‘A novel about the joy of learning to live again. It also made me very hungry!’ JOJO MOYES on Recipe for LifeFor sale: historic building in the picturesque town of Montenello, southern Italy. Asking price: 1 Euro Cloudless skies, sun-soaked countryside, delicious food… In the drowsy heat of an Italian summer, four strangers arrive in a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Basilicata, … nestled in the mountains of Basilicata, dreaming of a new adventure. An innovative scheme by the town’s Mayor has given them the chance to buy a crumbling historic building for a single Euro – on the condition that they renovate their home within three years, and help to bring new life to the close-knit local community.
Elise is desperate to get on the property ladder. Edward wants to escape a life he feels suffocated by. Mimi is determined to start afresh after her divorce. And there’s one new arrival whose true motives are yet to be revealed…
For each of them, Montenello offers a different promise of happiness. But can they turn their dream of Italy into reality? A deliciously escapist summer read, perfect for fans of Jo Thomas.
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Copy received from Hachette Australia for an honest review
This is my first Nicky Pellegrino read (much to my sister’s disgust, she is always pointing them out for me to read) and I really did enjoy it.
I have been been on a run of darker reads and true crime stories, A Dream of Italy was the perfect antidote, with its light story and beautiful scenery.
I live in a small country town, where nearby they have done the $1 houses. I tell you what though, I would skip across the ocean without a life jacket to buy a house in Italy for a euro!
It did take me a while to really connect with any of the characters, however once I did, I was totally wrapped up in them and their stories.
Nicky Pellegrino has written with such beautiful imagery that I could picture myself driving into the town, could see myself wandering the piazza in the afternoon.
And it has made me want to visit Italy.
I will get there one day, I am sure of it.
Now I need to go back and read more of Ms Pellegrino’s work whilst I wait for something new.
Delicious food, relatable characters, Italian villages – so much to love!
What a delightful read this one was, it took me on a holiday to Italy, with some lovely people from different countries who were determined to take on something new in their lives, when they are offered the chance to purchase a house in the Italian town of Montenello for one Euro, not all smooth sailing and a lot work for them, make yourself comfortable as you get to know them and fall in love with them all, and Montenello as I did.
The idea to bring the town back to life again comes from the Mayor Salvio and his assistant Augusto, who has lived in the town forever, and they have high hopes, and as the new people arrive there seems to more energy in the town people out talking, but there is also the thoughts of a curse to get to the bottom of.
Mimi is from London and is not long divorced and is feeling the need to finally do something for herself, her being in charge, her two sons are adults now and when she spies this add her thoughts turn to starting fresh in a new country.
Elise and Richard come from England they are doing everything they can to get into the property market but seem to be losing sight of life the way they are working, maybe buying in Italy will be their answer.
Edward and Gino come from Sydney Australia, they have been together for many years and Edward is feeling a little on edge lately, when he sees the add to buy a property in the town that Gino’s family left many years ago, will this be what they need to find that spark again.
Then there is Cecilia, who kinda sneaks into the town to take over her Nona’s Pasticceria and she holds a secret that will come out.
This is a feel good story that left me feeling very happy, it is well written and the descriptions of the setting and the properties made me feel like I was there and doing my best to renovate some of these buildings, the characters are lovely and were so easy to get to know the characters from the town are just fabulous. I do highly recommend this story, a great read. Lots of HEA at the finish and happy people