An unexpected holiday, an unexpected journey

Synopsis

Pack your bags and uncork the laughter in this delightful romantic escapade!

After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, Abi Mason vowed to live by a simple (but non-negotiable) rule: no second dates. Who needs a boyfriend, or anything else for that matter, when you have a career to think about?

But life has other plans: with some unexpected time on her hands, Abi finds herself on holiday in Tuscany. Among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her out of her comfort zone…

If Abi can break her own rules, could this unexpected Italian fling lead her to a happiness she never dared to dream of?

My review

As a make – up artist, Abi Mason’s dream is to be able to get a job in the film industry. Just as it seems that she finally made it, her dream vanishes in thin air. With the sudden free time, she decides that perhaps it’s time to visit her best friend in Tuscany. While staying at the wonderful B&B / vineyard, she meets American Tony. And believing that she will never see him again, Abi spends the night with him. Because that is what Abi does, she wants things to be kept simple, she doesn’t do relationships as she for sure doesn’t need a boyfriend, after already having endured a terrible heartbreak once. But when Tony appears to be more than just a tourist passing by, Abi finds herself doubting her choices, as it seems that Tony could be the one taking her out of her comfort zone. But is Abi courageous enough?

Isn’t it amazing when a character in a book has a best friend, or family living in another country, and they can just decide to fly over when they need some time off, or need to escape? I need such kind of friends and family too! Especially if that would take me to wonderful places like Tuscany!

I can only imagine the devastation Abi has when she is soooo close to finally realizing her dream, to only have it slipping through her fingers, because of other reasons than her not doing her job well.

Because let there be no mistake, Abi knows what she is doing make – up related! She is a professional at heart, and even the awkward situation she finds herself in, she keeps her professionalism. Unfortunately that cannot be said about everyone!

A situation she finds herself in because when she meets a man that she fancies, she prefers keeping it simple. And no, don’t you dare judge her for her choices! Because if that is what works for Abi, that is perfectly fine! And with further on in the book learning about why she wants it that way, I could completely comprehend her!

It was a bit sad to learn that Abi hasn’t seen that much of the world yet. But on the other hand, she couldn’t pick a better place to start with by staying in Tuscany!

Once she set foot in Tuscany, at the B&B, I could feel almost feel the fresh air, the sun and the peace myself! As I have visited Tuscany and its wonderful places several times, I had a very easy time seeing the places Abi is seeing in my mind.

But of course, this isn’t a story about Abi seeing magnificent places but it’s about Abi and her journey to not only find herself, or love, but to find courage to move on.

It all takes off in a rather funny way, as Abi meets Tony and she has her usual way of dealing with men.

But then she meets him again in not exactly the most best position (it will make sense, believe me 😊).

With the pair staying so close to each other, and Tony being actually related to the owners of the B&B, it’s just written in the stars that Abi and Tony will keep seeing each other. And the more they see each other, the more they just cannot deny the attraction they have for each other. But it’s not only attraction that they have, there is also an understanding between them, and even if not everything is spoken out loud, they just get each other.

It was also sweet to see how the both of them are trying to please each other, like Tony taking Abi to the Uffizi, or Abi taking him to a special seeing of a movie, or using her artistic skills in making a present for him.

I also felt that Tony was not being completely honest, or at least ridiculing a bit, about what he does for a living. So it was a real pleasant surprise to discover who Tony truly is! And of course typical of Abi of not knowing she is standing in front of her! 😊

Abi for sure makes an evolution in this book. Because while initially rejecting any kind of love or romance in her life, she slowly has to accept that love isn’t a bad thing to have in your life. and yes, it can be terrifying, especially as she already had a terrible heartbreak she hasn’t completely overcome. But is it fair to cut out love completely from your life, as it can bring you so much joy and happiness?

And that is what Abi has to understand, and it’s only at the most terrifying moments that she realizes what her own feelings truly are. But she also has to find the courage to act upon those feelings, and not let that moment slip away!

This for sure was a great and inspiring story to read, about being courageous, about finding love once again, all set in a wonderful, breathtaking place! And Karma being a b***h too! 🤣