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Dolci di Love
New from the author of House of Daughters- an irresistible confection of love, loss, and Italian sweets in the delectable tradition of Chocolat Corporate star Lily Turner abandons the boardrooms of Manhattan for the steep streets of Montevedova when she discovers her "perfect" husband, Daniel, has another family tucked away in the hills of Tuscany. Once there, her plight attracts the attention of the Secret League of Widowed Darners, an all-but-invisible army pulling strings behind the scenes to create happy endings. Soon founding members, Violetta and Luciana, are scheming to mend Lily's broken heart-and to enlist her help for their struggling pasticceria. With the lush landscape of a sumptuous Tuscan summer in the background, and the tantalizing scent of fresh-baked cantucci in the air, Dolci di Love is the joyful celebration of a modern recipe for life.Read Sarah-Kate Lynch's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2011
About the author
Sarah-Kate Lynch
17 books283 followersSarah-Kate Lynch is quite a cranky journalist of several decades who prefers making things up to recording them accurately. This is not very good if you are a journalist, which may explain (a) the crankiness and (b) why she now writes novels.
She also writes two columns in the New Zealand Woman's Day, New Zealand's best-selling weekly magazine. One is about nothing and the other is about travel.
Sarah-Kate lives in a cliff top house on the wild west coast of New Zealand's North Island with a lovely dog called Ginger and a husband called Ted. Oh, hang on, no, that's not right. The dog is called Ted and the husband is Ginger.
She also writes two columns in the New Zealand Woman's Day, New Zealand's best-selling weekly magazine. One is about nothing and the other is about travel.
Sarah-Kate lives in a cliff top house on the wild west coast of New Zealand's North Island with a lovely dog called Ginger and a husband called Ted. Oh, hang on, no, that's not right. The dog is called Ted and the husband is Ginger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
April 9, 2013
I like chick lit as much as anyone. Something light and fluffy, not too serious, set in Italy, lots of lucious food and wine, good looking wealthy people...what's not to like. But honestly this book got very stupid as it went on. the only thing that kept me going was the old ladies with their secret club and match making craziness. As soon as Lily started thinking of forgiving her really scummy husband, all because he had the child she couldn't have, as soon as the hunky Allesandro was turned into a "man whore" making us , I suppose, not want Lily to attempt a relationship with him, and when her scummy husband's Italian woman (and mother of said child) turned out to be mentally ill...well, how convenient for everyone concerned. Lily never opened a can of soup but now she's not only baking from scratch the cantucci but supplying the bakery and running the store. Come on now. Oh, and the miraculous conception and miracle baby with a stranger. Ick. The ending was pat and ridiculous. No one was jealous, no one was angry, no one seemed to feel anything weird about their lovers and children ending up with other people. Throw in the reconciliation of Alessandro and his estranged daughter, it was like making instant soup...no muss no fuss, hi how have you been for the last 20 years...yeesh....Ridiculous and for me, a waste of time. The only thing this book did for me was make me want a biscotti and a nice glass of vino. Oh wait, make that 2. This book really sucked.
June 1, 2011
I'm honestly all about forgiving, forgetting, and moving on, but sometimes there's simply things that you CANNOT and SHOULD NOT forgive, forget & move on from. What happened in Dolci Di Love, was one of them. Lily finds out that her husband Daniel had an affair and is now the father of a 7 year old girl. A secret that he's kept for 7 years of their marriage. Not only that, but the secret is in another country. He's had a second life in Italy. He travels there for work. Can we be serious??? She then heads off to Italy to confront him, but meets his daughter first & falls in love with her. Has a fling with an Italian man, gets pregnant by him, which is odd too, because she couldn't get pregnant with her own husband, that's why they grew apart to begin with and then decides that she can forgive her husband, help raise his daughter, only if he'll take her child as his own, and they both forgive one another. Oh, did I mention that they both now live in Italy with, her husbands daughter, and her mother. And, the man whom fatehred her child as well. I'm sorry, but this was way TOO much for me to handle or get on track with.
Like I said, I'm all about forgiving mistakes, but this is a bit much! And the book was pretty slow reading. I was really disappointed in this story.
Like I said, I'm all about forgiving mistakes, but this is a bit much! And the book was pretty slow reading. I was really disappointed in this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2012
Quando o coração que julgamos conhecer e amar, que nos confortou e enterneceu com palavras doces e promessas eternas, torce pelo de outra pessoa, distante e inalcançável, a surpresa e a traição são dois sentimentos dominadores que podem, facilmente, levar-nos a cometer uma loucura. Como, por exemplo, marcar uma viagem alucinante até um dos cantinhos recônditos da Toscana. Mas será o confronto a forma mais segura de reaver a pouca dignidade que nos resta? Ou deverá a tentação do esquecimento e do «fingir que nada aconteceu» prevalecer face uma acção imprevisível e tomada de cabeça quente?
‹‹Dolci di Love›› é um romance que abrange toda uma série de temáticas importantes e comuns do nosso dia a dia mas que, de uma forma extraordinária, tem igualmente o dom de nos aquecer por dentro e, através de diálogos generosos e descrições belíssimas, fazer esquecer o «mau» e centrar essencialmente no «paradisíaco». Recheado de personagens divertidas e únicas, este é um livro extremamente romântico mas que, ao mesmo tempo, possui a capacidade de originar no leitor toda uma sucessão de gargalhadas expansivas e emoções intensas.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.c...
‹‹Dolci di Love›› é um romance que abrange toda uma série de temáticas importantes e comuns do nosso dia a dia mas que, de uma forma extraordinária, tem igualmente o dom de nos aquecer por dentro e, através de diálogos generosos e descrições belíssimas, fazer esquecer o «mau» e centrar essencialmente no «paradisíaco». Recheado de personagens divertidas e únicas, este é um livro extremamente romântico mas que, ao mesmo tempo, possui a capacidade de originar no leitor toda uma sucessão de gargalhadas expansivas e emoções intensas.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.c...
March 10, 2011
I received this book for free from one of the Goodreads First Reads giveaways. I received the book on a Tuesday afternoon and had it finished by Thursday morning. I could not put this book down. I absolutely loved it.
My favorite books tend to be ones that the author can pull me into the story and make me relate to the characters. Sarah-Kate Lynch did just that with this book. I was immediately able to identify and feel empathy for Lily. There were times where I wanted to cry with her. I felt like I understood why she felt the way she did. But, not only could I identify with Lily, I found myself really understanding and feeling sorry for Daniel. I wanted to be mad at him but I just couldn't be.
I also loved all the little old, eccentric widows in this book as well. Their humor and wit really pulled the book along. I liked the ending even if it wasn't conventional.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. So happy that I got a chance to read this thanks to the Goodreads giveaways. I don't think this would be the kind of book that I would have picked up on my own at a bookstore but I loved it so much!
My favorite books tend to be ones that the author can pull me into the story and make me relate to the characters. Sarah-Kate Lynch did just that with this book. I was immediately able to identify and feel empathy for Lily. There were times where I wanted to cry with her. I felt like I understood why she felt the way she did. But, not only could I identify with Lily, I found myself really understanding and feeling sorry for Daniel. I wanted to be mad at him but I just couldn't be.
I also loved all the little old, eccentric widows in this book as well. Their humor and wit really pulled the book along. I liked the ending even if it wasn't conventional.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. So happy that I got a chance to read this thanks to the Goodreads giveaways. I don't think this would be the kind of book that I would have picked up on my own at a bookstore but I loved it so much!
February 22, 2012
Meh...
An interesting plot, but unfortunately the dull, unlikeable characters let the book down. The only character that seemed "real" was Rose, Lily's sister, and she only had a small supporting role.
The first page or so was engaging enough, however, I found myself having to re-read several paragraphs as at times the author contructed her sentences strangely. That always gets me off on the wrong foot.
Her descriptions of Italy were very nice, but the subplot of the scheming old ladies was just creepy.
Maybe I've had enough of books where the protagonist is an ignorant American female (usually from New York), visiting either France or Italy, claiming not to speak any of the language and looking down their nose at European cultures with an air of superiority. Seriously, who in this day and age doesnt know basic french/italian greetings???!!!
An interesting plot, but unfortunately the dull, unlikeable characters let the book down. The only character that seemed "real" was Rose, Lily's sister, and she only had a small supporting role.
The first page or so was engaging enough, however, I found myself having to re-read several paragraphs as at times the author contructed her sentences strangely. That always gets me off on the wrong foot.
Her descriptions of Italy were very nice, but the subplot of the scheming old ladies was just creepy.
Maybe I've had enough of books where the protagonist is an ignorant American female (usually from New York), visiting either France or Italy, claiming not to speak any of the language and looking down their nose at European cultures with an air of superiority. Seriously, who in this day and age doesnt know basic french/italian greetings???!!!
March 20, 2021
Inicialmente comecei por não gostar muito da premissa do livro com toda a descoberta da traição por parte de Lily, não adorei a protagonista, a atitude dela pedante mesmo com toda a situação da infertilidade e dos problemas com o marido achei-a tonta e mesmo quando chegamos a parte interessante que é a Itália, achei-a desdenhosa e chata com tudo, percebemos o prisma dela por ver o mundo abalado mas ao longo do livro redimiu-se. Quando ela começa finalmente a descobrir-se e a apaixonar-se pela Florença, aparece Daniel, outra personagem que inicialmente não consigo entender a atitude dele, desde a família que ele criou as atitudes que tem com as mulheres em geral quando não está com Lily. Torna-se confuso com todas as viúvas italianas a quererem meter-se no meio e resolver o dilema de Lily e Daniel ao mesmo tempo que vamos conhecendo outras personagens que veem confundir ainda mais o enredo como Francesca, Alessandro, a irmã dela e a relação tumultuosa. Acaba por ter um final atípico com todos metidos numa confusão familiar e a criarem novas famílias de uma forma peculiar mas engraçada...
May 4, 2018
The plot unfolds with humour and emotion. The reader follows Lily and how she copes with a difficult period in her life. Travelling to a small Tuscan town (Montevedova) was a highlight to this easy, predictable story.
July 12, 2015
I have never, to this day, had the courage to say no to a novel taking place in Italy. As you might have guessed, I have never been there. It is one of those dream trips that I will one day take. Soon, I hope. Anyway…
This novel is far from being glorious. It is not going to rend you speechless, but, if you open yourself to it, it will make you laugh.
I must confess that at first I considered the possibility of not carrying on. It would certainly be a first, for I have never abandoned a book before, even though the idea has crossed my mind many times. Still, I believe I always end up giving books a never-ending amount of chances, till I reach the very last page, of course. And I find myself, yet again, being glad that I did not jump off the train.
