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Hotel Portofino #1
Hotel Portofino
A heady historical drama about a British family who open an upper-class hotel on the magical Italian Riviera during the ‘Roaring 20s’.
Hotel Portofino has been open for only a few weeks, but already the problems are mounting for its owner Bella Ainsworth. Her high-class guests are demanding and hard to please. And she’s being targeted by a scheming and corrupt local politician, who threatens to drag her into the red-hot cauldron of Mussolini’s Italy.
To make matters worse, her marriage is in trouble, and her children are still struggling to recover from the repercussions of the Great War. All eyes are on the arrival of a potential love match for her son Lucian, but events don’t go to plan, which will have far reaching consequences for the whole family.
Set in the breathtakingly beautiful Italian Riviera, Hotel Portofino is a story of personal awakening at a time of global upheaval and of the liberating influence of Italy’s enchanting culture, climate and cuisine on British ‘innocents abroad’, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown.
Hotel Portofino has been open for only a few weeks, but already the problems are mounting for its owner Bella Ainsworth. Her high-class guests are demanding and hard to please. And she’s being targeted by a scheming and corrupt local politician, who threatens to drag her into the red-hot cauldron of Mussolini’s Italy.
To make matters worse, her marriage is in trouble, and her children are still struggling to recover from the repercussions of the Great War. All eyes are on the arrival of a potential love match for her son Lucian, but events don’t go to plan, which will have far reaching consequences for the whole family.
Set in the breathtakingly beautiful Italian Riviera, Hotel Portofino is a story of personal awakening at a time of global upheaval and of the liberating influence of Italy’s enchanting culture, climate and cuisine on British ‘innocents abroad’, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown.
376 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2021
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6690 people want to read
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March 2, 2022
As much as I wanted to love Hotel Portofino I must say for me it was just an average read. I neither liked nor disliked it. Despite multiple story lines ranging from young love to blackmail it just never seemed to catch and keep my attention.
It’s the mid 1920’s. The Great War has been over for 8 years and life in Britain is returning to normal. For the English with money trips “abroad “ have resumed. For Bella Ainsworth the owner of the Hotel Portofino this means her new hotel could become “the” destination for visitors, moneyed visitors that is, if she can keep it open. The hotel is Bella’s baby every stick of furniture and color of paint picked out by her. To help with the hotel Bella’s family and trusted servants have come. There is Cecil her husband a ne’er do well Aristocrat who despite being penny less spends his time gambling and racking up debt. Her children have also come. Lucien is Bella’s son who was injured severely during the war and still carries the physical and emotional scars of his wounds. Then there is Alice a war widow and her young daughter Lotie. Add a host of hotel servants and guests including but not limited to, aristocratic women on Holliday, an Italian count and his son, and a black American jazz singer and her tycoon lover and you get a very eclectic mix of personalities.
Despite having a vast cast of characters the author has done an admirable job defining and giving kdepth to each one. This is true even for the large host of secondary characters. Each character comes with their own personality quirks, secrets and storyline. Hence my problem with the novel. There isn’t one main plot that is explored deeply but a large number of story arcs that come and go quickly throughout. Though each story gets resolved I felt there was just too little time spent on any of them to truly understand and connect with the characters involved. For instance, When I read the blurb for the book it seemed that a focus of the novel would be the rise of Mussolini and the presence of a corrupt public official who used the dreaded Black Shirts to impose his will. This official is blackmailing Bella. I thought I would get to see life in Italy at the beginning Of Mussolini’s reign. What changes occurred when he took over. Were a lot of new restrictions placed on the populace? None of this is even mentioned in the book. Instead I felt the official bothersome at best, a caricature at worst, and the black shirts simple street thugs that beat up people who disagreed with them. I never felt either was truly menacing or threatening. Feeling nothing was a drawback for me.. A book needs to elicit some emotion in order for the reader to feel a connection to it’s characters or care what happens in the story.
I chose the audiobook of this novel.. I often felt it was what kept me going back to the book. The narrator did a great job using her voice to delineate each character and her expertise with various accents (English, Italian and American) was spot on. Even though I felt the prose was lacking tension she worked hard to add it by vocally modulating her tone and inflection. If you do read thee book this is the version I recommend.
All in all the book was just interesting enough to finish without truly enjoying it. I know i’m in the minority with this review so if you have been interested in reading it please do pick it up, your opinion may be totally different.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.
It’s the mid 1920’s. The Great War has been over for 8 years and life in Britain is returning to normal. For the English with money trips “abroad “ have resumed. For Bella Ainsworth the owner of the Hotel Portofino this means her new hotel could become “the” destination for visitors, moneyed visitors that is, if she can keep it open. The hotel is Bella’s baby every stick of furniture and color of paint picked out by her. To help with the hotel Bella’s family and trusted servants have come. There is Cecil her husband a ne’er do well Aristocrat who despite being penny less spends his time gambling and racking up debt. Her children have also come. Lucien is Bella’s son who was injured severely during the war and still carries the physical and emotional scars of his wounds. Then there is Alice a war widow and her young daughter Lotie. Add a host of hotel servants and guests including but not limited to, aristocratic women on Holliday, an Italian count and his son, and a black American jazz singer and her tycoon lover and you get a very eclectic mix of personalities.
Despite having a vast cast of characters the author has done an admirable job defining and giving kdepth to each one. This is true even for the large host of secondary characters. Each character comes with their own personality quirks, secrets and storyline. Hence my problem with the novel. There isn’t one main plot that is explored deeply but a large number of story arcs that come and go quickly throughout. Though each story gets resolved I felt there was just too little time spent on any of them to truly understand and connect with the characters involved. For instance, When I read the blurb for the book it seemed that a focus of the novel would be the rise of Mussolini and the presence of a corrupt public official who used the dreaded Black Shirts to impose his will. This official is blackmailing Bella. I thought I would get to see life in Italy at the beginning Of Mussolini’s reign. What changes occurred when he took over. Were a lot of new restrictions placed on the populace? None of this is even mentioned in the book. Instead I felt the official bothersome at best, a caricature at worst, and the black shirts simple street thugs that beat up people who disagreed with them. I never felt either was truly menacing or threatening. Feeling nothing was a drawback for me.. A book needs to elicit some emotion in order for the reader to feel a connection to it’s characters or care what happens in the story.
I chose the audiobook of this novel.. I often felt it was what kept me going back to the book. The narrator did a great job using her voice to delineate each character and her expertise with various accents (English, Italian and American) was spot on. Even though I felt the prose was lacking tension she worked hard to add it by vocally modulating her tone and inflection. If you do read thee book this is the version I recommend.
