I did not care for this story. It has potential but the narrative POV changes so much that I never felt I could get a true picture of any one character and the plot was hard to follow. Thank you for the opportunity but this one was not for me.

I requested The Italian Party because I have been to lovely Siena. The author clearly has researched Siena and Tuscany because the details ring true. The plot, however, is really quite silly. I guess it would best be called a farce.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marten’s Press for allowing me to read The Italian Party, by Christina Lynch. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Messina, giving the appearance of the perfect American couple, move to Sienna, Italy, to begin life trying to sell tractors to the farmers. But, they aren’t as perfect as they appear and the town has secrets of its own. This story is full of laughs, government agendas, and the secrets of Scottie and Michael Messina! You will be entertained by the characters adventures, informed about the politics of this country, and on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This is a must read book for everyone.

The Italian Party by Christina Lynch, a new to me author. Took me awhile to get into this book. I enjoyed the romance and setting of Italy in this book. It wasn't what I expected. A story of lies, secrets, hidden romance and set in the 1950's.

4 fun and yet serious stars

Oh to be able to live and work in Italy! Scottie and Michael in 1956 got to do just that. They were young, they were newly married and they had secrets. But, oh the food, oh the people, and oh the fun one could have meandering through the sociopolitical scene that happened after the war years! But maybe, it was not fun at all! Secrets and lies are always a way to undermine a marriage, a life, and a friendship.

The fear was that the Communists would take over in Italy and of course that must at all costs be prevented. Scottie starts to form strong ties with the people, especially her young teacher of Italian, and when he disappears, things conspire to make both Scottie and Michael evaluate not only their lives and the motives of their home country, but also see the extent of the ways in which America would go to see itself victorious over Communism.

This story, told with the glories of Italian life, the food, the wine, the lifestyle, was a wonderful way in which to see a country recovering from war. It also provided the reader with the ability to enjoy flawed characters and perhaps realize that our own country is and was quite flawed itself.

Thank you to Christina Lynch, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this informative and oftentimes funny book.

The Italian Party was a fun read. It had a bit of a screwball comedy feel to it at the beginning of the book. Scottie and Michael are newlywed Americans who have just arrived in Tuscany in the mid-1950s to start a home and a new business selling American tractors. It's tough to say very much without revealing spoilers, so I will refrain from giving a lot of details. From the start of the story, we learn that Scottie and Michael have a lot of secrets that they are keeping from one another. It's interesting to read how they slowly uncover or reveal their secrets. As their story unfurls, we are also treated to a love letter to Tuscany. We meet various Italian characters and are treated to so many descriptions of delicious Italian food (as well as some American meals, which do not compare favourably!). As the book continues, there is also a greater focus on the historical events/societal climate of the mid-1950s, which was also very enjoyable, as well. Overall, a very fun and easy read, so I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

It’s 1956 and Michael & Scottie Messina are newlyweds, leaving everything behind in the U.S. and arriving in Sienna, Italy, where Michael will open a Ford tractor business. And maybe do a little spying on the side. His real purpose is to influence the local election to ensure the Communist candidate isn’t elected.

Lynch is a talented writer. The story flows nicely, dialogue is clever and conversational, characters are complex and well-developed, locale descriptions make you believe you are there, and there is just enough dry wit and humor thrown in to give you a smile now and then.

As for the plot, there isn’t much to tell you without giving it all away. It’s a secret! As is much of the book, and the secrets just tumble out one after the other. I will say that you shouldn’t read the book if you are looking for a classic espionage tale. This is the study of what begins as a marriage of convenience between two young people full of secrets and doubts, and ends, well, that’s for you to decide.

So join Michael and Scottie in their sometimes hilarious adventures through the beautiful Italian countryside. It’s a journey that will introduce you to some interesting people, give you a taste of Italian culture, and impart some history along the way. And I bet you can’t read the name Carlo Chigi Piccolomini without an Italian accent and a smile on your lips!.

P.S. After you’ve read the book, I would love to hear your take on the ending. I won’t go any further so there are no spoilers, but I was torn about the ending.