The plot is definitely not new, even if it does come with a few interesting twists that honestly only make the scenario even less plausible. Then again, we are talking about human beings, anything is possible. Right, anyway, as I was saying, do not expect something extraordinary. Actually, do not expect anything. Just go with the flow. Hopefully, you will find yourself laughing out loud at a few lines that are so brilliantly written that make the whole book worth it.
These were characters that I did not fall in love with. Instead, it is like they became acquaintances one runs into every now and then and ends up going for some iced tea and a good time.
Good-hearted, I would call it. And rather generous in its humor. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon spent in the shade of a tree that was once smaller than you.
Right, I think the time has come for me to stop buying books and finally save money for a trip to Italy. As if…
This novel is far from being glorious. It is not going to rend you speechless, but, if you open yourself to it, it will make you laugh.
I must confess that at first I considered the possibility of not carrying on. It would certainly be a first, for I have never abandoned a book before, even though the idea has crossed my mind many times. Still, I believe I always end up giving books a never-ending amount of chances, till I reach the very last page, of course. And I find myself, yet again, being glad that I did not jump off the train.
The plot is definitely not new, even if it does come with a few interesting twists that honestly only make the scenario even less plausible. Then again, we are talking about human beings, anything is possible. Right, anyway, as I was saying, do not expect something extraordinary. Actually, do not expect anything. Just go with the flow. Hopefully, you will find yourself laughing out loud at a few lines that are so brilliantly written that make the whole book worth it.
These were characters that I did not fall in love with. Instead, it is like they became acquaintances one runs into every now and then and ends up going for some iced tea and a good time.
Good-hearted, I would call it. And rather generous in its humor. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon spent in the shade of a tree that was once smaller than you.
Right, I think the time has come for me to stop buying books and finally save money for a trip to Italy. As if…
May 19, 2011
I really enjoyed her previous work,House of Daughters, so I was excited to see this book . I did read it all and quickly to see how it all turns out however I can only give it 2.5. Somehow everything just misses. Tuscany is described nicely but doesn't make you want to visit as it has in other books that I have read. The widows are interesting but not enough to make them special. The "special once in a life time love" of our protagonist and her husband- I just did not feel it . Perhaps Lily is in a phase where she cannot "feel" anything and we are supposed to experience that with her because the book did not make me "feel". Her interactions with Francesca were the only times that I smiled with the characters. And there was one moment when I cried with character about Grace but honestly I can sum it up in an easy,Tuscan -based read that can make a plane ride pass more quickly or ESPN on Tv more palatable.
June 6, 2015
A book with all the elements of easy reading. A good book to take the mind away, without thinking too much. Featuring a few of my favourite things, Italy, food, and love, what is not to like?
April 25, 2018
Este foi um livro que me surpreendeu. Nunca tinha lido nada da autora e, por isso, não ia com qualquer expectativa. E ainda bem que assim foi!
O livro começa como uma história cliché e termina da mesma forma (de uma maneira até um pouco exagerada a meu ver). Porém, é a forma como se desenvolveu que realmente me fez continuar a ler.
Nenhuma das personagens é aquilo que aparenta ser no princípio. Algumas personagens me surpreenderam e outras desiludiram-me. Para ser sincera, só no final do livro é que retirei alguma opinião do Daniel, marido da protagonista.
Com isto, a autora lembrou-me que, nem sempre as pessoas são o que mostram ser ou o que nós achamos que elas são, quando as conhecemos à primeira vista. É só quando as vamos conhecendo melhor e sabendo um pouco mais da sua história, que descobrimos quem elas são na realidade.
Gostei muito da forma como a autora foi desenrolando o passado de Lily e Daniel, usando o mistério para prender a atenção do leitor e dando-nos a conhecer essa história pouco a pouco, numa espécie de carreiro feito de migalhas.
Ri-me algumas vezes com as personagens e, em certos momentos, senti-me a viajar por Itália.
Em suma, foi uma história que me encantou e que a autora soube desenvolver bem, mesmo esta sendo cliché.
O livro começa como uma história cliché e termina da mesma forma (de uma maneira até um pouco exagerada a meu ver). Porém, é a forma como se desenvolveu que realmente me fez continuar a ler.
Nenhuma das personagens é aquilo que aparenta ser no princípio. Algumas personagens me surpreenderam e outras desiludiram-me. Para ser sincera, só no final do livro é que retirei alguma opinião do Daniel, marido da protagonista.
Com isto, a autora lembrou-me que, nem sempre as pessoas são o que mostram ser ou o que nós achamos que elas são, quando as conhecemos à primeira vista. É só quando as vamos conhecendo melhor e sabendo um pouco mais da sua história, que descobrimos quem elas são na realidade.
Gostei muito da forma como a autora foi desenrolando o passado de Lily e Daniel, usando o mistério para prender a atenção do leitor e dando-nos a conhecer essa história pouco a pouco, numa espécie de carreiro feito de migalhas.
Ri-me algumas vezes com as personagens e, em certos momentos, senti-me a viajar por Itália.
Em suma, foi uma história que me encantou e que a autora soube desenvolver bem, mesmo esta sendo cliché.
September 1, 2017
Bwa. Goed voor op vakantie of zo.
