Book Review: The Villa Girls by Nicky Pellegrino

Escape, celebration, recovery, everyone goes on holiday for their own reasons. For Rosie, it is a chance to get away with her friends, a break from the worries of their normal lives. But of all the Villa Girls, it is Rosie whose life is changed  the most by those stolen days.
For Enzo, getting away isn't an option. The heir to an Italian olive estate, his destiny is clear. But when he uncovers a secret that tears his family apart, he must make one of the toughest choices of his life.
As the years go by and the girls grow up, each has their own journey to  make. But for Rosie and Enzo, time will lead them back to the same question: What will they do for love?

My lovely friend Kim from Still Reading sent me this book as she had enjoyed it so much. It was the perfect start to my holiday as it was such a great, easy read.
The Villa Girls follows Rosie, Addoloratas, Toni and Lou. It also follows Enzo, the heir to a vast olive estate in Italy.
The girls end up going on a villa holiday the year they finish school and they make a pact to go on a villa holiday together every three years, no matter where life has taken them. Rosie is the main female character and she has had more than her fair share of tragedy. The holidays are a chance for her to escape from it all and prepare herself to face everything again.
Enzo's life is so different  from Rosies, he is to inherit the family estate so his whole future is mapped out for him whereas Rosie is still trying to come up with  a plan for hers. However, there seem to be a few secrets in Enzo's family and he feels that it is his duty to get to the bottom of it. How will Enzo and Rosie come together and will their two very different lives be able to come together?
The Villa Girls is mainly about family, love, relationships and friendships but it is also about food. There are so many descriptions of beautiful Italian food and recipes that this book will make you hungry.
This is the first book by Nicky Pellegrino that I have read but I was really pleased to see that she has written several others. Her descriptions are particularly detailed and it is easy to image the world she creates. This book is perfect for on holiday but perhaps not great if you are on a diet!

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5

Publisher: Orion

Pages: 336

Book Review: It's Raining Men by Milly Johnson

Best friends from work, May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time lately and need some serious R&R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to an entirely different village...
Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years.  Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village?
Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point?

I started this book with the intention of taking it on holiday with me but I couldn't as I had finished it before I had even packed my case! I always know that I am in for a treat with Milly Johnson but this is my favourite of her books so far.
May, Lara and Clare find themselves in the small coastal village of Ren Dullem by accident when their booking at a luxury spa goes terribly wrong. Desperate for a holiday, the three friends decide to stay and make the most of it, yet they get much more than they bargained for.
This strange village could be beautiful yet it is the unfriendliest place these three women have ever visited. And what is with the lack of women, there are hardly any and May, Lara and Clare get stared at wherever they go. Their landlord Gene Hathersage and his brother are rather attractive but one seems to permanently be in a bad mood and the other has a vile fiancee who the whole village is terrified of.
I enjoyed this book so much. It had a slightly magical and mysterious edge to it and once I had started, I just couldn't stop reading.
I liked all three of the female characters and I enjoyed the separate story-lines that Milly Johnson had created, there is plenty going on to keep you interested.
The village of Ren Dullem is almost a character as well; I was intrigued as to what was going on and the secrets being kept by the inhabitants. I loved the ending and the little extra surprises included.
It's Raining Men is a funny, warm and entertaining read. Milly Johnson at her best.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 480

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is out now!