What do you think?
Rate this book
An Italian Love Story: Surprise and Joy on the Amalfi Coast
“Once again. James Ernest Shaw has written an Italian masterpiece!” ~ Barbara Taggert Coleman
“Belissima Love Story! James Ernest Shaw has shined the light on the true treasure of Italy—its people! Bravo!” ~ EGF
“An Italian Love Story” is simply one of the best reads and true love stories you'll ever read!” ~ Jane Jones
“Steve, this is the book I was telling you about! SO good!” ~ Janet M
“Extremely talented writer!!” ~ Debra Whaley
“A Journey of the Heart. A true and touching story of a man’s love for a woman, a country and a once-in-a-lifetime trip that intertwined the two. James Ernest Shaw sweeps armchair travelers along on the honeymoon he and his wife delayed for decades. In Italy they rediscover the magic of love amid the pleasures and people of a country that has been seducing visitors for centuries. Open your heart and enjoy the ride!” ~ Dianne Hales author of “La Bella Lingua” & “La Passione” "I am enjoying every page and adventure of "An Italian Love Story." ~ Lillian I
“An Italian Love Story” is an awesome book. I stayed up most of the night...I couldn't put it down!” ~ Marian S
It’s April in Italy and the Journey of a lifetime has just begun.
After two weeks at sea the Oosterdam docked in Civitavecchia, Italy. Among the shipboard romantics was a not-so-young couple on their much-delayed honeymoon. Approaching their forty-sixth wedding anniversary, they had their hearts set on an Italian adventure they would have loved to have taken earlier in their marriage but matters of making a living, making a life, and raising children kept them from getting away together.
The surprises began before they got out of the harbor.
Their Two for the Road adventure began as inauspiciously as Joanna and Mark’s in that insightful 1967 film about marriage—walking along the side of a highway trailing suitcases wishing that someone would come along and save them from themselves. Mardi and James survived that misadventure thanks to the kindness of an Italian bus driver who went out of his way to deliver them to where they needed to go. It was but the first of many times in their journey that the kindness of strangers and the ever-present Italian penchant for hospitality overwhelmed them.
They called their wanderings Pinball Traveling—Letting the beauty and people of Italy guide their journey. They traveled with no firm itinerary. If they saw something they liked, they had the freedom to explore it. If someone extended a hand of friendship, they had the opportunity to accept it. Mysteries abound in this life—and their sojourn in southern Italy and the warm-hearted Italians they met gave them eyes to take a fresh look at their high-spirited marriage.
An Italian Love Story will inspire you to take your own journey of a lifetime—which may, as it did for Mardi and James, bring you face-to-face with not only the incredible warmth of the Italian people and the intoxicating beauty of Italy, but also to the perplexing mysteries of your own life.
Buon Viaggio!
“Belissima Love Story! James Ernest Shaw has shined the light on the true treasure of Italy—its people! Bravo!” ~ EGF
“An Italian Love Story” is simply one of the best reads and true love stories you'll ever read!” ~ Jane Jones
“Steve, this is the book I was telling you about! SO good!” ~ Janet M
“Extremely talented writer!!” ~ Debra Whaley
“A Journey of the Heart. A true and touching story of a man’s love for a woman, a country and a once-in-a-lifetime trip that intertwined the two. James Ernest Shaw sweeps armchair travelers along on the honeymoon he and his wife delayed for decades. In Italy they rediscover the magic of love amid the pleasures and people of a country that has been seducing visitors for centuries. Open your heart and enjoy the ride!” ~ Dianne Hales author of “La Bella Lingua” & “La Passione” "I am enjoying every page and adventure of "An Italian Love Story." ~ Lillian I
“An Italian Love Story” is an awesome book. I stayed up most of the night...I couldn't put it down!” ~ Marian S
It’s April in Italy and the Journey of a lifetime has just begun.
After two weeks at sea the Oosterdam docked in Civitavecchia, Italy. Among the shipboard romantics was a not-so-young couple on their much-delayed honeymoon. Approaching their forty-sixth wedding anniversary, they had their hearts set on an Italian adventure they would have loved to have taken earlier in their marriage but matters of making a living, making a life, and raising children kept them from getting away together.
The surprises began before they got out of the harbor.
Their Two for the Road adventure began as inauspiciously as Joanna and Mark’s in that insightful 1967 film about marriage—walking along the side of a highway trailing suitcases wishing that someone would come along and save them from themselves. Mardi and James survived that misadventure thanks to the kindness of an Italian bus driver who went out of his way to deliver them to where they needed to go. It was but the first of many times in their journey that the kindness of strangers and the ever-present Italian penchant for hospitality overwhelmed them.
They called their wanderings Pinball Traveling—Letting the beauty and people of Italy guide their journey. They traveled with no firm itinerary. If they saw something they liked, they had the freedom to explore it. If someone extended a hand of friendship, they had the opportunity to accept it. Mysteries abound in this life—and their sojourn in southern Italy and the warm-hearted Italians they met gave them eyes to take a fresh look at their high-spirited marriage.
