The Italian Cure

by Melodie Campbell

Charlie's world comes crashing down when her fianc� leaves her for another woman. Then Aunt Della wins a trip for two to Rome. Maybe Italy can cure her broken heart? Charlie and Aunt Della board the tour bus in Rome and meet a fun and diverse group of travelers. Rocco, the tour guide, is particularly attractive. Charlie isn't the only one who thinks so. The bus driver, Tony, is also her age. They become friends and explore sites together. Charlie quickly falls in love with Italy. Who needs romance when you have Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast? But with adventure comes danger in the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Charlie wanders from the group and is mugged. She chases the thief who stole her purse into the far reaches of the ruins. Lost and alone, Charlie finds courage she never knew she had. Physical courage is one thing, but will she risk falling in love again? Anything's possible in The Italian Cure.

Genres: Romance, Italy, Comedy, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2020

About the author

"the Canadian literary heir to Donald Westlake"
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

NEWS: THE GODDAUGHTER DOES VEGAS is on the Ontario Library Association 2020 Forest of Reading GREAT STORIES list!

THE B-TEAM has been shortlisted for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Award for Excellence in Crime Writing! Melodie Campbell is a double finalist this year, with A SHIP CALLED PANDORA (Mystery Weekly Magazine) being a finalist in the short story category.

THE GODDAUGHTER'S REVENGE has won the DERRINGER AWARD and the ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD for Crime Writing!

The Toronto Sun called her Canada's "Queen of Comedy." Library Journal compared her to Janet Evanovich.

Melodie got her start writing comedy so it's no surprise that reviewers and editors have called her fiction "hilarious" and "laugh-out-loud funny". She has over 200 publications, including 40 short stories, 15 novels, and has won 10 awards for fiction.

"The Goddaughter" a comic mob caper, has been called "Just right for Janet Evanovich fans...impossible not to laugh" by Library Journal.

"The Goddaughter's Revenge" from Orca books, was dubbed 'Real Gold' by the Hamilton Spectator. It won the Derringer Award in the States, and the Arthur Ellis Award in Canada.

Book 5 in the series, "The Bootlegger's Goddaughter" was a finalist for the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak Award. Book 6 in the series, "The Goddaughter Does Vegas" is now available.

Top 100 Bestseller "Rowena Through the Wall," was the first novel in the Land's End comic time travel fantasy series. The entire Land's End trilogy is a Top 50 Amazon Bestseller (all books).

Reviews

[Andrea C. *andreasbookishlife*]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute little novella that I read, as I love books that take place in Europe (especially Italy). I liked it but didn't love it. I felt like the novella ended without resolution of the main plot points of the story and it left the reader with a lot of questions. However, the books description and setting of Italy was beautiful and exactly what I was looking for in this short text.

Overall, this was cute and I took out of it the Italian setting that I was hoping for. However, I felt that the book ended in a weird place and was not resolved in a way that I was anticipating.

[Sarah]

The Italian Cure is a quick and fluffy read, with armchair travel and a budding romance thrown in.

Buffalo NY deli employee Charlotte ("Charlie") is in the doldrums - her fiance has left her for another woman and she's struggling to meet the costs of rent and other expenses on her own. Then her Aunt Della wins a trip for two to Italy, and asks Charlie to accompany her!

Charlie seems fated to sartorial disasters - first her luggage goes missing en route to Rome, then a series of spills and other wardrobe malfunctions befall the succession of garish and overlarge items Aunt Della lends her to wear over her trusty yoga pants. No matter, it's not as if she'll ever have to face the people on their coach tour, mostly elderly Americans, again. But then there's gorgeous and flirty Rocco, the tour guide, and helpful Tony, the bus driver...

Charlie and Aunt Della sightsee around Rome before travelling south to Naples and the Amalfi coast, and visiting the archaeological site of Pompeii. Having visited all these places myself at one time or another, I found The Italian Cure a delightful experience of armchair travel recollections.