All in all the book was just interesting enough to finish without truly enjoying it. I know i’m in the minority with this review so if you have been interested in reading it please do pick it up, your opinion may be totally different.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.
November 22, 2021
Italy, 1926. After the Great War, Bella convinces her husband to leave the past behind in England and to buy a hotel in Portofino, where they honeymooned, and have a fresh start. And they do so with their children and household help. Their hotel is known for English speaking guests and the first of them are mother and daughter, who are British, and quite charming and opposite, setting from the start an interesting atmosphere.
The story is character-driven and there are a lot of them. So I wished they were a bit more developed to help remember who is who and what distinguishes them as individuals.
Events of the story happen mostly in one place, there is not much to the plot. It is mostly filled with everyday events and conversations.
It is certainly written with originality, you can hear the British accent and humor. As the synopsis claims, it is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is character-driven and there are a lot of them. So I wished they were a bit more developed to help remember who is who and what distinguishes them as individuals.
Events of the story happen mostly in one place, there is not much to the plot. It is mostly filled with everyday events and conversations.
It is certainly written with originality, you can hear the British accent and humor. As the synopsis claims, it is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2021
I approached this book not knowing what to expect as is not my usual read and very soon realised it was going to be one of my fav reads of 2021
Imagine Downton but in a hotel in Italy favoured by the roaring and regal folk of the 20’s, everything and anything can happen but it’s still a time when it is done with much pomp, excess and snobbery ( ie wonderfully )
The hotel is one of dreams, I want to go and at one point imagined ringing to book a month there, the description of it and its suites, the food, the natural beauty of the area all more than alluring and as for the staff and guests, well a cast via a fantasy league could not be better, we meet Bella, Cecil, Alice and Lucerne ( the owners and adult children ) Betty who has arrived from Yorkshire to be hotel cook and brought her no nonsense ways with her, Constance and Paulo the housemaid and nanny, both with secrets, Nish the Indian from England who is trying to quash his scary ( to him ) desires, the splendid and terrifying Lady Latchford, the ever stiffening with offence Mrs Drummond Ward, Ms Pascal with her liberal ways and older gentleman in tow and Count Albino and son, resplendent in their Italian glory and suspicious of yet in love with everything English….and these are just a few of the dream team, I honestly loved every one of them, even the ones I disliked!!
All manner of things are afoot in the hotel and some quite salacious, all exciting and written about superbly
My only criticism is that it had to end and to implore the author to please write a 2nd book asap
Just a wonderful treat of a book, perfecto in every single way
10/10
Biggest 5 Stars
Imagine Downton but in a hotel in Italy favoured by the roaring and regal folk of the 20’s, everything and anything can happen but it’s still a time when it is done with much pomp, excess and snobbery ( ie wonderfully )
The hotel is one of dreams, I want to go and at one point imagined ringing to book a month there, the description of it and its suites, the food, the natural beauty of the area all more than alluring and as for the staff and guests, well a cast via a fantasy league could not be better, we meet Bella, Cecil, Alice and Lucerne ( the owners and adult children ) Betty who has arrived from Yorkshire to be hotel cook and brought her no nonsense ways with her, Constance and Paulo the housemaid and nanny, both with secrets, Nish the Indian from England who is trying to quash his scary ( to him ) desires, the splendid and terrifying Lady Latchford, the ever stiffening with offence Mrs Drummond Ward, Ms Pascal with her liberal ways and older gentleman in tow and Count Albino and son, resplendent in their Italian glory and suspicious of yet in love with everything English….and these are just a few of the dream team, I honestly loved every one of them, even the ones I disliked!!
All manner of things are afoot in the hotel and some quite salacious, all exciting and written about superbly
My only criticism is that it had to end and to implore the author to please write a 2nd book asap
Just a wonderful treat of a book, perfecto in every single way
10/10
Biggest 5 Stars
November 28, 2021
Bella Ainsworth is ready to open her new luxurious hotel in the Italian Rivera and she named it Hotel Portofino. The rooms have been tastefully decorated, the beds are made up with fine English linen, bathrooms stocked with fluffy towels and expensive toiletries, and she's waiting for her upper class guests to arrive.
For Bella, her husband Cecil, daughter Alice, granddaughter Lottie and son Lucian it’s a fresh start. Like so many English families they’re still trying to get over the Great War, Alice lost her husband George, Lucian was badly injured and has terrible flashbacks. Bella’s marriage to Cecil has been rocky for a while, due to differences over money and he’s not a very supportive husband. Both Cecil and Bella live separate lives, hopefully living in Italy might rekindle the romance and save their marriage?
Italy in the 1920’s, is ruled by Benito Mussolini and his black shirts and one member of his party Vincenzo Danioni seems to hold a grudge against Bella? She and her staff feel threatened by this, Bella worries about what he could do to interrupt her new business venture and Cecil doesn’t seem to be too concerned. Bella’s busy looking after her guests, most are pleasant and charming, and she waiting on two new arrivals. Lady Julia Drummond-Ward and her daughter Rose, Cecil’s keen for Lucian to marry Rose and she’s ruled by her domineering mother.
Hotel Portofino is a delightful story and set in beautiful Italy, and you read about the weather, scenery, food, culture and wine. The narrative includes details about the various guests staying at the luxury hotel, a mixed group of interesting individuals and nationalities, the staff working at the hotel, and shocking secrets and romances are revealed.
I received a copy of Hotel Portofino from Edelweiss and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review, a well written book by J. P. O’Connell, and perfect if you like reading historical fiction full of drama and a little intrigue. I loved the members of the Ainsworth family and how they interacted with each other, and of course I didn’t like Cecil at all and five stars from me.
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For Bella, her husband Cecil, daughter Alice, granddaughter Lottie and son Lucian it’s a fresh start. Like so many English families they’re still trying to get over the Great War, Alice lost her husband George, Lucian was badly injured and has terrible flashbacks. Bella’s marriage to Cecil has been rocky for a while, due to differences over money and he’s not a very supportive husband. Both Cecil and Bella live separate lives, hopefully living in Italy might rekindle the romance and save their marriage?
