When a holiday together turns into something completely differently…

Synopsis

‘A lovely warm escapist read’ KATE EBERLEN

She’s in love. Just with the wrong man…

Nora is done with dating, but still dreams of finding the one. So when a handsome stranger comes to her rescue one night and vanishes leaving only a business card, it’s like a scene out of a movie…

It doesn’t take long for the two to ‘bump’ into each other again, and Nora falls for the perfect-on-paper Gabe. Only a few weeks later, he invites her to Sicily, and she cannot believe her luck!

Until Gabe is forced away for work, leaving her alone with his big and warm family in gorgeous Sicily who welcome her with open arms. Everyone but Luca, his older and distrustful brother, who is always around.

Soon Nora finds herself on a dreamy, romantic getaway-just with the wrong brother.

My review

Nora has had enough of dating. From now on, she only will give love a chance after a clear sign that he is The One.
So when one night, Nora has almost an accident, and he disappears without a word, yet only passing on his business card, she believes that this is the perfect meet – cute.
So when they bump into each other by accident (or not so accidental), is doesn’t take long for Nora to fall in love with the more – than – perfect Gabe.
Things are so well that Nora agrees to join him on a holiday/ celebration with his family, in Sicily. But when Gabe suddenly has to leave for work and leave Nora alone with his family, Nora fears for the worst. However, Gabe’s family welcome her with open arms, and embrace her in their warmth. With the exception of Gabe’s brother Luca, who is wary of Nora and the relationship.
Nora quickly realizes that she not only has found the perfect boyfriend, but also the perfect family. If only she could share it all with Gabe, and not with his brother…

A love story set in Sicily? Of course I have to read it! Especially when love at first sight is included and also a wary brother that makes me already guess the direction of the book! 😊

I have to admit, that throughout the biggest part of the book, didn’t know what to really think about Nora. It’s clear she is a kind and good person. And I liked it how she has had enough of dating, and would now be waiting for a sign when she would meet The One.
Her backstory was a happy yet also sad one at the same time. Even if she doesn’t know her father, she grew up happily with her mother and grandparents. Being a close unit, it makes perfect sense that present – Nora is at loss now…

So what was it that made me not completely like Nora for the full 100%? While it’s obvious she is a nice person, and has a unique style that she owns marvellously, it’s the easiness in which she believes she has found the perfect man.
Yes, it could perfectly be that Gabe is her Person, but how can you tell in only a few weeks? Okay, perhaps I am too sceptical in believing that it can all be found so easily. Which we also know that Nora didn’t just bump into Gabe a second time! 😊

Also the fact that there is a small white lie being told to Gabe’s family, and not just saying there is a misunderstanding. For me, it didn’t sit right. But once again, that’s just me 😊

But it isn’t that I disliked Nora, because while perhaps I didn’t agree with all her actions, I could understand where she was coming. Especially where it concerns Gabe’s family. Here she is, on her own instead of with Gabe, with a family that perhaps doesn’t understand her in a linguistical way, but understand her with their hearts. And she has found a family like hers used to be, and she has found what has been missing in her life.
Who would want to walk away from that?

Talking about family… Nora gets along with everyone from this wonderful family (well, they are Italian, of course they are wonderful 😊), with the exception of Gabe’s brother Luca…

Luca… he doesn’t come off as the kindest characters initially, but I couldn’t for sure blame him! How would you react when suddenly a woman appears with your brother, apparently engaged and knowing what you know about his previous relationship?
But no matter what his thoughts are about Nora, it was sweet to see his kindness, as he is ready to help her around. And it goes even further, when he gets to know Nora better and learns about her life.

I found it great to see Nora flourish during this book. She needs to have a family to love and that loves her, and in Sicily she has found the perfect match.
And she also realizes, evolving from a perhaps gullible woman into an actual grown up, that there is a difference in lust and love.

While initially it would seem the story would revolve Nora and Gabe, and I later was happy to see that it took the direction I actually wanted, to me it felt more that more about Nora finding a home. Not a physical home, but a home made of people.
And isn’t that what we all want?

I truly enjoyed reading this story, with characters that grow and learn about what truly matters in life, and that indeed it can be found at the most unexpected moments, and in unexpected ways!