June 28, 2017
Lily Turner, an executive vice president of a big company in New York , is digging around in her husband Daniel’s closet so she can ascertain the size of his golf shoes. It was meant to be a surprise for his birthday…new golf shoes. What she found turned her life upside down. Tucked away inside the shoe was a laminated photo of Daniel, his arm around a beautiful woman and two children snuggled close. The older child looks like Daniel. Upon closer inspection, Lily realizes the photo is taken in Italy …..a place Daniel spends one week a month dealing with his wine business.
Wham! How’s that for a shock? This realization that Daniel has a family tucked away in Tuscany comes as a scandalous surprise (naturally) but it’s a double whammy for Lily as she can not have children. Lily wanted to be a mother more than anything and with each false pregnancy, miscarriage and failed adoption……she retreats further away from the loving spontaneous life she had with Daniel. Is it any wonder he sought companionship elsewhere. Sought out a family with someone who would (and could) give it to him? Nooooo…. No excuses for Daniel and I wanted his head on a stick as I read through the first part of this book. What woman wouldn’t align herself with Lily and the outrage of such a betrayal? Cheating bastard!
Here’s the rub…….reading about Lily you definitely have sympathy for her yearning to be a mother. But there is a cool exterior surrounding this beautiful woman that didn’t allow me to totally connect with her. She had pushed her sister Rose away because she couldn’t bear to see Rose with her brood of children. So they don’t see each other much. Lily keeps her schedule at work jam packed and so, she doesn’t have spare moments to take trips with her husband or go out for a leisurely dinner. Her assistant buys Daniel his birthday and Christmas gifts……..Lily doesn’t know her husband’s show size. If she did, she wouldn’t have found out about the Italian family.
OK – next you get Daniel’s side of the story. Is he justified? Is he a total cad? No. He screwed up (no pun intended) but he loves Lily more than life. All of the circumstances of Daniel’s secret life are explained (with a few surprises I didn’t see coming).
Lily books a flight to Italy and finds the small village where Daniel and his family live. There are some great descriptions of Lily’s first impressions and experiences in Italy , her culture shock, a handsome Italian widower and Lily’s unlikely accommodation above a bakery run by two elderly sisters. The sisters play a major role in this book as they are the founders of the Secret League of Widowed Darners. In reality they are decrepit matchmakers with a communication network to be envied by Verizon. And of course they are mostly ignored because they are tiny, elderly black-clad women who are dismissed as clueless busybodies. Not true. Watch out for this group.
By chance, Lily meets Daniel's six-year-old daughter. She falls for her – the way she talks, the way she looks…. Complicated! From there the scenes of Tuscany and cuisine are vividly painted by the author.
Some quotes from the book:
In chapter 14 I liked the description of how Lily saw the Tuscan countryside from her rented room….she awoke, blew out a sigh “and let the despair of her miserable situation fully descend”……but then she went to the window and “gazed out at the rolling patchwork of the sea of greens; so many shades and each one deeper or brighter or more dazzling than the one right next to it. She realized that if she had imagined Tuscany, she would have seen it as burnt orange and golden; vibrant colors but harsh and arid compared to the moist and thriving sprawl of grasses, grapes, olives, forest and fields that stretched below her.
It was so beautiful it was impossible to concentrate on what had brought her here.”
Near the very end….I like this quote: “But after that, she let go of her old life as easily as a helium balloon and not even stayed to watch it float away.”
Wow – As a fan of ex-pat type literature I would hope that I could let go of my life in the States “as a helium balloon” and settle down in complete contentment. As long as I had the essentials – my man, good wine, good fresh local foods and nice weather.
What happened was a turn of events I could not foresee and so, I don’t want to put a spoiler in this review. From the viewpoint of an American, and trying to get my head into Lily’s mindset (considering her busy corporate life in New York ), I’m not sure it’s a realistic ending…..but I was pretty happy with how it all tied together.
I enjoyed this book and plan to look for other novels by Sarah-Kate Lynch.
Wham! How’s that for a shock? This realization that Daniel has a family tucked away in Tuscany comes as a scandalous surprise (naturally) but it’s a double whammy for Lily as she can not have children. Lily wanted to be a mother more than anything and with each false pregnancy, miscarriage and failed adoption……she retreats further away from the loving spontaneous life she had with Daniel. Is it any wonder he sought companionship elsewhere. Sought out a family with someone who would (and could) give it to him? Nooooo…. No excuses for Daniel and I wanted his head on a stick as I read through the first part of this book. What woman wouldn’t align herself with Lily and the outrage of such a betrayal? Cheating bastard!
Here’s the rub…….reading about Lily you definitely have sympathy for her yearning to be a mother. But there is a cool exterior surrounding this beautiful woman that didn’t allow me to totally connect with her. She had pushed her sister Rose away because she couldn’t bear to see Rose with her brood of children. So they don’t see each other much. Lily keeps her schedule at work jam packed and so, she doesn’t have spare moments to take trips with her husband or go out for a leisurely dinner. Her assistant buys Daniel his birthday and Christmas gifts……..Lily doesn’t know her husband’s show size. If she did, she wouldn’t have found out about the Italian family.
OK – next you get Daniel’s side of the story. Is he justified? Is he a total cad? No. He screwed up (no pun intended) but he loves Lily more than life. All of the circumstances of Daniel’s secret life are explained (with a few surprises I didn’t see coming).
Lily books a flight to Italy and finds the small village where Daniel and his family live. There are some great descriptions of Lily’s first impressions and experiences in Italy , her culture shock, a handsome Italian widower and Lily’s unlikely accommodation above a bakery run by two elderly sisters. The sisters play a major role in this book as they are the founders of the Secret League of Widowed Darners. In reality they are decrepit matchmakers with a communication network to be envied by Verizon. And of course they are mostly ignored because they are tiny, elderly black-clad women who are dismissed as clueless busybodies. Not true. Watch out for this group.
By chance, Lily meets Daniel's six-year-old daughter. She falls for her – the way she talks, the way she looks…. Complicated! From there the scenes of Tuscany and cuisine are vividly painted by the author.
Some quotes from the book:
In chapter 14 I liked the description of how Lily saw the Tuscan countryside from her rented room….she awoke, blew out a sigh “and let the despair of her miserable situation fully descend”……but then she went to the window and “gazed out at the rolling patchwork of the sea of greens; so many shades and each one deeper or brighter or more dazzling than the one right next to it. She realized that if she had imagined Tuscany, she would have seen it as burnt orange and golden; vibrant colors but harsh and arid compared to the moist and thriving sprawl of grasses, grapes, olives, forest and fields that stretched below her.
It was so beautiful it was impossible to concentrate on what had brought her here.”
Near the very end….I like this quote: “But after that, she let go of her old life as easily as a helium balloon and not even stayed to watch it float away.”
Wow – As a fan of ex-pat type literature I would hope that I could let go of my life in the States “as a helium balloon” and settle down in complete contentment. As long as I had the essentials – my man, good wine, good fresh local foods and nice weather.
What happened was a turn of events I could not foresee and so, I don’t want to put a spoiler in this review. From the viewpoint of an American, and trying to get my head into Lily’s mindset (considering her busy corporate life in New York ), I’m not sure it’s a realistic ending…..but I was pretty happy with how it all tied together.
I enjoyed this book and plan to look for other novels by Sarah-Kate Lynch.
May 5, 2024
So, I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite some time and never chose to read it because the title is a little off putting. I finally picked it up because I needed a quick read, and I’m really glad I did. It’s a cute, easy read and it made me laugh out loud on many occasions. Especially if you have ever visited Tuscany, this book will put a happy grin on your face.
February 1, 2021
I love anything written by this author! This wasn’t my favorite but I still enjoyed it (up until the miraculous conception 🤦♀️ and the too neatly wrapped up Hallmark ending)! 😍
April 16, 2011
For any woman who has wanted desperately to have children only to find themselves unfathomably able to successfully bear even one, finding a photograph of your husband and a woman with 2 children who bear a similarity to him would surely be devastating. That's what Lily, career corporate woman extraordinaire had to face one morning in her husband's golf shoe.
She books a flight to Tuscany, rents a car and reserves a hotel room and heads off to Tuscany to hunt down her cheating husband. But when she gets there, she meets 2 old arthritic sisters who take her under their wing, and unbeknownst to her, are founders of a secret league of Italian widows who orchestrate love matches. She meets her husband's love child, his mistress and finally comes face to face with her husband.
The secret league of matchmaking widows provide some wonderfully humorous moments. Their conniving antics when they first try to force seemingly innocent meetings between Lily and Alessandro, the widower, and then later, discovering who Lily really is, trying to orchestrate a reconciliation, provide comedic situations.
Woven through the comedy though, is the very real pain of a woman who seeks to fill a haunting hole in her life.
A feel-good book that is perfect for a lazy day.
She books a flight to Tuscany, rents a car and reserves a hotel room and heads off to Tuscany to hunt down her cheating husband. But when she gets there, she meets 2 old arthritic sisters who take her under their wing, and unbeknownst to her, are founders of a secret league of Italian widows who orchestrate love matches. She meets her husband's love child, his mistress and finally comes face to face with her husband.
The secret league of matchmaking widows provide some wonderfully humorous moments. Their conniving antics when they first try to force seemingly innocent meetings between Lily and Alessandro, the widower, and then later, discovering who Lily really is, trying to orchestrate a reconciliation, provide comedic situations.
Woven through the comedy though, is the very real pain of a woman who seeks to fill a haunting hole in her life.
A feel-good book that is perfect for a lazy day.
May 3, 2011
Reminiscent of Under the Tuscan Sun, Dolci di Love transported me to beautiful Italy where everything-especially love- is possible.
The realization that her husband has another family is, of course, devastating to Lily, but the part that spoke to me more was the realization that she had lost herself. Lily, like myself, suffers from infertility. The loss of children and the loss of motherhood is too much for Lily to bear. She has thrown herself into her work, and all of her relationships suffer for it. Sarah-Kate Lynch admits that she has not had her own fertility issues, but somehow she captured the pain of it so well that I would believe her if she changed her tune.
Fertility is not the main issue of Dolci di Love-all the ways that women lose themselves is the main conflict. Lily took her life back in Tuscany (with a little help from some very wise, meddling friends), but Dolci di Love made me feel like women can take their lives back anywhere, anytime. All we need is a little help from our friends and a reality check about how when we put ourselves first everything else falls into place.
The realization that her husband has another family is, of course, devastating to Lily, but the part that spoke to me more was the realization that she had lost herself. Lily, like myself, suffers from infertility. The loss of children and the loss of motherhood is too much for Lily to bear. She has thrown herself into her work, and all of her relationships suffer for it. Sarah-Kate Lynch admits that she has not had her own fertility issues, but somehow she captured the pain of it so well that I would believe her if she changed her tune.