Italy in the 1920’s, is ruled by Benito Mussolini and his black shirts and one member of his party Vincenzo Danioni seems to hold a grudge against Bella? She and her staff feel threatened by this, Bella worries about what he could do to interrupt her new business venture and Cecil doesn’t seem to be too concerned. Bella’s busy looking after her guests, most are pleasant and charming, and she waiting on two new arrivals. Lady Julia Drummond-Ward and her daughter Rose, Cecil’s keen for Lucian to marry Rose and she’s ruled by her domineering mother.
Hotel Portofino is a delightful story and set in beautiful Italy, and you read about the weather, scenery, food, culture and wine. The narrative includes details about the various guests staying at the luxury hotel, a mixed group of interesting individuals and nationalities, the staff working at the hotel, and shocking secrets and romances are revealed.
I received a copy of Hotel Portofino from Edelweiss and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review, a well written book by J. P. O’Connell, and perfect if you like reading historical fiction full of drama and a little intrigue. I loved the members of the Ainsworth family and how they interacted with each other, and of course I didn’t like Cecil at all and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
August 18, 2022
Bella Ainsworth has just opened her hotel in Portofino, but she is already facing trouble – unruly guests, blackmail, and some business about a Rubens…
This was my second stab at this book. I received an audiobook ARC originally, but I found it could not keep my attention so I went with an ebook for the library instead and it coasted by fast enough. Normally I like soapy stories, but it’s got to be the kind of drama that engages you, and this, unfortunately, wasn’t it.
The writing was facile and created a great sense of place, though not really time. I liked the diversity of this book, and the way the author engaged with themes of class and race through the interactions of the characters. I also liked how many of the women in the book uplifted each other, especially when so many of the men were rather lacking in heart. I saw a lot of complaints about the size of the cast, but I thought the author did a good job juggling them, and I could tell them apart readily.
However, the plot of the story was definitely a let-down. There’s lots of little dramas, mysteries, and romances going on – but for the most part I found them deeply boring. I was not interested in Lucien’s romances, the dysfunctional nature of the Ainsworth marriage, the business of the Rubens. The plot of Nish and the anti-fascists felt shoehorned in as a nod to the era. And some parts of the story just felt odd, like Bella’s affair and Alice’s religious fanaticism. I couldn’t help but think that Alice was deeply unwell, the way her perspective sounded, yet this was never resolved.
In a lot of ways, this book felt more like the first season of a soap than a book, which I suppose works because this book was indeed made into a show. The trouble is that I don’t much watch TV.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This was my second stab at this book. I received an audiobook ARC originally, but I found it could not keep my attention so I went with an ebook for the library instead and it coasted by fast enough. Normally I like soapy stories, but it’s got to be the kind of drama that engages you, and this, unfortunately, wasn’t it.
The writing was facile and created a great sense of place, though not really time. I liked the diversity of this book, and the way the author engaged with themes of class and race through the interactions of the characters. I also liked how many of the women in the book uplifted each other, especially when so many of the men were rather lacking in heart. I saw a lot of complaints about the size of the cast, but I thought the author did a good job juggling them, and I could tell them apart readily.
However, the plot of the story was definitely a let-down. There’s lots of little dramas, mysteries, and romances going on – but for the most part I found them deeply boring. I was not interested in Lucien’s romances, the dysfunctional nature of the Ainsworth marriage, the business of the Rubens. The plot of Nish and the anti-fascists felt shoehorned in as a nod to the era. And some parts of the story just felt odd, like Bella’s affair and Alice’s religious fanaticism. I couldn’t help but think that Alice was deeply unwell, the way her perspective sounded, yet this was never resolved.
In a lot of ways, this book felt more like the first season of a soap than a book, which I suppose works because this book was indeed made into a show. The trouble is that I don’t much watch TV.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 22, 2021
Bella Ainsworth and her family are still reeling from the aftershocks of the Great War. Bella decides that they all need a fresh start, and she has purchased a hotel, Hotel Portofino, on the Italian Riviera. She brings her husband Cecil; her son Lucien, a WWI veteran still healing from his horrendous injuries; and her widowed daughter Alice along with Alice's daughter Lottie. Bella transforms Hotel Portofino into a luxury hotel catering to English guests. All seems perfect, but soon the difficulties arise. Cecil is stealing money from the hotel to support his many bad habits; some of the guests are demanding and difficult; and a local politician, one of Mussolini's black shirts, is blackmailing Bella. The most difficult guest is Lady Julia Drummond-Ward whose daughter Rose has been chosen by Cecil to be Lucien's wife.
Set in the turbulent times of 1920s Italy and Mussolini's rise to power, Hotel Portofino has all the elements of a great drama-a diverse cast of characters, intrigue, politics, romance, and tragedy. The backdrop of the stunning Italian coast; and lush descriptions of food, wine and luxury will make this a must read for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown; and there is just enough history and mystery for fans of those genres as well.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Set in the turbulent times of 1920s Italy and Mussolini's rise to power, Hotel Portofino has all the elements of a great drama-a diverse cast of characters, intrigue, politics, romance, and tragedy. The backdrop of the stunning Italian coast; and lush descriptions of food, wine and luxury will make this a must read for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown; and there is just enough history and mystery for fans of those genres as well.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
September 3, 2023
Eram hotărâtă să-i dau 3 stele, dar sfârșitul m-a enervat la culme fiindcă e scris prost, prost rău, așa că am ajuns la 2 stele. Mi-a plăcut atmosfera generală de pe Riviera italiană, felul cum sunt descrise locurile, hotelul Portofino, moda și moravurile de atunci, însă personajele au fost plate, povestea a fost plată, și am senzația că regret faptul că am dus cartea la bun sfârșit. Am tot sperat să se întâmple ceva, ORICE, dar nu a existat nici un moment decisiv care să facă povestea palpitantă. E doar o frescă a timpurilor și a unor englezi în Italia lui Mussolini.
December 13, 2021
I received a free digital advance review copy from the publisher, via Netgalley.
It’s not surprising that PBS is going to dramatize this book. It’s basically Downton Abbey on the Italian Riviera. It’s got all the usual soapy elements: sexual peccadillos, complicated love interests, dissolute husbands, blackmailers, war-induced PTSD, political strife and intrigue, eeeevil villains. And in this book it’s all done to the feel of summer sun on the skin, the whirr of cicadas, and the scents of oranges and the sea.
This book has a very visual feel to it, as if it was always intended to be brought to life on the screen. Some of the plotting is a bit silly, especially a caper-ish bit concerning an ostensibly valuable painting. There are so many characters that it’s difficult to feel a lot of depth to them. Instead, I was left wanting to know more about about them.
