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Meet Me in Italy #4
To Sicily with Love
When she learns she has a big Italian family she never knew about, a lonely woman travels to Sicily for a life-changing summer in the new romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst
Aurora York had it all loving parents, a steady relationship, and a promising career. But after she loses both parents unexpectedly, she can鈥檛 seem to stay on track any longer. Lonely and lost after a public meltdown that threatens her professional credibility, she鈥檚 shocked when DNA test results show a blood relative in Sicily. When her cousin reaches out online and begs her to come to Italy to meet everyone in person, Aurora makes the leap.
Aurora arrives in Sicily for a month, and there she meets a colorful, dynamic family steeped in tradition. The younger generation is fascinated by her social media fame in America, and even though her grandparents have more traditional viewpoints, Aurora begins to heal from her grief鈥nd enjoys the attention of a kind and handsome Italian man.
But when the summer ends, a new opportunity calls her back to the States and her old habits threaten to reemerge. Will Aurora leave everything in Sicily she loves behind, or take the chance on a whole new future?
Aurora York had it all loving parents, a steady relationship, and a promising career. But after she loses both parents unexpectedly, she can鈥檛 seem to stay on track any longer. Lonely and lost after a public meltdown that threatens her professional credibility, she鈥檚 shocked when DNA test results show a blood relative in Sicily. When her cousin reaches out online and begs her to come to Italy to meet everyone in person, Aurora makes the leap.
Aurora arrives in Sicily for a month, and there she meets a colorful, dynamic family steeped in tradition. The younger generation is fascinated by her social media fame in America, and even though her grandparents have more traditional viewpoints, Aurora begins to heal from her grief鈥nd enjoys the attention of a kind and handsome Italian man.
But when the summer ends, a new opportunity calls her back to the States and her old habits threaten to reemerge. Will Aurora leave everything in Sicily she loves behind, or take the chance on a whole new future?
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2025
139 people are currently reading
12.2k people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Probst
113听books10.2k听followersJennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn鈥檛 stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine鈥攏ot necessarily in that order.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at . Sign up of her newsletter at for a free book.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at . Sign up of her newsletter at for a free book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
February 7, 2025
3 stars 鉁�
猡� this was actually really sweet 馃檨
馃拰 plot:
this beautiful story follows aurora, as we watch her rediscover herself in the beautiful land of sicily <3 she鈥檚 only ever had her mother, no father, and no relatives. her mom was her best friend, and when she passes away, aurora鈥檚 whole life feels meaningless. she鈥檚 so heartbroken and instead of her bf consoling her through it and showing her love he.. breaks up with her?? kinda? but they鈥檙e still together but taking a break? idek. but when she discovers she has family in Italy, she drops everything and goes to meet them鈥� and it changes her life completely 馃
馃拰 my thoughts:
this was actually really comforting and refreshing. it was nice to see so much happiness and light be brought back to auroras life after what happened, so I really liked that for her. she鈥檚 also so easy to relate to. like loneliness can take such a toll on someone and affect their mental health horribly. I have to live away from my mom for uni and it puts me in misery, and aurora had to literally lose the only person she ever relied on!?!? and forever. it鈥檚 crazy how she even stayed so hopeful but I鈥檓 glad she followed her heart and found her people鈥� it literally made me so emotional 馃ス馃馃徏
what I did struggle with, though, was the writing at times. i don鈥檛 know how to put it but it feels very diary-like? I know that鈥檚 only natural when reading in first person but i found it hard to get into when it felt like she was just reciting the things she鈥檚 doing鈥� i would鈥檝e liked it to be a little more descriptive.. more creative perhaps? im not sure. I might be being nitpicky but I found it really hard to fully immerse myself. nonetheless, I still had a great time!! I would recommend reading this in the summer or at the beach I think it would be so good 馃き馃き
馃拰conclusion:
i recommend this if you鈥檙e looking for something quick and relaxing, something easy to read with no major dramas or conflicts, defo pick this up!! obviously it does deal with heavy topics, mostly grief and how to cope with it but for the most part the book is pretty lighthearted. this was super fun 馃拹
thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
猡� this was actually really sweet 馃檨
馃拰 plot:
this beautiful story follows aurora, as we watch her rediscover herself in the beautiful land of sicily <3 she鈥檚 only ever had her mother, no father, and no relatives. her mom was her best friend, and when she passes away, aurora鈥檚 whole life feels meaningless. she鈥檚 so heartbroken and instead of her bf consoling her through it and showing her love he.. breaks up with her?? kinda? but they鈥檙e still together but taking a break? idek. but when she discovers she has family in Italy, she drops everything and goes to meet them鈥� and it changes her life completely 馃
馃拰 my thoughts:
this was actually really comforting and refreshing. it was nice to see so much happiness and light be brought back to auroras life after what happened, so I really liked that for her. she鈥檚 also so easy to relate to. like loneliness can take such a toll on someone and affect their mental health horribly. I have to live away from my mom for uni and it puts me in misery, and aurora had to literally lose the only person she ever relied on!?!? and forever. it鈥檚 crazy how she even stayed so hopeful but I鈥檓 glad she followed her heart and found her people鈥� it literally made me so emotional 馃ス馃馃徏
what I did struggle with, though, was the writing at times. i don鈥檛 know how to put it but it feels very diary-like? I know that鈥檚 only natural when reading in first person but i found it hard to get into when it felt like she was just reciting the things she鈥檚 doing鈥� i would鈥檝e liked it to be a little more descriptive.. more creative perhaps? im not sure. I might be being nitpicky but I found it really hard to fully immerse myself. nonetheless, I still had a great time!! I would recommend reading this in the summer or at the beach I think it would be so good 馃き馃き
馃拰conclusion:
i recommend this if you鈥檙e looking for something quick and relaxing, something easy to read with no major dramas or conflicts, defo pick this up!! obviously it does deal with heavy topics, mostly grief and how to cope with it but for the most part the book is pretty lighthearted. this was super fun 馃拹
thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
December 15, 2024
To Sicily with Love follows Aurora who thinks she has her life all together until her mother passes away and her life changes.
as someone who has taken a DNA test before and found out things i never imagined, i related so so hard to Aurora and all her DNA test changed for her.
i cried multiple times throughout this book. this book dealt with heavily losses and the grieving that comes with that. this book also dealt with finding love within yourself and your family, your community, your job. rediscovering yourself. Aurora meeting her family, falling in love with Sicily, and finding herself after the loss of her mother was incredible and inspiring. this book made me cry, swoon, and just warmed my heart so much. reading about Aurora finding love within a family and Sicily was everything and more. it made me so so happy and touched my heart, truly. this book was everything and more and it healed parts of me. i loved it so much!
thank you so much Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
as someone who has taken a DNA test before and found out things i never imagined, i related so so hard to Aurora and all her DNA test changed for her.
i cried multiple times throughout this book. this book dealt with heavily losses and the grieving that comes with that. this book also dealt with finding love within yourself and your family, your community, your job. rediscovering yourself. Aurora meeting her family, falling in love with Sicily, and finding herself after the loss of her mother was incredible and inspiring. this book made me cry, swoon, and just warmed my heart so much. reading about Aurora finding love within a family and Sicily was everything and more. it made me so so happy and touched my heart, truly. this book was everything and more and it healed parts of me. i loved it so much!
thank you so much Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 4, 2024
The story really got to me in many ways, especially due to the fact that our female lead was a public entity on social media.
