I struggled to get through this book which is a shame as I have read a few of Melissa Hills’s books and enjoyed them. This one was so disappointing, the characters were very spoiled and shallow and the story was not at all how life really is. The ordinary person cannot just take off and live in another country at the drop of a hat. The characters annoyed me as they seemed to have no ties and could do exactly what they wanted when they wanted.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I went into this book not expecting too much. I expected a fairly light, fluffy, easy read. It was so much more than that and I was so pleasantly surprised. The three women are believable, and made me want to keep following their stories. 
One thing in particular that I liked was that Annie wasn't a caricature of an Irish woman, nor was she excessively Americanised. As an actual Irish woman, it drives me nuts when Irish people in fiction are either full on fiddle dee dee leprechaun or going around saying things they'd never say like "Hot damn y'all". Ms. Hill did a really good job with this character!

I also did not see the twist coming, and it kept me guessing right up til the end. 

My one and only criticism is that the epilogue and ending in general felt a little bit too rushed. I think this could be adapted to fully round off and finish up the character's stories - it's a slow burn throughout the book so I think it deserves a bit more than a couple of pages. 

Overall though, this was a really well written book with a lot of heart in it, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.

3 girls meet in Italy, all from different backgrounds but they strike up a friendship. Years later they return to the villa in Italy for a grand re opening, all of them have problems connected to their original meeting- will their friendship survive?  Well written, a good book to curl up with on a wet and windy day.

This is a story about 3 women and their lives over 2 timelines. It is a good easy read and a lovely way to spend a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I have read other books by this author and the book description sounded like it would transport me away from a wet British February but I am afraid all the jumping about from past to present meant that I didn’t engage with the characters like I wanted to. I enjoyed Collette’s storyline the most but felt my attention wandering throughout the book I am afraid.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the preview copy.

Three women meet on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and become unlikely friends. Six years later they're all together again, back at the Villa Dolce Vita and we start to understand just how their lives are tangled and intertwined.

An emotive, captivating read that had me gripped towards the end to see if my suspicions were correct as unlikely as it seemed!!  Likeable characters all with their own issues and battles to face.

I enjoyed this book and had to finish it as soon as I could although then I was left wanting more.  A lovely Summer read about a beautiful place.

3 people holiday at a villa in Italy and become close friends. 6 years later, of of them, Kim, has bought the villa and is turning it into a retreat. She invites her friends to the launch.
The story alternates between the run up to the launch and the original holiday and as it unfolds it becomes clear that each person has secrets which could threaten the friendship.
A good escape. Would recommend.
Thanks fo #Netgalley for Arc for an honest review

An enjoyable book of a friendship and holiday saga. When Collette and Annie fly out to Italy to the launch of Kim’s hotel, the idea is for the friends to be reunited after many years. However, no one’s life is quite as happy as they make out. 
I found the book to be slow for the first 20% or so, and would have given up had it not been for loving so many of Melissa Hill’s previous books. However, I then couldn’t put it down. 
 A good read, which I would recommend.

A really beautiful story, with some nice twists in it where you think you know what is going on but you just can't be quite sure...

Characters are really likable and a great read!

Kim, Colette and Annie, three friends meeting after six years. They all began their friendship in the delightful Villa Dolce Vita on the Amalfi coast. All arrived there for differing reasons. the villa, rough and ready but holding that wonderful Italian ambience serving as a background to their stories.
Six years later, one of them has bought and renovated the Villa, and asked her two friends to meet her there.
It is sometimes confusing to move backwards and forwards in the timeline, one needs to concentrate.
Altogether it was a most enjoyable book, with the flavour of Italy warming the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Quite a complicated plot with a number of misunderstandings which provide red herrings.  This is a story of 3 women who meet by chance in Italy, their lives and loves from that point on.  Fairly enjoyable.

A good read about three friends and past meeting with present. Absolutely loved the delightful descriptions of the Amalfi Coast, makes me want to add a visit to this place to my bucket list.
However, the constant moving between Past and Present felt jarring - just as I was getting the hang of the 'now' part, it would move. Plus it also felt like 2 different stories, the characters not the same (as Kim has changed so much between then and now) that it made it hard for me to follow. Could be easier to get through if you binge-read the book in 1-2 days with no interruption in there, but if you'll leave and then come back, it might be hard to get back in

Unfortunately not my favourite Melissa Hill book. I do love this author and have enjoyed many of her past novels, I like the way she puts twists and turns in to keep the reader guessing. This book followed a similar formula, but was less effective in my opinion. I enjoyed the setting descriptions and am keen to visit this beautiful sounding part of Italy. However, I found it hard to warm to any of the main female characters throughout. The plot switching between past and present became a little frustrating. The twist at the end was all a little too far fetched and everything was tied up too quickly and neatly. Despite this I look forward to reading her next.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and publishers for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The beautiful Amalfi coast is the setting for this book, the description of which transports you to the warm sunny days, the flowers and the lemon groves where some of the lemons are made into the famous Lemincello.

Three girls, Kim, Colette and Annie have travelled to the Villa Dolce Vita each with their own reasons for needing to escape for a while,  The friendship they form is written over two time lines, their initial summer six years previously and the present day.  Kim, together with a business partner has transformed the villa into a retreat and the three friends meet up again for the launch where secrets and problems surface.  Can their friendship,survive the feeling of anger and betrayal and how will they move forward?

I enjoyed the book once I got used to moving between the years and was would happily pack it in my suitcase to read on the beach.

Three women all meet in Italy with their own stories to tell.  They are all trying to get away from home.
The story is based on what happened 6 years ago and what happens when they meet up 6 years later. 
This is an enjoyable summer beach read and if you want to escape and relax I would suggest reading this next to the pool whilst relaxing in summer warm sunshine.

There is an obvious story in the plot, but also a few twists that make it worth reading. Enjoy!"

Three friendships develop between very different girls at crossroads in their lives. Meeting up at a hotel in Italy whilst dealing with major life events. Their paths leads them in very different directions but still facing challenges. A reunion years later supposed to be a happy event uncovers the heartaches they are all hiding. Renewing their bonds but changing events and direction of their lives once again.
Melissa Hill once again weaves a compelling story of friendship and life's challenges.

Delicious.

Okay so I can’t get away with a one word review but I would if I could. 3 women from 3 different backgrounds meet in Italy at Villa Dolce Vita. Their lives change as a result. This is well written prose set in a country, which I’d love to become better acquainted with. The ending is very satisfying. I intend reading more books by this author.

You see - Delicious  would have sufficed!

Villa Dolce Vita is a crumbling Italian villa, high up on the Amalfi coast.
Three young women who are all running away from something in their lives meet and make friends in the old, rundown villa.
Fast forward six years and it appears that handsome men and inspirational words are not enough to stop heartbreak and possible financial ruin.
The descriptions in this book make me want to be in Italy and Villa Dolce Vita. I love the sense of adventure, of setting off in the world on your own.
This story is inspiring and full of inspirational quotes.

Three girls struggling with their lives meet for a few weeks in a villa in Italy. Very different characters very well drawn and a good story.

This was a delightful story with hidden undertones. Some great, believable characters and a storyline which kept high involvement throughout.. All the secrets came tumbling out at the same time and was a very tense period. The conclusion was excellent and very fulfilling.