What puzzles me about this book is that it ends abruptly with little resolution. It feels as if it’s meant to be part one of a series, but I don’t see any indication that that’s the case. I don’t imagine PBS plans to have the story end with so many plot points still up in the air. So, while this book was entertaining, I was left disappointed at its abrupt ending.
It’s not surprising that PBS is going to dramatize this book. It’s basically Downton Abbey on the Italian Riviera. It’s got all the usual soapy elements: sexual peccadillos, complicated love interests, dissolute husbands, blackmailers, war-induced PTSD, political strife and intrigue, eeeevil villains. And in this book it’s all done to the feel of summer sun on the skin, the whirr of cicadas, and the scents of oranges and the sea.
This book has a very visual feel to it, as if it was always intended to be brought to life on the screen. Some of the plotting is a bit silly, especially a caper-ish bit concerning an ostensibly valuable painting. There are so many characters that it’s difficult to feel a lot of depth to them. Instead, I was left wanting to know more about about them.
What puzzles me about this book is that it ends abruptly with little resolution. It feels as if it’s meant to be part one of a series, but I don’t see any indication that that’s the case. I don’t imagine PBS plans to have the story end with so many plot points still up in the air. So, while this book was entertaining, I was left disappointed at its abrupt ending.
April 8, 2022
This is an unusual book because there has been a miniseries made about it apparently before the book has been released! Touted as “perfect” for fans of Downtown Abbey and The Crown, I get the DA comparison, but not TC so much. I’d like to add it has a little bit of Hotel DuLac thrown in and maybe even The Durrells.
Here we see Brits abroad running a hotel in Portofino in the 1920s. Much of the help has been imported from the UK, with locals mixing in for some tasks. The guests include Brits and Italians of some stature, along with a few shady characters. All of this set within the looming menace of Mussolini, the Black Shirts, and Fascism.
There is decent character development, romantic entanglements, black mail, theft, and some other intrigue. Some characters are endearing, others grotesque. It was an enjoyable read, and I wonder if there will be a sequel.
Here we see Brits abroad running a hotel in Portofino in the 1920s. Much of the help has been imported from the UK, with locals mixing in for some tasks. The guests include Brits and Italians of some stature, along with a few shady characters. All of this set within the looming menace of Mussolini, the Black Shirts, and Fascism.
There is decent character development, romantic entanglements, black mail, theft, and some other intrigue. Some characters are endearing, others grotesque. It was an enjoyable read, and I wonder if there will be a sequel.
December 6, 2025
3.5/5
Vienas tų atvejų, kai anotacija neapgauna – tikrai priminė ir Downton Abbey, ir gal net šiek tiek Mamma mia, knyga buvo žavi, atostoginė ir kinematografiška – nieko keisto, kad pasičiupta serialui. Tiesa, jo mačiau lygiai vieną seriją ir net dialogai eina tip top su kūriniu – fainai, bet man jau nebelabai įdomu. Gal pažiūrėsiu, kai knygą pamiršiu. Prie jos sugrįžtant – reikalas neblogas, tik negalėčiau pasakyti, kad iki galo išpildytas. Kaip ir dažniausiai, kai autorius nusprendžia turėti LABAI daug veikėjų, didžioji dalis jų būna tokie klišakojai. Taip nutinka ir šį kartą – kažkiek faini, kažkiek stereotipiniai, dažnai nuspėjami. Knyga antroje pusėje kažkaip ima mutuoti – kažkiek į Agatha Christie, kažkiek į melodramą. Todėl man pirmoji pusė patiko labiau. O jeigu dar būtų pasistengta veikėjus padaryti ne tokius iki skausmo nuspėjamus, iš viso vadinčiau Portofino viešbutį tobulu atostoginiu romanu.
Man patiko pati pabaiga, kaip ir patiko pasirinkta veiksmo vieta bei istorinis laikmetis. Vis dėlto, atrodo, jog atidarytos durys tęsiniams: ar jie labai reikalingi? Nežinau, bet spėju, kad jei nusipirktos teisės į serialą, gali būti norinčių šitą karvę melžti tiek, kiek įmanoma. Manau, kad dar kokią vieną knygą tikrai apie šį viešbutį perskaityčiau, bet maždaug tiek ir būtų gana. O jei šioji būtų pilnai išpildyta, pakaktų ir jos vienos. Dar vienas toks pastebėjimas, kad knygoje veikėjai aprašyti taip, kad atrodo, jog jau beveik babytės ir seneliai, tokie visi išsigandę, susitraukę ir susikaustę. O kai pasižiūri į gražuolius seriale, tai jiems dar net plaukuos ne sidabro gija. Šiek tiek daugiau gyvybės nebūtų pakenkę.
Vienas tų atvejų, kai anotacija neapgauna – tikrai priminė ir Downton Abbey, ir gal net šiek tiek Mamma mia, knyga buvo žavi, atostoginė ir kinematografiška – nieko keisto, kad pasičiupta serialui. Tiesa, jo mačiau lygiai vieną seriją ir net dialogai eina tip top su kūriniu – fainai, bet man jau nebelabai įdomu. Gal pažiūrėsiu, kai knygą pamiršiu. Prie jos sugrįžtant – reikalas neblogas, tik negalėčiau pasakyti, kad iki galo išpildytas. Kaip ir dažniausiai, kai autorius nusprendžia turėti LABAI daug veikėjų, didžioji dalis jų būna tokie klišakojai. Taip nutinka ir šį kartą – kažkiek faini, kažkiek stereotipiniai, dažnai nuspėjami. Knyga antroje pusėje kažkaip ima mutuoti – kažkiek į Agatha Christie, kažkiek į melodramą. Todėl man pirmoji pusė patiko labiau. O jeigu dar būtų pasistengta veikėjus padaryti ne tokius iki skausmo nuspėjamus, iš viso vadinčiau Portofino viešbutį tobulu atostoginiu romanu.
Man patiko pati pabaiga, kaip ir patiko pasirinkta veiksmo vieta bei istorinis laikmetis. Vis dėlto, atrodo, jog atidarytos durys tęsiniams: ar jie labai reikalingi? Nežinau, bet spėju, kad jei nusipirktos teisės į serialą, gali būti norinčių šitą karvę melžti tiek, kiek įmanoma. Manau, kad dar kokią vieną knygą tikrai apie šį viešbutį perskaityčiau, bet maždaug tiek ir būtų gana. O jei šioji būtų pilnai išpildyta, pakaktų ir jos vienos. Dar vienas toks pastebėjimas, kad knygoje veikėjai aprašyti taip, kad atrodo, jog jau beveik babytės ir seneliai, tokie visi išsigandę, susitraukę ir susikaustę. O kai pasižiūri į gražuolius seriale, tai jiems dar net plaukuos ne sidabro gija. Šiek tiek daugiau gyvybės nebūtų pakenkę.
