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Americans Abroad #4
Letters to Cupid
ASIN B07DMVB4YG moved to the most recent edition
An American celebrity chef and an Italian chocolate maker cook up a magical recipe for true love.
In a tiny village in the hills of Tuscany is a statue of Cupid with the power to grant the deepest desires of the heart to all who ask. The village is home to single mother Valentina, who runs a struggling chocolate shop. All she's ever wanted was to fit in, determined to provide a quiet, normal life for herself and her daughter. She works hard to keep it together, asking for nothing...especially not Cupid's help. Not when that would mean admitting to herself and everyone else that her deepest desire is to find the love of a woman.
American celebrity chef Andie should be having the time of her culinary life while on a PR blitz in Tuscany. Instead, a tabloid scandal that threatens to destroy her career has her hiding in a remote hillside village. With nothing to do but worry and wait, she spends her time avoiding shame and infamy by flirting with a local chocolate maker who's as irresistible as the sweets she sells. She's shocked by the discovery that her heart longs for much more than a temporary distraction, but even if she can convince the reluctant Valentina to give her a chance, how can she balance a relationship in Italy with a career in the States?
When it comes to realizing the deepest desires of their hearts, it just might take an act of divine intervention for these two women to find their future together!
Letters to Cupid is the fourth book in the Americans Abroad series of stand alone romantic comedies. Don't miss Waltzing on the Danube and Holme for the Holidays!
An American celebrity chef and an Italian chocolate maker cook up a magical recipe for true love.
In a tiny village in the hills of Tuscany is a statue of Cupid with the power to grant the deepest desires of the heart to all who ask. The village is home to single mother Valentina, who runs a struggling chocolate shop. All she's ever wanted was to fit in, determined to provide a quiet, normal life for herself and her daughter. She works hard to keep it together, asking for nothing...especially not Cupid's help. Not when that would mean admitting to herself and everyone else that her deepest desire is to find the love of a woman.
American celebrity chef Andie should be having the time of her culinary life while on a PR blitz in Tuscany. Instead, a tabloid scandal that threatens to destroy her career has her hiding in a remote hillside village. With nothing to do but worry and wait, she spends her time avoiding shame and infamy by flirting with a local chocolate maker who's as irresistible as the sweets she sells. She's shocked by the discovery that her heart longs for much more than a temporary distraction, but even if she can convince the reluctant Valentina to give her a chance, how can she balance a relationship in Italy with a career in the States?
When it comes to realizing the deepest desires of their hearts, it just might take an act of divine intervention for these two women to find their future together!
Letters to Cupid is the fourth book in the Americans Abroad series of stand alone romantic comedies. Don't miss Waltzing on the Danube and Holme for the Holidays!
347 pages, ebook
Published June 9, 2018
187 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Miranda MacLeod
41 books466 followersOriginally from southern California, Miranda now lives in New England and writes heartfelt romances and romantic comedies featuring witty and charmingly flawed women that you'll want to marry. Or just grab a coffee with, if that's more your thing. Before becoming a writer, she spent way too many years in graduate school, worked in professional theater and film, and held temp jobs in just about every office building in downtown Boston. To find out about her upcoming releases, be sure to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
June 17, 2018
Letters to Cupid is the third book in the Americans Abroad Series and tells the story of American celebrity chef Andie Bartlett and Italian chocolate maker Valentina Moretti. The setting is the small Tuscan town of Montamore.
The blurb gives you a very nice indication of what’s in store so I’m not going to bore you by rehashing that part.
Miranda MacLeod goes all out with a super fluffy romance full of Italian passion and mouthwatering food. I loved the amount of detail MacLeod put in about the process of artisian chocolate making in Cioccolatini di Venere and the overall flavor of live a small Italian town, the food and its people.
Montamore’s pride and joy, La Fontana di Cupido - with the cheeky winged messenger of love himself at the center of it - is the theme that runs heavily through this story.
As soon as The Quick and Easy Queen meets the only divorced woman in Montamore things are set in motion that will alter the lives of both women. There is mutual attraction, lots of flirting, teasing and lusting, but your patience will be severely tested before all the stars align and our ladies finally arrive at the magic moment.
I had to suspend my disbelief at the often too fantastical plot devices to make everything come together the way it did, but for the sake of fluffy romance I could let it go. If you want a nice little escape to Italy with the addition of lots of chocolates, wine and good food, this sweet romance might be your dish of the day. Mangiare gustoso!
f/f
Themes: stupid cupid stop pickin’ on me, chocolates galore, I have a serious craving for chocolates right now, Andie and her clown car, so everybody in the village knew Valentina was probably gay but they just let her muddle on?
