A Scottish Teashop in Napoli by Jane Lambert #Review
A tender and funny novel that combines the best of Scottish
and Italian culture with the joys of female friendship and a cast of characters
reminiscent of Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella.
When Lucy's childhood sweetheart stands her up on their wedding day, leaving her alone on a plane eloping to the tropical location of his choosing, their dream – now feeling like just her dream - of their bairn filled future disappears in a heartbeat (or the time it takes for her to listen to the rambling drunken voicemail he left calling off the wedding).
In Naples, Elena is recently widowed and struggling to keep her husband's family's beloved and centuries old mozzarella factory afloat, whilst running her language school and bringing up their son. At risk of losing both businesses- and adding even more disruption to their life - she advertises a job and hopes for the best.
The stars seem to align and Elena and Lucy, each suffering from a very different sort of loss and loneliness, set about trying to lift the struggling business and each other.
A charming, tender and funny novel about the power of female friendships, the importance of letting go and the joys of eating pasta!
My Thoughts
Lucy and Elena are brought together in Naples and are both nursing a broken heart, although for different reasons. Lucy has been jilted on the way to her wedding, whilst Elena has been left a young widow, with a language school, cheese factory businesses to run. They are both wary of starting new relationships but their friendship flourishes as the days go on. The family business gives Elana much support but it is clear that there is something dark threatening everyone's happiness, below the surface.
The theme of friendship is a strong one and I enjoyed the range of characters who Lucy meets during her time in Naples. The pupils in the language school and the workers in the factory add colour to the story and some heart warming moments. Both Lucy and Elena have to work through their feelings of loneliness and loss and offer each other mutual support. There is a slow burn romance or two beneath the surface which adds to the story's charm and hints at a possible follow-up, if Jane is minded to write it.
In short: love, friendship, family and community
About the Author
Jane Lambert was brought up on the west coast of Scotland, studied Modern Languages at Stirling University, then taught English in Vienna. Her love affair with Italy began when she married an Italian chef from Naples. Her debut novel, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL, was published by HarperCollins in 2018 and inspired by her rollercoaster transition from globe-trotting cabin crew to aspiring actor.
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