The Little Italian Hotel

By: Phaedra Patrick

Narrated by: Claire Calverley

When a relationship expert’s own marriage falls apart, she invites four strangers to Italy for a vacation of healing and second chances in this uplifting new novel from the author of The Messy Lives of Book People.

Ginny Splinter, acclaimed radio host and advice expert, prides herself on knowing what’s best for others. So she’s sure her husband, Adrian, will love the special trip to Italy she’s planned for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. But when Ginny presents the gift to Adrian, he surprises her with his own very different plan—a divorce. Beside herself with heartache, Ginny impulsively invites four heartbroken listeners to join her in Italy instead while live on air. From hiking the hills of Bologna to riding a gondola in Venice to sharing stories around the dining table of the little Italian hotel, Ginny and her newfound company embark on a vacation of healing.

However, when Adrian starts to rethink their relationship, Ginny must decide whether to commit to her marriage or start afresh, alone. And an unexpected stranger may hold the key to a very different future… Sunny, tender and brimming with charm, The Little Italian Hotel explores marriage, identity and reclaiming the present moment—even if it means leaving the past behind.

Look for Phaedra Patrick’s previous charming bestsellers!

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone

The Library of Lost and Found

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge

The Messy Lives of Book People

©2023 Phaedra Patrick (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Just...ok

I've enjoyed her other books more. For me personally, the dialect of the narrator and therefore the main character, made it difficult for me to take her story seriously. Perhaps the author wanted that dialect for authenticity, but for some reason it lacked any gravitas. I know it's not supposed to be a heavy book, but it almost seemed phony. It was hard for me to care.

Quaint little story

I loved how the story unfolds to an ending that you didn’t quite expect. I loved how each character has a story that could very much be a real story and how they are all woven together nicely.

Sweet story

This is an interesting book. Some reviews say it’s a romance but I disagree. It’s a story about a woman who realizes that the life she thought was perfect was actually empty and unfulfilled. Everyone could learn something from the story. I agree with most that the narrator could be better and she really butchered the Italian. Overall it is still definitely worth listening to, but if you speak or understand Italian credibly then try not to wince too much.

Disappointing

The strength of this story is its characters. They are domination and relatable and almost fully realized. Almost. Only one storyline is resolved, and it’s not the main one. The ending is meandering, then ends suddenly and in the most unsatisfying way. I found myself wondering aloud, “Is that it?” Evidently. I feel I wasted my time and energy investing in this story.

Such a cute story

Loved the story but the narration was awful. Her attempt at male voices was terrible. Several times I was going to give up listening and just buy the book to read. Would not listen to another book performed by this narrator.

I love this book!

This book is so relatable! I love that the main Character Ginny spent time making new friends and learning herself again. Just beautiful! This book gets 5 stars from me!!!

Not my fav but sweet

I think this book lacked the bit of mystery the author usually injects in her novels. Arthur Pepper was by far my fav. This one was just a basic romance story. The narrator butchered the Italian accents.

Nice, easy listen

A sweet book, I am not sure I would recommend. I was hoping for more quirky.

Characters drone on

I like other books by this author… but this one was a downer, Boring, and characters were shallow, boring, not anyone I would be interested in meeting. Story could have been done as a short story. A painful waste of time.

Sweet story, reader made it too sappy

It was predictable and I didn’t like the tone of the woman reading. She just made it sound sappier than it probably would’ve been if I had read it.