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Santa Lucia #4
Into the Groves
Rumors. Romance. And more than a little espresso.
Santa Lucia has seen a lot of changes, and settling in with the new aspects of their lives is harder than the residents imagined. Creating a working vineyard. Parenting a teenage daughter. Romance with the mayor. Being gay in a charming Italian village. None of these are easy, and everyone is feeling the pressure as their annual festival nears.
The villagers are back for one last passeggiata through the flower-lined alleys of Santa Lucia. Swapping gossip at the local café has never been so delicious until a storm of secrets threatens the village’s very survival.
With the rain beginning to fall and the wine turning to vinegar in the barrels, can the villagers bring themselves back into the wavering blue light of Santa Lucia?
Santa Lucia has seen a lot of changes, and settling in with the new aspects of their lives is harder than the residents imagined. Creating a working vineyard. Parenting a teenage daughter. Romance with the mayor. Being gay in a charming Italian village. None of these are easy, and everyone is feeling the pressure as their annual festival nears.
The villagers are back for one last passeggiata through the flower-lined alleys of Santa Lucia. Swapping gossip at the local café has never been so delicious until a storm of secrets threatens the village’s very survival.
With the rain beginning to fall and the wine turning to vinegar in the barrels, can the villagers bring themselves back into the wavering blue light of Santa Lucia?
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2020
43 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Damiani
20 books40 followersMichelle Damiani is a freelance writer, clinical psychologist, and food lover currently living in Charlottesville, VA. Her heart, however, is in Spello, Italy, where she and her family spent a year growing accustomed to being fish out of water, grappling with the hardships of parenting on foreign soil, and ultimately cleaving into the soul of Italian village life. Before that year abroad, Michelle wrote short fiction--one of her stories was recently awarded first place in the Hook Short Fiction contest, juried by author John Grisham. While in Italy, she used the time that her children were in Italian public schools to write a blog about their experiences. The blog, Il Bel Centro, was awarded the bronze award for best Italian blog by Expatsblog. Once back in Charlottesville, she transformed the blog into a book, Il Bel Centro: a Year in the Beautiful Center, now available in print and e-book. Missing her village, she began writing a 4 part novel series set in italy. Three of the books, "Santa Lucia", "The Silent Madonna", and "The Stillness of Swallows" have been published. In addition, Michelle accumulated the collective wisdom of traveling families into a comprehensive guide called, "The Road Taken: How to Dream, Plan, and Live Your Family Adventure Abroad." When not planning her upcoming trip around the world, you can find her at www.michelledamiani.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 27, 2022
When I finished reading this book I hugged it tight and said goodbye to the characters that have felt like my friends whilst reading the four books in the Santa Lucia series. I have laughed and cried with them and enjoyed all the ups and downs of their lives. If you love Italy and especially like reading about life in a small village, this series is for you. I enjoyed them immensely and will miss reading them. Thank you Michelle Damiani.
March 11, 2022
The last of four books in the Santa Lucia series, and a fitting ending to my time in that lovely village. I will miss reading about the intertwined lives of the villagers, as I put down this final book feeling as though I have made new friends.
The entire series is like a feel-good American movie, which is not surprising given the author's being an American transplant in Italy herself. It was a good break from "serious" (in quotation marks because in this context serious may also mean pretentious) reading while enjoying a transportive book that is still fairly well-written. The author took tremendous pains to breathe life into the setting, which makes up half of the magic of this book.
The ending is poignant (especially if you love animals) and, as feel-good reads tend to do, satisfies the reader's need for answers.
I hope to find my own Santa Lucia someday.
The entire series is like a feel-good American movie, which is not surprising given the author's being an American transplant in Italy herself. It was a good break from "serious" (in quotation marks because in this context serious may also mean pretentious) reading while enjoying a transportive book that is still fairly well-written. The author took tremendous pains to breathe life into the setting, which makes up half of the magic of this book.
The ending is poignant (especially if you love animals) and, as feel-good reads tend to do, satisfies the reader's need for answers.
I hope to find my own Santa Lucia someday.