An Italian Love Story will inspire you to take your own journey of a lifetime—which may, as it did for Mardi and James, bring you face-to-face with not only the incredible warmth of the Italian people and the intoxicating beauty of Italy, but also to the perplexing mysteries of your own life.
Buon Viaggio!
- GenresFiction
564 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2018
299 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
James Ernest Shaw
5 books15 followersJames discovered at a very young age he had a fondness for travel, for bicycles, for meeting people, and for Italy and Italians. Born of those passions was his first book, An Italian Journey: A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany, an adventure of the heart in the mold of literature's classic spiritual journeys.
He shares his love of Italy and photography on his Italian Journeys Facebook page with his readers and followers.
An Italian Love Story: Surprise and Joy on the Amalfi Coast is the continuing story of his love affair with Italy.
He shares his love of Italy and photography on his Italian Journeys Facebook page with his readers and followers.
An Italian Love Story: Surprise and Joy on the Amalfi Coast is the continuing story of his love affair with Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 24, 2020
A Disappointing Read
While the author provides vivid descriptions of the beautiful southern Italian landscape, I found the book repetitive and monotonous. I also found the author’s frequent reference to his wife’s jealousy of his attraction to Italian women condescending and unnecessary.
While the author provides vivid descriptions of the beautiful southern Italian landscape, I found the book repetitive and monotonous. I also found the author’s frequent reference to his wife’s jealousy of his attraction to Italian women condescending and unnecessary.
June 16, 2021
This is book desperately in need of an editor. It is repetitive, superficial, and has multiple errors in the Italian words the author uses. Okay, the author is enamored with Italy, its culture and people. But this book is a long and tedious travel blog! There is no insight to the complexities of Italy and its people. And honestly it was tiresome reading about this egotistical guy (who thinks all Italian women are flirting with him) and his extremely jealous and pain-in-the- rear end wife. But I was determined to plod through all 562 pages that painfully described pretty much every tedious minute of their trip, hoping to find something more exciting than how cheap they were and how they pretty much ate only pizza and a mixed salad for every meal! A disappointing book, to say the least.
January 16, 2019
A true and touching story of a man’s love for a woman, a country and a once-in-a-lifetime trip that intertwined the two. James Ernest Shaw sweeps armchair travelers along on the honeymoon he and his wife delayed for decades. In Italy they rediscover the magic of love amid the pleasures and people of a country that has been seducing visitors for centuries. Open your heart and enjoy the ride!
November 25, 2019
I definitely struggled not to give up on this book. I found James’s suggestion, repeatedly, that Martha was “jealous” of the attention paid to him by attractive women silly. An ego trip by a 70 year old man.
In saying that James tempts one to journey to southern Italy, apart from excellent descriptions of locations, glorious scenery, well portrayed characters, there is much in this book that is superfluous And repetitive. 3 stars.
BTW in 40 days did they not eat anything other than pizza and a mixed salad!?
In saying that James tempts one to journey to southern Italy, apart from excellent descriptions of locations, glorious scenery, well portrayed characters, there is much in this book that is superfluous And repetitive. 3 stars.
BTW in 40 days did they not eat anything other than pizza and a mixed salad!?
March 9, 2022
The idea for the book sounded wonderful. A birds-eye view of the Amalfi Coast from a tourist just like me! The execution, not so much. It was tedious to read. Too many minute unnecessary details for the stories to be entertaining. Repetitive. Long-winded and, I’m sorry, but this author seems exceedingly full of himself. This gentleman was a commercial pilot, a business owner, olive picker, sheep herder, writer, etc etc etc? C’mon, man. Wish I had read the reviews before purchase.
December 24, 2022
Narcissistic writer with too much excruciating trivial detail on each page. Every place and every moment was loved to the extreme. Became very boring hearing how wonderful he is and how youthful and attractive to women he is. His attempt to fit in was tiresome.
July 2, 2022
Love is in the air !
The book was entertaining & educational.
I got to travel the small unadvertised towns.
If we ever go back to Italy ourselves I would love to see some of those places.
We also took the transatlantic Cruise to the Mediterranean. Our tour ended in Rome. We chose to stay & walk all the sections, a day at a time. It was wonderful. The tour included on & off the buses. Amalfi Coast, Capri & all the regular tourist spots. James help me see all that was there, but had no time or insight to see.
We fell in love with Italy & all is views, people & food. We were & are in love and found it so easy to express that in Italy. Praying we get to travel there with family next time!!
The book was entertaining & educational.
I got to travel the small unadvertised towns.
If we ever go back to Italy ourselves I would love to see some of those places.
We also took the transatlantic Cruise to the Mediterranean. Our tour ended in Rome. We chose to stay & walk all the sections, a day at a time. It was wonderful. The tour included on & off the buses. Amalfi Coast, Capri & all the regular tourist spots. James help me see all that was there, but had no time or insight to see.
We fell in love with Italy & all is views, people & food. We were & are in love and found it so easy to express that in Italy. Praying we get to travel there with family next time!!