The author takes on the issues that social media can bring to people in terms of privacy and the faceless person feeling like they can trash or say anything because it鈥檚 on a social media platform. Sad really.
This story dives into the psychology of dealing with grief and how it can affect people differently. The story tackles, not only the business profession, but also personal relationships, and how that can affect your psyche and outlook while grieving.
What was wonderful was the female lead taking a chance on traveling, meeting new family, and getting the backstory that she never knew about. Within all of this we also meet a wonderful guy who is a perfect balance for everything she鈥檚 going through.
Probst delivers amazing descriptions and details that paint a picture of Sicily that will warm your heart. The story is in the details and the author definitely enhances it with this vibrant setting.
To Sicily with Love is a beautiful story that is a bit of a tear-jerker about family, healing, and finding your perfect path. It definitely made an impression on me as I could relate to many pieces in this story.
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review -
The author takes on the issues that social media can bring to people in terms of privacy and the faceless person feeling like they can trash or say anything because it鈥檚 on a social media platform. Sad really.
This story dives into the psychology of dealing with grief and how it can affect people differently. The story tackles, not only the business profession, but also personal relationships, and how that can affect your psyche and outlook while grieving.
What was wonderful was the female lead taking a chance on traveling, meeting new family, and getting the backstory that she never knew about. Within all of this we also meet a wonderful guy who is a perfect balance for everything she鈥檚 going through.
Probst delivers amazing descriptions and details that paint a picture of Sicily that will warm your heart. The story is in the details and the author definitely enhances it with this vibrant setting.
To Sicily with Love is a beautiful story that is a bit of a tear-jerker about family, healing, and finding your perfect path. It definitely made an impression on me as I could relate to many pieces in this story.
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review -
March 29, 2025
To Sicily With Love by Jennifer Probst
Meet Me in Italy series #4. Chick lit, romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Aurora York thought she was alone in the world after her parents passed away. She鈥檚 surprised when a genealogy test result shows she has family in Italy. Needing a break from her career, Aurora travels to Sicily for a month and falls in love with the town, the people, and mostly her previously unknown extended family.
A heart moving novel of learning to trust in love family, career, and romance. Aurora needed some self reflection and getting the support from the family was important to her. She even craved the approval from the grouchy old man and she learns to address him head on. Most importantly, she learns to like herself again and figure out what she wants the future to look like.
Sentimental and schmaltzy in the best way.
Meet Me in Italy series #4. Chick lit, romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Aurora York thought she was alone in the world after her parents passed away. She鈥檚 surprised when a genealogy test result shows she has family in Italy. Needing a break from her career, Aurora travels to Sicily for a month and falls in love with the town, the people, and mostly her previously unknown extended family.
A heart moving novel of learning to trust in love family, career, and romance. Aurora needed some self reflection and getting the support from the family was important to her. She even craved the approval from the grouchy old man and she learns to address him head on. Most importantly, she learns to like herself again and figure out what she wants the future to look like.
Sentimental and schmaltzy in the best way.
February 20, 2025
I have relatives in Sicily?
My mother never told me - she said she was an only child, and her parents were gone.
All of that was not true. Aurora found she has many relatives in Sicily, and her grandparents are still living.
How disheartening to learn all of this, but also how wonderful.
Aurora found this out after submitting a DNA test and being contacted by her cousin in Sicily.
Would this be the perfect time to visit Sicily since her career is at a bit of a standstill and she hopefully will find out why her mother never told her about her family.
See what Aurora does in this delightful, delicious read with descriptions so vivid, mouth-watering food, and welcoming characters, you will want to get on the next plane and see if you have a long lost loving, Sicilian family. :) 5/5
Even though this is fourth in the series, I easily read it as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
My mother never told me - she said she was an only child, and her parents were gone.
All of that was not true. Aurora found she has many relatives in Sicily, and her grandparents are still living.
How disheartening to learn all of this, but also how wonderful.
Aurora found this out after submitting a DNA test and being contacted by her cousin in Sicily.
Would this be the perfect time to visit Sicily since her career is at a bit of a standstill and she hopefully will find out why her mother never told her about her family.
See what Aurora does in this delightful, delicious read with descriptions so vivid, mouth-watering food, and welcoming characters, you will want to get on the next plane and see if you have a long lost loving, Sicilian family. :) 5/5
Even though this is fourth in the series, I easily read it as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2025
Trigger warnings: anxiety/panic attacks, eating disorders, parental grief.
While this is the fourth in a series, To Sicily with Love reads well as a standalone. I was initially hesitant about another story featuring a social media influencer/life coach, but I grew to enjoy Aurora's character in Jennifer Probst鈥檚 To Sicily with Love. When her mother suddenly dies, the Instagram-perfect life she and her superficial boyfriend Jason cultivated loses its appeal. Now parentless, Aurora discovers she has living relatives in Sicily through a DNA test. Seeking connection and a break from her unraveling life, she takes a sabbatical to meet her long-lost Italian family. The author beautifully portrays the vibrant Italian scenery, delicious food, and heartwarming family interactions, particularly Aurora's relationship with her initially resentful but loving Boppa (grandfather). The central mystery surrounding why Aurora's mother left Italy decades ago and never spoke of her family adds intrigue, as both grandparents remain tight-lipped about the past. As Aurora immerses herself in the gorgeous Italian culture, sharing meals and laughter with her relatives, she begins to find a sense of belonging she has not felt since the loss of hr parents. A connection with a handsome local man, Quint, further illuminates her path, leading her to realize her relationship with Jason was unfulfilling. (It was evident to readers from the get go, and the romantic subplot with Quint felt somewhat rushed, almost as if the romances were not necessary.) Ultimately, the theme of found family and how loss can lead to unexpected strength resonated most strongly with me.
