Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino will be released on February 14, 2023. William Morrow has provided an early galley for review.

I come from Italian families, on both sides. And though I grew up in New York state, I did spend about six months living in New Jersey. So, how could I pass up on this title when I saw its listing? I simply could not.

This story about multiple generations of a family really hit home. I found the characters likeable and balanced. Their stories reminded me that family is not always picture perfect, and that sometimes the way we show love for one another might not be in the most obvious ways.

An especially nice touch was the definitions of Italian phrases at the start of each chapter. Many of these I knew or had heard growing up, usually by older generation family members. They really helped to put some of the dialogue in context as Italian-Americans often sprinkle native words into the mix when they are talking to one another. This felt very natural and right.

And, at the end, the author includes a trio of recipes. Because, with Italian families, it is all about the interactions over meals.

I was kind of in a reading rut but then I started this book and I was not sure what to expect but I was hooked. I started it during the holidays and kept sneaking off from the family Christmas to read it on my phone in the bathroom so you can tell that this was an engaging read. This family reminded me of my family in their clear idiosyncrasies but also clear loyalty and the joy that they derive from being together. Definitely would recommend!

This book was so endearing yet at the same time loud and fun! I loved the large Italian family dynamics and the different relationships each character had with each other. I did find the amount of characters a bit overwhelming but I think that’s just part of the story and it being about a large family.

I found this book entertaining and raced through it. If you’re a fan of movies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding this one’s for you!

Thank you to William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book!

This one is a great read if you're craving a loud heartwarming NJ Italian family drama! There are a lot of side stories and characters in this one, which made me struggle a bit with the pacing but overall I really enjoyed the colorful set of characters! Thank you so much William Morrow for the ARC of this one.

I did not hate this book but I did not love it. And that divide sums up how I felt about the characters too. I liked Varina, Sylvia and Ruth, but many of the other characters I was pretty meh on. Maybe I had trouble relating to this big, loud family since it’s very unlike my own, but it in the beginning especially there were so many people keep straight which didn’t help either.

I think if the story had focused on fewer characters I may have liked it more. And while I liked Paulie a lot more than the others, I struggled with understanding his relationship to the Palladino kids. I simply wasn’t all that invested in Donatella.

I’m sure that MILD SPOILER ALERT…….. the eventual reveal that she had diagnosable mental health struggles should have made me feel empathy but instead I felt frustrated.

The end of the book was sweet in some ways, but overall this wasn’t the book for me, personally.

After reading this, it feels like I now know some of the Italian dialect from North Jersey along with mouth-savoring dishes which are beautifully woven into the story. It’s about relationships with the importance of family and friends.

We all know that family affairs are all over the place with what is happening at the time and this book is no different.

Was the plot about Varina, the mother? She was the best Italian chef in town that made me very hungry. The grandmother, Sylvia, who lived with her? Her son, Dante, with a lucrative construction company? Her son, Davide, who had a successful salon? Or her granddaughter, Donatella, who was diagnosed with bipolar? All the characters could have been stars of the story. I felt like I knew each one along with Varina’s new best friend, Ruth.

Varina’s kids were 35 to 50 when the book started and ended when the elders became memories on the wall. The grandchildren were now adults. Secrets were revealed. Food was what brought the family together with a couple of recipes shared at the end.

It felt to me like the story was a tad too long and drifted into too many places. It’s almost like the author was afraid to leave anything out. Yet, there were some good lines told and it’s one plot I will remember. It seems like it would have been easy for her to keep writing about the characters for another 300 pages. She wrote like the family was hers in a loving way.

My thanks to Terri-Lynne Defino, William Morrow and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 14, 2023.

Thank you for the EArc! I absolutely loved this book. The Palladino family dynamic will leave you wanting more. The vocab lesson at the beginning of each chapter was especially charming and, as an Italian myself, I found the explanations endearing. You will feel so many emotions for each one of these family members you won’t want to put the book down. Five stars from this Italian woman,

this author gives you the oppty to feel like you've been adopted into the large palladino family. I would have loved if the author gave a family tree in the beginning of the book, to help the audience keep track of who's who. thank you netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about family dynamics. We are introduced to an extended Italian family in NJ, as they navigate life and relationships. A central theme is family gatherings and food. Each chapter introduces you to NJ Italian slang words and the origins of those words. Despite not being Italian, some of the words were familiar to me whereas others were not. Although the terms were used in the respective chapter, family dynamics are the same regardless of culture or background - so very relatable.

At the center of the story and hence the title of the book is Varina Palladino and her daughter, Donatella's and her mother, Sylvia's attempt to find Varina a man. The way they go about it is nonconventional and despite the best intentions causes hurt feelings.

The story further expands on Varina and the other characters' relationships and the need for love. Sometimes is a man and a woman, friends, man and man or loving someone so much that you sacrifice your relationship with them.

The Palladino's are like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. You just can't help loving them despite their crazy antics. Their lives are far from perfect, but you accept them for who they are, flaws and all.

This was a great read and I appreciate the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

I would love to elaborate on this book but in solidarity with the Harper Collins workers I will not be elaborating more.

This is definitely a "feel good" book featuring a big, messy Jersey Italian family. The characters are many, but all are well-developed and the reader is given a treat getting to know them throughout the book. As an added bonus the reader is also given lessons in Jersey Italian as well as the Italian roots of numerous phrases bandied about by this entertaining family. Each chapter provides several words and phrases and their meanings. Personalities are big, problems abound but through it all this family exudes love and welcomes new "members" whether through blood or friendship. And as expected, food plays a big role in the story. The author gifts the reader with real Jersey Italian recipes at the end which is an added bonus. There is an epilogue bringing updated information about the family but this reader is hoping this will not be the last time she encounters Varina Palladino's loving family!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ebook version.

I enjoyed this very realistic heartwarming, NJ, Italian family drama. One unique part of the book was the Italian slang descriptions included at the beginning of each chapter. I enjoyed that aspect even more when I found out why at the end of the book. Varina and Paulie were my favorite characters. I loved watching Varina grow and find some independence from the loud chaotic Palladino family and Paulie the “son” who loved everyone unconditionally in his adopted family was great. Ever her mother Sylvia was an entertaining character. My reason for only three stars was parts of the book were a bit slow and some of the well developed characters were built up then dropped at the very end.

An extremely well written family drama set in a Jersey Italian town, Varina is in a rut, her three kids are all grown, her husband has been dead for years, and her mother is still kicking. This novel is all about how she gracefully moves forward, No startling antagonism, lots of love and loud family fights.

This story feels real. Loved it.

What a charming story of an Italian family from Jersey. And what a messy life it is with emotions and love running free. Yes, it is a bit predictable but it is the type of book that must have a happy ending--nothing else will do. The beginning of each chapter is extraordinary as the slang of Italy is broken down. I found it quite amusing to hear it used in the book. I was privileged to receive a digital ARC from NetGalley and William and Morrow Publishing. This review is my own.

Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story is a fun and engaging read filled with humor and family drama. The characters are absolutely delightful and multi-dimensional. One of the descriptions of the novel said that it was a cross between "Moonstruck" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". As I was reading the book, I could imagine it being made into a movie or television series. I laughed and cried through different parts of the book. I fell in love with each member of the Palladino family. Varina is a 70 year old widow, who yearns to travel. Finally, she gathers the courage (and the money) to book a river cruise in France. Her 92 year mother, Sylvia, finds love again when she least expects. it. My favorite character is Paulie, the unofficial "adopted son" of the family! After reading this novel, I must read more of Ms. Terri-Lynne DeFino's books! Thanks to NetGalley and Instagram's Book Club Girls for the ARC!

Multi-generational family dramas are my favorite, and this one did not disappoint. Varina Palladino just wants a vacation, but her family keeps her priorities focused on them. When her mischief-finding daughter, Donatella, tries to act as a matchmaker, you start to meet the real Varina and the self she has kept hidden during her life. Meanwhile her mother Sylvia is exploring romance herself.

The multiple plot lines, colorful characters, Jersey-Italian culture, and witty banter make this an enjoyable read. Recommend for those who like The Fortunes of Jaded Women and Marrying the Ketchups.

I never connected with this novel. I expected to enjoy it since there are many similarities between Varuna and me. I think her over-involvement with her family was unrealistic.

I think that the author captured the essence of being Italian in New Jersey. I did like having an older protagonist.

Thank you NETGALLEY for this ARC.

Varina Palladino is a 70 year old widow, matriarch of her loud and chaotic Italian family who is trying to take care of her mother, her kids and the family store. Changes are coming to their Jersey neighborhood and to the family members. Filled with love and humor, the importance of friendship and taking care of yourself as well as your ever-changing adult family is the core of the story.

This novel was a throwback to my Jersey childhood! I especially enjoyed the definitions which opened every chapter of the "Jersey Italian" words and their true Italian roots. I was expecting something a little different, but this was a quick and enjoyable read chronicling four generations of Paladinos, great-grandmother Sylvia, Grandmother Varina, her brother and all their children and then their children as well. Through holidays and family weekly dinners all of their stories unfold as their lives develop and change. Heartwarming, a bit humorous, and enjoyable!

I am a Jersey Italian so I was SO excited when I saw this title and knew I had to read. It was cute book, honestly my favorite part was the first page to each chapter with a "Jersey Italian" word and definition. I have used and heard all of them! :) Besides that, it was a bit slow for me and seemed to drag. Definitely would love to try another book from this author!