August 8, 2024
And the most boring book of the year go to...Hotel Portofino!. Când spun că in această carte nu se întâmplă nimic, păi nu se întâmplă nimic. 400 de pagini despre niște oameni care se învârt în jurul unui hotel ( ce mănâncă, când dorm, când merg la plajă...)
December 20, 2021
I had no idea what to expect when I started reading Hotel Portofino, but I was pleasantly surprised with the depth & complexities of these characters. A charming British family moves to the Italian Riviera & opens a hotel, for a “fresh start” in 1926 after losing their oldest son in World War 2, which may not sound exciting… but the dynamic between this family and their hotel guests is quite entertaining! It was a little slow paced at the beginning and I found the ending to be a little underwhelming. But I loved how so many important issues like: sexual identity, racism, feminism, PTSD/mental health, Fascism/dictatorship vs. Socialism, and even police brutality, were addressed in such a powerful way.
“Nonsense, my dear! It is the 1920s, you know.’ She squeezed Bella’s hand. ‘The
world is changing. For the better, I hope.”
Over 100 years later and this quote is still so relevant.
I was originally interested when I found out they’re filming a show based on this book that will be released next year on PBS. It’s being recommended to fans of The Crown, and Downton Abbey, but I would also recommend if you liked The Durrell’s in Corfu. I loved the overall Italian Great Gatsby feel, and can’t wait to see how this translates to the screen.
Thank you to J. P. O’Connell, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“Nonsense, my dear! It is the 1920s, you know.’ She squeezed Bella’s hand. ‘The
world is changing. For the better, I hope.”
Over 100 years later and this quote is still so relevant.
I was originally interested when I found out they’re filming a show based on this book that will be released next year on PBS. It’s being recommended to fans of The Crown, and Downton Abbey, but I would also recommend if you liked The Durrell’s in Corfu. I loved the overall Italian Great Gatsby feel, and can’t wait to see how this translates to the screen.
Thank you to J. P. O’Connell, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 9, 2022
The cover is what drew me to this book, it is stunning! However, I could not finish this book for several reasons.
The sheer number of characters and POVs was so overwhelming! I couldn't see any attempt at character development, they were all so one dimensional. Not even full chapters were dedicated to a POV, but rather it would switch POV every 2-5 pages ... Not enough time to get invested in a character before you're jolted out of their story.
It is so dull! There wasn't a single storyline, not a single character I was interested in learning more about.
I had such high hopes for this book, especially since it has already been picked up for a TV adaptation. I don't think I've ever been so disappointed about a book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me this ARC for an honest review.
The sheer number of characters and POVs was so overwhelming! I couldn't see any attempt at character development, they were all so one dimensional. Not even full chapters were dedicated to a POV, but rather it would switch POV every 2-5 pages ... Not enough time to get invested in a character before you're jolted out of their story.
It is so dull! There wasn't a single storyline, not a single character I was interested in learning more about.
I had such high hopes for this book, especially since it has already been picked up for a TV adaptation. I don't think I've ever been so disappointed about a book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me this ARC for an honest review.
January 18, 2022
Oh my stars! What a captivating read set in the 1920s on the Italian Riviera as lush as that cover. What's to like? Everything! Glam histfic at its finest and a must-read before the same-named BritBox series starts January 27.
Pub Date 18 Jan 2022
#HotelPortofinoBook #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Blackstone Publishing
and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
Pub Date 18 Jan 2022
#HotelPortofinoBook #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Blackstone Publishing
and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
April 27, 2022
Shortly into reading HOTEL PORTOFINO, I found myself having a great deal of fun with it. The book felt like a novelization of a Danish television series that I've enjoyed called "Seaside Hotel" in that it had an ensemble of quirky characters in a romantic period setting, plenty of conflicting needs popping up at every turn, and a historical reference (being the rise of Mussolini in Italy here). For most of the novel, each chapter seemed as if I was tuning in to a new episode.
And therein lies a significant problem.
HOTEL PORTOFINO is a book, not a television show (although mention is made that one is forthcoming). When I'm reading, I generally have expectations of more in-depth characters with fewer surface idiosyncrasies. These did make characters more easy to differentiate from one another, yet a few felt that they were more caricatures than full-bodied characterizations. There was also a tendency to have some characters fade into the background without explanation in ways that didn't make sense (such as during a police investigation of a theft). That may be the result of having a bit too many characters.
Consequently, certain behavioral clues and relationships are hinted at rather than being developed to increase Reader engagement. This becomes especially apparent in the final quarter of the book which left me with a sensation of rushing for the finish line. To compound that, the book ends with several prominent loose ends dangling ... the same as a television series ending one season and setting up cliffhangers for the next. As a Reader, I expect more resolution at the end of a book. (Some things can be left dangling, but not this many.)
My assumption is that there will be a follow-up book. However, if I decide to continue with the story, I'll wait for the television series. It seemed as if the story would be more at home there.
And therein lies a significant problem.
HOTEL PORTOFINO is a book, not a television show (although mention is made that one is forthcoming). When I'm reading, I generally have expectations of more in-depth characters with fewer surface idiosyncrasies. These did make characters more easy to differentiate from one another, yet a few felt that they were more caricatures than full-bodied characterizations. There was also a tendency to have some characters fade into the background without explanation in ways that didn't make sense (such as during a police investigation of a theft). That may be the result of having a bit too many characters.
Consequently, certain behavioral clues and relationships are hinted at rather than being developed to increase Reader engagement. This becomes especially apparent in the final quarter of the book which left me with a sensation of rushing for the finish line. To compound that, the book ends with several prominent loose ends dangling ... the same as a television series ending one season and setting up cliffhangers for the next. As a Reader, I expect more resolution at the end of a book. (Some things can be left dangling, but not this many.)