Fertility is not the main issue of Dolci di Love-all the ways that women lose themselves is the main conflict. Lily took her life back in Tuscany (with a little help from some very wise, meddling friends), but Dolci di Love made me feel like women can take their lives back anywhere, anytime. All we need is a little help from our friends and a reality check about how when we put ourselves first everything else falls into place.
October 2, 2014
Depois de ter acabado este livro já há algum tempo, ainda estou indecisa quanto à sua nota final. Não o adorei, portanto mais de 3 estrelas é impensável. Fico na dúvida quanto às duas e três estrelas. Bem dizem que no meio é onde está a virtude portanto deve ser mais um 2,5...que arredondado dá 3. Humpf!
Dolci di Love tem um título doce e amoroso e promete-nos muitas aventuras saborosas por terras italianas. O livro cumpriu o seu objectivo: ser um mero entretenimento. Eu nem esperava por mais, estes romances são mesmo assim, passa-se umas boas horas e quando o acabamos, a digestão não é muita...porque não há muito para digerir. É um romance engraçado mas banal, igual e muitos que já li e que gosto de ler de vez em quando. Devo ser parva porque muitas vezes, muitos deles não trazem nada de novo, e fica aquela sensação que: "eu já li isto em algum lado" mas não consigo resistir-lhes, apesar de ter mais de 200 livros para ler.
Opinião completa - http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
Dolci di Love tem um título doce e amoroso e promete-nos muitas aventuras saborosas por terras italianas. O livro cumpriu o seu objectivo: ser um mero entretenimento. Eu nem esperava por mais, estes romances são mesmo assim, passa-se umas boas horas e quando o acabamos, a digestão não é muita...porque não há muito para digerir. É um romance engraçado mas banal, igual e muitos que já li e que gosto de ler de vez em quando. Devo ser parva porque muitas vezes, muitos deles não trazem nada de novo, e fica aquela sensação que: "eu já li isto em algum lado" mas não consigo resistir-lhes, apesar de ter mais de 200 livros para ler.
Opinião completa - http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
July 21, 2012
Bravissima! This book was so fun for me to read...I felt like I was in Italy baking Itialian Cookies, Biscotti, and enjoying all Tuscany has to offer. I could almost taste and smell the food, see the beautiful sights and felt connected to the characters and author along the way.
Sarah-Kate Lynch is one of the most eloquent and humorous writers out there! I wish I could write half as well as she does! A little steamy Italian romance along the way was fun too. I loved the old ladies that were busy secretly matchmaking!Too cute.
If you know me, you know that I have a Biscotti company and that I love anything Italian, so this book was perfect for me. I gave it to my Mother-in-Law and an Italian friend and they both really enjoyed it as well.
If you are in need or desire of an Italian vacation, senza jet-lag, read this book and you will instantly be transported! Buon Viaggio!
Sarah-Kate Lynch is one of the most eloquent and humorous writers out there! I wish I could write half as well as she does! A little steamy Italian romance along the way was fun too. I loved the old ladies that were busy secretly matchmaking!Too cute.
If you know me, you know that I have a Biscotti company and that I love anything Italian, so this book was perfect for me. I gave it to my Mother-in-Law and an Italian friend and they both really enjoyed it as well.
If you are in need or desire of an Italian vacation, senza jet-lag, read this book and you will instantly be transported! Buon Viaggio!
February 6, 2017
Was man in einem Golfschuh so alles finden kann ...! Lily entdeckt dort ein laminiertes Foto, auf dem ihr Ehemann David mit einer Frau und zwei Kindern zu sehen ist, und das eine Kind sieht David verdammt ähnlich. Kurzentschlossen macht sie sich auf den Weg nach Italien um ihn zur Rede zu stellen.
Eine uralte Bäckerei, zwei alte Schwestern, ihre Liebe für Cantucci und ein geheimer Bund von Witwen, haben mich sofort für sich eingenommen. Das Thema ungewollter Kinderlosigkeit eignet sich ja eigentlich nur bedingt für einen Wohlfühlroman, doch hier hat es funktioniert. Denn das Schicksal und die Liebe gehen manchmal eigenwillige Wege, besonders wenn die Schwestern Violetta und Luciana ihre athritischen Finger im Spiel haben.
Eine uralte Bäckerei, zwei alte Schwestern, ihre Liebe für Cantucci und ein geheimer Bund von Witwen, haben mich sofort für sich eingenommen. Das Thema ungewollter Kinderlosigkeit eignet sich ja eigentlich nur bedingt für einen Wohlfühlroman, doch hier hat es funktioniert. Denn das Schicksal und die Liebe gehen manchmal eigenwillige Wege, besonders wenn die Schwestern Violetta und Luciana ihre athritischen Finger im Spiel haben.
September 2, 2017
It took me a long time to finish this book, four years? I hate to not finish something I start. Unfortunately, I could not connect with the characters. You need to feel some emotional connection other than irritation. Lily, an alcoholic, acted as though her husband didn't exist then suddenly she is hurt and surprised by his cheating? She is so beside herself that she tracks him to Italy. Her husband Daniel was a wimp and a cheat, but in the end she took him back anyway. I kept thinking, No, don't do it! The only one I liked was Alessandro and he served his purpose. Also, the portrayal of the old ladies was completely out of touch with true Italians. If they thought Lily had slept with Alessandro they would of called her a puttana.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
I love Sarah-Kate Lynch's stories!! Another set of gorgeous characters, who you immediately warm to.