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First off, huge thank you to Jordan for sending me an arc of this one via Netgalley!

So, I was a bit hesitant to read this because it sounded a bit too historical/political for my tasting. And.. unfortunately it was.

But, I am glad that I took a chance because I'm not a huge historical fan or like much political aspects to my novels but some aspects I did enjoy.

The Italian Party started off great with the lovely travel scenes in Italy! I absolutely loved the vivd images I was able to obtain from Italy's mountainsides and the food eeeekkk! It made me want to go to Italy even more!! I liked the mystery aspect to this novel since I'm a huge mystery/thriller fan. I also really liked the characters in the novel and felt this was a strong aspect. But unfortunately, I could not get past the political parties/historical aspect of this one and it was too strong for my liking. I found that my attention was wavering a lot and almost wanted to DNF due to the history aspect. I'm just not a big fan of history.... but if you are I feel that this is definitely for you!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the opportunity to read this book.

2.75 stars for me on this one.
Publication date is 3/20/18.
Published to GR: 3/9/18.

There are so many secrets in The Italian Party, personal and professional. Scottie and her new husband, Michael, move to post-war Italy for Michael’s job. He’s opening a new Ford Tractor store in Siena. Except we learn quickly that it’s just a cover, he’s actually in the CIA, a fact he doesn’t share with Scottie. We also learn one of Scottie’s secrets early; she’s pregnant and The baby is not Michael’s, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. Secrets, both theirs and others’, unfold throughout the story against the global backdrop of the “Communist Threat” and a citywide horse race that seems like the big event of the year.

Scottie’s teenage Italian tutor was supposed to be in the race, but he’s disappeared. Scottie is determined to find. Scottie is interesting. She’s beautiful, seems maybe not so bright, but she’s fun and friendly. Truth is she’s as smart, and sly, as any of them. She is definitely guided by emotions, which is a nice comparison to her husband, who is about duty and is so worried about letting truths slip that he has to keep a tight rein on himself.

I loved the picaresque town of Siena, and the locals, both native Italians and a few ex-pats. They all have their own agenda and in Italy at the time, the politics are divided, people are still trying to heal from the war. It’s not all sunshine and pasta, but some of the time it is.

The story is engrossing, at turns delightful and funny and sad. It’s charming and entertaining and thought-provoking.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was so great. I haven’t read much pertaining to what America did after WWII into the Cold War, and this book helped show me a part of history that I haven’t been exposed to before, and I was genuinely shocked by some of it.

Beyond that, I loved the characters of Scottie and Michael. They seemed like real people with real problems. Their marriage is unconventional, but they desire to want to make it work. I enjoyed reading about Scottie and her growth. She is a character that is capable of much more than she seems. She surprises Michael more than once, which I loved. She is an independent, strong woman set in a time-period that didn’t always allow women to have those characteristics.

This is a book full of mystery, suspense, and lies. I loved trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Having this book set in Italy was perfect. The food and culture helped to add depth to the plot.

I love discovering new authors and Christina Lynch did not disappoint. It's a beautiful book with a strong plot and engaging characters. Definitely pre order this book so it'll be waiting for you on release day. Looking forward for more from this delightful author. Happy reading!

THE ITALIAN PARTY by Christina Lynch was so different from what I expected, but turned out to be a delightful read about husbands, wives, secrets, lies, the CIA, communism, prosecco and delicious pasta dishes, all set in Tuscany - 1950's Sienna, Italy.

Newly married, Scottie and Michael Messina arrive in Sienna under the false pretense for Michael to sell new Ford tractors to farmers in the rich countryside of Tuscany. Scottie's unaware Michael is really a closeted gay man with a lover in Rome and working for the CIA to stop to threat of communism in Italy. Michael's unaware Scottie's pregnant with another man's baby and some other secrets she hasn't shared.

When Scottie’s Italian teacher—a teenage boy with secrets of his own—disappears, her search for him leads her to discover other, darker truths about herself, her husband and her country. Michael’s dedication to saving the world from communism crumbles as he begins to see that he is a pawn in a much different game. Driven apart by lies, Michael and Scottie must find their way through a maze of history, memory, hate and love to a new kind of complicated truth.