3.8 stars
* I recieved this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb gives you a very nice indication of what’s in store so I’m not going to bore you by rehashing that part.
Miranda MacLeod goes all out with a super fluffy romance full of Italian passion and mouthwatering food. I loved the amount of detail MacLeod put in about the process of artisian chocolate making in Cioccolatini di Venere and the overall flavor of live a small Italian town, the food and its people.
Montamore’s pride and joy, La Fontana di Cupido - with the cheeky winged messenger of love himself at the center of it - is the theme that runs heavily through this story.
As soon as The Quick and Easy Queen meets the only divorced woman in Montamore things are set in motion that will alter the lives of both women. There is mutual attraction, lots of flirting, teasing and lusting, but your patience will be severely tested before all the stars align and our ladies finally arrive at the magic moment.
I had to suspend my disbelief at the often too fantastical plot devices to make everything come together the way it did, but for the sake of fluffy romance I could let it go. If you want a nice little escape to Italy with the addition of lots of chocolates, wine and good food, this sweet romance might be your dish of the day. Mangiare gustoso!
f/f
Themes: stupid cupid stop pickin’ on me, chocolates galore, I have a serious craving for chocolates right now, Andie and her clown car, so everybody in the village knew Valentina was probably gay but they just let her muddle on?
3.8 stars
* I recieved this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2018
WARNING: Contains a lot of adorable blushing.
4.3 stars. A really sweet, at times sizzlingly hot and angst-free read. Maybe a little bit too sweet for my taste but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Both leads, as well as the few secondary characters, are well written. The chocolate making is tasty and engaging, and the quaint little Italian town was an excellent location for this story. I didn't particularly care about that minor supernatural angle with the Cupid but I guess it works.
Overall a lovely read.
4.3 stars. A really sweet, at times sizzlingly hot and angst-free read. Maybe a little bit too sweet for my taste but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Both leads, as well as the few secondary characters, are well written. The chocolate making is tasty and engaging, and the quaint little Italian town was an excellent location for this story. I didn't particularly care about that minor supernatural angle with the Cupid but I guess it works.
Overall a lovely read.
June 22, 2018
What a delicious read this was. From the chocolate to the romance everything about this book is sweet. I'm going to keep this short but for a more in-depth review I will refer you to Corrie's review who did a great job on selling me this book.
All I will say is that the book is very well written, packed with romance and has some super sexy moments. The story after all takes place in Tuscany which I can tell you from experience is a very romantic setting. Romance fans who like angst free books will probably really like reading this.
Despite being a little unrealistic this ends in a solid 4,5* rating.
reading this may also cause you to devour 1 or 2 chocolate bars so be prepared
All I will say is that the book is very well written, packed with romance and has some super sexy moments. The story after all takes place in Tuscany which I can tell you from experience is a very romantic setting. Romance fans who like angst free books will probably really like reading this.
Despite being a little unrealistic this ends in a solid 4,5* rating.
reading this may also cause you to devour 1 or 2 chocolate bars so be prepared
July 12, 2021
Stupid Cupid.
Letters to Cupid is the fourth book of the Americans Abroad series. It is a light series about Americans abroad (obviously) and it is mostly fun. I’ve read the first two books and skipped the third because it isn’t on audio, and that’s okay to read/listen out of order because these books are complete standalones.
This book is fun as well but I didn't like it as much as I had the first two. I wasn't able to connect with the story even though I know it is meant to be romantic. It is extremely sweet, I'll give you that. The story is set in a small Tuscan village called Montamoré. It is home to a Cupid statue with magical powers. Andie is an American celebrity chef hiding out in the village while her PR scandal plays out and there she falls for the local chocolatier. Andie is nice and I like her but I had a harder time with Valentina, a divorced mother of one who spent a lot of time infatuated with Cupid. I know Cupid is a huge part of village tradition but she lets it dictate her life in a big way and it's just over the top. And I just can't get over the lies she spin and let evolve just to fit in with the community.
The narration was okay but it lacked the authentic listening experience I needed to hear in a multicultural novel like this. I like Stephanie Murphy and have enjoyed many of her audiobooks before, but this one just fell a little short because of it. I wasn’t able to tell Andie and Valentina apart because the voices and accent are the same and this is a wasted opportunity because the narrator could really have value-added to the experience instead of playing it safe. But I must add that Murphy did try out slight Italian accents on the side characters and that was nice.
This one didn't work for me, but I'm still a big fan of MacLeod's work and her humour.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Letters to Cupid is the fourth book of the Americans Abroad series. It is a light series about Americans abroad (obviously) and it is mostly fun. I’ve read the first two books and skipped the third because it isn’t on audio, and that’s okay to read/listen out of order because these books are complete standalones.