And of course the fabulous setting! Reminiscent of Blessed are the Cheesemakers - there are a set of little old italian women (in the cheesemakers it's the Irish farmers), a character in trouble who is in need of a little nudge from some matchmakers to get their love life back on track. And all of the interesting complications that get in the way.
Why mess with a winning combination? More please!!
And of course the fabulous setting! Reminiscent of Blessed are the Cheesemakers - there are a set of little old italian women (in the cheesemakers it's the Irish farmers), a character in trouble who is in need of a little nudge from some matchmakers to get their love life back on track. And all of the interesting complications that get in the way.
Why mess with a winning combination? More please!!
May 24, 2011
I really enjoyed reading this book. Some of the characters I could really relate to, and I loved the Tuscan setting. Some of the choices of the main characters I didn't approve of, but I did like the overall message that our lives don't turn out the way we plan for the most part, so we need to do our best to find joy in whatever situation we find ourselves. I think this would make a fun book for a book club.
February 17, 2016
I loved this book, really like the Lily character, Violetta, Luciana and Fiorella.
I could laugh a lot through the pages, but also thrilled me with the story of Lily motherhood.
A story based on relationships, difficult, complicated, love of various kinds and also about forgiveness.
A book that takes us to travel through the beautiful Tuscany.
I could laugh a lot through the pages, but also thrilled me with the story of Lily motherhood.
A story based on relationships, difficult, complicated, love of various kinds and also about forgiveness.
A book that takes us to travel through the beautiful Tuscany.
September 6, 2015
Lief en fijn bij thuiskomen! Aanrader... Ben alleen wel benieuwd hoe het afloopt met Francesca en haar moeder Euginia. Dat blijft soort van in het midden en dat vind ik jammer. Net of het net niet helemaal af is.
April 11, 2011
this book was a big dissapointment
i feel like i have seen this movie 100 times
i feel like i have seen this movie 100 times
November 15, 2012
Docinho! E com a Toscana como pano de fundo, uma delícia!
February 14, 2016
Skjønn feel-good. Mange fine karakterer.
February 11, 2016
Dolci is right. Sugary sweet and the ending was ridiculously neat.
September 11, 2021
Deu pra passar as horas
Este livro me parecia muito mais tentador na prateleira do sebo. E muito mais interessante numa tarde de junho quando o peguei pra ler da minha estante, ignorando todas minhas leituras em andamento.
Não vou mentir e dizer que amei o livro. Até algumas páginas além da metade dele, eu sentia que ele ia de nada a lugar nenhum e tinha desperdiçado a interessante premissa. Isso porque achei o livro pouco dinâmico (apesar de Lily pegar um avião de Nova Iorque para a Toscana) e a narrativa lenta.
E é uma pena; os primeiros capítulos após a revelação da segunda família do marido de Lily me passaram outra impressão - a impressão de que este livro prometia bastante.
Mas Lily é uma personagem muito apática. Ela é uma mulher conformada com a vida que tem, embora não esteja nem satisfeita nem feliz - e não falo dos abortos que teve. Perder tantos filhos tirou o brilho pela vida e por isso ela me pareceu tão... enfadonha.
Lily me lembra muito as Helenas das novelas de Manoel Carlos: elegantes, frígidas. Completamente alheias à bomba prestes a explodir na cara delas até que ela explode. E resolvem isso de um jeito que só posso descrever é o retrato da elite da zona sul do Rio de Janeiro (ou o equivalente a cidade que você mora, mas eu sou carioca).
O mundo está desabando na cabeça dela, mas o principal é manter as aparências e resolver tudo na maior discrição. É como os outros personagens dos núcleos ricos das novelas do autor se comportam também diante dos problemas. Deixe os barracos para os pobres! Não importa o nível da situação. Classe e fineza acima de tudo.
De fato, este livro me passou uma sensação das novelas de Manoel Carlos. Até a carga de coisas que ocorrem com a protagonista parece coisa retirada da mente do Maneco.
Acredito que a autora escolheu os melhores adjetivos para descrever a protagonista fisicamente. Apesar disso, tenho certeza de que ela não passa de uma mulher extremamente magra e seca, com aparência de doente. A personagem tem sérios problemas com alimentação. Fiquei um pouco incomodada com isso.
Ela não sente prazer em comer, faz isso para sobreviver. Os comentários de Lily sobre a culinária italiana e sobre as mulheres italianas, sobre a comida no geral - sempre preocupada com os carboidratos, a gordura, as calorias, se são orgânicas, se está cedo para comer, se está tarde demais para experimentar carne vermelha, glúten, onde e como foi colhido os ingredientes. - me fizeram pensar que talvez a personagem tem alguma desordem alimentar.
Porém, ela deveria se preocupar mais com a quantidade de álcool que consome. Vinho pode não embebedar tão rapidamente - nem causar uma ressaca tão ruim - mas beber sozinhas 3 garrafas por dias é um alerta.
Bom, o livro não deixa dúvidas de que Lily precisa de terapia. Não é por ela se sentir triste por não ter filhos, é a reação dela quando vê um bebê ou ouve choro de criança. Até perto de adolescentes ela tem uma reação meio... bizarra. Toda vez que o narrador comentava da reação dela perto de filhos das pessoas, eu sentia que em algum momento ela incorporaria a Nazaré Tedesco ou teria um surto. Eu só conseguia pensar: "Meu Deus, vai se tratar!"
