The Little Italian Hotel is a book that is like a breath of fresh air. There is nothing flashy or complex about it, but Phaedra Patrick's simple characters and plot create a story that makes you feel good which is necessary in our world today.

Ginny is an advice radio host who plans a surprise anniversary trip for her husband. Instead of taking an anniversary trip, she learns things about her husband that make her doubt her own marriage, As a result, she takes five complete strangers with her on the Italian vacation.

The Little Italian Hotel reminds us that we do not always find happiness where we think it is. Thank you NetGalley for this delightful book in exchange for my honest review.

I will read anything by Phaedra Patrick. She is one of my favourites.. That this took place in Italy made it all the more sweet to read! This reminded me a bit of Enchanted April, strangers coming together in Italy and slowly letting the magic of this country change them for the better, reminding each heartbroken character who they once were and can be again but even stronger and happier. There's definitely some heatbreak & tear-jerking moments, some pretty funny ones and lots of Italy to enjoy.

Phaedra Patrick has become one of my favorite authors. I very much enjoyed both The Messy Lives of Book People and The Secrets of Love Story Bridge, so was very excited to read this forthcoming book.

Patrick’s talent for creating wonderful settings and people with whom readers will enjoy spending time are very present here. Much of the story takes place at a small, Italian, old fashioned hotel. This spot contrasts with a much more modern hotel that is nearby. Readers can decide where they might rather be as they read the story.

Protagonist Ginny has, for many years, had a radio show in which she offered help to others as a kind of agony aunt. To her surprise, Ginny learns that there are issues in her own life when her husband says that he wants to separate. This occurs just as Ginny had been planning a romantic getaway for them.

Needless to say, Ginny is distraught. When she finds that she cannot get a refund, the plot leads her to invite some of her listeners on her trip to Italy. They then stay at the hotel mentioned above.

The travelers include an elderly widow grieving her special needs daughter, a teacher whose mother is unwell, a man who has lost his best friend (a dog), and a property developer. Readers also get to know the hotel owner and his daughter.

One of the plot threads has to do with what happens when Ginny, posing as Jenny, and Aidan (her husband) start to communicate without Aidan knowing that he already intimately knows “Jenny.” Will they want to try again? What will happen to the other characters, all of whom become quite close to one another as they visit museums, hike, quilt, eat and do other activities together? Readers will enjoy finding out.

This book is recommended to those who enjoy women’s fiction. Those who know the author will be delighted to read another one of her books. Those new to Patrick are in for a treat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.

First off, if the storyline involves Italy, then I’m all there! Secondly, I love books that put me through a wide range of different emotions, and The Little Italian Hotel did just that. It deals a lot with heartbreak, healing, and the power of friendship. (But don’t let the sadness deter you because the ending is uplifting! I promise!) All of the characters are dealing with grief in some shape or form, and as you read about them working their way through it you actually start to feel like a part of this close knit group of friends. I would happily recommend it to everyone, especially if you love stories about persevering and overcoming life’s hardships. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the near future.

The Little Italian Hotel follows a group of five strangers who vacation together in Italy. They, along with the owner of the hotel, all have heartbreak in common.

This story is a beautiful exploration of the different types of loss we experience in life - a topic that if it weren't handled so well by the author, could have made this a very dreary read. But by bringing these characters together the story becomes just as much about the healing powers of friendship as it does about getting through loss, so it ends up being a surprisingly uplifting read. (Also I really loved the ending, very satisfying!)

Overall, this was a great story. If you're feeling a little down or lonely, then consider reading this book. It will whisk you away to a picturesque location and make you feel like you have a group of friends who understand your pain and will keep you company through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What could be better, a beautiful story set in the beautiful back drop of Italy.
For their twenty fifth anniversary Ginny surprises her husband with a fabulous trip to Italy, what she gets in return is a big surprise – he wants a divorce.
Ginny finds herself alone in Italy and surrounded by four strangers who have very unique problems and griefs of their own. As each person in the group comes to term with their own grief/problems, the group develops a closeness that will last forever.
I love the detail of the places that the group visit. I can just picture the beauty of the places.
This is a must read!!!
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC.

Right before her 25th wedding anniversary, radio personality Ginny Splinter finds out that her husband wants to separate. Instead of cancelling the romantic trip to Italy that she planned, she takes 4 of her heartbroken listeners with her. A story about midlife, finding yourself, your voice and learning to cope and grow through challenging situations.

The Little Italian Hotel is the second book I have read by Phaedra Patrick, the first being The Messy Lives of Book People, and I am thrilled to report that this book is as heartwarming and fun to read as the other.
Patrick has crafted a wonderful tale of five strangers coming together and helping each other deal with their grief, which comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is the loss of a marriage, of a beloved pet, of one's own health, or of one's independence, or of a relationship never expected to change, the grief these losses cause are all portrayed as valid and debilitating. As each of the characters come to terms with their situation, they grow personally and develop a closeness that will last them a lifetime.
The setting of Bologna, Italy is icing on the cake. Patrick describes the places the five visit in vivid detail, adding to the magic of the book.
The Little Italian Hotel is a heartwarming and uplifting tale of friendship, family, and healing that keeps you turning the pages to the end.
I received an ARC of #TheLittleItalianHotel courtesy of #NetGalley.

Thus one was definitely not as good as her previous books. I actually was bored reading it. Fluke for sure !