My assumption is that there will be a follow-up book. However, if I decide to continue with the story, I'll wait for the television series. It seemed as if the story would be more at home there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
terminei ontem e ja esqueci tudo. livro mais vazio que ja vi... o cara pelo menos tenta abordar temas bacanas mas falha demais
e TEM A CARALHA DE UM DOISSSSS QUE ODIOOOO termina com NADA resolvido
e TEM A CARALHA DE UM DOISSSSS QUE ODIOOOO termina com NADA resolvido
March 30, 2024
Ovo mi je baš fino leglo... Engleska i talijanska elita u liksuznom hotelu u ('ko bi reko') - Portofinu. Naravno da ima svega, i intriga i dogovorenih brakova, zabranjenih ljubavi, preljuba, politike, a i crnokošuljaša jer je to vrijeme između dva rata kad Mussolini postaje sve jači.
August 19, 2024
Nu știu ce nu a mers, stilul scriiturii probabil, care m-a îngropat în săriturile de la un personaj la altul, de la o emoție la alta, fără în fir de legătură. E mai mult un scenariu pentru film (și filmul ar fi ieșit extraordinar) dar romanul nu m-a cucerit.
August 29, 2022
Forced-in diversity strikes again. Gay drop at 13%.
May 29, 2024
Nett, aber es hat sich etwas gezogen!
August 14, 2023
I need to create a new shelf of books whose purpose I don't understand. Because why, exactly, did I spend 12 hours listening to all this family and political drama only to get... nowhere? What is the point of everything if, in the end, things are in exactly the same place they were when the book began?
The only thing that this novel did for me is put Portofino on the list of places in Italy I want to see. It's - at least in part - atmospheric, sort of cozy in a summery way, good as beach read. A little bit of nature, the sea, the beach; a little bit of food, some limoncello on top. It made me miss Cinque Terre.
Everything else... was underwhelming. There's a lot of drama going on at the Portofino Hotel, a British enclave on the Mediterranean coast. Bella Ainsworth, the owner, is trying to keep the business alive, dealing with the increasingly growing expectations of her British clientele. Her marriage is on the rocks, due to her own indiscretions and her husband's dandy life and excessive spending. Her son, Lucian, is refusing to get a job, despite being an adult; he also has probably some PTSD from his life-threatening wound which he got in WWI. His parents are trying to arrange a marriage between him and a rich British girl, but he seems to prefer the servants. There's also a missing painting and some political unpleasantness caused by Mussolini's black shirts.
Everything has the making of a fun British soap-opera with Downton Abbey vibes and yet everything is just started and left unfinished. There are a lot of characters and plot lines (besides the "main" family drama, each guest at the hotel has their own - and there are many and diverse), but none which you can say is the red line, the focus. Something that would work well as a TV series (I understand there is one), but not so much as a one-and-done novel.
Because of this, many things are just thrown into the mix as "hooks", but not really explored. Such as Nish's sexual orientation (a bit of gay-baiting, let's throw some homosexuality into the mix because "we have to", but don't go anywhere with it), also Nish's involvement with the anti-fascist movement (just left in the air, nothing came out of it), the entire political context (it barely affected the story, it was just there to... what? make Bella give some bribes?), Constance's story (and how can she get away with not really working she she is supposed to), the tennis player's story, Alice's religious fanatism and love life, even Bella's affair... Many, many narrative threads, none of them resolved in any way, shape, or form. So, as I said in the beginning, there's no point to the book except to exist.
Too many characters, not enough characterization. And I had an "aha" moment when I finished the book and found out that the author is a man, because I could not understand how a woma6n could write some of the dialogue between women, which sounded artificial, plasticky.
To resume: beautiful cover, promising premise, lovely atmosphere. But too many characters and plot lines, none of them fully developed or concluded in any way. It felt exactly like watching a TV soap, that was poorly translated into a novel.
The only thing that this novel did for me is put Portofino on the list of places in Italy I want to see. It's - at least in part - atmospheric, sort of cozy in a summery way, good as beach read. A little bit of nature, the sea, the beach; a little bit of food, some limoncello on top. It made me miss Cinque Terre.
Everything else... was underwhelming. There's a lot of drama going on at the Portofino Hotel, a British enclave on the Mediterranean coast. Bella Ainsworth, the owner, is trying to keep the business alive, dealing with the increasingly growing expectations of her British clientele. Her marriage is on the rocks, due to her own indiscretions and her husband's dandy life and excessive spending. Her son, Lucian, is refusing to get a job, despite being an adult; he also has probably some PTSD from his life-threatening wound which he got in WWI. His parents are trying to arrange a marriage between him and a rich British girl, but he seems to prefer the servants. There's also a missing painting and some political unpleasantness caused by Mussolini's black shirts.
Everything has the making of a fun British soap-opera with Downton Abbey vibes and yet everything is just started and left unfinished. There are a lot of characters and plot lines (besides the "main" family drama, each guest at the hotel has their own - and there are many and diverse), but none which you can say is the red line, the focus. Something that would work well as a TV series (I understand there is one), but not so much as a one-and-done novel.
Because of this, many things are just thrown into the mix as "hooks", but not really explored. Such as Nish's sexual orientation (a bit of gay-baiting, let's throw some homosexuality into the mix because "we have to", but don't go anywhere with it), also Nish's involvement with the anti-fascist movement (just left in the air, nothing came out of it), the entire political context (it barely affected the story, it was just there to... what? make Bella give some bribes?), Constance's story (and how can she get away with not really working she she is supposed to), the tennis player's story, Alice's religious fanatism and love life, even Bella's affair... Many, many narrative threads, none of them resolved in any way, shape, or form. So, as I said in the beginning, there's no point to the book except to exist.
Too many characters, not enough characterization. And I had an "aha" moment when I finished the book and found out that the author is a man, because I could not understand how a woma6n could write some of the dialogue between women, which sounded artificial, plasticky.
To resume: beautiful cover, promising premise, lovely atmosphere. But too many characters and plot lines, none of them fully developed or concluded in any way. It felt exactly like watching a TV soap, that was poorly translated into a novel.
June 6, 2023
In vacanza a Portofino
Negli anni Venti sulla riviera ligure fioriscono gli alberghi di lusso, antiche ville e dimore di pregio che accolgono il turismo inglese, sempre più fiorente sulle coste italiane. L'Hotel Portofino è uno di questi. I suoi proprietari, gli Ainsworth, sono approdati in Italia in cerca di una nuova vita: Cecil e Bella hanno perso un bambino e il matrimonio scricchiola sempre di più, mentre i loro figli, Alice e Lucian, cercano di riprendersi dalle ferite che la guerra gli ha inflitto. Non sarà facile: la famiglia deve destreggiarsi tra gli ospiti, i domestici, i conti che non tornano, fantasmi dal passato, problemi personali e sentimentali e soprattutto affrontare il fascismo in ascesa. La situazione si fa ancora più intricata quando un costoso quadro scompare all'improvviso dall'albergo.
