The Sweet Life (Sweet Life #1)

WOMEN'S FICTION:  Mamie Weber takes a much-needed trip to Italy to begin living again after losing her husband and daughter in a car accident. While in Tuscany, she meets Julian, a mysterious tour guide who soon sweeps her off her feet. He is suffering his own emotional pain and both of them are hiding secrets from one another. Can they put the past behind them and find a future together?

This picturesque story will transport the reader to Italy with the tastes and sounds unique to that part of the world. The setting is perfect for a romance, and while there are some areas that are a bit overly descriptive, for the most part, the reader will feel as if they are there. Mamie and Julian have both suffered major (and similar) family losses. At times, this makes their inner thoughts repetitive, but the author manages to give them emotional depth as they deal with the fallout. The romance is where this book shines, however, as the hero and heroine must overcome some major obstacles on their path to love. The angst is palpable as they try to navigate the twists and turns of their journey, both on the tour and in their personal lives. The secondary cast is endearing and readers who remember Woodstock and that generation will enjoy the memories from back in the day. While the ending is abrupt and feels slightly incomplete, this Italian holiday is perfect for those who want a feel-good international romance.

Kate Campbell