📖 The Italian Escape by Catherine Mangan

 

Sphere
28 April 2022

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Niamh Kelly's life hasn't turned out quite as she'd expected. She's thirty-three, still living at home and was recently dumped . . . by her boss. So when her sister invites her to tag along on a work trip to the sun-drenched Italian coast, Niamh jumps at the chance, eager to escape into a world of sparkling prosecco, delicious food, and breath-taking beaches.

Upon her arrival, Niamh immediately falls in love with the beautiful Italian town they're staying in and realises she never wants to leave, deciding instead to stay and open up a quaint coffee shop nestled in charming old town streets - even if she has no idea what she's doing. But when a family tragedy and a tricky tourist season threaten her new business, Niamh isn't so sure she can stick it out.

With help from her new-found Italian friends - and the possibility of romance on the horizon - can she make her new life in the sun a success?

📖 My Review..

Niamh Kelly's personal and professional life has fallen apart so when her older sister invites her to travel to Italy with her, Niamh jumps at the chance of getting away from all her worries. The beautiful Italian town of Santa Margarita is everything that her home town isn't and Niamh, reluctant to go back to Ireland decides to stay in Italy and opens a quirky coffee shop in the town, however, as she discovers, things don't work out in the way she expected them too.

Niamh discovers that her time in Italy is filled with obstacles especially as she doesn't have a grip on the language but her way forward is interesting and with strength of spirit, and a few good friends, Niamh does her best to keep going despite the setbacks which inevitably come her way.

The author writes well and brings time, place and people alive in the imagination and with a nice romantic edge there is more than enough to keep turning the pages to see what happens next for Niamh on her fascinating Italian escape.

The Italian Escape is a lovely immersive story which has all the right ingredients for an escapist summer/holiday read and I can imagine that this story will go really well if you are lounging by the pool or just sitting in your favourite chair in the garden.

🍷Best read with ...an Aperol spritz or a creamy cappuccino.

About the Author

Catherine Mangan gre up in Ireland before embarking on her own Italian escape. She studies languages at University College Cork before moving to Italy (briefly) with friends, which was the start of he life long love affair with the country. She now divides her time between Ireland and Silicon Valley. 

Twitter @Cath_mangan

@BooksSphere