May 19, 2020
The fourth and final book in the Santa Lucia series is not disappointing but it is sad to say goodbye to a small hilltop village in Umbria and its citizens who have become family and friends! We have entered the homes and lives of extraordinarily normal people who have shared their daily challenges, romances, friendships, their tables and their favorite Gathering Place, Bar Birbo. This final book in the four book series brings closure to each characters storyline in such a way that leaves the reader satisfied rather than wondering what happened? Although I would like to continue this series, I know we leave the characters well and happy, and always looking forward to whatever the future holds. They are strong, loving and fearless in their committed sense of togetherness. So we say “Arrivederci, Santa Lucia! Until we meet again.
May 5, 2020
If you long to travel to Italy, I highly recommend you read Michelle Damiani’s Santa Lucia series, of which "Into the Groves" is the fourth and final book. Even more than the true-to-life tastes and sounds of Umbria, the people are what have kept me coming back to this continuing saga. Santa Lucia may be a tiny village, but its inhabitants span a wide range of personalities and situations. Their gossip will draw you in and their stories will keep you turning the pages. They will become your people and the village will become your home. Like a good passito, this book is “layered and nuanced but it comes together in a powerful way.” I was sad to say “Arrivederci” to Santa Lucia. Grazie mille, Michelle.
May 6, 2020
The fourth, and final, book in the Santa Lucia series comes quickly on the heels of the third. God Bless the author for thinking of the quarantined population desperate for entertainment. And entertainment it surely is. Bringing back all the favorite characters, continuing their stories and leading us through their daily dramas; some comic, some tragic, some suspenseful; up to the oh so satisfying conclusion. The wonderful descriptive prose conjures up the beauty of Umbria and the delight of daily Italian life. If you're not already a fan of La Bella Italia, you are sure to become one
December 26, 2020
Everyday life in Italy
This is a nice solid finish to the many storylines in Michelle's Santa Lucia story; it absolutely reminds me of what I think everyday life seems like from the numerous small towns that I have wandered in non-touristy areas of Italy. The book has story lines that evolve from many of the smaller shops which have always seemed to me to be the focal point of villages.
This is a nice solid finish to the many storylines in Michelle's Santa Lucia story; it absolutely reminds me of what I think everyday life seems like from the numerous small towns that I have wandered in non-touristy areas of Italy. The book has story lines that evolve from many of the smaller shops which have always seemed to me to be the focal point of villages.
May 21, 2020
I absolutely loved the continuation of this story! I have literally fallen in love with Santa Lucia and these characters and was so happy to have another view into their lives. The writing is so well done in these books that I feel like I know the characters and the places. I can smell the smells and hear the sounds. Beautiful view into small village Italian life.
October 30, 2021
Loved this series..so real
I identified with so many of the characters. They became like family. I felt as though I too walked the streets of santa Lucia. I wondered about one thing though. How did all those people find enough money to buy coffee everyday in such a small village
I identified with so many of the characters. They became like family. I felt as though I too walked the streets of santa Lucia. I wondered about one thing though. How did all those people find enough money to buy coffee everyday in such a small village
November 29, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable
By far the best book of the series. The entire series was a quick read and great fun. I really liked the characters and the the gossipy small town. I love the ending with Carosello and the olive groves.
By far the best book of the series. The entire series was a quick read and great fun. I really liked the characters and the the gossipy small town. I love the ending with Carosello and the olive groves.
April 10, 2021
Great end to four book series
Thoroughly enjoyed all four books in this series. It's easy to get into the heads of the characters and be emersed in the plot and situations. Very pleasant east reading
Thoroughly enjoyed all four books in this series. It's easy to get into the heads of the characters and be emersed in the plot and situations. Very pleasant east reading
December 23, 2020
Final book in the Santa Lucia series and I have to say I’m a little sad. Michelle thank you for a great and enjoyable series. Throughly enjoyed all books. Well written and you won’t be disappointed.
January 6, 2021
Santa Lucia series
Loved these novels! Felt like I was back in Italy and were friends with all the characters. The stories of each person were weaved well.
Loved these novels! Felt like I was back in Italy and were friends with all the characters. The stories of each person were weaved well.
March 28, 2021
This series has wet my appitite to visit Italy. Loved the characters and their love of food and drinks.
May 14, 2022
Beautifully written! I loved this series and will miss Santa Lucia and all of its residents.
October 27, 2023
A fun conclusion to the story of Santa Lucia!
May 29, 2020
I loved this series and am sad to see it end. A spinoff would be wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews