Villa del Sol: Emotional Healing on the Swiss-Italian Border

by Martha Reynolds

WINNER 2018 Book Prize in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New EnglandJennifer Logan just buried her husband, the beloved senior senator from Rhode Island. To find solace and peace for her troubled soul, she rents a villa in a small town on the Swiss-Italian border. For the next six months, Jennifer will process her grief in solitude, unplugged from the world. But her financial stability is threatened when her husband's only child lays a claim to his estate. Jennifer's future is uncertain, and she must face the woman who has despised her for years. Senator Logan's daughter always believed Jennifer was nothing more than a gold-digging trophy wife. She wasn't the only one. One person can help her find the peace she needs to move on with her life. But first, Jennifer will have to trust. And trust enough to share a secret about her husband's death.

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2017

About the author

I am the author of eleven novels, including the Amazon bestsellers CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST and BITS OF BROKEN GLASS.

My writing has appeared in Magnificat magazine and my very short poem was read by journalist Connie Schultz during National Public Radio's "Tell Me More" poetry challenge.

I live in Rhode Island, never far from the ocean.

My novel VILLA DEL SOL won the 2018 Book Prize in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.

Check out my newest novel - I WISH I HAD A RIVER, available now!

Reviews

[Pat Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Villa del Sol by Martha Reynolds. Villa del Sol is a beautifully told story of love, tolerance, acceptance, and change. The characters are well developed and interesting.

Ms. Reynolds does an exceptional job of world building. Her descriptions are vivid and colorful. I felt as if I were there, and now I want to go to this Italian section of Switzerland.

The novel proceeds at a leisurely pace, which in this case is a good thing. Even though the main character faced many difficult events and struggled to find her new place in life, I found the pace made me feel relaxed—a good beach read or rainy day, stay in and read day (which it was for me.) I recommend this novel. —Pat Spencer, author of Story of a Stolen Girl.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to spend an afternoon

I was so glad to finally read another of Martha Reynolds's novels. This latest did not disappoint. Reading this I relived my own strolls along the lake in Lugano. I'm ready to hop on a plane.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍⛅ A beautiful vista, a fantastic villa and a clean start for a young widow❗🌅
February 20, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍:-) I fell quickly for this author's crisp and clear writing style and the moving plot. Jennifer, the heroine, seems a bit numb and cold at the beginning, like the reputation the press had given her as the much younger second wife of a prominent, well-loved politician, but slowly the story reveals why. As I learned more about her past and she settled in to life in Lugano, I became invested in her adjustment and rebirth.

Ms Reynolds linked her story into that of Berenice, the heroine of her "Chocolate" trilogy, and the glimpses of Berenice's earlier life revealed to Jennifer as their friendship grew make me think I'd like to read the earlier novels to learn more.

Ultimately, this is a story about second chances and how we shape our own future with the choices we make and the attitude we adopt. The heroine initially shielded herself from the outside world and sought solitude and routine to fill her days. As Jennifer opened herself to more people and dealt with the issues tying her to the past, the story became more positive and more interesting. I loved the little twist at the very end! Although this was no cliffhanger, I would like to read more about Jennifer and where the future takes her and her new friends. I was sorry for the story to end -- the mark of a truly successful story for me!:-)

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Martha Reynolds, Villa del Sol (2017), Jennifer Logan is hit with that worst of all possible catastrophes: Her husband, Rhode Island's beloved senior Senator, dies of an unexpected illness leaving her to figure out how her life will continue without him. When the book starts, we don’t know why she is so alone in her anguish that she must leave the United States for an extended stay in a Swiss villa. We do know she's a private person, not terribly warm, and seemingly so wrapped up in her own misery that she doesn’t think about those around her. Maybe I’d be that way too. As we follow her journey to healing, we learn there was a huge age difference between the Senator and she, that their marriage wasn't perfect, that his family isn't close to her, and that she has few of her own friends. As she settles into her new temporary home, we see her grief is complex, that working through it will take more than time or distance. And, there's more but I'll keep those secrets from you, for when you read the book.

I am not drawn to Jennifer early in the book. I feel her pain but don’t necessarily want to help. She’s just too cold. Since this is a character-driven story, that is by design and it will change as the story progresses. By the time I turned the last page, I'd grown to appreciate Jennifer. That speaks volumes for the writer's skill with weaving this tale and allowing her character to grow. Highly recommended for those who like character-driven stories and novels of redemption and growth.

[Lori Tellier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Martha’s writing gets better with every new novel. I am one of her biggest fans and have enjoyed reading her stories. From the very first paragraph she gets you involved with her characters. Her vivid descriptions of Switzerland’s streets, lifestyle, and food make you feel like you’re there yourself. The appearance of a character from her earlier books was a delightful surprise.
Keep the books coming!

[Julien Ayotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of Switzerland is always a good thing!

Jennifer Logan, recently widowed to a Rhode Island Senator nearly twice her age, retreats to a charming villa overlooking a lake in Switzerland. It is very easy to be attracted to the area, but Villa del Sol has so much more to offer than it's location. I was hoping the story would not end, but Martha leaves you to create your own ending as the possibilities for Jen's future are endless.

[Connie Ciampanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not difficult quickly to like Martha Reynolds characters. Even with baggage, even with some darkness in their past, they are likable and believable. Villa del Sol ranks at the top of Martha's several novels. I enjoyed spending time with Jennifer Logan as she travels to Switzerland to grieve the loss of her much older husband on Christmas Eve and sorts out what she needs to do with the rest of her life.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read about a woman starting over after the death of her husband. The description of the character's days while grieving and resting in a small village on the Swiss-Italian border sounded lovely. Pleasant read, curled up in a chair.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple, dull. Disappointing considering the four star reviews on Goodreads. On the positive side, i finished it hence the 2 stars.

[Julie O'brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about moving on after the death of a spouse. Perfect for this time of year.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman is starting over after the death of her husband. The story was okay for me it was slow going, did finish though.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very emotional and I loved the setting. There was great depth to the characters.