Half glamorous fun, half an examination of America's role in the world, THE ITALIAN PARTY is a smart pleasure. Open a bottle of Chianti and mange.

 
*****



Christina Lynch is a novelist, television writer and professor.

A former Milan correspondent for W and Women’s Wear Daily, she has written on staff for television shows such as The Dead Zone, Encore! Encore!, Unhappily Ever After and Wildfire.

A devoted educator, she has taught television writing forUCLA Extension, and is a full-time tenure track Professor of English at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, where she is also the faculty advisor for the literary magazine.

The Italian Party by Christina Lynch is sure to keep readers entertained from page one with its cynical and dark sense of humor.

The story is set in the late 1950s when Scottie and Michael move to Italy on the pretense of work. They barely know each other, but that works just fine given the dark secrets they are keeping to themselves.

This was such an emotionally charged story. I felt all the emotions while reading it. I loved this book from the start!
I highly recommend you read this.

I wanted to love this book but in the end it was good, not great.

Although the character development was strong, the story progressed at one pace from start to finish.

That said, I'm happy I read it. It was interesting to learn about life in the 50's, in Italy and the cultural balance for two Americans quietly deceiving one another.

Enter the beautiful countryside of Italy in the mid-1950's with our newlyweds, Michael and Scottie, picture perfect and just graduated from prestigious colleges. They're on a mission to celebrate their new (and quick) marriage, and live a wholesome life in Siena, Italy. Michael, as a Ford employee, selling shiny new tractors to Italian farmers, and Scottie, well she'll just be the best wife and homemaker ever. Of course this sounds ridiculous, they both have secrets, and Michael really works for the CIA, and is ready to save Italy from Communist rule, in the most entertaining way.

Although Scottie is the dream vision of the perfect 50's wife, blond, pretty, pearls and always in a dress, she has no idea that Michael's real job is with the U.S. government. And, by the way, she's pregnant, her father doesn't have all that money Michael thinks he does, even though he met her at Vassar.

Michael graduated from Yale, he is smart but hides his immigrant Italian parents. He needed a pretty young wife to go with his new job in Italy and Scottie fit the bill perfectly. His best friend, Duncan, also a Yale grad, is doing the same job in Rome with his pretty perfect wife. Michael really misses Duncan. I mentioned Michael has secrets too.

Now the Italians, there are too many to mention, are fabulous characters. They pretend innocence or misunderstanding, but of course are no fools. They watch as the Americans and the Russians trip over themselves to court their favor. Snicker.

Combine spy novel, espionage, bumbling Americans out to save the world, then throw in a little romance with luscious food. You get the best book with the best plot and most clever characters. There are so many twists and turns you'll never guess who works for who. It's all great fun to escape within this beautiful and crazy world.


Thank you Netgalley. 4.5 .007 stars!

I tried desperately to like this book. Sun-drenched Italy in the 50's... what's not to love?

I didn't like the main characters, especially Scottie, who I felt was just too stereotypical and vapid. The premise was great, but the execution was lacking. I appreciate the chance to read this book.

The Italian Party was such a fun read and not at all what I was expecting. The story begins when newlyweds Michael and Scottie arrive in a small Italian village of Siena to begin their married life. They appear to be the perfect couple. But they are both keeping devastating secrets.

As they settle in to life in Italy, they soon become a part of the local politics. Learning who to trust is a precarious endeavor, especially because they don’t trust each other.
Readers are privy to the thoughts of each spouse as the story moves along and they begin to grow into a deeper relationship, eventually revealing their secrets.

I loved the 1950’s nostalgia. The descriptions of what Scottie wore--all the way down to the girdle, brought back memories of watching my grandmother struggle to get into hers in the 1970‘s. The descriptions of the Italian culture, complete with the habits of the people, the food and the Palio, added so much to the story. I went online to see the images from Siena and the pictures just brought the story even more to life.