While this is the fourth in a series, To Sicily with Love reads well as a standalone. I was initially hesitant about another story featuring a social media influencer/life coach, but I grew to enjoy Aurora's character in Jennifer Probst鈥檚 To Sicily with Love. When her mother suddenly dies, the Instagram-perfect life she and her superficial boyfriend Jason cultivated loses its appeal. Now parentless, Aurora discovers she has living relatives in Sicily through a DNA test. Seeking connection and a break from her unraveling life, she takes a sabbatical to meet her long-lost Italian family. The author beautifully portrays the vibrant Italian scenery, delicious food, and heartwarming family interactions, particularly Aurora's relationship with her initially resentful but loving Boppa (grandfather). The central mystery surrounding why Aurora's mother left Italy decades ago and never spoke of her family adds intrigue, as both grandparents remain tight-lipped about the past. As Aurora immerses herself in the gorgeous Italian culture, sharing meals and laughter with her relatives, she begins to find a sense of belonging she has not felt since the loss of hr parents. A connection with a handsome local man, Quint, further illuminates her path, leading her to realize her relationship with Jason was unfulfilling. (It was evident to readers from the get go, and the romantic subplot with Quint felt somewhat rushed, almost as if the romances were not necessary.) Ultimately, the theme of found family and how loss can lead to unexpected strength resonated most strongly with me.
October 7, 2024
Aurora is a podcast host and a life coach with many clients. She has a boyfriend that is arrogant and pretty unlikable. Her mom dies young of a heart attack. She takes a DNA test and finds out her mom was not an only child but has a whole family in Sicily. The story takes a turn and she goes to Italy for the summer. This changes the direction of her life.
This book was full of nostalgic descriptions and endearing moments. I enjoyed exploring the theme of going to the home of one鈥檚 ancestors. Well, I appreciated the overall story arc as well as the dialogue. I found that an execution this story came across lacking. I wasn鈥檛 invested in any of the characters as there was not a lot of time spent in characterization. While this book was a bit boring in parts, it was overall quite a sweet story with good theme.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley publishing for the ARC. Book to be published February 18, 2025.
This book was full of nostalgic descriptions and endearing moments. I enjoyed exploring the theme of going to the home of one鈥檚 ancestors. Well, I appreciated the overall story arc as well as the dialogue. I found that an execution this story came across lacking. I wasn鈥檛 invested in any of the characters as there was not a lot of time spent in characterization. While this book was a bit boring in parts, it was overall quite a sweet story with good theme.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley publishing for the ARC. Book to be published February 18, 2025.
April 5, 2025
3.5猸愶笍
RTC
RTC
March 5, 2025
Aurora, still reeling from the sudden death of her parents, is unhappy that her boyfriend Jason tells her he wants a break. As a social media influencer with a massive following, she breaks down during a podcast, causing her book contract to be delayed. Amidst her relationship issues, contractual problems, and public embarrassment, an unexpected DNA result sends her on an unexpected trip to Sicily. Unbeknownst to her, she has numerous relatives in Italy, closely related to her family tree.
Aurora plans a month-long stay in Italy, hoping to reset her life and get back on track. Discovering her Italian relatives leaves her curious about their history and why her mother kept that side of her family a secret. Learning the truth might just be the healing balm she needs, all while reveling in the attention of an attentive Italian man.
This heartwarming story feels like a coming-of-age tale. Aurora once had it all, having surpassed her personal goals. However, her losses were adding up, and this trip to Italy provided the perfect reset she needed. Faced with new choices and the newfound connection to her family, it creates a compelling story for readers who enjoy connecting with the characters. Aurora鈥檚 protagonist makes choices that ultimately lead to her happiness.
The family aspect of the story is heartwarming, especially as most of them welcome her with open arms. Aurora needs this bond with them, and it鈥檚 wonderful to witness their connection as the story unfolds.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Aurora plans a month-long stay in Italy, hoping to reset her life and get back on track. Discovering her Italian relatives leaves her curious about their history and why her mother kept that side of her family a secret. Learning the truth might just be the healing balm she needs, all while reveling in the attention of an attentive Italian man.
This heartwarming story feels like a coming-of-age tale. Aurora once had it all, having surpassed her personal goals. However, her losses were adding up, and this trip to Italy provided the perfect reset she needed. Faced with new choices and the newfound connection to her family, it creates a compelling story for readers who enjoy connecting with the characters. Aurora鈥檚 protagonist makes choices that ultimately lead to her happiness.
The family aspect of the story is heartwarming, especially as most of them welcome her with open arms. Aurora needs this bond with them, and it鈥檚 wonderful to witness their connection as the story unfolds.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
February 25, 2025
This was such a treat. It has been years since I read a Jennifer Probst novel.
In this book Aurora, a life coach, believes she has her whole life figured out and that her career is all she needs to be happy. Life doesn鈥檛 always work out the way we think, Aurora鈥檚 life is shaken up after her mother dies and she realizes that she doesn鈥檛 have all she needs in life. During her time of grief she takes a DNA tests and realizes she has a family she didn鈥檛 know existed. She travels to Sicily to meet her long last family. During this time, Aurora realizes that there is more to life than her career.
I really enjoyed watching Aurora change and find herself after grief. So many times we lose ourselves and forget how to keep living and this was a good example that life keeps on moving and sometimes we need to start over to find happiness within.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a women鈥檚 fiction with a romance that makes you feel giddy.
Thank you #netgalley and Berkeley publishing for the ARC
In this book Aurora, a life coach, believes she has her whole life figured out and that her career is all she needs to be happy. Life doesn鈥檛 always work out the way we think, Aurora鈥檚 life is shaken up after her mother dies and she realizes that she doesn鈥檛 have all she needs in life. During her time of grief she takes a DNA tests and realizes she has a family she didn鈥檛 know existed. She travels to Sicily to meet her long last family. During this time, Aurora realizes that there is more to life than her career.
I really enjoyed watching Aurora change and find herself after grief. So many times we lose ourselves and forget how to keep living and this was a good example that life keeps on moving and sometimes we need to start over to find happiness within.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a women鈥檚 fiction with a romance that makes you feel giddy.