This book is fun as well but I didn't like it as much as I had the first two. I wasn't able to connect with the story even though I know it is meant to be romantic. It is extremely sweet, I'll give you that. The story is set in a small Tuscan village called Montamoré. It is home to a Cupid statue with magical powers. Andie is an American celebrity chef hiding out in the village while her PR scandal plays out and there she falls for the local chocolatier. Andie is nice and I like her but I had a harder time with Valentina, a divorced mother of one who spent a lot of time infatuated with Cupid. I know Cupid is a huge part of village tradition but she lets it dictate her life in a big way and it's just over the top. And I just can't get over the lies she spin and let evolve just to fit in with the community.
The narration was okay but it lacked the authentic listening experience I needed to hear in a multicultural novel like this. I like Stephanie Murphy and have enjoyed many of her audiobooks before, but this one just fell a little short because of it. I wasn’t able to tell Andie and Valentina apart because the voices and accent are the same and this is a wasted opportunity because the narrator could really have value-added to the experience instead of playing it safe. But I must add that Murphy did try out slight Italian accents on the side characters and that was nice.
This one didn't work for me, but I'm still a big fan of MacLeod's work and her humour.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 10, 2018
All that needs to be known about the storyline for ‘Letters to Cupid’ is written in the synopsis, so I’m just going to skip all that and ramble on this one…so, this is going to be a lot of blah, blah, blah’ing which will not be objective at all, but based solely on my personal experience with this author’s work.
This is my 5th MacLeod book and, quite honestly, the first one I connected with. After reading her debut, ‘Telling Lies Online,’ I was a bit hesitant to read more, but I chose to because I just had a feeling she was going to be an author I could enjoy. The second book of hers I read (‘A Road Through the Mountain’) got a slightly higher rating out of me (3*) and I enjoyed it enough to try the next book in the series, but that ended up in my DNF pile. The fourth book (‘Waltzing on the Danube’) was still just ok. I knew I liked her writing, but there was just something missing for me in these first four reads.
Whatever that missing ingredient was…well, I found it in this book. I really, really enjoyed ‘Letters to Cupid’ and felt connected to the characters, as well as invested in their HEA. This is definitely one that falls into the sickeningly sweet category, but hey, one of our characters is a chocolatier, so of course it is. I’m not generally a sweet tooth reader, but it worked for me here and mostly because I felt like we really got to know both MCs as individuals; they felt genuine and they were both really likable. It was hard not to want them each to find happiness and it was definitely believable that they’d find that happiness together. The development of their relationship felt organic and I was ecstatic.
The setting also played a big part in this book and I could easily imagine the village of Montamore, the Cupid statue that plays a hefty role in the book, and the entire piazza where most of the story takes place. Valentina’s conversations with Cupid and Andie’s experience with a micro-car also provided a bit of comedy; not the sort that makes one actually laugh out loud, but that maybe invites a smile.
MacLeod has definitely grown as an author, so because I enjoyed this so much I will go back and read some of her more recent releases that I’ve purposefully skipped. My only disappointment was the steam factor. The chemistry between Valentina and Andie was really off the charts while they were flirting and getting to know one another, so I expected that when they finally 'did the deed' it would be a scorcher. MacLeod did great with building chemistry, but fell short on the big bang (for my personal tastes). This isn’t the be-all and end-all for many people, and obviously it wasn’t for me either since I still really enjoyed this, but I thought I’d put it out there.
All in all, enjoyable warm fuzzies abound and recommended to any pure romance fan.
This is my 5th MacLeod book and, quite honestly, the first one I connected with. After reading her debut, ‘Telling Lies Online,’ I was a bit hesitant to read more, but I chose to because I just had a feeling she was going to be an author I could enjoy. The second book of hers I read (‘A Road Through the Mountain’) got a slightly higher rating out of me (3*) and I enjoyed it enough to try the next book in the series, but that ended up in my DNF pile. The fourth book (‘Waltzing on the Danube’) was still just ok. I knew I liked her writing, but there was just something missing for me in these first four reads.
Whatever that missing ingredient was…well, I found it in this book. I really, really enjoyed ‘Letters to Cupid’ and felt connected to the characters, as well as invested in their HEA. This is definitely one that falls into the sickeningly sweet category, but hey, one of our characters is a chocolatier, so of course it is. I’m not generally a sweet tooth reader, but it worked for me here and mostly because I felt like we really got to know both MCs as individuals; they felt genuine and they were both really likable. It was hard not to want them each to find happiness and it was definitely believable that they’d find that happiness together. The development of their relationship felt organic and I was ecstatic.
