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One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond (first published in 2014 by Pan Macmillan)
I am such a big fan of Lucy Diamond, I’ve read almost all her books and enjoyed them thoroughly. Whether you feel like something light hearted to pack in for a weekend away or a quick form of escapism during a hectic week – there is always a suitable Lucy Diamond book.
One Night in Italy did not disappoint and the main characters were instantly likable and interesting.
Anne is a journalist who has just been given a clue to the identity of the father she has never known. According to her grandmother, her father is Italian.
Her mother has always been secretive regarding him and Anne has never been able to get answers from her. She begins her search for her father with only a name her grandmother gave and a photo from her mother’s holiday in Italy many years before.
Catherine’s husband, Mike has just left her. Her twins are at university and she is feeling alone and betrayed as she tries to make sense of her newfound single status.
Besides dealing with the feeling of abandonment she suddenly finds herself in need of a job to support herself for the first time in nearly two decades. Then she stumbles onto a secret and must decide if she can find the courage to stand up to Mike and convince him to do the right thing.
Sophie has just returned to England after years of travelling abroad. The relationship with her parents is strained and her reason for leaving home reveals past hurt and grievances that she has carried with her for years.
When a disaster strikes she realises how important family is and finds herself wanting to stay in England rather than pack her bags for somewhere far away. When an ex boyfriend she hasn’t seen in years pops up again, she is torn between closing a chapter of her past or risk getting hurt all over again.
Catherine, Anne and Sophie all meet one evening at a college offering beginners Italian classes. Sophie is the teacher and Catherine and Anne have signed up to learn a new language. Their reasons for being there are different, but soon they get to know each other in a nearby pub after their classes.
Friendships are formed as they learn more about each other and share their past experiences and future dreams.
As Catherine realises her true strength, Anne gets a huge surprise and Sophie makes peace with the past, it becomes difficult to put the book down. You just want each of them to find their happily ever after.
I enjoyed the way the reader is drawn in from chapter one – something I find with all of Diamond’s books. You feel as if you know the characters as they quickly make you feel part of their story. Warm, fun and enjoyable – it is a typical Lucy Diamond book.
Purchase a copy of One Night in Italy from Takealot.com.
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