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Aquele Verão Na Toscana (2008)

by Domenica De Rosa(Favorite Author)
3.6 of 5 Votes: 5
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English
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Edições Asa
review 1: This week I read Summer School by Domenica de Rosa. Maggie @ Normandy Life sent it to me, and I enjoyed this book. It is the perfect beach or lake read. This book is difficult to find here in the states, but Amazon has a few copies.Have you ever wanted to take a vacation where you learn something new or improve skills you already have? I would love to attend an art workshop in a beautiful place: Paris, Sedona, Florence, or maybe even San Francisco. I have friends who have travelled to France for cooking classes. That would be a fun way to spend a vacation, too. The characters in Summer School are attending a writer's retreat in Tuscany, and the accommodations are in a thirteenth-century castle. Patricia O'Hara owns the castle, and Aldo, her talented cook, impresses... more and guests at every meal with his delicious cuisine. The writer's workshop instructor is Jeremy Bullen, a snarky bestseller who is suffering from writer's block: a condition he has had for twenty years.The seven participants in the workshop arrive wanting one thing: to finish their books and get them published. My favorite aspect of this book is how every character, especially the students, evolve and/or have an epiphany about what they are meant to do with the rest of their lives. Some realize they are not meant to write at all, while others become more determined and confident in their writing. Patricia markets her Castello della Luna as the perfect Tuscan setting for creativity and inspiration. Plus the added bonus of an international bestseller as the instructor and Aldo's delicious meals should be the perfect combination for a successful business. Most of the workshop sessions are full, but overhead, impending maintenance on the castle, and a balloon note due too soon might cause Patricia to lose her beloved castle.The August students arrive in time for sweltering heat and Patricia's first notice from the bank. For a group of around eleven or twelve adults, there is a surprising amount of drama, hurt feelings, revealed secrets, crushes, flirtations, ghost stories, true love, and a storm worthy of a Gothic novel. August would not be my first choice in visiting Italy. Many businesses are closed, and the heat limits daytime activity. One would think that the students would have had ample time to finish their books, but instead they spend a lot of time "up in each other's business." I love that about this book! I am not ashamed to admit it. Although some of the flirtations and lust never amount to anything, I love the one couple who find each other and make a commitment. It is very sweet, and their story certainly makes Summer School worth reading.
review 2: I found this book an enjoyable read. Mary, Cat, Anna, Sam, JP, Sally, Dorothy and Rick are off to Tuscany to stay in a 13th century Italian castle where a writer Jeremy will give his expertise with some tips on how to write a novel, mind you, it has been awhile since he had a book published.The castle is run by an English woman Patricia, she lives there with an assistant, her son Matthew and Aldo comes in daily to cook. While this group of writers are here she takes on Fabio as a handy man.They all have their own little stories to tell and it had a good ending. less
Reviews (see all)
DVM2012
Loved this book about Italy that I read whilst in Italy. Multo Buon
Raina
Makes me wish I could go on a writing get-away to Italy :)
Dilove
Very enjoyable, Even better than her crime fiction,
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