und ahnt nicht,was für Steine ihr in den Weg gelegt werden.

Das Cover ist wunderschön und lädt zum träumen ein.
Man erwartet bei diesem Buch eine schöne Liebesgeschichte,doch schnell wurde mir klar,dass sich hierbei um mehrere Erzähl-Perspektiven handelt.Es gibt immer wieder Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit.

Leider kommt das kleine Theater am Meer viel zu kurz in dem Buch,dafür verliebt sich Faye,es kommen einige Geheimnisse ans Tageslicht und die Beziehung zwischen Fayes Eltern Ade und Molly wird sehr ausführlich erzählt.

Trotz allem ist das Buch spannend und unterhält seinen Leser gut.Auch die Umgebung auf Sardinien wird sehr gut beschrieben,man fühlt sich direkt wie im Urlaub.

Nicht alle Charaktere sind einem symphatisch und besonders bei einem rechnet man nicht mit der Entwicklung.

Gerade zum Ende hin gibt es unerwartete Wendungen,die man so nicht erwartet.

Alles in allem ein schönes Buch,wenn auch nicht überragend.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting for this story and the basic premise of trying to resurrect the local theatre for the community. It is the community which gives the book its life and colour and the variety of members of the company and the local politicians give it real heart. Lottie turns out to be one of those characters with flaws as well as good points and you get to see her mature and take on challenges along the way.

Someone who is always present in the story but who we can never meet is of course Lottie's Grandmother. You get a sense of what sort of person she was by seeing how Lottie reacts in certain moments and I am sure she shared Lottie's determination and spark. This is very much a will they, won't they? plot as you see Lottie and Sid skirt around their true feelings. I enjoyed the additional aspect which their jobs on the local newspaper gave to moving the story on. This is one of those lovely reads which you disappear into for an afternoon and which takes you out of yourself.

In short: A beautiful setting, friendship and community lie at the heart of this book.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.