Keeping the story interesting was the sexual intrigue of the Italians and the blossoming friendships between the young Americans and the locals. I also found it interesting to compare the politics and social mores of 1950’s Italy and America, to those of today.

This was a delight to read! This is author Christina Lynch’s debut novel and I will most certainly be looking forward to her future work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Well, the big question here is who is concealing the most secrets, Scottie or Michael? One after another, they’re revealed to us. The newlywed couple has come to Siena, Italy, 11 years after the end of WWII. They know so little about each other, and most of what they think they know is wrong.

I felt for Scottie when she first arrives In Siena. Years ago, a group of us rented a house in Pontassieve. While most of the gang made their way from Florence to the house via train, the landlady and I spent a few hours struggling between her elementary English, my few words of Italian and a modicum of French for both of us to teach me how to use the alarm, the dishwasher and the washing machine. Luckily, the couple meets Robertino, a teen willing to teach her the language and do any other job that pays.

And as the book goes on, Lynch does a wonderful job of showing us Siena through the eyes of Michael and Scottie.

There is a dry humor here, based on each’s naivete. They are just so young! The narrative is told from multiple people’s point of view. In addition, the author injects concepts to help the reader understand someone’s mindset or move the story forward. I would love to know if the CIA’s rules to which Michael clings are factual to the time. “The rules were very clear that agents were not supposed to go native...The agency actually preferred if their people didn’t speak the language.” OMG, how did we ever win the war against Communism? And there’s always the dichotomy between American and Italian culture. And ours never comes out looking like the best way. While the book starts with a light feel to it, it gets meatier as it goes along. In the end, I was really drawn into this. I kept reading rather than save it for another day. Well done, Ms. Lynch!

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

The Italian Party is a spy story set in Italy in the mid-1950’s. A newlywed American couple, Scottie and Michael, arrive in Siena, a small town, to set up a Ford tractor dealership. On the surface, that’s their story, but in reality, he works for the CIA. This is not your typical spy story because it lacks overt violence but there is plenty of intrigue afoot.

Scottie does not know that her husband works for the CIA. She believes his cover story about selling tractors. But she’s got a secret of her own. She’s pregnant, but the child is not his.

In their new home, they meet all kinds of people, but they need to learn the culture and language too. Scottie hires a teenager, Robertino, who is well-known in town, to be her Italian language instructor. He takes her all over the local area, showing her the sights and teaching her the culture. She also meets their landlord, a Marquis, and becomes very close friends with him. Meanwhile, Michael spends a lot of his time in Rome on business, but in reality, he has a lover there. The problem is that it is 1956 and Michael is gay. His lover is his boss, Duncan. At that time, the government was firing people who were gay, calling them a security risk. So he’s risking a lot by carrying on an affair with Duncan. He hides it from his wife, but will she find out his secrets? Will he find out hers? Will he accomplish his mission of defeating a Communist candidate in the upcoming mayoral election?

I found the characters to be authentic and their motivations were believable. The story is quite complex, with a subplot involving the disappearance of Scottie’s friend, Robertino. Along the way, there is plenty of historical background on Italy in the aftermath of WWII. The politics that were going on at the time were complicated. The land itself is rich in history and culture and the author brings this out for the reader. The settings are described well and you feel like you can see the places in your mind’s eye. The time period is also very different from now. The people in the town still use oxen in farming and get around on horses or scooters. Cars have not yet taken over and roads are not paved. The townspeople like the way things are and are not particularly interested in things like farm tractors. They are quite happy with their way of life and it seems like an idyllic one.

The relationship between Duncan and Michael is also complicated. The historical context also helps the reader understand the risks that gay men had to take at the time. For example, one of Michael’s friends is beaten up on his way home, something that could happen even in today’s more accepting climate. But, in the 1950’s, it was viewed much differently and these men had to always be on guard and keep their secrets, which led to much frustration and depression, as seen in Michael’s reaction to being found out.

Overall, this is a great novel that will give the reader insight into Italian culture, the importance of food in that culture, and also the history of the country. It’s also a look at the complexity of human relationships and international relations as well. It was well-written and very enjoyable.