This is such a cool book! It is emotional and inviting and keeps you locked into the story the whole time! I really loved it so much.

This story can be summed up in word: family. It showcases a family the love they have for one another (even when frustrated with each other). There are all types of love and Varina Palladino’s story shows how expansive it can be.

(Also, loved how the author’s note distinguishes between North Jersey Italian and South Jersey (as well as NY and Philly) - that was one of most ‘Jersey’ things about the book!)

Holding a New Jersey Italian family together is no easy feat for a widowed grocery store owner- especially since they start matchmaking. The title had me sold, but then I spotted the blurb for this new to me author effort and I couldn’t resist if I wanted to.

The story opens on an Italian American widow in her seventies who runs her late husband’s family Italian grocery store, cares for her ninety-two year old mother, Sylvia, keeps an eye on her grown sons, David and Dante, troubled Donatella, and a neighbor man, Paulie, who grew up with her kids and got kicked out of his family. Sylvia and Donatella decide Varina needs help getting back into the saddle when it comes to dating when Varina doesn’t begin dating on her own.

And, off we go with this boisterous, riot of a family giving the reader a full-senses read with color, language, food, emotions all over, and the ups and downs of a multi-generational family story. Varina might be the center of them all and her lack of love life the catalyst for some aspects, but this is not just her story. It’s a family saga, really with Sylvia being the one to get a romance, Varina considering what she really wants, and Paulie and Donatella taking the spotlight later as do other family members when Varina is background. So, there is romance and even some comic moments, but there is a lot of just life story of people tied to each other as family.

The author doesn’t shy away from mental health troubles in at least two characters, sexual orientation for another, family secrets, family misunderstandings, loss, and more including a late December surprise romance for Sylvia.

Incidentally, the beginning of each chapter was headed with Jersey Italian colloquialisms that cracked me up often enough. Some were familiar since I come from a Sicilian heritage, but most were not since my family doesn’t hail from Jersey.

While there are moments when the story meanders and doesn’t have a crisp plot thread (or threads) and I didn’t take to some of the characters, that feeling of being immersed in a big and clamorous Italian family, mouth-watering food descriptions, and emotional moments were there. In the end, I was glad to have spent time with the Pallodinos and hope Ms DeFino writes more in this vein. I would recommend it to women’s fic, chick lit, general fiction, and fans of romance that like the focus on family.

This book was not what I expected and was a little disappointing. The writing was ok and I almost stopped reading because of my lack of interest. I wanted to read about Varina’s cruise adventure and finding a new man, but the story was all about her messed-up family. Hence the disappointment at the end when it barely mentions her cruise. I did find the love story between Sylvia and John charming. I was glad Varina found a friend in Ruth to help her survive the craziness. I also liked the explanations of the Jersey Italian words at the beginning of each chapter. I loved that the author added Varina’s recipes at the end of the book so I could taste them for myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Not a romance reader, but this one did it for me.


Fanook/finochhio
Madonn’
Mannaggia dial!
Svogliadell
Jumbaloon
Fanabola!/ Afanabola!
Goombah
Stunad’
Ffangul/vaffangul/baffangul

Every single chapter starts with a word that I have heard growing up in an Italian-American family (in Jersey by way of the Bronx). Most of them, I had no idea what they meant! I have no idea on how this book will appeal more broadly, but it hit just right for me. I laughed. I cried. I rooted for these hilarious (and flawed) folks. Someone, please buy the screen rights to this if you have not already. I would go in blind for this one.

Varina's family is always around, always with drama, never a dull moment. Amongst her elderly mother, grown children, extended family, and keeping her business running, she doesn't have time to herself. This love story takes us through love in many lenses through her family.

Full of dynamic relationships, life changing moments, and growth, this was an entertaining and touching read.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, Custom House for the ARC!

I was so excited to read a story of family and relationships based in New Jersey with deep Italian roots and this book was a lot of fun with cultural notes and making me feel like I was back at home! I unfortunately felt like there was not a ton of development or background on the characters, and I was jumping around between too many people with side plots.

