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See the Stars by Eleanor Ray #Review

  See the Stars by Eleanor Ray will be  published on February 5th 2026 by Piatkus .  Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?   When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.  Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?  Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel...

One Summer in Sicily by Nancy Barone #Review

 

Summer reading continues with the latest romcom by Nancy Barone. One Summer in Sicily was published by Aria on June 8th. 


A new fun and fresh rom-com set in Sicily by Canadian-Italian author Nancy Barone.

In an attempt to resuscitate her twenty-five-year-old marriage, aerophobic Gillian Dobson knocks down a few tranquilisers and takes a dreaded flight to the Sicilian Island of Lipari to surprise her husband, away on a business trip. But her troubles are just about to begin...


 My Thoughts

This is an entertaining read, just right for the Summer. You get a real feeling for the community of Lipari and the sunshine permeates the whole story. Gillian has a lot to come to terms with about herself. She has real issues about her age and her weight, underlined by her husband’s tactless remarks. 

    There are some likeable characters who all have their own backstories. Gillian’s reactions are often over the top and add to the humour. Starting over us the major theme of the story. Gillian does not always recognise what is happening and misinterprets people’s reactions to her. Her warm heart and generosity mark her out and you can understand why she is welcomed by the community. This  is fun and uplifting reading.

In short: heartwarming story with humour and romance. 





About the Author

 

Nancy Barone grew up in Canada, but at the age of 12 her family moved to Italy. Catapulted into a world where her only contact with the English language was her old Judy Blume books, Nancy became an avid reader and a die-hard romantic. Nancy stayed in Italy and, despite being surrounded by handsome Italian men, she married an even more handsome Brit. They now live in Sicily where she teaches English.

Nancy is a member of the RWA and a keen supporter of the Women's Fiction Festival at Matera where she meets up once a year with writing friends from all over the globe.

You can follow Nancy here: Twitter  |   

Book link: Purchase links

 Aria Books: Website  |  Twitter  |   Facebook  |  Instagram


Thanks to Nancy Barone, Aria Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!
 

 

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