The setting also played a big part in this book and I could easily imagine the village of Montamore, the Cupid statue that plays a hefty role in the book, and the entire piazza where most of the story takes place. Valentina’s conversations with Cupid and Andie’s experience with a micro-car also provided a bit of comedy; not the sort that makes one actually laugh out loud, but that maybe invites a smile.
MacLeod has definitely grown as an author, so because I enjoyed this so much I will go back and read some of her more recent releases that I’ve purposefully skipped. My only disappointment was the steam factor. The chemistry between Valentina and Andie was really off the charts while they were flirting and getting to know one another, so I expected that when they finally 'did the deed' it would be a scorcher. MacLeod did great with building chemistry, but fell short on the big bang (for my personal tastes). This isn’t the be-all and end-all for many people, and obviously it wasn’t for me either since I still really enjoyed this, but I thought I’d put it out there.
All in all, enjoyable warm fuzzies abound and recommended to any pure romance fan.
June 18, 2018
A chocolate sweet romance set in Italy, in the beautiful part of Tuscany. For the sweetest chocolate, put in together the outgoing celebrity chef Andie from New York, the lovely Italian chocolatier Valentina from a small Italian town and a mischievous statue of Cupid, mix it with small town living, gossip, warmth, humor, cooking, and love.
The story is free from angst and lots of misunderstanding, the characters are grown up women with real lives. The statue of Cupid is a funny secondary character which takes an important part in this story. The attraction is fast, but the romance itself is more one of the slow-burning, and this is perfect. The dialogues and actions are witty and sometimes surprising.
Overall an easy, light and sweet romance. And now I need some chocolate.
My rating 4 stars.
Thanks to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review
The story is free from angst and lots of misunderstanding, the characters are grown up women with real lives. The statue of Cupid is a funny secondary character which takes an important part in this story. The attraction is fast, but the romance itself is more one of the slow-burning, and this is perfect. The dialogues and actions are witty and sometimes surprising.
Overall an easy, light and sweet romance. And now I need some chocolate.
My rating 4 stars.
Thanks to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review
September 5, 2019
This is book 4 of the ‘Americans Abroad’ series of standalone romances by this author comprised mostly of Americans finding love in Europe. Andi is an American celebrity chef forced for an extended stay abroad after she’s left in the middle of a media scandal. The TV network she works for rents a flat in Montemore, a small Italian town in Tuscany. There, she meets single-mother and chocolate-maker Valentina, who introduces Andi to Italian food and traditions. Andi cannot help being attracted to the gorgeous and intriguing woman but her stay is only temporary and Valentina is straight, isn’t she?
This is equal parts a culinary trip to Italy and a slow-burn lesbian romance audiobook. With respect to the culinary part, be warned that the descriptions of the traditional food and the chocolate delicacies might tempt you. I suggest avoiding reading/listening while hungry as the author gives detailed accounts of the different types of food that Italy has to offer. The romance is very slow-burn as the characters take their time in getting to know each other. Both leads are well-written and their personalities are well defined. Their chemistry grows slowly but surely, though for my personal taste it was a bit drawn out. The cast of secondary characters is large but they are all distinctive in their personalities.
‘Letters to Cupid’ is my first book by this author who has written around a dozen novels. Even though this story wasn’t a favourite of mine, there’s no doubt that Ms. MacLeod can write an entertaining book. I’m sure that readers/listeners who enjoy thorough attention to detail in every description and like slow-burn romances will appreciate this story much better.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephanie Murphy which is available on Audible but not on the Escape subscription, though its length is of more than 12 hours so you’ve got value for your money. The narration is ok but, in my opinion, the pace felt a bit slow on top of the slow-burn feel of the plot. I listened to it on a playback speed of 1.2x and it worked a bit better. The narrator’s performance was good in creating different voices and conveying emotions but my only minor critique is that the accents of the Italians speaking English could have been more authentic.
Overall, an entertaining slow-burn romance with lots of Italian food and chocolate. 4 stars for the story, 4 stars for the narration.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
This is equal parts a culinary trip to Italy and a slow-burn lesbian romance audiobook. With respect to the culinary part, be warned that the descriptions of the traditional food and the chocolate delicacies might tempt you. I suggest avoiding reading/listening while hungry as the author gives detailed accounts of the different types of food that Italy has to offer. The romance is very slow-burn as the characters take their time in getting to know each other. Both leads are well-written and their personalities are well defined. Their chemistry grows slowly but surely, though for my personal taste it was a bit drawn out. The cast of secondary characters is large but they are all distinctive in their personalities.