This is only a quick read at 128 pages, so there's not a lot of scope for plot or character development. Nevertheless, I did develop a fondness for Charlie, Aunt Della and Tony, and a hankering to return to Italy myself as soon as possible!

[Kate Baxter]

3.5 stars / 5 stars

This was a delightful, quick and charming book. The subject matter is contemporary, yet the message of hope is ageless.

Packed within this novella's 110 pages is the story of Charlotte ("Charlie" to most everyone). It's a classic: girl dates boy for long time, he dumps her for someone else and her life begins anew. Initially we have a rather depressed young Charlie. Aunt Della saves the day by insisting that Charlie join her on a trip to Italy which she had just won. Perhaps the trip will be the perfect "cure" for Charlie's aching heart.

For anyone who has traveled overseas, this may bring back a host of some unpleasant memories, such as luggage making the Grand World Tour while you live in two outfits for a week. The story also provides a few warnings for unseasoned travelers regarding pickpockets, unsavory "Don Juans" and some of the usual pitfalls of foreign travel. All of this is done with light humor and a touching story. It also brings back memories of the wonder of discovery of iconic sites on a visitor's first encounter.

Author Melodie Campbell has deftly written a compact and endearing story with a nice touch of humour as it pokes fun at our human condition. Arching overall is its message of hope.

This book is part of publisher Orca Books' Rapid Reads collection which is geared to a broad spectrum of adult readers. From their website, they offer the following statement:

"In our increasingly fast-paced world we believe there is a need for well-written, well-told books that can be read in one sitting. Rapid Reads are short books for adult readers. They are intended for a diverse audience, including ESL students, reluctant readers, adults who struggle with literacy and anyone who wants a high-interest quick read."

I am grateful to author Melodie Campbell and publisher Orca Books for having provided a free advance reader's copy of this book through LibrayThing's Early Reviewer program. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

[Jill]

I didn't realize this book was listed as a rapid reads, short story when I downloaded the ebook version to read and review. I really loved the descriptions of all of the beautify places in Italy that Charlie and her Aunt Della visited on this whirlwind romance story. I wish it would have been a little longer so I could invest in the characters more and really get to know them better. All in all it was a fun read for anyone who wants a little romance and a little travel in their story!!

[Kelly (AndKellyReads)]

This was different. I know it was a novella, and supposed to move quickly, but this was just ... different. I think I just wasn’t crazy about the writing style, it was a bit too amateur for me, and the storyline itself was a bit much.

I don’t know, it was quick and easy and fine, but not something I’d reread or really even remember.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Julia]

Charlie's Aunt Del won a vacation tour for two to Italy, and she has generously invited Charlie to join her. All ready for adventure, Charlie is initially dismayed when her luggage is lost en route and she ends up having to borrow a number of Della's more outlandish ensembles. However, undeterred and having taken an interest in both the suave tour guide and the friendly tour bus driver, Charlie enthusiastically embraces Italy and its possibilities.

I had a couple of issues with this book. Admittedly, I'm 100% not its target demographic, and I received this ARC via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, but unfortunately nowhere in the giveaway description was it disclosed that this was a "Rapid Read." While brevity in itself is not necessary a problem, the grammar and sentence structure are significantly dumbed down (soooooo many sentence fragments), and because it is told in the first person it makes poor Charlie seem rather dim. A number of stereotypes are perpetuated, there are frequent uncomfortable attempts at depicting broken English, and several offensive comments occur in the narrative, such as travelers with medically-necessary dietary restrictions being regarded as "problems."

It's true that the story is a light, easy, playful read, but if I hadn't been reading an advance copy, and if it weren't just 110 pages with wide margins, I would have abandoned it fairly quickly. It's pretty awful.

I received this ARC via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

[Lindsey]

That was literal trash.

[bizzy ross]

this was so bad lol

[Erica H]

Cute, quick little read !