Thank you #netgalley and Berkeley publishing for the ARC
March 19, 2025
Aurora York is a successful life coach who is on the brink of a major breakthrough in her career. She has plans to write a book and launch a podcast, and her handsome boyfriend, a fitness guru with a strong following, adds to her excitement. Aurora鈥檚 star is on the rise, inspired by the untimely death of her father several years ago, which pushed her to figure out her life and channel her pain into something meaningful. However, living this kind of life is challenging for Aurora; she has many rules and expectations to meet. Everything changes when her mother passes away unexpectedly. This loss hits Aurora particularly hard because her mother had urged her to live joyfully and suggested that perhaps Aurora wasn't truly happy. She realized she needed to stop planning every second of her day and start doing the things she loves. To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst is the fourth book in the Meet Me in Italy series and offers a delightful escape.
Read the rest of my review here:
Read the rest of my review here:
September 28, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-arc for an honest review!
I won't lie, when I started To Sicily with Love I didn't have the highest of hopes. Our main character, Aurora, is a social media influencer/life coach and I just can't stand that plot line. The first 20-30% seemed to drag on and I almost put it down.
However! Once we got to Sicily, things started to pick up for me. You get lost in the Italian landscape, descriptions of food, all while you're sifting through themes of grief, guilt, and self-discovery. I really began to enjoy Aurora more as well as the additional characters. I especially loved Aurora's relationship with her Boppa.
This book did remind me a little too much of One Italian Summer but without the magical realism and cheating trope. This was a nice quick read and I'd recommend picking it up when it comes out in Feb 2025!
3.5 stars
I won't lie, when I started To Sicily with Love I didn't have the highest of hopes. Our main character, Aurora, is a social media influencer/life coach and I just can't stand that plot line. The first 20-30% seemed to drag on and I almost put it down.
However! Once we got to Sicily, things started to pick up for me. You get lost in the Italian landscape, descriptions of food, all while you're sifting through themes of grief, guilt, and self-discovery. I really began to enjoy Aurora more as well as the additional characters. I especially loved Aurora's relationship with her Boppa.
This book did remind me a little too much of One Italian Summer but without the magical realism and cheating trope. This was a nice quick read and I'd recommend picking it up when it comes out in Feb 2025!
3.5 stars
January 23, 2025
This was a sleeper book, just came out of nowhere to be such an emotional read!
This book follows Aurora, a life coach/podcaster, who must navigate grief, reinventing yourself, and finding family in Sicily. While some parts were a bit slow/repetitive, the time we spent in Sicily with Aurora鈥檚 family was fun! Navigating a new culture and family dynamic were fun elements to Aurora鈥檚 journey to find herself after her parents passed.
The descriptions of locations and family interactions really come alive and I genuinely found myself smiling reading much of the dialogue between characters. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FOOD. 馃い馃А
Such a fun 鈥渟tay in and dream about Italian summer鈥� book. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC!
This book follows Aurora, a life coach/podcaster, who must navigate grief, reinventing yourself, and finding family in Sicily. While some parts were a bit slow/repetitive, the time we spent in Sicily with Aurora鈥檚 family was fun! Navigating a new culture and family dynamic were fun elements to Aurora鈥檚 journey to find herself after her parents passed.
The descriptions of locations and family interactions really come alive and I genuinely found myself smiling reading much of the dialogue between characters. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FOOD. 馃い馃А
Such a fun 鈥渟tay in and dream about Italian summer鈥� book. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC!
January 21, 2025
Jennifer Probst has written an absolutely gorgeous book about rediscovering joy after experiencing profound grief. She takes us on a journey from New York to Sicily as we accompany Aurora York on her quest to heal after the loss of her mother.
Aurora is a driven life coach whose own life falls apart after the unexpected death of her mother. She is floundering professionally and in her romantic relationship. As an only child, she believes she has no living family. A DNA test reveals that not to be the case. Aurora embarks on a trip to Sicily to meet the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and extended family she didn鈥檛 know she had.
Aurora鈥檚 path to healing immerses her - and the reader - in the richness of Sicilian culture. The geography, the food (OMG, THE FOOD), and the importance of family are all featured prominently as Aurora seeks connection and direction. I am a big fan of the found family trope and this book is literally about family found.
There is a romance element to this book, but it takes a backseat to the themes of healing and self-discovery.
My mother鈥檚 side of the family is Sicilian and my heart swelled at the characterization of loud, boisterous gatherings with seemingly endless platters of incredible food. I saw my own family reflected in Aurora鈥檚 and it was as comforting as the inevitable hugs and cheek pinches that were part of every family get together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
Aurora is a driven life coach whose own life falls apart after the unexpected death of her mother. She is floundering professionally and in her romantic relationship. As an only child, she believes she has no living family. A DNA test reveals that not to be the case. Aurora embarks on a trip to Sicily to meet the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and extended family she didn鈥檛 know she had.
Aurora鈥檚 path to healing immerses her - and the reader - in the richness of Sicilian culture. The geography, the food (OMG, THE FOOD), and the importance of family are all featured prominently as Aurora seeks connection and direction. I am a big fan of the found family trope and this book is literally about family found.
There is a romance element to this book, but it takes a backseat to the themes of healing and self-discovery.
My mother鈥檚 side of the family is Sicilian and my heart swelled at the characterization of loud, boisterous gatherings with seemingly endless platters of incredible food. I saw my own family reflected in Aurora鈥檚 and it was as comforting as the inevitable hugs and cheek pinches that were part of every family get together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
February 18, 2025
Book Review 馃拰馃嵎馃К
thank you so much partner @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley for the free copy!
To Sicily with Love
by Jennifer Probst
About the book 馃憞馃徑
Aurora York had it all together: loving parents, a steady relationship, and a promising career. But after she loses both parents unexpectedly, she can鈥檛 seem to stay on track any longer. Lonely and lost after a public meltdown that threatens her professional credibility, she鈥檚 shocked when DNA test results show a blood relative in Sicily. When her cousin reaches out online and begs her to come to Italy to meet everyone in person, Aurora makes the leap.
馃嵎My thoughts:
This one was a story that was meant to pull at your heartstrings, and will. What starts as a heart breaking read, slowly turns into a warm embrace as you read through Aurora鈥檚 story. The found family in this is really what stood out the most for me. There鈥檚 so many different ways to heal from grief and one way I can relate to is having love and support from loved ones and in this case鈥� it鈥檚 newly found loved ones. This is actually the fourth book in a series but it can definitely be read as a standalone and at no point did I feel like I was missing pieces even though I haven鈥檛 read any others in the series. This is a great read for those that love found family, healing, second chances, with a touch of romance. To Sicily with Love is out today, 2/18/25!!
