Imprint
- Orion
- Orion
- Orion
New Zealand, Fiction, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)
A wonderfully atmospheric, touching and sumptuous novel about a young widow's search for happiness in a small Italian village.
Raffaella Moretti, by far the most beautiful girl in the southern Italian town of Triento, is about to marry the only boy she has ever loved. It seems that nothing but happiness lies in store for her. Yet, just one year later, she is a widow, and has taken a job as housekeeper in the Villa Rosa, working for a young American.
As Raffaella struggles to recapture her lost happiness she starts looking for ways to help those around her to do the same. There is Silvana the baker's wife, her passion barely hidden; Carlotta the gardener's daughter with her mysterious grief, and the kind and gentle owner of the Gypsy Tearoom who offers Raffaella friendship. As the lives of these villagers interweave, Raffaella is pulled into a conflict that threatens to divide Triento and destroy all she holds dear.
Filled with love, delicious food and wonderful characters, SUMMER AT THE VILLA ROSA is like taking a seat in a sun-drenched piazza and absorbing yourself in the sights and sounds of Italian life.
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Readers are loving Nicky Pellegrino!
'I could smell the fresh pasta, feel the sunshine, smell the sea breeze and feel my worries wash away. It was lovely to stumble down the cobbled paths and stroll along the beautiful scenery'
'Through Italy, through food, through heartbreak, through love, through family. Add in a pinch of karmic justice and you have the perfect read with a joyful ending!'
'Once again Nicky Pellegrino had me captivated with this amazing story. It made me laugh, made me cry. I read it in one afternoon'
'I will say that if you are a woman on the cusp of discovering who you are and what your heart desires...then you will devour this book as I did'
'Such a great escapism read, full of emotions and family drama with love'
Praise for Summer at the Villa Rosa
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'Full-bodied as a rich Italian red, it is a page-turner combining the missed chances of CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN with the foodie pleasures of CHOCOLAT. A warming read for a winter's night' - Eve
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'If you like your stories on the sensuous side, this debut novel is for you' - Glamour
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'Set against a backdrop of love, life, friendship and food, Mediterranean beauty Raffaella attempts to rediscover her happiness after her one true love dies... The descriptions of Italian food will make your mouth water' - COSMOPOLITAN
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'A touching story about one woman's search for love' - SUNDAY EXPRESS
Nicky Pellegrino
Nicky Pellegrino was born in Liverpool and spent childhood holidays staying with her father's family in southern Italy. When she started writing fiction, it was the memories of those summers in Italy that came flooding back and flavoured her stories.
Nicky now lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, dogs and horses. A former magazine editor, she combines work as a freelance journalist with writing number one bestselling novels, including Under Italian Skies, A Dream Of Italy and A Year At Hotel Gondola. Her books sell around the world and have been translated into numerous languages.
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