Florence, Italy. Summer, 1982.Judith Campbell prides herself on her level head. She’s a scientist with a ten-year plan, a well-managed bank account, and clear understanding of what she wants out of life. Currently, that means a summer of fun touring Europe with her friends. She intends to see some amazing scenery, flirt with a cute guy or two, and return home ready to settle down for good.Falling … good.
Falling madly in love with an Italian playboy is definitely not on her life goals to-do list.
But then her eyes meet those of Cesare D’Angelo across a crowded piazza.
Cesare is everything Judith never knew she wanted. Handsome and charismatic, he challenges her assumptions and forces her rethink her logical approach to everything. Case in point—Judith finds herself falling for him, hard and fast. Definitely not her most carefully thought-out decision.
But Cesare keeps devastating secrets that will challenge Judith’s very understanding of reality. And soon Judith finds herself facing the most difficult decision of all—
Would you still chose to love someone even if your time together would be brief? Would you accept a relationship, knowing that only heartbreak and grief awaited you in the end?
Lovers and Madmen is a prequel novella for the Brothers Maledetti series. Lose yourself in Judith and Cesare’s story and understand where it all began.
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From the moment Cesare first saw Judith in a vision, he knew he would only ever love her. He knew everything about her. He yearned for her and knew that in the end, he would only ever bring her misery. But would his love for her outshine the misery? Would the love and happiness be worth it, if only for a short time? Would she choose him if she knew how things would end? These thoughts plagued Cesare constantly. He might have been content with the “what if’s” had it not been for that one look across the piazza. But once they laid eyes on each other, the damage had been done. He just had to introduce himself to her. But would he ever be able to move on with just the memory of her touch, her scent, her voice?
While travelling though Europe with her two best friends, Judith finds herself drawn to a mysterious Italian man. As a scientist she can’t explain the connection she feels to Cesare but there is definitely something there. Who was this man who challenged her? Who encouraged her to be her true self? Who matched wits with her and pushed her outside of her comfort zone? And when did she start letting her heart rule her head?
The more time Judith and Cesare spend together, the harder it becomes to see life without the other in it. But when Cesare’s secret threatens to tear them apart, Judith has to choose. Will she be able to go back home to the states and let Cesare be just one beautiful memory in her life? Or will she choose to live her life with Cesare and have all his kisses and all his memories?
*dreamy sigh*
Okay… I’m not going to lie. I was hesitant to pick up this book. I don’t know why but I was. And now all I can say is wow! Just wow! You guys! I absolutely LOVED Judith and Cesare’s love story! It is heart achingly beautiful and oh so perfect! I found myself sucked in from the very beginning and had a hard time putting this book down! This series has been added to my favorites list! I love it!
Ms. Van is an extremely talented writer and I am so glad a fellow bookworm introduced me to her. She quickly became a favorite of mine. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
Goodness………what a story. I knew I was going to love this one, but wow. I really liked it:} Judith and Cesare’s story was just what I thought it should be. The author did a good job of going back to 1980’s you can tell Judith is telling the story and just remembering. I can not wait for the next book. Van is an amazing story teller and I just can’t wait. Every book is something new and yummy. Just adore her. This is a clean romance with some great kisses.
A really wonderful, and yet bittersweet, love story. So thankful that Ms. Van decided to give us Cesare and Judith’s story. Well edited.
Judith, along with her friends Sandra and Kimberly, decides to take an European tour before real life begins. Sitting at a cafe in Florence, she sees a very handsome Italian man watching her. She feels that mysterious something. He walks across the street, introduces himself, and thus begins their story. Except Cesare knows things – how she likes her coffee, how she likes a sandwich, and her favorite cookies. And somehow, he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Slowly, Judith opens her heart to Cesare. She just can’t figure out why he seems so sad sometimes, or why he tells her he will only bring her heartache. Eventually, the Maledetti secrets come out. Will Judith embrace love despite Cesare’s terrible secret? Will Cesare allow himself to be loved?
Having read all but Tennyson’s book (up next!), it was such a treat to have Cesare and Judith’s meeting and path to love and family. In Dante, Branwell, and Chiara’s stories, we have had glimpses of their parents love. It was so achingly sweet to read how Cesare seemed to want so desperately to love Judith, but was so afraid that she wouldn’t be able to love him because of the curse And how beautiful to be reminded that we all face a choice every day – do we love or not. Judith chose to love – knowing her future with Cesare would be limited.. Cesare and Judith’s story touched my heart. Looking forward to reading Tennyson’s story and hoping they find a way free from the curse. Enjoy!
This is an amazing prequel novella!!! I love that it gives us special insight into the personalities of the parents of the D’Angelo siblings since they aren’t delved into in the books, but are becoming increasingly significant as the series progresses. The third book especially explored Chiara’s relationship with her father and the trauma she suffers from his death. This novella brought Cesare to life and made me ache for him and his family, knowing what is in store for them. I loved that Judith is introduced as so practical and unromantic, yet she is swept away almost against her will by her feelings for Cesare. The romantic tension is drawn out as she extends her stay in Italy and spends more time with Cesare, and the conflicts that hold them back make it that much more poignant when Judith makes her decision. The details about the landscape and historical sites made the setting roll like a movie in my head, and I can’t wait to visit there myself someday!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)