Hotel Portofino è una lettura leggera, fresca, piacevole, scorrevole, che sa di estate, di vacanze e relax ed è perfetta per accompagnare le belle giornate. Attraverso le pagine sembra di essere davvero in vacanza a Portofino. C'è anche un delizioso tocco alla Agatha Christie: un gruppetto di persone in un luogo "chiuso" e ristretto e un furto che soltanto uno di loro può aver commesso. Chi sarà stato?
Pur essendo un libro di evasione, Hotel Portofino è molto curato, sia nello stile che nella trama e nella caratterizzazione dei personaggi, tutti convincenti e interessanti, sebbene poco profondi. Anche il contesto è molto ben ricostruito: l'albergo, il paese, la campagna italiana, la piccola stazione, le stradine che portano alla spiaggia, i caffè, la grande villa fresca ed elegante che accoglie l'albergo, il giardino inondato dal sole, le terrazze a picco sul mare. Si respirano a pieni polmoni lo scorrere della vita d'albergo, l'atmosfera di speranza mista a malinconia degli anni Venti, ma anche la repressione e l'oscurantismo portati dai fascisti, che dominano la scena politica italiana e mostrano sempre più il loro vero volto crudele e violento.
Per chi cerca un mix leggero e sofisticato di romance, mistero e ricostruzione storica, Hotel Portofino è senz'altro il libro perfetto.
Negli anni Venti sulla riviera ligure fioriscono gli alberghi di lusso, antiche ville e dimore di pregio che accolgono il turismo inglese, sempre più fiorente sulle coste italiane. L'Hotel Portofino è uno di questi. I suoi proprietari, gli Ainsworth, sono approdati in Italia in cerca di una nuova vita: Cecil e Bella hanno perso un bambino e il matrimonio scricchiola sempre di più, mentre i loro figli, Alice e Lucian, cercano di riprendersi dalle ferite che la guerra gli ha inflitto. Non sarà facile: la famiglia deve destreggiarsi tra gli ospiti, i domestici, i conti che non tornano, fantasmi dal passato, problemi personali e sentimentali e soprattutto affrontare il fascismo in ascesa. La situazione si fa ancora più intricata quando un costoso quadro scompare all'improvviso dall'albergo.
Hotel Portofino è una lettura leggera, fresca, piacevole, scorrevole, che sa di estate, di vacanze e relax ed è perfetta per accompagnare le belle giornate. Attraverso le pagine sembra di essere davvero in vacanza a Portofino. C'è anche un delizioso tocco alla Agatha Christie: un gruppetto di persone in un luogo "chiuso" e ristretto e un furto che soltanto uno di loro può aver commesso. Chi sarà stato?
Pur essendo un libro di evasione, Hotel Portofino è molto curato, sia nello stile che nella trama e nella caratterizzazione dei personaggi, tutti convincenti e interessanti, sebbene poco profondi. Anche il contesto è molto ben ricostruito: l'albergo, il paese, la campagna italiana, la piccola stazione, le stradine che portano alla spiaggia, i caffè, la grande villa fresca ed elegante che accoglie l'albergo, il giardino inondato dal sole, le terrazze a picco sul mare. Si respirano a pieni polmoni lo scorrere della vita d'albergo, l'atmosfera di speranza mista a malinconia degli anni Venti, ma anche la repressione e l'oscurantismo portati dai fascisti, che dominano la scena politica italiana e mostrano sempre più il loro vero volto crudele e violento.
Per chi cerca un mix leggero e sofisticato di romance, mistero e ricostruzione storica, Hotel Portofino è senz'altro il libro perfetto.
June 19, 2022
Italië, 1926. Hotel Portofino verwelkomt een stoet aan glamoureuze gasten uit de Britse upper class voor een heerlijke zomer, maar kort na de opening stapelen de problemen zich al op voor eigenaar Bella Ainsworth. Ze heeft te weinig personeel en geld en bovendien zijn haar eersteklas gasten veeleisend en lastig te behagen. Daarnaast wordt ze het doelwit van een corrupte fascistische politicus.
Haar grootste probleem is echter dat haar aristocratische, sluwe echtgenoot – wanhopig om zijn rijkdom en status te behouden – achter haar rug om zijn eigen plannen smeedt, met grote gevolgen…
'Hotel Portofino, heeft een heerlijke, zomerse cover waardoor je je meteen in Italiaanse sferen begeeft. Het verhaal speelt zich in 1926 af. Je maakt al snel kennis met Bella, de eigenaresse van het hotel, en haar zoon Lucien. Ook leer je haar man, Cecil, kennen en hij blijkt erg sluw te zijn. Er komen behoorlijk wat personages op je af en hier moest ik in het begin wel even aan wennen.
Het verhaal is traag. Je leert de gasten kennen en niet iedereen is even aardig, maar ze hebben allemaal hun eigen geheimen of problemen. De schrijfstijl is fijn. Wel heeft het boek behoorlijk lange hoofdstukken en op de een of andere manier vind ik dit persoonlijk altijd minder fijn.
Ikzelf vond het verhaal overigens oké, maar ik was er niet helemaal van onder de indruk. Misschien omdat het voor mij toch wat te traag was. Op de cover staat 'Perfect voor fans van Downtown Abbey', dus als je hier van houdt zal dit verhaal je zeker wel bevallen!
Ik wil @lsamsterdam heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 3,0 ⭐️
Haar grootste probleem is echter dat haar aristocratische, sluwe echtgenoot – wanhopig om zijn rijkdom en status te behouden – achter haar rug om zijn eigen plannen smeedt, met grote gevolgen…
'Hotel Portofino, heeft een heerlijke, zomerse cover waardoor je je meteen in Italiaanse sferen begeeft. Het verhaal speelt zich in 1926 af. Je maakt al snel kennis met Bella, de eigenaresse van het hotel, en haar zoon Lucien. Ook leer je haar man, Cecil, kennen en hij blijkt erg sluw te zijn. Er komen behoorlijk wat personages op je af en hier moest ik in het begin wel even aan wennen.
Het verhaal is traag. Je leert de gasten kennen en niet iedereen is even aardig, maar ze hebben allemaal hun eigen geheimen of problemen. De schrijfstijl is fijn. Wel heeft het boek behoorlijk lange hoofdstukken en op de een of andere manier vind ik dit persoonlijk altijd minder fijn.