[Angie]

This is a quick read novella, about a woman who is dumped by her long time boyfriend. Devastated, she accepts an invitation to go with her aunt to Italy. While on a 7 day tour, she falls for the main love interest. Being such a short book, everything feels rushed. It was hard to feel any character development, but it was a sweet love story and I loved the Italian descriptions from the author.

[Heather]

This novella actually brought me down memory lane, as Charlie and her Aunt Del take off to Italy for a week in April. Nine years ago (time flies!), I also visited Italy during April! I fell deeply in love with the Colosseum, which was also mentioned.

Although this book is simplistic, it was a great read after what had been a long, long day. It also is exactly what it should be, given that it's part of the Orca series. If you aren't familiar with Orca books, they're meant to be appealing to ESL or reluctant readers. I've used them several times for independent reading in applied level classes, and they're always a hit!

If you're looking a sweet story of recovering from heartbreak and love quirky characters, consider The Italian Cure for a quick read. Thank you Netgalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[M.A.P]

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


I think it's fair to say this book was not for me. I didn't connect with the writing style, which felt rushed, or the characters, probably because it felt rushed. There were some nice elements and funny lines but as a whole this was just way too short.

[LadyTechie]

The Italian Cure is a fun, colorful story with even more colorful characters including the descriptions of Italy. I wish it was longer as this author is a good storyteller.

[Jenea]

3.5 stars.

There is a lot of story packed in these 128 pages. Charlie’s recent breakup has left her reeling so she decides to go on a trip with her eccentric Aunt to the beautiful city of Rome. First her luggage is lost and then she’s mugged, so the trip doesn’t start off on a good note. They do however meet some great people along the way. Even a little bit romance too even if it was a little slow at first. She just needed to open her eyes to it. I would definitely would have liked a little more the new couple but is was still enjoyable. There are plenty of fun moments especially her Aunt Della. That woman is a hoot! All in all, this was a sweet read that shows that time and maybe a trip across the ocean can heal a broken heart.

[Andrea Pole]

The Italian Cure by Melodie Campbell is a highly enjoyable novella that packs lots of heart and humour into precious few pages. Classified as fast fiction, I wasn't sure what to expect from this quick read, yet this has all the punch of a full length novel. A complete storyline, fully fleshed out characters, and lots of laugh out loud moments are all bundled into a small and rewarding package. I would love to read more from this author who was previously unknown to me. Thank you for this whirlwind trip through Italy!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for this fun read.

[Kayleigh Smith]

I chose to read & review this book because I am always a sucker for a cute story in a beautiful country such as Italy!

We are introduced to Charlie who has just gotten out of a relationship and is invited by her Aunt Della to join her on a free trip she had won to Italy, hoping it would be a "cure" for a broken heart. Understandably, Charlie isn't too excited about going because her head and her heart are still grieving. I'm happy that even with her rough start the first few days, eventually she did enjoy herself on the trip because it would have been a waste to go to such a beautiful place and not make the most of it.

Because this story was a novella rather than a full novel, it did feel rushed but that is what I was expecting. It was a quick easy read that I got through in an afternoon. The author did a great job of capturing the descriptive beauty of Italy and did add in a touch of romance which I enjoyed.

I also have to admit that out of all the characters, I honestly loved Aunt Della the best! She was so entertaining. Overall, I did like this book but I didn't love it - I think if it had been made into a longer novel, there would have been more of a story and more details the author could have touched on. I felt like I wanted more out of it by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

[The Booked Mama]

When Charlie gets a call from her Aunt Della inviting her as her plus one on an all expenses paid trip to Italy, Charlie jumps at the chance. Having recently had her heart broken this trip could be just what she needs to shake off her sadness. The two embark on an adventure that can only be described as a comedy of errors. Charlie and Aunt Del join a tour group as they travel around to the beautifully described scenic tourist spots around Rome, Naples and Pompeii. The characters they meet along the way make the trip just that much more zany. "The Italian Cure" is a novella that would be a quick read for anyone at only 128 pages. I was just starting to get into the story when the book ended so abruptly. I would have loved for this to continue on a bit further and for the characters to be developed more. The concept had a lot of promise to have been turned into a full blown novel. Aunt Della & Charlie's antics deserved more time. Cute story for anyone in need of a quick distraction. Thank you NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Phyllis]

Thanks to LibraryThing and Orca Book Publishers for an advance reader's copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

This is a novella, a light quick read about a twenty-something woman who goes to Italy for a week with her wacky aunt soon after her boyfriend of seven years breaks up with her. Two stars for this book because "it was OK." The publisher has categorized it as a "Rapid Reads" which explains why it took only an hour to read. This could have been a better book if it was fleshed out - it read like a sketch of what an actual book would be. The author is a former comedy writer and got her start writing stand-up and this skill is evident in her writing. If you're looking for a short diversion to read while waiting at the doctor's office, in line at the DMV, or sitting in the carpool line at school, this could be the book for you.

[Sarah Carper]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. When I picked up this book, I didn’t realize it was a novella. It was a short read, but that’s not always a bad thing. However, this one didn’t quite check off all the boxes in books I love. I guess because it was a novella, there was enough room on the pages to fulfill some of these things. I found the characters to be slow developing, and some not at all. I wanted to get to know the characters more which would have helped to build on the main storyline. And the ending was kind of abrupt and left so many questions and main plot events unanswered. But I did love the setting - a tour through Italy - and that was enough to make me want to take another trip!

[Brenda]

If you want to read a short book that requires little brain power, this is perfect. It's mindless fluff but I was in the right mood. When Charlie's aunt wins two tickets to Italy, she goes along and meets two men. There are some humourous and some more serious situations along the way. The ending is predictable.

[Elizabeth]

When Charlie's Aunt Della wins a contest to Italy, Charlie jumps at the chance to go with her. When she meets their tour guide, Rocco, she wonders if Italy will cure her broken heart. This rapid read is fun, colourful, and like all Melodie Campbell's books, guaranteed to make you laugh.

[Kate]

I loved this book! The characters are so believable and the setting is fun with many fun personalities. I hope to see more of this couple in more books. There are certainly enough interesting folks to provide more books:). Keep the books coming!

[Sandy Jones]

I loved this crazy, cute little book. So glad that the book club chose it. It is such a great story about recovering from heart-break but not too heavy. It is super short and fun to read. You should read this!

[Amy]

Not all that impressed with this story. It’s a fast read; I read half of it while waiting for a procedure in the hospital. But it starts with a break-up followed by a trip to Italy in which anything that can go wrong does. Don’t care for these “bad luck” stories.

[Anna-Marie]

I loved the concept. I love Italy so much, and remembering the places where Charlie went was my favourite. However it was incredibly short, the story should of carried on, like how they were supposed to go to Amalfi Coast and Capri. The romance was nice, but seems to come out of nowhere.

[Slider]

This book must be super short because i swear it took less than 60 minutes from start to finish. Speaking of talk about a rushed ending. I flipped back some pages wondering if i missed a whole chapter. Oh well it was good enough.

[Amelia]

2.5 stars. This book was a quick read, but even with that, the plot wasn't very developed nor were the characters complex. At times it read like a tour guide of Italy's top tourist attractions rather than a novella.

[Daphne Manning]

Aunt Della has a cure for Charlie’s broken engagement. A prize trip to Italy promises to help Charlie forget her troubles and maybe restart her story. It’s a fun quick read. It’s a great travel read, it highlights new places to try.

[Katie]

It’s a cute little novella. A bit too short and kind of boring and predictable. It would’ve been much better if they gave more descriptions of the sights they were seeing in Italy. They just kind of skimmed over them. I only picked it up because I wanted to read about Italy. It was just meh.

[Jara]

A quick romantic comedy that reminds us that a series of bad days can be blessings in disguise!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. - Romans 8:28 New Living Translation