‘Letters to Cupid’ is my first book by this author who has written around a dozen novels. Even though this story wasn’t a favourite of mine, there’s no doubt that Ms. MacLeod can write an entertaining book. I’m sure that readers/listeners who enjoy thorough attention to detail in every description and like slow-burn romances will appreciate this story much better.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephanie Murphy which is available on Audible but not on the Escape subscription, though its length is of more than 12 hours so you’ve got value for your money. The narration is ok but, in my opinion, the pace felt a bit slow on top of the slow-burn feel of the plot. I listened to it on a playback speed of 1.2x and it worked a bit better. The narrator’s performance was good in creating different voices and conveying emotions but my only minor critique is that the accents of the Italians speaking English could have been more authentic.
Overall, an entertaining slow-burn romance with lots of Italian food and chocolate. 4 stars for the story, 4 stars for the narration.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
June 24, 2018
The setting was the star of this book. I loved the little Italian town, and their trip to Florence. It's a charming love story with beautifully drawn characters and a touch of magic.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
June 22, 2018
Light and sweet romance.
June 24, 2023
Valentina is a single mother of a 10 yr old girl in the small Tuscan village of Montamore. She owns angel runs a chocolate shop with help from her mother and Nonna. All her life she has felt different but married a man anyway. Now, she's the first divorced woman in the village.
Andie has just won a cooking competition and is supposed to be on her way home to NY. When she's told by the network to lay low. They find her an apartment in Montamore to stay in. They also get her a car. Her landlord is Valentina.
This is a beautiful slow burn romance set in Tuscan, Italy. The scenery described is gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 5 stars!
Andie has just won a cooking competition and is supposed to be on her way home to NY. When she's told by the network to lay low. They find her an apartment in Montamore to stay in. They also get her a car. Her landlord is Valentina.
This is a beautiful slow burn romance set in Tuscan, Italy. The scenery described is gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 5 stars!
August 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book because OMG a chocolate maker and a chef...how can you go wrong with that. Add the backdrop of the mystical Cupid Statue and the tradtion of adding notes and throwing coins in the fountain and how can you go wrong with this absolutely adorable and entertaining book. The characters, settings and plot was perfect. This was a light, romantic, read that I will definitely remember because of the slightly interesting plot with the cupid tradition along with the great typical romance that is sure to put a smile on your face. I loved the out lesbian chef linked to the struggling with her sexuality chocolate maker. They both had their very appealing traits and never did I dislike either person. I was rooting for them the entire time. I highly recommend this wonderful story. This isn’t the first I’ve read from this author and I will certainly try to pick up the rest of her backlist which isn’t long yet.....but hopefully she’ll keep providing these lovely little romances.
November 22, 2018
This was fantastic and so very beautiful.
The perfect little romance that I thoroughly found myself enjoying, as much as I am sure I would enjoy the fabulous chocolates Valentina makes.
Set in a rural Italian town, Valentina is hiding her sexuality from a town that known everyone’s business, and Andie is a celebrity chef exiled while her TV station clear up issues in the states. Their paths cross during a moment at the town’s famous fountain and cupid statue, which sets them on the path to true love and romance in a most unique way.
This story is just perfect! Filled with humour and cute flirty moments between the two of them.
I just loved it and highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance, because not only will you fall in love with Andie and Valentina’s story, but with them as characters and the charming setting of Tuscany.
The perfect little romance that I thoroughly found myself enjoying, as much as I am sure I would enjoy the fabulous chocolates Valentina makes.
Set in a rural Italian town, Valentina is hiding her sexuality from a town that known everyone’s business, and Andie is a celebrity chef exiled while her TV station clear up issues in the states. Their paths cross during a moment at the town’s famous fountain and cupid statue, which sets them on the path to true love and romance in a most unique way.
This story is just perfect! Filled with humour and cute flirty moments between the two of them.
I just loved it and highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance, because not only will you fall in love with Andie and Valentina’s story, but with them as characters and the charming setting of Tuscany.
February 7, 2022
Enjoyable book. And funny, Miranda always makes me laugh.
did-not-finish
January 12, 2021Got to 58%, via a lot of skimming - but I still just felt like it was incredibly drawn out. Just as soon as our MC's were about to go to the next level, something would happen to stop it.
The fact that one MC is closeted and the other is a tomato-hating, won't eat a carb, because it might cause her to put on weight, supposed chef from one of those reality shows, and ends up being a very shallow with a bad attitude didn't help things.
The manipulative and overbearing family members of the closeted MC (which included the Nonna spying on neighbours with binoculars ffs!) put me off even moreso. It was frustrating me, so I DNF.
But everyone else loved it, so check it out on Kindle Unlimited.
The fact that one MC is closeted and the other is a tomato-hating, won't eat a carb, because it might cause her to put on weight, supposed chef from one of those reality shows, and ends up being a very shallow with a bad attitude didn't help things.
The manipulative and overbearing family members of the closeted MC (which included the Nonna spying on neighbours with binoculars ffs!) put me off even moreso. It was frustrating me, so I DNF.