July 12, 2023
I had just returned home from Italy and was looking for a good book on Italy that included travel. This book is definitely it. The author tells the story of how his love for Italy and his time spent there, also revitalized the love he has for his wife/marriage. The book is full of detailed accounts of first traveling cross-atlantic by repositioning cruise ship (something I'd never considered) to visiting so many small towns in the Amalfi Coast. Often he and his wife hiking up hillsides. He shares his love for the people in each small (often never heard of) town and their community traditions. He loves being accepted into their families.
You will love the read if you love Italy. The towns, the people, the food, the wine, the traditions. My only negative is that it was a very long read. Often repeated experiences in a new town. I think he wanted to honor the people/relationships he made along the road, but it was lengthy.
He talked about returning yearly and spending more time there writing. I am looking forward to any future reads.
You will love the read if you love Italy. The towns, the people, the food, the wine, the traditions. My only negative is that it was a very long read. Often repeated experiences in a new town. I think he wanted to honor the people/relationships he made along the road, but it was lengthy.
He talked about returning yearly and spending more time there writing. I am looking forward to any future reads.
June 19, 2022
Transported back to Italy
I loved reading this book and reliving my own Italian journey . So well written and I loved how the Italian words a sentences were sprinkled throughout the book! I learned several new Italian words along the way! I highly recommend this beautiful story to anyone who has dreamed of going to Italy or especially if you have already been there! Bellissimo
I loved reading this book and reliving my own Italian journey . So well written and I loved how the Italian words a sentences were sprinkled throughout the book! I learned several new Italian words along the way! I highly recommend this beautiful story to anyone who has dreamed of going to Italy or especially if you have already been there! Bellissimo
April 6, 2023
How to fall in love with Italy
Amazing story of not only finding personal love but also to fall in love with a beautiful country. To experience the amazing friendships that are awaiting you as a foreign tourist in Italy. What is there not to LOVE about the Italians - they have passion for food, family, friends, language, life - the list goes on. The writer did a marvelous job of taking us on an unforgettable Italian journey.
Amazing story of not only finding personal love but also to fall in love with a beautiful country. To experience the amazing friendships that are awaiting you as a foreign tourist in Italy. What is there not to LOVE about the Italians - they have passion for food, family, friends, language, life - the list goes on. The writer did a marvelous job of taking us on an unforgettable Italian journey.
April 11, 2024
Repetitive, needs editing
I love Italy and lived there for a year plus many return trips. I found this book very repetitive, boring and in desperate need of editing. It could have been 1/3 shorter and had more character. I felt like it was written for a middle school mentality.
I was happy when I finally reached the predictable end.
I love Italy and lived there for a year plus many return trips. I found this book very repetitive, boring and in desperate need of editing. It could have been 1/3 shorter and had more character. I felt like it was written for a middle school mentality.
I was happy when I finally reached the predictable end.
April 17, 2020
My opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I did feel that James could’ve told the story in 300 pages, not the 500+. I too have visited Italy more than a dozen times and love it more, with each visit. After reading this book I can’t wait to return.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I did feel that James could’ve told the story in 300 pages, not the 500+. I too have visited Italy more than a dozen times and love it more, with each visit. After reading this book I can’t wait to return.
April 16, 2021
I enjoyed about half of this book, but didn’t finish it. It got repetitive and there are a lot of words and pages. Fun though, to read about their adventures, at least for the first few weeks!
Read
August 7, 2025Excellent travel story
June 11, 2019
This is truly one of the most boring books I've ever started to read. I bought it in preparation for a trip to Italy, and I really love most travel memoirs, but I couldn't make it past page 50. Although the author's love of and appreciation for Italy (and the journey that he and his wife were about to embark on) is endearing, there is just way too much benign detail. In the first 50 pages, there were two stories about waiting for elevators, neither of which had a point. The first time someone was nice enough to let him on so that they avoided a longer wait - zzzz. But the plot thickens because later on, he saw this nice lady again and carried her luggage to her train car - zzzz zzzz....
The author also veers into travel guide-like advice, e.g. highlighting the fact that you have to put your suitcase through the turnstile before entering your ticket and the value of buying a local SIM card for your phone. That type of information is better reserved for the Fodors of the world where you can easily consult the relevant sections for advice.
In hopes that it was just getting off to a slow start, I flipped forward to the mid 100s where there was an entire page dedicated to the mechanism of eating pizza (he held his fork like the Italians, she still used the American style and they had a conversation about the best way to do it) - a WHOLE page!!!! The story is sweet, but it is trite and excruciatingly dull.
The author also veers into travel guide-like advice, e.g. highlighting the fact that you have to put your suitcase through the turnstile before entering your ticket and the value of buying a local SIM card for your phone. That type of information is better reserved for the Fodors of the world where you can easily consult the relevant sections for advice.
In hopes that it was just getting off to a slow start, I flipped forward to the mid 100s where there was an entire page dedicated to the mechanism of eating pizza (he held his fork like the Italians, she still used the American style and they had a conversation about the best way to do it) - a WHOLE page!!!! The story is sweet, but it is trite and excruciatingly dull.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews