A Dream of Italy - Nicky Pellegrino

I was happy to read this bit of escapism during lockdown.  The story of three groups of people who are searching for something and all apply to pay one Euro for a home in a remote Italian mountain village.  They all travel to visit their new homes, and reading this book I got the sense of warm summer evenings, red wine and yummy Italian food, and it made me want to pack my bags and move.  Except you can't go anywhere at the moment anyways. 4/5

One Summer in Venice - Nicky Pellegrino

Things are beginning to crumble in Dollys life.  Her  home life with her husband and daughter isn't happy, and things at the family restaurant aren't peachy either. So suggested by her sister, she takes a week vacation to Venice alone, to clear her head, relax and eat some food.  This leads her on a journey to find our what makes her happy.

I have enjoyed most of Nicky Pellegrinos novels, as she takes us to exotic Italian destinations, that although filled with clichéd characters, full of magical families that I wonder how many tourists would really encounter in t a town full of visitors, she still makes this sea change story enjoyable and sweet. 4/5

When in Rome - Nicky Pellegrino

When in Rome - Nicky Pellegrino (2012)

Aww isn't it nice when you pick up a nice light novel that you want to devour and hear more of the story?  I felt at home with this book as soon as I started.  Serafina is the oldest of three girls living in a small apartment with their mother, who is a lady of the night in 1950s Rome.

When the girls hear that the great singer Mario Lanza is coming to make a film in Rome, the girls arrive intending to show off the middles sisters singing ability, but an opportunity allows Serafinas life to change.

A great read for a wild and windy weekend.  Great to curl up in bed with 4/5.

The Villa Girls - Nicky Pellegrino

The Villa Girls - Nicky Pellegrino (2011)

For us, it is the perfect book reading time of year.  TV sucks as usual, and the long dark evenings make it perfect for climbing into a warm bed and reading for an hour before lights out.  I'm not a big lover of the Chick Lit genre, as so much of it is overly simplified and cheesy, but Nicky Pellegrino usually manages to knock out a book that is easy to read, and has interesting characters.  Of course all the mentions of tasty Italian food descriptions can have you dreaming of creamy pastas too.

In this one we get to hear of two stories:  Rosie, the orphaned sad photographer who goes on holiday with her friends and Enzo, the sad young man working with his family on the olive estate.  How will they meet?  Will they stay together?  What will Nonna think?

So on grey cool days, it was good to be reading a story set in summer seaside Spain and Italy, I could see the scenes in my head, and for that I give it a 4/5.

Recipe for Life - Nicky Pellegrino

Recipe for Life - Nicky Pellegrino (2010)

You know the scenario, disturbed English girl goes to Italy to see if she has a passion for cooking - many a story done the same way, but this one had a few interesting twists. I like the story from the Italian elderly neighbours perspective, and I liked that it wasn't all eat, pray, lovish and about discovering yourself too much. Maybe it's because we all dream of running away to Italy, I'm going to give it a 3/5.

The Italian Wedding - Nicky Pellegrino

The Italian Wedding - Nicky Pellegrino (2009)

After all that thriller action, I felt I could do with something a bit girly without it being too chick lit. You know, how confessions of shopoholic falls on the bottom of the scale and Bridget Jones, the book not the movie falls at the top end. This one falls somewhat heading up towards the Bridget end. Meaning it was girly and romantic, without being over the top and the lead character was a smart girl, and not in love with her handsome (but dumb) boss/servant/carpenter etc...

Pieta is busy helping design wedding dresses for a famous London designer, but dreaming of making her own hip designs. Meanwhile, her sister is planning her wedding while getting frustrated working in their fathers restaurant. When MrMartennelli is forced to slow down, Pieta gets to spend time with her mother, and finds out how a quiet English girl travels to Rome and falls in love with their Italian father and where the feud between him and his former best friend got started.

This was an easy read, one that didn't tax the brain cells too much, but didn't insult them either. I particularly enjoyed the parents story and will be sure to seek out Nickys latest book. 4/5