But everyone else loved it, so check it out on Kindle Unlimited.
January 11, 2021
Not sure why, but this didn't work for me - altogether too twee with harder bits that just didn't work. I didn't buy the initial scenario - Andie had to lie low because of false allegation and Valentine who speaks to a statue - and found it hard to follow after that. Sorry.
June 12, 2018
When I first started reading this book, I could hear the narrator from Holme for the Holidays in my head. As I kept reading, I didn’t hear her any more as Valentina and Andie became unique characters with their own story. The setting, a small Italian town with a statue of Cupid, was a lovely place to visit. Andie, a celebrity TV show chef, ends up there for awhile where she meets a native of the town, Valentina, a chocolatier.
Neither expected sparks, just a short fling if anything, even though they were both immediately attracted to the other. Andie experiences some culture shock, starting with the mini car, which I wish I could see a picture of. Then there are the narrow streets, cobblestones, a piazza, a pizzeria, and other local features. MacLeod creates the town well enough that I can see it. The countryside and other locations were also well described.
The locals are entertaining, from the grandmother with the binoculars, the neighbors, friends, to the family and everyone else. The story was alternately amusing and romantic and hit all the right buttons. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. When I saw that I was at the 95% mark, I was dismayed because that meant the story was almost over.
I received a free copy from the publisher.
Neither expected sparks, just a short fling if anything, even though they were both immediately attracted to the other. Andie experiences some culture shock, starting with the mini car, which I wish I could see a picture of. Then there are the narrow streets, cobblestones, a piazza, a pizzeria, and other local features. MacLeod creates the town well enough that I can see it. The countryside and other locations were also well described.
The locals are entertaining, from the grandmother with the binoculars, the neighbors, friends, to the family and everyone else. The story was alternately amusing and romantic and hit all the right buttons. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. When I saw that I was at the 95% mark, I was dismayed because that meant the story was almost over.
I received a free copy from the publisher.
July 9, 2020
This story starts out as a young girl’s coming of age story, involving a magic “Cupid” fountain that is supposed to for-tell who you will fall in love with. Years later, after her marriage ends, she has a different sort of coming of age when she meets an intriguing woman.
I wasn’t especially taken with any of the characters in this story, particularly the main character.
As the story drug on, I became less and less interested in the characters and what they were doing. Though the writing was okay, it seemed like a needlessly drawn out story focused on the main character’s coming to terms with her homosexuality.
What I liked most about the story was the setting (she works at the family’s chocolate shop) in Italy and the grandmother, who I thought was the most interesting character.
I wasn’t especially taken with any of the characters in this story, particularly the main character.
As the story drug on, I became less and less interested in the characters and what they were doing. Though the writing was okay, it seemed like a needlessly drawn out story focused on the main character’s coming to terms with her homosexuality.
What I liked most about the story was the setting (she works at the family’s chocolate shop) in Italy and the grandmother, who I thought was the most interesting character.
July 8, 2018
I thought this was a brilliant plot, story, and outcome. The ending almost got me to cry and that doesn't happen much. This had the right amount of fun, lovable characters. It also had some great dialogue, some nice humor, some food, and wine. I'm Italian and would love to settle in Florence where my Great Great grandmother came from off the boat. I'd say the ending was great except it was much better than great. Of course, there was a time in the book towards the end where I thought Andie might consider going back to New York City, but then I knew deep down that they'd find a way to each other again. It was all thanks to that Cupid (Mia Archer).
February 19, 2021
4.75/5
This a slow-burn romance in a village in Tuscany. One of the characters is a closeted, divorced, mother and the other is a celebrity chef from America who doesn’t like tomatoes.
My only complaint about this book is that I thought it dragged out a bit too long, but I also love how that allowed the characters to truly develop a relationship with each other, and in Andie’s case with the village. However, the characters more than made up for any dragging issues.
Both characters worked well with each other and the flirtation between them was amazing. The side characters in this story were interesting characters with personalities but not so much time spent on them that it took away from the leading ladies. Cupid played a part as a side character hated by one of the main characters.
There was nearly no drama in this story and any angst that did happen was minimal and handled quickly. The story was as sweet as the chocolate Valentina makes and it made it all the more wonderful to walk away from this story with a happily ever after. There might have been certain circumstances that never would have happened in the real world but it’s fiction, suspension of some disbelief is expected. (Slight spoiler, marking it in case)
This is a sweet, slow-burn story that doesn’t have angst. If you want something to read to take your mind off the world for a bit, I highly recommend it.
This a slow-burn romance in a village in Tuscany. One of the characters is a closeted, divorced, mother and the other is a celebrity chef from America who doesn’t like tomatoes.