While entertaining, I think I may have gotten myself a little overly excited for this one.

Unfortunately I didn't connect with this book. The writing was not one that I enjoy, I truly tried but it just wasn't my style.

A messy, loud, and complicated Italian family.
Readers will get to know intimately Sylvia, Varina, Pauline, and Donatella. They have each other’s backs but don’t always show up for each other.
There are many entangled threads that keep this family together.
I liked how Sylvia and Varina branched out and really started to love rather than just exist.
Donatella was a hot mess and Paulie was endearing.
I liked how the author began each chapter with a word and then explained its definition, Jersey Italian style.

Thank you William Morrow for the review copy of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story (via NetGalley). This hit a sweet spot of messy loving family chaos for me; I am from North NJ and though not Italian my SIL is from a wonderfully big loud amazingly loving family and this made me think of them. Tough topics with a loving touch and gentle notes of joy and characters to enjoy, this was a fun read and as vivid and bright as the cover suggests.

Recommended for: fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Marrying the Ketchups (loved that book), and other similar family relationship reads/media

“This is hot and messy and seemingly out of control, but it all comes from love.”

This was a fun read for me. Nothing beats a big Italian family, full of secrets and drama. I also liked the Italian words at the beginning of each chapter, and that they were incorporated into the story. The plot was easy to follow, moved at a comfortable pace, and I cared about what was going on with each character.

I am looking forward to reading more from Terri-Lynn DeFino.

Thank you Willam Morrow publishing & Netgalley for an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. #netgalley#varinapalladino’sjerseyitaluanlovesyory

Review will be posted on 2/10/23

Varina Palladino has always kept her family together, their traditions alive, and everyone happy. She runs her family's Italian-American grocery story, keeps an eye on her aging mother, and takes care of her grown (and sometimes needy) children when they need her. She is a widow and has never thought of moving on from her husband or even traveling, but this year she is thinking of leaving her comfort zone. Varina's mother, Sylvia, and Varina's troubled daughter, Donatella, decide to hatch a plan to get Varina dating. Meanwhile, there's plenty of family drama. All three of Varina's sons are going through some major life changes, her daughter is getting into trouble....again, their gay family friend has feelings for a Palladino, Sylvia is worried about what will happen to Varina after she passes on, and Varina is planning a trip to Europe. So many changes are en route for the Palladinos and some of these changes will make you laugh-out-loud, cringe, and make you tear up. Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino is a charming family tale that fans of Adriana Trigiani will thoroughly enjoy.

I really enjoyed Varina from the start of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story and felt for her. She has dedicated so much of her life to taking care of her mother, her kids and the store that I wanted her to do something for herself. Her daughter, Donatella, is exhausting and honestly needs to grow up, but there's more than just her misbehaving at play here. I was so glad Varina started to put her needs first and plan a trip to Europe with one of her new friends. Even though Sylvia and Donatella have her best interest in mind regarding a love match, I knew that it was destined to be a disaster since Varina was in the dark about it. Nevertheless, it was a entertaining ride to go on as there's a lot of mayhem in this boisterous Italian family.

I especially appreciated the start of each chapter of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story as it included Italian-American slang words that pertain to the upcoming plot line. This was pure fun and some of the slang words I hadn't heard in years. Readers who have friends or family that are from Italy will especially appreciate this aspect of the novel.

If you enjoy Adriana Trigiani's novels or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, give this heartfelt family drama a try this winter. It had me craving a coffee, a pizzelle, and a long talk with my grandmother. Foodies will enjoy all the descriptions of Italian food and recipes, too! So, is Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story on your TBR list? It would be a perfect book to curl up with this Valentine's Day. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

A truly wonderful ode to the love of “famiglia” in every way you can find it. This story celebrates the generations, of the love they have found, mistakes they have made, and shows that you’re never too young or too old to turn over a new leaf.

