When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.
But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.
As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of star-crossed lovers… or is there? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)
When T.A. Williams writes something, the reader can only dream of becoming a character within the pages of it. The scenery alone becomes an instant must-do on a bucket list, and the places Suzie finds herself in while reading Dreaming of Verona was no exception! While it’s true that Suzie is the protagonist here, the places we’re taken to in a Williams novel becomes its very own larger-than-life character.
There is an unconventional feel to Suzie’s situation. In order for her to embark on a journey to Italy, she has to become Alexandra’s (Alex's) plus one. I really appreciated the unique story that propels Suzie forward into the unknown, and there were plenty of moments shared between Suzie and Alex that were funny and even shocking, making me laugh. They are definite opposites in personality which only adds to this unique friendship dynamic, in ways pushing each other beyond the limits of what they’re used to, driving the story into areas of discovery for both women.
The Suzie and Michael angle was a sweet one, yet along that road we’re introduced to other potential love interests that had me guessing as to who Suzie might end up with, if she ended up with anyone at all when it was all said and done. That was a surprising, uplifting message for not only Suzie, but for Alex, as well. That the status quo doesn’t have to define a person, that there is room to change and grow, on a person’s own terms. That really, Suzie doesn’t need Michael to define success in her life, and that ultimately, there was no rush.
It’s exciting to think that one or two small moments in life can completely change the course of life- and that is something that Suzie experiences, and it was hard not to feel that rush right along with her. A much-needed escape to a place full of beauty and anticipation, a world where there is a lot to look forward to, within a city which means “Truth.” Suzie finds her truth and then some, making this a five-star read from me!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.
The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…
Visit T.A. Williams online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment