I had to purchase this book as soon as it was available for sale. I was instantly drawn in by the writing and couldn't put it down. The descriptions of Italy are so well done that I wanted to immediately head to the airport! A gorgeous escape read


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. And honestly? I absolutely loved this book! I know why I requested it...because it mentioned the coast of Italy...I am not even sure I read past that. But the island of Elba made it to my list of places from books I need to visit one day as I immediately fell in love with it...AND all of the characters...there was only one thing I did not love about this book and that one thing is a huge part of the storyline so I guess I really wouldn't change it. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves to travel through books and to anyone who loves LOVE.

The premise of the book sounded so good. I loved the setting and didn’t not enjoy the story, but it didn’t live up to what I thought it would be and I didn’t really emotionally connect with the story or characters. It ended up being an easy, enjoyable read but not something that will stick with me.

This book was so good I'll definitely be reading more of this author when they put out a new book and I can't wait to see what happens next

I absolutely loved this book. Mary Bly/Eloisa James is such a phenomenal storyteller. She writes beautiful characters that I am left thinking about long after the story has ended. I cannot wait to read what releases next under her name. All the stars!!!

I was so excited to read this book for multiple reasons. First, this is Eloisa James and I love reading authors I enjoy writing different genres. And second, the setting. I couldn’t pass up a story set in Italy.

Our protagonist, Lizzie, is a Shakespearian scholar on vacation in Italy with her best friend d his boyfriend. While there she meets Dante, a chef and single father of an adorable twelve-year-old. The vacation coming after some life altering events and new for Lizzie.

There were many things about this book that I did enjoy and hers where I felt it ended up a bit flat. First and foremost, remember this is a women’s fiction novel even though there’s a romantic thread in it. With that in mind, I did like how the relationship developed between Lizzie and Dante. They felt just right for each other! I also liked each of them individually. Definitely some lovable characters in this book.

Ms. Bly captured the feeling of an Italian vacation and romance, with the beautiful beaches and food. Of course, I was very happy about that since the hero is a restaurant owner. I found his daughter adorable, especially as she wanted to get Lizzie and Dante together so bad.

But at the core, this is a story of both strength and everyday moments. About cherishing those, loving the people around you and making each moment count. For alight summery read, it deals with quite a lot of emotional topics which I’ll include below as trigger warnings.

It didn’t leave me rushing to pick up her next women’s fiction novel as much as I would’ve liked though.



Trigger warnings: death from alcoholism, cancer, parents death

I have rarely been so emotionally connected to a work of fiction as I was to Lizzie & Dante by Mary Bly. Mary Bly also writes more famously as Eloise James, but this book is a far cry from her more traditional romance novels.

Lizzie is an unexpected romantic heroine - one who you learn from the outset is very ill. Her friends have taken her to Italy as the historical advisor for a screenplay, leading to an encounter on the beach with an unusual girl and her fascinating dad.

I honestly did not want to put this book down because I was so drawn into their lives and into their stories. And I didn't want the story to end.

I learned about this book through a Lauren Willig conversation with Mary Bly, and was delighted to receive a ARC through Net Galley. It is absolutely one of my favorite reads this year.

#netgalley #Lizzie&Dante

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⋆ ⭒
This one definitely tugged on some emotional heartstrings. Admittedly, I felt like I had to read it quickly, as it was about to expire on my shelf, so it may not have gotten the full attention it deserved.

Touching and heartbreaking, this book outlines what it means to be dealt a devastating hand, and unsure how to play your next card, or whether you continue to play the game at all. I definitely empathized with Lizzie’s detachment and difficulties, and appreciated her wariness in engaging in relationships ( of various kinds ), knowing that they would/could be short-lived. I liked Dante as a character, as well and his relationship with his spitfire of a daughter Etta, and while I was all in for the romance storyline, I think I would have enjoyed it more were Lizzie’s days not numbered - although obviously this added significant emotional weight to the relationship. I found Lizzie’s friendship with Grey to be complicated and messy, but not necessarily in the ways that add depth to a friendship, but instead, shallowness.

Overall, I did find myself frustrated at the concept of pursuing treatment for others and the views that a person handed a diagnosis such as this isn’t “trying hard enough”, or needs to “fight harder” - the mental, emotional, physical, and soul-altering toll that treatment takes is immeasurable, and while loved ones are obviously considered in one’s decision to pursue treatment, ultimately, the decision belongs to them, and they shouldn’t be guilted into it by others with emotional blackmail.

The backdrop of Italy was a stunning scene to be set, and I felt like the author did a great job of planting my feet in that soil, sand, and sea.