My only complaint about this book is that I thought it dragged out a bit too long, but I also love how that allowed the characters to truly develop a relationship with each other, and in Andie’s case with the village. However, the characters more than made up for any dragging issues.
Both characters worked well with each other and the flirtation between them was amazing. The side characters in this story were interesting characters with personalities but not so much time spent on them that it took away from the leading ladies. Cupid played a part as a side character hated by one of the main characters.
There was nearly no drama in this story and any angst that did happen was minimal and handled quickly. The story was as sweet as the chocolate Valentina makes and it made it all the more wonderful to walk away from this story with a happily ever after. There might have been certain circumstances that never would have happened in the real world but it’s fiction, suspension of some disbelief is expected. (Slight spoiler, marking it in case)
This is a sweet, slow-burn story that doesn’t have angst. If you want something to read to take your mind off the world for a bit, I highly recommend it.
June 14, 2018
When I read the summary, I knew right there and then I got to read this book and I am very glad I did, it is a very beautiful story, with a little bit of everything and mostly a lot of humour, from the beginning to the end it’s very charming and of course all that very deliciously described chocolate it’s a perk. Loved it very much, the characters are engaging and the author’s style and tone pull you in and carries you along. While you might know there is going to be a happy ever after ending, there is always that sense of expectation, waiting for another twist in the tale.
I liked to read all about the funny misadventures around cupid of Valentina the lovely Italian chocolate maker had to endure since she was 14 years old and knew she was different from the other girls, but I’m sure she never expected either after living in such a small village in the hills of Tuscany her life could change so much and in a relatively short time due to Andie a very outgoing American celebrity chef, who ends up in Italy escaping from a tabloid scandal, who also never imagined her life and goals could turn the way they did after she met the lovely chocolate maker.
I was hooked by the first page and it kept me expectant until the last sentence of the last page. The characters are so well developed and loved the humour involved all along. What a wonderful story! The truth is I couldn’t put this book down and ended up reading it in one sitting!
I really liked the story, was a slow burn that gave enough background on the two main characters so that you see how they interact with each other and threw in a few surprises along the way! It is undoubtedly a very entertaining read with a well-researched plot. The love story was great as well and I would love to read more books by this author. Overall a great read, Miranda MacLeod did a wonderful job and I would absolutely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book form the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I liked to read all about the funny misadventures around cupid of Valentina the lovely Italian chocolate maker had to endure since she was 14 years old and knew she was different from the other girls, but I’m sure she never expected either after living in such a small village in the hills of Tuscany her life could change so much and in a relatively short time due to Andie a very outgoing American celebrity chef, who ends up in Italy escaping from a tabloid scandal, who also never imagined her life and goals could turn the way they did after she met the lovely chocolate maker.
I was hooked by the first page and it kept me expectant until the last sentence of the last page. The characters are so well developed and loved the humour involved all along. What a wonderful story! The truth is I couldn’t put this book down and ended up reading it in one sitting!
I really liked the story, was a slow burn that gave enough background on the two main characters so that you see how they interact with each other and threw in a few surprises along the way! It is undoubtedly a very entertaining read with a well-researched plot. The love story was great as well and I would love to read more books by this author. Overall a great read, Miranda MacLeod did a wonderful job and I would absolutely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book form the publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 10, 2021
Another Delight
Letters to Cupid is another delightful addition to the Americans Abroad series. This book is so inviting, so rich with Italian village charm and so delicious with chocolate that you devour every single page. If you love travel (and haven't had the opportunity because we're still stuck in a pandemic). This book is for you.
Letters to Cupid is another delightful addition to the Americans Abroad series. This book is so inviting, so rich with Italian village charm and so delicious with chocolate that you devour every single page. If you love travel (and haven't had the opportunity because we're still stuck in a pandemic). This book is for you.
July 18, 2018
I very much liked this book. This is the first of the series I've read, but I plan to go back and catch up. Fun setting and likable characters.
June 19, 2018
Letters to Cupid is such a charming story. It has a wonderful setting, with lots of humour and misadventures, a touch of magic, a lot of chocolate and of course romance.
All in all it is wonderful story by Miranda McLeod.
All in all it is wonderful story by Miranda McLeod.
March 25, 2021
Cute, charming story.
June 18, 2018
A deliciously sweet and humorous read. I found this to be highly engaging and enjoyable. Just what I needed! I’ve enjoyed all of Miranda MacLeod’s novels. I receive a free arc from the publisher.