Happy reading 馃摉馃К馃嵎
February 17, 2025
Early read w/ net galley
OH. MY. GOD. This was such a perfect read! It was the perfect balance of real life problems and romance. The characters were developed so well and everything was easy to understand, even the Italian quotes. I appreciate that she did the work to include Sicilian traditions and made it authentic to the place. The building of characters was perfect and you really could feel her pain. I could relate a lot with how she describes grief, especially with her mom. I have now accepted my grief and that it will always live with me but it sometimes can be a good thing. also the ending had me crying
OH. MY. GOD. This was such a perfect read! It was the perfect balance of real life problems and romance. The characters were developed so well and everything was easy to understand, even the Italian quotes. I appreciate that she did the work to include Sicilian traditions and made it authentic to the place. The building of characters was perfect and you really could feel her pain. I could relate a lot with how she describes grief, especially with her mom. I have now accepted my grief and that it will always live with me but it sometimes can be a good thing. also the ending had me crying
February 23, 2025
To Sicily with Love is a beautiful love story between a mother and daughter, a woman and a country and a woman who finds not only a family, but also a soulmate. The message of the story is so important...sometimes a woman's greatest loss can become her greatest strength in life.
Aurora York is a superstar! She can do it all! She has a popular podcast, is a life coach, and is writing a book. She has a wonderful boyfriend Jason who is just as busy as she is, and they both treat their bodies like temples. An only child and with her father's tragic passing, it is her responsibility to take care of her mother who continually tries to malign her lifestyle. She doesn't care for her boyfriend and feels Aurora starves herself. She reluctantly makes the trek to her house alone as little as possible, not realizing this visit where she tries to convince her to stay for dinner would be the last time she sees or speaks to her.
She is devastated at the loss of her mother. Now she is truly alone with no family or relatives, only Jason who himself is constantly busy. At first, she feels she is holding it all together, but as her emotions and feelings get the best of her, she begins to have breakdowns one in particular which is on air.
She decides to put her book on hold and seek help. One of the suggestions is to do a DNA test to see if she can find any relatives, she was unaware of. What she discovers will change the trajectory of her life forever!
Unbeknownst to her, her mother was born in Sicily and left her family behind to come to America. But the family she left including her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all still live in a small seaside town in Sicily. Against the wishes of her boyfriend but encouragement of her therapist she decides to go meet them and stay for ten days.
She is of course overwhelmed by these people who pull her in and love her unconditionally even though they did not know she existed. Her grandparents, especially her grandfather does not have much to say to her still angry that his daughter abandoned the family all those years ago. But they refuse to tell her why.
Aurora's light begins to shine as she spends time and many, many meals (and carbs) with her relatives, laughing, going to church and learning the language. The more time she is there, the more it feels like a home. And of course, there is a very handsome man who continually gives her sage advice.
As her time in Sicily draws to an end, she begins to feel a loss she never imagined. She still does not have the answers to all her questions, or even what the life she knew is even worth her time anymore, and there is the mystery as to why her mother left and never mentioned having a family to her at all.
To Sicily with Love is full of love and hope as well as guilt, but most importantly, it's about finding out who you really are in so many ways, slowing down and looking around for the beauty which can be seen through yours and other people's eyes as well, including the main character of this wonderful story, Sicily.
Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #JenniferProbst #ToSicilywithLove for the advanced copy.
Aurora York is a superstar! She can do it all! She has a popular podcast, is a life coach, and is writing a book. She has a wonderful boyfriend Jason who is just as busy as she is, and they both treat their bodies like temples. An only child and with her father's tragic passing, it is her responsibility to take care of her mother who continually tries to malign her lifestyle. She doesn't care for her boyfriend and feels Aurora starves herself. She reluctantly makes the trek to her house alone as little as possible, not realizing this visit where she tries to convince her to stay for dinner would be the last time she sees or speaks to her.
She is devastated at the loss of her mother. Now she is truly alone with no family or relatives, only Jason who himself is constantly busy. At first, she feels she is holding it all together, but as her emotions and feelings get the best of her, she begins to have breakdowns one in particular which is on air.
She decides to put her book on hold and seek help. One of the suggestions is to do a DNA test to see if she can find any relatives, she was unaware of. What she discovers will change the trajectory of her life forever!
Unbeknownst to her, her mother was born in Sicily and left her family behind to come to America. But the family she left including her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all still live in a small seaside town in Sicily. Against the wishes of her boyfriend but encouragement of her therapist she decides to go meet them and stay for ten days.
She is of course overwhelmed by these people who pull her in and love her unconditionally even though they did not know she existed. Her grandparents, especially her grandfather does not have much to say to her still angry that his daughter abandoned the family all those years ago. But they refuse to tell her why.
Aurora's light begins to shine as she spends time and many, many meals (and carbs) with her relatives, laughing, going to church and learning the language. The more time she is there, the more it feels like a home. And of course, there is a very handsome man who continually gives her sage advice.
As her time in Sicily draws to an end, she begins to feel a loss she never imagined. She still does not have the answers to all her questions, or even what the life she knew is even worth her time anymore, and there is the mystery as to why her mother left and never mentioned having a family to her at all.
To Sicily with Love is full of love and hope as well as guilt, but most importantly, it's about finding out who you really are in so many ways, slowing down and looking around for the beauty which can be seen through yours and other people's eyes as well, including the main character of this wonderful story, Sicily.
Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #JenniferProbst #ToSicilywithLove for the advanced copy.
February 6, 2025
Devoured this one in 24 hours like every morsel of Sicilian food in this book.
Thank you so much to Berkley for the free book鈥� this one really made me feel all the things.
Aurora, the main character, is a life coach and influencer/motivational podcaster who 鈥渉as the life鈥� - the hot boyfriend, the nice house, the huge social following, and great success. After losing her father a few years back, she is still finding her way in the world and helping out her mom, who can鈥檛 seem to move past the grief.
Aurora鈥檚 life is completely turned upside down, and she soon finds herself in a Sicily, meeting people who transform her life in every way, make her see the world differently, and make her truly consider what is important鈥� has she really been life coaching the right way? Does she actually like what she does for a living? Does she like herself?
I loved this book. I love Jennifer Probst鈥檚 voice. It is honest, clear, and thoughtful. She writes incredible imagery and heartbreaking, real feeling. The descriptions of food? *deliziosa* You could find me drooling for half of this book, probably.
One major factor I want to make sure I call out in my review - as someone who has experienced a fair amount of grief in my lifetime - To Sicily With Love really hit home for me. There is a very strong theme in this book: family is everything.
Lovers of family bonds, self-discovery, FOOD, and most of all, love, please read this book. I think you鈥檒l find it so fulfilling.
Thank you so much to Berkley for the free book鈥� this one really made me feel all the things.
Aurora, the main character, is a life coach and influencer/motivational podcaster who 鈥渉as the life鈥� - the hot boyfriend, the nice house, the huge social following, and great success. After losing her father a few years back, she is still finding her way in the world and helping out her mom, who can鈥檛 seem to move past the grief.
Aurora鈥檚 life is completely turned upside down, and she soon finds herself in a Sicily, meeting people who transform her life in every way, make her see the world differently, and make her truly consider what is important鈥� has she really been life coaching the right way? Does she actually like what she does for a living? Does she like herself?
I loved this book. I love Jennifer Probst鈥檚 voice. It is honest, clear, and thoughtful. She writes incredible imagery and heartbreaking, real feeling. The descriptions of food? *deliziosa* You could find me drooling for half of this book, probably.
One major factor I want to make sure I call out in my review - as someone who has experienced a fair amount of grief in my lifetime - To Sicily With Love really hit home for me. There is a very strong theme in this book: family is everything.
Lovers of family bonds, self-discovery, FOOD, and most of all, love, please read this book. I think you鈥檒l find it so fulfilling.
February 17, 2025
Thanks @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free book and ALC! 鈥р倞藲馃帶鈯�
鈻讹笌 鈥⑨亰醽妡|醽妡醽� Travel to Sicily for a feel good story about what is important in life 藲鈧娝氣姽鈾�
Aurora is a life coach with a social media following, successful podcast, lots of clients, a book deal on the way, and a dreamy gym-owner boyfriend.
However, when her mom passes away, genetic testing reveals that she has a whole extended family in Sicily that her mom hid from her.
Suddenly Aurora鈥檚 life turns upside down in eat, pray, love fashion as she upends her life, traveling across the world on a journey of self-discovery.
馃嵎Where this book shines is in the food descriptions that had me salivating and drooling, as well as the descriptions of the various markets & the charm of rural Italy. 馃崫馃馃悮
This book was slower paced and although some scenes had me emotional, I did not connect with the main character. However, just because it was not for me does not mean it鈥檚 not for you!
鈥э拷锟剿氣姽鈾� Read this one when in the mood for a light, slower pace journey of healing with a no spice romance.
The audiobook was cute with Italian accents as well as actual Italian language. 鈥р倞藲馃帶鈯�
鈻讹笌 鈥⑨亰醽妡|醽妡醽� Travel to Sicily for a feel good story about what is important in life 藲鈧娝氣姽鈾�
Aurora is a life coach with a social media following, successful podcast, lots of clients, a book deal on the way, and a dreamy gym-owner boyfriend.
However, when her mom passes away, genetic testing reveals that she has a whole extended family in Sicily that her mom hid from her.
Suddenly Aurora鈥檚 life turns upside down in eat, pray, love fashion as she upends her life, traveling across the world on a journey of self-discovery.
馃嵎Where this book shines is in the food descriptions that had me salivating and drooling, as well as the descriptions of the various markets & the charm of rural Italy. 馃崫馃馃悮
This book was slower paced and although some scenes had me emotional, I did not connect with the main character. However, just because it was not for me does not mean it鈥檚 not for you!
鈥э拷锟剿氣姽鈾� Read this one when in the mood for a light, slower pace journey of healing with a no spice romance.
The audiobook was cute with Italian accents as well as actual Italian language. 鈥р倞藲馃帶鈯�
February 21, 2025
To Sicily with Love is a modern fictional spin on Eat, Pray, Love when literally everything has hit the fan for Aurora.
Aurora is a social media influencer/life coach who seems to have it all together, the perfect life, the perfect boyfriend (on paper), but then her mom dies, and it seems like her life just crumbles to pieces.
Then she finds out some interesting things about a relative in Sicily, so when she has nothing else going on, and life is sort of a hot mess, she takes the leap. This is truly the part where the spin on Eat, Pray, Love happens. The Italian landscapes, the food, the people. Ugh it's like you are there, you can visualize the beaches, taste the food and see these people (and also see these dinner conversations happening in real time).
Jennifer has a writing style that just makes you feel like you are right there in the mix of it, and I love it. Her series of Meet Me in Italy is absolutely wonderful (and no you don't need to read any of the other books before to grab this one).
If you are looking for a feel good, slow burn, closed-door romance, beach read type book, this is your book.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my ARC!
Aurora is a social media influencer/life coach who seems to have it all together, the perfect life, the perfect boyfriend (on paper), but then her mom dies, and it seems like her life just crumbles to pieces.
Then she finds out some interesting things about a relative in Sicily, so when she has nothing else going on, and life is sort of a hot mess, she takes the leap. This is truly the part where the spin on Eat, Pray, Love happens. The Italian landscapes, the food, the people. Ugh it's like you are there, you can visualize the beaches, taste the food and see these people (and also see these dinner conversations happening in real time).
Jennifer has a writing style that just makes you feel like you are right there in the mix of it, and I love it. Her series of Meet Me in Italy is absolutely wonderful (and no you don't need to read any of the other books before to grab this one).
If you are looking for a feel good, slow burn, closed-door romance, beach read type book, this is your book.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my ARC!
February 20, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst is a story of discovery, belonging, and love.
Will Aurora find her way back to herself after losing both her parents?
Aurora York is our main character. After her father's death, she transforms into a new person. One driven and goal-related, to the point that she hasn't stopped to smell any flowers in years. On the outside, she looks successful and well-put-together, but looking closely, you can see that she isn't happy. However, Aurora doesn't see it either, but her mom does. Aurora's mom, Serafina, tries to remind her daughter of the important things in life, yet Aurora only sees it as her mother not liking the choices that she is making. The two argue, and Aurora storms off. That night, Serafina passes away, and now Aurora feels guilt and loneliness.
Serafina's death throws Aurora into a black hole of sorts. This is where the real Aurora comes out. I felt so bad for Aurora and her mother. This story brought me to tears many times. Through her grief, Aurora finds that her mother's family is alive and living in Italy after taking a DNA ancestry test. Meeting her family and being accepted for who she is is a huge change that shakes Aurora, making her remember the lessons her parents taught her.
Courage
Once Aurora experiences what it's like to have a close-knit family, she must make changes in her life. These changes come in many ways, from releasing the relationships that aren't genuinely healthy to finding someone who loves her as much as she loves him to changing her career focus and following her dreams, even when those change. She finds that she needs to be present and happy, not just checking off to-do lists and rushing from goal to goal, and, lastly, dealing with the death of her mom. It took courage for Aurora to do these things. I applaud her strength of character and courage to step out of her comfort zone and experience life to its fullest.
Ms. Probst does a fantastic job of putting us in Aurora's head and showing us life through her. I was emotionally wrapped up in Aurora's journey and cried with her many times. She transports us to Italy and sets the scene with smells, views, history, and food鈥攕o much food.
Five Stars
My rating for To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst is five stars. I loved everything about the story, from the settings to the characters and everything in between. I highly recommend To Sicily with Love, and听I will be adding some of Ms. Probst's other books to my TBR.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst.
Until the next time,
To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst is a story of discovery, belonging, and love.
Will Aurora find her way back to herself after losing both her parents?
Aurora York is our main character. After her father's death, she transforms into a new person. One driven and goal-related, to the point that she hasn't stopped to smell any flowers in years. On the outside, she looks successful and well-put-together, but looking closely, you can see that she isn't happy. However, Aurora doesn't see it either, but her mom does. Aurora's mom, Serafina, tries to remind her daughter of the important things in life, yet Aurora only sees it as her mother not liking the choices that she is making. The two argue, and Aurora storms off. That night, Serafina passes away, and now Aurora feels guilt and loneliness.
Serafina's death throws Aurora into a black hole of sorts. This is where the real Aurora comes out. I felt so bad for Aurora and her mother. This story brought me to tears many times. Through her grief, Aurora finds that her mother's family is alive and living in Italy after taking a DNA ancestry test. Meeting her family and being accepted for who she is is a huge change that shakes Aurora, making her remember the lessons her parents taught her.
Courage
Once Aurora experiences what it's like to have a close-knit family, she must make changes in her life. These changes come in many ways, from releasing the relationships that aren't genuinely healthy to finding someone who loves her as much as she loves him to changing her career focus and following her dreams, even when those change. She finds that she needs to be present and happy, not just checking off to-do lists and rushing from goal to goal, and, lastly, dealing with the death of her mom. It took courage for Aurora to do these things. I applaud her strength of character and courage to step out of her comfort zone and experience life to its fullest.
Ms. Probst does a fantastic job of putting us in Aurora's head and showing us life through her. I was emotionally wrapped up in Aurora's journey and cried with her many times. She transports us to Italy and sets the scene with smells, views, history, and food鈥攕o much food.
Five Stars
My rating for To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst is five stars. I loved everything about the story, from the settings to the characters and everything in between. I highly recommend To Sicily with Love, and听I will be adding some of Ms. Probst's other books to my TBR.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst.
Until the next time,
February 15, 2025
Life coach and podcaster, Aurora York has her life turned upside down when her mother suddenly dies leaving her with no living relatives (or so she thought). A DNA test later reveals she has first cousins in Sicily and a whirlwind trip has her travelling there for the summer where she connects with family she never knew she had and finds love along the way. Sweet, heartfelt and good on audio. This was an easy, enjoyable read that is sure to appeal to fans of books like The Sicilian inheritance by Jo Piazza. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
February 17, 2025
A good novel about personal growth and finding joy.
I didn鈥檛 like Aurora very much for the first part of the book, especially the way she treated her mother.
I loved the vivid descriptions of Sicily and Aurora鈥檚 family. Even cranky Baba covered up his lifelong regret with gruffness.
Quint was dreamy and every girl鈥檚 answer to a happily ever after.
Aurora spent a lot of time trying to squeeze herself back into a life size that no longer fit.
I did finally warm up to her but my favorite characters were Catena and Quint.
I think Probst needs to write Catena鈥檚 story next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy.
I didn鈥檛 like Aurora very much for the first part of the book, especially the way she treated her mother.
I loved the vivid descriptions of Sicily and Aurora鈥檚 family. Even cranky Baba covered up his lifelong regret with gruffness.
Quint was dreamy and every girl鈥檚 answer to a happily ever after.
Aurora spent a lot of time trying to squeeze herself back into a life size that no longer fit.
I did finally warm up to her but my favorite characters were Catena and Quint.
I think Probst needs to write Catena鈥檚 story next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy.
January 12, 2025
I really liked this one, it was so heartfelt and endearing and I fully connected with the main character. Loss and grief play a huge role here so it鈥檚 not an easy read but the author captured all the feelings of those things so so well. Being such an emotional story the narrator did an excellent job at conveying all of Aurora鈥檚 emotions, thoughts and feelings.
March 4, 2025
This is a old fashion classic romance novel. I have read several of her books and she is a really great author. But this one really touched me because where I am in my own growth journey鈥� redefining what you want from life after the loss of a mother. Finding courage to make changes and taking risks to have new experiences. Along the way if you never been to Italy this book takes you there, brilliantly painting a picture of the food experience and life in small town Italy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2025
Faith family and friends.
Even though book 1 in the series was my favorite. All 4 of these books had a purpose. Read them in any order :)
Even though book 1 in the series was my favorite. All 4 of these books had a purpose. Read them in any order :)
November 16, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved watching Aurora grow as a person and start to understand perspectives outside of her worldview. I disliked a lot of her life/ job as well as relationships at the beginning of the story, which in turn had me struggling to like her. But, seeing her grow, live, and love in Sicily changed my perspective.
I also loved that the places she travels in the book were real, and did a lot of research/ looking up the history of the places outside of reading the story.
My only frustration with the story was the name "Quint." I struggled with this name matching the description of the man in the story, and couldn't really 'feel' the character because of this. May just be my own prejudices.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved watching Aurora grow as a person and start to understand perspectives outside of her worldview. I disliked a lot of her life/ job as well as relationships at the beginning of the story, which in turn had me struggling to like her. But, seeing her grow, live, and love in Sicily changed my perspective.
I also loved that the places she travels in the book were real, and did a lot of research/ looking up the history of the places outside of reading the story.
My only frustration with the story was the name "Quint." I struggled with this name matching the description of the man in the story, and couldn't really 'feel' the character because of this. May just be my own prejudices.
January 2, 2025
This was my second book by Jennifer Probst and I enjoyed this one immensely! To Sicily with Love is a single POV, closed door romance about a woman whose life and career start to fall apart after the unexpected death of her mother. It deals with grief, career changes and expectations, loneliness, and relationships evolving from what you thought you wanted.
The story is a little slow in the early chapters right after the mom passes. Aurora is not dealing as well as she expected and is flailing. After several months of intense grief, she randomly does a DNA kit and finds out she has an entire family in Sicily. Her mom had maintained she was an only child whose parents had died so Aurora is beyond shocked at the revelation. It takes a while for Aurora to decide to go meet her new family- but once she travels to Sicily the story really picks up!
I loved her big, loud, Italian family! The food, the sights, and the history were all so incredibly detailed. The romance that is introduced builds very slowly and Quint is an all star book boyfriend. He is kind and patient and is just the opposite of her American boyfriend, Jason. Aurora is a bit annoying in her relationship with Jason and it takes a while for her to understand that they are not a match. I was hoping for a more dramatic 鈥渟tand up for yourself鈥� moment from Aurora- but what we got was actually well done and showed the quiet strength she had steadily been gaining.
I loved how it was realistic about the drama that went down with Aurora鈥檚 mother and the guilt involved with the grandparents. The relationships built with the cousins and grandparents were really special. I also loved how Quint and Aurora were so pragmatic and steady in their approach to being together but it was still very romantic.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves travel romance and I would definitely want to go back and read the other Italian books in this series!
The story is a little slow in the early chapters right after the mom passes. Aurora is not dealing as well as she expected and is flailing. After several months of intense grief, she randomly does a DNA kit and finds out she has an entire family in Sicily. Her mom had maintained she was an only child whose parents had died so Aurora is beyond shocked at the revelation. It takes a while for Aurora to decide to go meet her new family- but once she travels to Sicily the story really picks up!
I loved her big, loud, Italian family! The food, the sights, and the history were all so incredibly detailed. The romance that is introduced builds very slowly and Quint is an all star book boyfriend. He is kind and patient and is just the opposite of her American boyfriend, Jason. Aurora is a bit annoying in her relationship with Jason and it takes a while for her to understand that they are not a match. I was hoping for a more dramatic 鈥渟tand up for yourself鈥� moment from Aurora- but what we got was actually well done and showed the quiet strength she had steadily been gaining.
I loved how it was realistic about the drama that went down with Aurora鈥檚 mother and the guilt involved with the grandparents. The relationships built with the cousins and grandparents were really special. I also loved how Quint and Aurora were so pragmatic and steady in their approach to being together but it was still very romantic.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves travel romance and I would definitely want to go back and read the other Italian books in this series!
January 7, 2025
This book was both an emotional portrayal of grief and a love letter to Sicily and family roots.
Aurora has just lost her mom, five years after her father passed. As an only child of two only children, she is set adrift in the world and struggles to come back to herself. Her boyfriend callously tells her it's time to move on, and get back to life. But, when she finds out her Mom had a whole life that Aurora knew nothing about, she decides to travel to Sicily and meet her family. She never would have predicted how that decision would change her life. Everything she thought she knew about herself, her family and her relationship is turned on it's head and she begins to question whether it's time to make some changes and start living a life that will bring her true happiness. And when she meets Quint, the handsome Italian man who works with her cousins, she slowly discovers what true love actually means.
This book was one that I read slowly. The writing was lovely, and the story itself was quiet, heartbreaking and restorative all at once. Watching someone shatter with grief and have nobody to turn to was devastating, and made me feel so grateful for my own support system. And when Aurora traveled to Sicily, I found myself falling in love with the country! The descriptions of the food, customs, shops, and people made me feel like I was right there, walking through the streets with the characters. I'm not a big traveler, but if I ever do, Sicily will be on my list! The romance in this book was secondary to the plot, and while I enjoyed Quint,I didn't feel like I knew him very well. But watching Aurora move through her sorrow and blossom amongst her family and their country warmed my heart, and I'm so thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this book!
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Aurora has just lost her mom, five years after her father passed. As an only child of two only children, she is set adrift in the world and struggles to come back to herself. Her boyfriend callously tells her it's time to move on, and get back to life. But, when she finds out her Mom had a whole life that Aurora knew nothing about, she decides to travel to Sicily and meet her family. She never would have predicted how that decision would change her life. Everything she thought she knew about herself, her family and her relationship is turned on it's head and she begins to question whether it's time to make some changes and start living a life that will bring her true happiness. And when she meets Quint, the handsome Italian man who works with her cousins, she slowly discovers what true love actually means.
This book was one that I read slowly. The writing was lovely, and the story itself was quiet, heartbreaking and restorative all at once. Watching someone shatter with grief and have nobody to turn to was devastating, and made me feel so grateful for my own support system. And when Aurora traveled to Sicily, I found myself falling in love with the country! The descriptions of the food, customs, shops, and people made me feel like I was right there, walking through the streets with the characters. I'm not a big traveler, but if I ever do, Sicily will be on my list! The romance in this book was secondary to the plot, and while I enjoyed Quint,I didn't feel like I knew him very well. But watching Aurora move through her sorrow and blossom amongst her family and their country warmed my heart, and I'm so thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this book!
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
January 20, 2025
What a beautiful beautiful book. This book resonates with me so deeply. It explores grief and healing in such a touching way and really made me reflect on my own life and what true happiness is. I absolutely loved the message it gave and the way the Aurora was able to find herself through losing her way. I think it鈥檚 so important to understand that grief looks different for everybody and sometimes the only way to heal is to embrace the pain of loss. It okay that the person we are changes and sometimes our life and our goals change to as a result. I thought this was such a beautiful story of loving yourself and doing what makes you happy regardless of the opinions of others that don鈥檛 know you. It was also a beautiful story of family. And how we need that community and connection to lift us when we are down. I thought the way it explored Sicilian culture was so eye opening, I love the way the cherish family and it was so interesting to learn more about their way of life. I loved that they focused on how families makes mistakes but everyone is doing the best with what they have and it鈥檚 never too late to make amends and try again.
The love story was perfect and I loved that Aurora and Quint were able to connect on such a deep level and you could really see the way they understood one another and were able to bring out the best in the other. I was giddy over them the whole time!
All in all this book was perfect. It was a wonderful story of healing and hope and faith. And mainly love. Love for you and family and life. This is a book I could and will read over and over.
The love story was perfect and I loved that Aurora and Quint were able to connect on such a deep level and you could really see the way they understood one another and were able to bring out the best in the other. I was giddy over them the whole time!
All in all this book was perfect. It was a wonderful story of healing and hope and faith. And mainly love. Love for you and family and life. This is a book I could and will read over and over.
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