Demorei para simpatizar com as Cerzideiras Viúvas. Estranhei alguns adjetivos que a autora colocou para descrever as viúvas da Liga(tipo usar focinho no lugar de nariz. WTF??) e todas me passaram a desagradável impressão de serem mulheres presas nos valores e mentalidades do século passado. E elas não iriam abrir mão disso, mesmo que a cidade estivesse mostrando como as coisas mudaram.
Conforme a história avança, nota-se que elas não são tão ultrapassadas assim. E que há boa intenção por trás das tentativas de juntar casais e remendar corações partidos.
Mas essa ideia de que todo mundo na cidade precisa fazer parte de um casal... sei não.
O Daniel, marido de Lily, é um babaca! Não desdenho a causa para suas lamentáveis atitudes, mas é difícil defender um sujeito como esse. Ele não é mau, mas o caráter dele não é tão maculado como a autora pintou.
Achei que o livro penderia mais pro lado do humor e irreverência, mas é um drama.
Este livro me parecia muito mais tentador na prateleira do sebo. E muito mais interessante numa tarde de junho quando o peguei pra ler da minha estante, ignorando todas minhas leituras em andamento.
Não vou mentir e dizer que amei o livro. Até algumas páginas além da metade dele, eu sentia que ele ia de nada a lugar nenhum e tinha desperdiçado a interessante premissa. Isso porque achei o livro pouco dinâmico (apesar de Lily pegar um avião de Nova Iorque para a Toscana) e a narrativa lenta.
E é uma pena; os primeiros capítulos após a revelação da segunda família do marido de Lily me passaram outra impressão - a impressão de que este livro prometia bastante.
Mas Lily é uma personagem muito apática. Ela é uma mulher conformada com a vida que tem, embora não esteja nem satisfeita nem feliz - e não falo dos abortos que teve. Perder tantos filhos tirou o brilho pela vida e por isso ela me pareceu tão... enfadonha.
Lily me lembra muito as Helenas das novelas de Manoel Carlos: elegantes, frígidas. Completamente alheias à bomba prestes a explodir na cara delas até que ela explode. E resolvem isso de um jeito que só posso descrever é o retrato da elite da zona sul do Rio de Janeiro (ou o equivalente a cidade que você mora, mas eu sou carioca).
O mundo está desabando na cabeça dela, mas o principal é manter as aparências e resolver tudo na maior discrição. É como os outros personagens dos núcleos ricos das novelas do autor se comportam também diante dos problemas. Deixe os barracos para os pobres! Não importa o nível da situação. Classe e fineza acima de tudo.
De fato, este livro me passou uma sensação das novelas de Manoel Carlos. Até a carga de coisas que ocorrem com a protagonista parece coisa retirada da mente do Maneco.
Acredito que a autora escolheu os melhores adjetivos para descrever a protagonista fisicamente. Apesar disso, tenho certeza de que ela não passa de uma mulher extremamente magra e seca, com aparência de doente. A personagem tem sérios problemas com alimentação. Fiquei um pouco incomodada com isso.
Ela não sente prazer em comer, faz isso para sobreviver. Os comentários de Lily sobre a culinária italiana e sobre as mulheres italianas, sobre a comida no geral - sempre preocupada com os carboidratos, a gordura, as calorias, se são orgânicas, se está cedo para comer, se está tarde demais para experimentar carne vermelha, glúten, onde e como foi colhido os ingredientes. - me fizeram pensar que talvez a personagem tem alguma desordem alimentar.
Porém, ela deveria se preocupar mais com a quantidade de álcool que consome. Vinho pode não embebedar tão rapidamente - nem causar uma ressaca tão ruim - mas beber sozinhas 3 garrafas por dias é um alerta.
Bom, o livro não deixa dúvidas de que Lily precisa de terapia. Não é por ela se sentir triste por não ter filhos, é a reação dela quando vê um bebê ou ouve choro de criança. Até perto de adolescentes ela tem uma reação meio... bizarra. Toda vez que o narrador comentava da reação dela perto de filhos das pessoas, eu sentia que em algum momento ela incorporaria a Nazaré Tedesco ou teria um surto. Eu só conseguia pensar: "Meu Deus, vai se tratar!"
Demorei para simpatizar com as Cerzideiras Viúvas. Estranhei alguns adjetivos que a autora colocou para descrever as viúvas da Liga(tipo usar focinho no lugar de nariz. WTF??) e todas me passaram a desagradável impressão de serem mulheres presas nos valores e mentalidades do século passado. E elas não iriam abrir mão disso, mesmo que a cidade estivesse mostrando como as coisas mudaram.
Conforme a história avança, nota-se que elas não são tão ultrapassadas assim. E que há boa intenção por trás das tentativas de juntar casais e remendar corações partidos.
Mas essa ideia de que todo mundo na cidade precisa fazer parte de um casal... sei não.
O Daniel, marido de Lily, é um babaca! Não desdenho a causa para suas lamentáveis atitudes, mas é difícil defender um sujeito como esse. Ele não é mau, mas o caráter dele não é tão maculado como a autora pintou.
Achei que o livro penderia mais pro lado do humor e irreverência, mas é um drama.
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