Ikzelf vond het verhaal overigens oké, maar ik was er niet helemaal van onder de indruk. Misschien omdat het voor mij toch wat te traag was. Op de cover staat 'Perfect voor fans van Downtown Abbey', dus als je hier van houdt zal dit verhaal je zeker wel bevallen!
Ik wil @lsamsterdam heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 3,0 ⭐️
July 7, 2024
Przez dwa dni lektury towarzyszyłam mieszkańcom Hotelu Portofino. Pod gorącym włoskim słońcem, w cieniu cyprysów spotykają się ludzie, których jeszcze kilka lat temu (przed wojną) dzieliła przepaść niemożliwa do przebycia. Czasy się zmieniły i tak zderza się ze sobą wspomnienie poprzedniej epoki z nową rzeczywistością, a w tle bagaż tzw. powojnia. Zaginięcie słynnego obrazu sprawi, że skrywane tajemnice wreszcie ujrzą światło dnia. A każdy ma coś do ukrycia. Ksiażka napisana lekkim i zgrabnym językiem. W konstrukcji przypomina trochę scenariusz, bo czytelnik przenoszony jest od sceny do sceny i ma możliwość poznania prawdziwych twarzy bohaterów. Rzeczywiście przypomina klimatem Downton Abbey z okresu międzywojennego. Do tego dodajmy przepiękną willę, aromatyczne smaki i zapachy południowych Włoch, lazurowe morze oraz niestrudzone cykady, a powstanie serialu zupełnie nie dziwi 😉
October 9, 2022
Not my cup of tea.
Abandoned on page 38
NOTE: I've been having some health issues, and it's probably thrown me into a bit of a funk. It is not helping matters that I seem also to be experiencing a major reading slump. So maybe it is just me, but I just can't get interested in this story.
Abandoned on page 38
NOTE: I've been having some health issues, and it's probably thrown me into a bit of a funk. It is not helping matters that I seem also to be experiencing a major reading slump. So maybe it is just me, but I just can't get interested in this story.
November 12, 2025
My point is, while I have a very [redacted] opinion of Italy, I’m objective enough to say that it has some allure. Plus, I’m curious to see how others interpret it.
J.P. O’Connell does a pleasant job in that department. The descriptions and the mannerisms are accurate and historically on-point.
J.P. O’Connell does a pleasant job in that department. The descriptions and the mannerisms are accurate and historically on-point.
January 20, 2022
A historical fiction set in Italy in 1926. A British family buys and restores a beautiful home on the Italian Rivera. They convert it into a luxury hotel catering to upper class English tourists. There are many layers to this story. The hotel and natural beauty of the area are described in luscious detail. The guests and staff create interesting contrasts between the life of the aristocracy and the working class. Every character is presented with a credible backstory which adds depth and charm to their
story. There is forbidden romance, mystery, secrets and intrigue.
Set against the rise of fascism in Italy, the story deals with the very weighty problems that led to this rise. The inequal treatment of class, race and sex is presented. Economic hardship of the working class is contrasted with the excessive luxury of the aristocracy. The fall of colonialism and the rising nationalism of the period is also addressed. These serious issues are presented in the mundane, daily business of running a hotel. Some critiscism was given to the ending of the story which seemed abrupt with some story lines unfinished, but that is also in tune with the running of a hotel. Not every outcome of the story of guests are ever known. A most enjoyable read.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free copy in exchange for my review.
story. There is forbidden romance, mystery, secrets and intrigue.
Set against the rise of fascism in Italy, the story deals with the very weighty problems that led to this rise. The inequal treatment of class, race and sex is presented. Economic hardship of the working class is contrasted with the excessive luxury of the aristocracy. The fall of colonialism and the rising nationalism of the period is also addressed. These serious issues are presented in the mundane, daily business of running a hotel. Some critiscism was given to the ending of the story which seemed abrupt with some story lines unfinished, but that is also in tune with the running of a hotel. Not every outcome of the story of guests are ever known. A most enjoyable read.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free copy in exchange for my review.
August 3, 2022
While I provided a low rating for the book, I look forward to previewing the made for television series based on the novel. Rationale for the low rating: (1) The pace of the book was slow. Although the initial storyline was engaging, the narrative dragged for nearly a hundred pages. (2) With multiple characters introduced in the early chapters, I had difficulty following their individual development. (3) With fragmented pieces of information revealed about each characters in the early chapters, I did not connect with anyone in the novel. The premise of the book was great. However, I did not enjoy reading the book at this time. Hope the television adaptation is more entertaining than the book. Perhaps I will pick-up the book again, after watching the show.
May 9, 2022
I was drawn to Hotel Portofino because I love Historical Fiction, and I was fascinated by this post-war story about an English family seeking a new beginning in Italy.
From the Italian coast setting, the food descriptions, and the way of life for a hotelier, I really enjoyed this character driven story with the hotel at the very heart.
I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, and thought the narration was great. Esther Wane was narrator, and really brought the story to life!
*many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley / Blackstone Audio for the gifted copy and Audiobook for review
From the Italian coast setting, the food descriptions, and the way of life for a hotelier, I really enjoyed this character driven story with the hotel at the very heart.
I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, and thought the narration was great. Esther Wane was narrator, and really brought the story to life!
*many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley / Blackstone Audio for the gifted copy and Audiobook for review
October 12, 2024
Rozczarowanie. Książka promowana jako "Downton Abbey spotyka Agathę Christie". To co się tu jednak spotkało to kanciasty styl narracji i po prostu nudna fabuła. O ile pewne porównanie z Downton Abbey można zrozumieć (i tak zrodziło to oczekiwania, którym ta książka nie sprostała) to Christie tu absolutnie brak. A nie, przecież autorka sama próbowała czytelników na to powiązanie naprowadzić ustami bohaterów aż dwa razy, a najbardziej podobał mi się ten dialog:
-- Naprawdę wszystko to przypominało powieść Agathy Christie.
-- Rzeczywiście, chociaż wydaje mi się, że nawet ona nie wymyśliłaby tak różnobarwnej palety postaci.
I jeszcze na koniec sama siebie pochwaliła 🙈 Kurtyna.
-- Naprawdę wszystko to przypominało powieść Agathy Christie.
-- Rzeczywiście, chociaż wydaje mi się, że nawet ona nie wymyśliłaby tak różnobarwnej palety postaci.
I jeszcze na koniec sama siebie pochwaliła 🙈 Kurtyna.
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