Book Review: Italian For Beginners by Kristen Harmel

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009

Book Review: Italian For Beginners by Kristen Harmel

italianforbeginners-1 Author: Kristin Harmel

Publisher: 5 Spot/Hachette

ISBN #: 978-0-446-53830-5

Type: Fiction:ChickLit

Pages: 363 Trade Paperback

Published: August 13, 2009

Website: http://kristinharmel.com

Purchase: $10.97 (HERE)

The Story

Cat Connelly’s life is as predictable as it can get. Even the security guard at the office building where she works claims to set his watch by her arrival time. At 34, being single in New York feels dauntingly lonely to her as she stands as maid of honor to her 29-year-old sister, the bride. Nearly everyone in her Irish/Italian family takes the opportunity to make comments at the wedding about Cat’s singledom from her grandmother who interrupts the wedding ceremony to comment on it to her cousins in the bathroom stalls at the wedding reception. Cat hides from them all in the kitchen of the Italian restaurant where the reception is being held. As she lurks with tears in her eyes by the vats of olive oil, she meets the restaurant’s owner, Michael.

: Castel Sant’Angelo & Bridge of Angels

Michael seems to understand Cat and they develop an immediate repoire. He encourages Cat to feel proud of the decisions she’s made to date where her love life is concerned. He also asks her on a date for Monday night. Two days later, they share a wonderful dinner and discover a strong connection between them. However, Cat discovers that Michael is keeping important parts of his life secret from her when their date is interrupted by an important phone call.

: Pantheon, Rome

Once again disenchanted with men and her life, Cat decides to make some changes. When friends and family encourage her to take a vacation, she reluctantly agrees. As she has a fondness for Rome, Italy based on a trip she took there in her 20′s, she decides to return. Her decision was made, in part, based on a love she had shared with the gorgeous, Italian Francesco, a man she shared a summer of love with over a decade prior. By the week’s end, Cat is in Rome, facing Francesco in the airport, and ready to begin a completely new phase in her life. However, what Cat didn’t expect was that this new adventure would make remarkable change in her future and in her true happiness.

The Review

Kristin Harmel I’ve never seen the movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The very strange thing is that a VHS copy of it was given to me several years ago. It has sat, behind the television in my bedroom, for 3 years… alone and unwatched. I keep telling myself just to get rid of the movie because I’m never going to watch it. How great it is that I still have it! I’m can’t wait to watch it.

Apparently, this book has ties to this famous movie. From what I’ve read, much of the scenery in the book can be viewed in the movie. Since I’ve never been to Italy, I’m excited to check it out in the movie.

roman holiday What I’ve heard over and over again from friends and family who’ve visited Italy is that the food and wine is just unbelieveably wonderful. Seeing that I’m a huge foodie and wine lover, apparently I need to get myself to Italy sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I’m happy that this endearing ChickLit Novel swept me away to thoughts of yummy food, Italian lovers, and sassy Italians who live their lives from their hearts, not their minds. I felt as if I’d traveled on an Italian vacation through reading about Cat’s adventure in Rome. What makes the book even more wonderful is that Kristen Harmel has included recipes in the back of the book for the food described in the novel. I’m going to give a few of them a try!

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving Italian For Beginners a rating of 8.5 out of 10 in the genre Fiction:Women’s/ChickLit. As a huge fan of ChickLit, I found this novel to be a great mix of love, friendship, travel, and personal growth. Although I found the novel to be predictable in the ending, I still enjoyed reading the story and taking the journey. This delightful read was gobbled up in less than 24 hours… I just really enjoyed the Roman Holiday!

My heartfelt thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for presenting me with the opportunity review this delightful novel! My Fairy Godmother at Hachette seems to know exactly what I love to read!

13 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

13 Responses

Sandy

August 19th, 2009 at 2:37 am

Lauren @ Half Deserted Streets just reviewed this as well, and it looks totally charming. I haven’t been to Italy either, even though it is high on our lists (at risk of gaining 10 pounds). I’ll look for this when I need an escape!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Gdansk #7 =-.
Amy

August 19th, 2009 at 4:24 am

Sheri you really should watch “Roman Holiday”! It’s a wonderful, beautiful, enchanting movie! And it’s got Audrey Hepburn in it! I thought this sounded like a cute book but you have elevated it to an entirely different level for me telling me it has connections to “Roman Holiday”. It has now made my TBR list!

Thank you! And let me know when you see the movie!
Amy )
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Introducing Amy World! =-.
Kelly B

August 19th, 2009 at 6:27 am

This looks incredibly sweet. I remember being 34 and single. Not one of my friends understood it. Thankfully no one in my family gave me flack (they were definitely happy about me NOT being tied to my past flames). Sounds like a great read. Nice review. I don’t think this is one I would have considered if not for your review.
.-= Kelly B´s last blog ..What Is Up With Bacon? =-.
sumana

August 19th, 2009 at 9:33 am

“Roman Holiday” is really a classic. do watch it. I have never been to Italy, so now I will get the beek so that I can visit Italy often. Thanks for the review as without it I would have never thought of getting the book.
.-= sumana´s last blog ..“TOPOL” in “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”-”The Musical” =-.
Kristin Harmel

August 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am

Thanks so much for the sweet review and all the nice comments!! xo, Kristin Harmel
Stacy

August 19th, 2009 at 10:43 am

I love Italy, so this one is going on my list! Great review! And you really do need to see the movie
Kathy

August 19th, 2009 at 11:48 am

This one sounds so good! I’m totally jealous that you got it!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday =-.
Shweta

August 19th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Great review and I want to read this book soon. I has got good reviews n ratings everywhere. Italy is my dream destination too.
.-= Shweta´s last blog ..Movie Adaptations 911 =-.
softdrink

August 19th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

I love books set in other countries…they can be such fun!

I spent 4 weeks in Italy 2 years ago. I have to say the food was mostly disappointing. But the wine and the sites were unbelievable!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..The Well and the Mine =-.
Menagerie

August 20th, 2009 at 3:54 am

Kristen Harmel visited! YEAH!
Nicole

August 20th, 2009 at 3:55 am

I am glad that you enjoyed this one and I am sure you will enjoy seeing all the sites in the movie. When I was in Italy last summer I saw the sign talking about Roman Holiday and the Audrey Hepburn movie. I didn’t really check it out but now I wonder if they were advertising a tour.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Wife of the Gods, by Kwei Quartey =-.
LN

August 20th, 2009 at 9:29 am

I haven’t read this book but I have seen the film many times. It is really a great film that you absolutely have to see!
.-= LN´s last blog ..More Tales of the City =-.
Teddy

August 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

I really liked the movie version. I haven’t read the book yet.
.-= Teddy´s last blog ..Portland, Oregon Book Bloggers Retreat =-.