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His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert #Review

    His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert will take you to a different country and season. It was published by Le Vin Press on 1st November 2025. Widowed, fired, and 50, Claire is one hot mess. This later in life romance hits like a snowball packed with grief and hope and mystery and the kind of second-chance that says, “I didn’t think I’d ever feel this again, and now I’m terrified, but… Hi.” Romance that’s frost melting off a windowpane. It’s “I forgot my heart could do this.” It’s love doesn’t have an expiration date. Twinkly lights, mulled wine and flaming crêpes so immerse you in Christmas markets—you’ll book a flight to France before the fares go up. A book club fiction favourite, Claire’s journey of self-discovery is perfect for fans of women’s fiction and stories about strong women over 50 navigating reinvention with inspiration, humour, with a delicious frosting of romance. “Give yourself the gift of a lush, romantic, French adventure and be swept away ...

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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