As a first-generation Italian-American from New Jersey I felt it was my duty to read this book. I very much enjoyed the Palladino’s messy family adventures and how much love they had for each other despite being frustrated with each other most of the time. It felt real and relatable for an Italian-American family. I also liked the inclusion of the “Jersey-Italian” vocabulary, a lot of the words my own family uses, although I vehemently disagree with calling pasta macaroni. My Papa and Nonna would disown me if I started calling it that (and Nonno would roll in his grave). I know my mom will get a kick out of this book, and have already ordered her a copy!

Thank you Willam Morrow publishing & Netgalley for an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has always wanted to be a part of an Italian family, this one hit the mark, and made you feel like apart of the Palladino family.

The author explored a handful of tough topics, while also keeping fun, and light hearted. The most important theme, however is famiglia is famiglia. I found the way the author started each chapter off with fun Italian phrases was refreshing, and tied into each chapter. I was equally happy that the author provided yummy Italian recipes I will also be trying out sometime.

If you love a good family drama with a twist of Italian / jersey side, this will be an enjoyable read.

This was a really fun story about a big Italian family that, at the end of the day, loves each other and get can through anything. I thought the writing was very funny and kept me engaged.

This was a beautifully written heart warming story of a Italian family with multiple generations still close. Loved the whole thing, would recommend for a feel good read.

This was a different type of writing but it was very interesting as you read this book. The chapters were defined by Italian food and what they also meant Not really about food. That was an interesting concept and I'll attend those both together. Grandmother named S SY LV Who lived in the old house. Her daughter ran the Italian food market in New Jersey. Varina Had a daughter named Dante. She was going always in trouble Love this man name Paulina. He was gay but they still love each other. The book opens with Christmas Eve dinner which is called the 7 feast of the fish This book showed how these people all interact with each other. They also ran a construction company. Their husbands were mostly dead at this point. It had different love stories involved in a very cute special way. Everybody found love eventually in this book Verona wanted to go On River cruise through France. She met a woman named Ruth who was doing the same thing and they hit it off. And every chapter explained what they were going through and how it was interacted with this story Even the grandmother found happiness. Dante got pregnant by Polly. This is a really interesting story in itself. I think it's a great book to help planners understand each other. Not everybody can be perfect in the family but I think if you get along with everybody eventually you will work out The title says it all

I really wanted to like this book based on the premise but the writing is so poor that I had to force myself to finish it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is a well told and entertaining story that will have you laughing out loud at times!

This book just draws you in from the beginning with Varina preparing for her family’s Christmas Eve dinner. The typical of getting down to almost finishing when you realize you don’t have enough to make the last dish. In this case, pasta for the kids.

Varina owns and works at Palladino’s Italian Speciality grocery store. Paulie and her 92 year old mother, Slyvia, live with Varina. Varina and her husband, Dino, had taken in Paulie as a teenager due to his parents disowning him after coming out. Varina’s life was never dull with her adult children, especially with her daughter Donnatella in and out of prison. Varina has to keep putting off her trip to Europe in order to bail out her daughter. Will she be able to finally go on a much needed trip?

Varina’s husband, Dino, died over 10 years ago, so her mother and daughter felt it was time to date again. Donnatella felt it would help distract her, so she wouldn’t worry about her so much. The lengths they go to find her a date is creative! It just shows their desperation to make Varina happy! Will they find one or will it flop? Will this give Varina the push to start living her life again?

I liked how this book has likable characters that make you laugh and even shake your head at times! This story felt real and authentic because this author used her own Italian family from New Jersey for inspiration.

I loved how this author explained, at the beginning of each chapter, the Italian words and slang that were used as this added to the understanding and meaning of the story!

A great book to take along on vacations! Perfect for book clubs as it will lead to many interesting discussions.

Thanks to William Morrow, I was provided an ARC of Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #VarinaPalladinosJerseyItalianLoveStory