Invitation to Italy by Victoria Springfield
Invitation to Italy
By Victoria
Springfield
One-time teenage swimming sensation, Loretta,
has run the Hotel Paradiso since leaving Capri broken-hearted. When childhood
friend Salvo comes to stay, Loretta is forced to confront her past and the
fears that have kept her away from the water for forty years. But just as she
finds the courage to open her heart, she discovers all is not as it seems with
Salvo...
It's a summer of new beginnings for Abi and
Loretta - and one they will never forget.
SUMMARY
Abi is distraught when her ex-husband Alex
takes their twelve-year-old daughter, Chloe to spend the summer with his
glamorous fiancée Marisa and her parents at their home on the beautiful Italian
island of Procida. Persuaded by her best friend to book a holiday at the
island's Hotel Paradiso, Abi finally meets the woman she's been avoiding for so
long. Will the two women's strained relationship survive the summer?
MY REVIEW:
An invitation to Italy? Yes, please! Where exactly? Procida, off the Amalfi coast! Booking a flight now!
The story starts with a teenage daughter showing
independent thinking and not too keen on wanting to fit in with Mum’s plans for
the summer holiday. Yes, I can identify with that one! And there is a holiday
in Italy on offer with Dad and his gorgeous fiance Marisa. Of course, this is
the moment that mums ought to loosen the grip so that children can take to the
skies like a kite without holding them back but Abi finds this difficult.
‘A week in Dorset with boring spoilsport Mum or
a summer of Italian sunshine and fun – it was a contest that Abi couldn’t win.’
Abi, like most of us, has a well-meaning friend
who convinces her to book a flight to Italy so that she can keep a watchful eye
on her daughter, from a distance.
The adventure begins and the author introduces a bunch of people like a lineup of characters from an Agatha Christie mystery. Loretta is the immaculate, stylish, and elegant owner of the Hotel Paradiso. A lady with a past, perhaps, she would wish to forget?
‘Life on Procida wasn’t always easy, sometimes
it was tragic, sometimes exhilarating but it was raw and real. How had Loretta
once thought she could thrive in a slick city like Milan with its traffic fumes,
flashy boutiques, and smell of a million people She needed to live on this
rugged volcanic island she now called home.’
This eclectic cast of characters are credible
people whom we might know. They have flaws and failings but they are individual
and seek to relate to others. The author adds a sense of reality without going
too quickly and deeply into character development. There are secrets, there is
guilt and there is loneliness which come with their own emotional burdens that
some of the characters are battling with. There is also an inherent need for self-protection
and self-preservation.
This is a wonderfully evocative piece of
writing! The vivid descriptions of Procida and its surroundings, with
pastel-coloured buildings and dark volcanic sand, create rich imagery that
transports you right into the scene. The subtle romances and the development of
relationships between mothers and children, ex-wives, new girlfriends, and estranged friends add layers
of depth to the narrative, making it both captivating and emotionally resonant.
It's no wonder that reading such a story would spark a desire to visit Italy
and explore its hidden treasures firsthand. The author’s power of storytelling
ignites our imagination and wanderlust!
As a person living in Italy, I really appreciate
the authenticity of the storytelling and accurate description of Italian food, customs, and places. Effective research is essential to make the characters in that world come alive and none more so than in Italy. Passion is the essence of Italian identity, from its ancient buildings
to the musicality of its language and trademark lifestyle, all of which are found
in the book.
‘The sky was a cloudless blue and the island
stretched away from Abi in a gentle curve. Below her were the colourful
buildings cascading down to the Marina Corricella and two rows of boats lined
up along its edge. A small yacht was sailing in, a streak of white marking the
water behind it. Above the stacks of ice-cream-coloured houses rose the dome
above the church, and she could just see the edge of the breakwater stretching
into the rich blue of the sea.’
I could vividly imagine the scenery, food, and
people described in the story, which creates a deeply immersive reading
experience. I felt that I was right there alongside the characters,
experiencing everything as if they were part of the narrative themselves.
This is a book that leaves you with a
feel-good, happy sensation which is special. It's like discovering a literary
oasis where you can escape to whenever you need a boost of positivity and
warmth. It's amazing how the right story can uplift your spirits and leave a
lasting imprint of joy.
Why I recommend this book
Loved this! There's something special about being
transported to another place through a well-crafted story, isn't there?
Experts
tell us that we can develop a deeper awareness of and empathy for other people
and the environment around us by thoroughly engrossing ourselves in a story. The power of reading immersion is a
genuinely unique experience that can boost cognitive and emotional abilities
while also offering a sense of escape and relaxation.
The phrase "a summer of new beginnings," in the blurb, suggests a period of transformation and change for the characters Abi and Loretta. It hints at the possibility of fresh starts, new opportunities, and perhaps even unexpected adventures or challenges that lie ahead. It could also be a time of forging new connections, strengthening existing relationships, and exploring new horizons. I will not reveal any spoilers except to say that this gem of a novel ‘does what it says on the tin.’ We are all invited to Italy to embark on a journey of self-discovery, pursue dreams or confront issues from the past.
It is a well-written story that not only entertains but also warms the heart and certainly the readers will find enjoyment in both the setting and the characters. The author demonstrates an ability to absorb her readers in a range of emotions, from sorrow to joy, to experience the slow pace of life on an Italian island, the wonderful weather and enjoy ‘la dolce vita,’ all of which are the mark of an impactful narrative.
AUTHOR BIO:
Victoria
Springfield writes contemporary women's
fiction immersed in the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy. Victoria grew up
in Upminster, Essex. After many years in London, she now lives in Kent with her
husband in a house by the river. She likes to write in the garden with a
neighbour's cat by her feet or whilst drinking cappuccino in her favourite
café. Then she types up her scribblings in silence whilst her mind drifts away
to Italy.
https://twitter.com/VictoriaSwrites
BOOK BLURB:
Published by Orion March 2024
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invitation-Italy-Victoria-Springfield-ebook/dp/B0CF4S132C
https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Italy-Victoria-Springfield-ebook/dp/B0CF4S132C
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
The Italian Fiance
The Italian Holiday
A Farmhouse in Tuscany
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