All in all, a decent book, with some serious discussion points - this would make a solid read for a book club.

~ 👩🏻‍🦰

I couldn’t get into this one but I do think that others would definitely enjoy this style of writing. Would still recommend this as I think others would enjoy

This book should come with a box of tissues. Not all the tears were sad ones but there were certainly a lot of them. How do you know when to give in the cancer and say "that's it - no more". Lizzie had made that decision and was fine with it until she spent a summer in Elba with her friends.
After meeting a famous chef, Dante, and his tween-age daughter Etta she fought against falling in love. There was no reason to put them through the idea of watching her suffer and die.
While the story could be sadly depressing, it is instead an uplifting story of love and friendship and finding a family

Historical romance novelist Eloisa James moves into contemporary fiction under her real name, Mary Bly, with Lizzie & Dante. Lizzie is a Shakepearean scholar traveling with her best friend to the Italian island of Elba to help his boyfriend, a famous mega movie star, write a script for his version of Romeo & Juliet. Lizzie meets a handsome Italian chef and falls in love with him, his twelve year-old daughter Etta, and their dog. But Lizzie has a serious illness and if they get more involved, she could hurt Dante and Etta deeply. You can feel the warmth of the Italian sun, hear the sea roar, and taste the delicious food Dante creates in his restaurant in this novel that appeals to all your senses. You'll be packing your bags for Elba before you finish this wonderful book.

An intelligent, sensitive love story, deeply felt and beautifully observed. Some coincidental meetings, , to heighten effects and create three-dimensional characters. That’s what Mary Bly has done in Lizzie and Dante. All the stuff I love in Eloisa James–the clever dialogue, the romantic chemistry, the complicated negotiations between the sexes–is here, but sharpened and deepened to make poignant contrasts. I liked it a lot.

This book definitely transported me to Italy - the descriptions of food, the beaches, and the environment made it a very atmospheric novel, which I really enjoyed. I appreciated the fact that the main character is young (in her thirties) and dealing with a cancer diagnosis which is pretty grim - I don't feel like I've seen many stories that tackle that subject. The characters are likable ad feel like people you'd like to spend time with. Overall an enjoyable read - not too light, not too heavy.

Lizzie travels with her best friend and his move star lover to the beautiful Italian coast. More than just a summer getaway, the trip is Lizzie's escape and last hurrah after dealing with a difficult breakup and tragic terminal cancer diagnosis. The last things Lizzie expects is to fall in love; but a handsome new man enters her life and makes her rethink everything. A touching, beautiful, and romantic story - this will make you cry and give you hope in equal measures.

A lost love, a life changing health report, a last chance at love, but at what cost. Lizzie confronts all these moments and triumphs in the most heart felt way. Pour the wine and settle into a life away from the rich but honest in its questions from the heart. A great read.

Lizzie and Dante by Mary Bly is arguably the best book of summer and all of 2021. Following a Shakespeare professor with a stage three cancer diagnosis on holiday in Elba, this work is perfect for fans of authors Nina George and Elizabeth Gilbert. Lizzie falls in love with the Italian cook Dante in a beautiful, sweeping and realistic romance that both brings you to tears and makes you laugh with happiness. Lizzie and Dante also features LGBTQ representation and deals with the heavy topic of loss in a masterful way. The Elba setting is so wonderfully fleshed out as well. Lizzie and Dante is a life-changing book, and I highly recommend it to readers of every genre because with this book, there is something for everyone.

This is an endearing story of finding love within the beautiful and romantic backdrop of Italy. I Received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Bly is an award willing author under her pen name Eloisa James and now has made the world sit up and take notice with Lizzie and Dante, a contemporary novel published under her real name.

This story is all about real life, beginnings, endings, the highs and lows in between and the ability to grasp the opportunities for happiness that show up in unexpected places and times. Lizzie is dealing with health issues and working as a consultant for a movie writer, Dante is a famous Italian and NYC chef and restaurateur, both on Elba Island for the summer. This is a story of what happens when you open yourself up to the possibilities and seemingly impossibilities that life has to offer. I loved this story.

Currently battling cancer,, Lizzie arrives on Elba to spend the summer with her best friend and his partner. She falls in love with a local chef with a young daughter. It is a character driven story with a lovely sense of place. It is ultimately a story of the family you choose and the redemptive value of love. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my copy.

Woof. This was a rough one (in a good way!). Bly’s ability to evoke a time and place is outstanding - I’m now desperate to visit Elba! Gorgeous writing with interesting characters and an unbelievably moving story. I would have loved more about Lizze’s friends but that’s just me being greedy!