February 13, 2020
The Chef and the Chocolate Maker
Andie is an out lesbian who won a chef’s challenge type of show. After winning she got her own TV show and cookbook offers. She is in Italy for business but when scandal erupts, she is told to stay in a small Italian town for at least three months. That would be fine and good but Andie had wanted to spend her vacation on a beach where it’s warm, she doesn’t eat carbs or sweets and she HATES tomatoes!! Valentina is a divorced mother who lives in a tiny Italian town where there is a giant statue of Cupid that is supposed to grant wishes of love. It’s a sweet tradition but Valentina has no time or patience for all that because she is not like other women…she has a secret. When their paths cross, they are immediately drawn to each other but there are so many reasons why it can never be…
This is a super cute, warm and mushy slow burn romance. These two women have so much in common yet there is so little time to explore their intense desires. They are strong, talented, sexy and voluptuous miracle makers of yumminess, with a good heads on their shoulders and a desire to succeed. They manage to make time for each other as often as they can but it’s not as much as they would like, hence the slow burn aspect of this delightful story. There is a lot of love in this story, not just the love between Val and Andie but also the love of mother and daughter, family and friends. This is one of the sweetest feel good stories I’ve had the privilege of reading in a while! I think you will love it!
Andie is an out lesbian who won a chef’s challenge type of show. After winning she got her own TV show and cookbook offers. She is in Italy for business but when scandal erupts, she is told to stay in a small Italian town for at least three months. That would be fine and good but Andie had wanted to spend her vacation on a beach where it’s warm, she doesn’t eat carbs or sweets and she HATES tomatoes!! Valentina is a divorced mother who lives in a tiny Italian town where there is a giant statue of Cupid that is supposed to grant wishes of love. It’s a sweet tradition but Valentina has no time or patience for all that because she is not like other women…she has a secret. When their paths cross, they are immediately drawn to each other but there are so many reasons why it can never be…
This is a super cute, warm and mushy slow burn romance. These two women have so much in common yet there is so little time to explore their intense desires. They are strong, talented, sexy and voluptuous miracle makers of yumminess, with a good heads on their shoulders and a desire to succeed. They manage to make time for each other as often as they can but it’s not as much as they would like, hence the slow burn aspect of this delightful story. There is a lot of love in this story, not just the love between Val and Andie but also the love of mother and daughter, family and friends. This is one of the sweetest feel good stories I’ve had the privilege of reading in a while! I think you will love it!
August 5, 2018
This book and these characters snuck up on me in a heartwarming way. It felt somewhat slow initially, but it's a slow-burn kind of romance. Valentina and Andie are interested in each other from the get-go, but they're foiled time and again when they try to act on their attraction. MacLeod infuses the story with lots of humor. Her leads are nicely different from each other, while being charming and endearing. I particularly appreciated that there wasn't some big fight or massive misunderstanding that they had to get over/past. The obstacles are real and significant, yet Valentina and Andie treat each other with kindness throughout. A very sweet romance.
December 30, 2019
“Letters to Cupid - (Americans Abroad #4)” is another delightful installment in the Americans Abroad series, narrated once again by the terrific Stephanie Murphy!
I’d love to visit the small Tuscan village described in this story; what a great place it sounds like! This is a slow burn story between local MC Valentina and MC American chef Andie, who is hiding out in the small town after a scandal at home. The big trope here is the “I’m only here for a short time, so don’t fall in love with me”. Yeah….that never works as planned, does it?
This story is lots of fun with lots of fun side characters in the village. 4.6*
I’d love to visit the small Tuscan village described in this story; what a great place it sounds like! This is a slow burn story between local MC Valentina and MC American chef Andie, who is hiding out in the small town after a scandal at home. The big trope here is the “I’m only here for a short time, so don’t fall in love with me”. Yeah….that never works as planned, does it?
This story is lots of fun with lots of fun side characters in the village. 4.6*
June 26, 2018
A Fun, Sexy read
I read Stockholm Syndrome and loved it so I was excited to get another fun and sexy read from Miranda MacLeod with Letters To Cupid. I did purchase this book because I liked that the author made this an international adventure once again to wisk me away to another place and time, after all isn't that the reason we all read for enjoyment, entertainment and to escape from our daily grinds unless of course you have boats full of money and a villa in France.
I read Stockholm Syndrome and loved it so I was excited to get another fun and sexy read from Miranda MacLeod with Letters To Cupid. I did purchase this book because I liked that the author made this an international adventure once again to wisk me away to another place and time, after all isn't that the reason we all read for enjoyment, entertainment and to escape from our daily grinds unless of course you have boats full of money and a villa in France.
March 21, 2019
3.25 stars. Its a nice romcom but a little on the predictable side. The buildup and tension between the two is good but the ending falls a little flat. I guessed what the ending of the book was going to be the moment the run down former cooking school was mentioned. All in all, the scenery is nice, the story is interesting and light, but I didn't find either character particularly compelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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