Here is the second book in the Suitcase Sisters series by Robin Jones Gunn. These books feel so much like the YaYa sisterhood books which I loved so these are just cozy books to read. I love that there is also a deep spiritual message in the books too.

For me the main message that hit me was the talking about the Bride of Christ at the end of the Bible in Revelation. How Claire didn't understand how the church of Christians could ever be at that table as a Bride of Christ. That the church was messy. And unkind. And not beautiful currently. And I loved how it was explained that on a WEDDING DAY a bride is her most beautiful. On the actual day. And like a physical bride, the spiritual bride WILL be beautiful. She's just not beautiful yet.

What a lovely analogy!

I enjoyed this book a lot and look forward to the future installments!

4 STars

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let the Adventure Begin

Claire and Grace are two adult best friends that decide to take a trip to Italy together--no spouses or children are included.

Although they had both been there in the past, it was a long time ago, and disappointing. This time, they will be in charge what they do, where they stay, and the adventures they have.

Robin does a very good job of making it feel like you are there with the characters, and traveling right along with them. I feel like I have visited Italy, too, and explored all the places with Claire and Grace.

The two of them experience amazing things, and doing so, changes both of their lives. There is a strong thread of faith that runs through this--with one of them a believer, and the other not--and the effect it has on each one.

Reading this would be wonderful just for the feeling of having been on this trip, but including a great story in the mix, is a real cherry on top. The only thing I didn't like was the promoting of wine drinking, but loved everything else about this tale. I am ready to pack my bag, go to Italy, and re-trace all their steps.

This is a great, five-star story that I highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

I have loved Robin Jones Gunn's books from the first Sisterchick book. The new series Suitcase Sisters takes me back to those books. Infact this book gives a small nod to a character from Sisterchicks in Gondolas. Robin has a way of weaving a story that covers most emotions. I am always left wanting to have my own adventure with a friend that is like a sister.

This book we have Grace and Claire who both share a passion for reading. When the chance for a trip to Italy comes up they take it. While both are close friends they are both on their own paths in many ways. Both are looking for something they just don't realise what till this trip.

They are planning to stay in three areas of Italy. Venice, Florence and Bellagio. In these places they do quite a bit of sightseeing. Venice, they visit some of the famous places and see the sites but it is some of the characters that are most memorable. In Florence they stay at a Villa where they are taking cooking classes. Claire has a passion for cooking, Claire not so much. But they both love the charm and how they feel at home there. Again the people make the stay.

We can see that Claire has a passion for cooking and also is interested in art. While Grace finds peace and feels at home in the garden. I know some reviews are talking about all the food but I think myself I am more a Grace person. While seeing how some of the food is made especially the cookies/biscuits I would rather enjoy the gardens and outdoors.

The faith element is real in this book. Right from the start we can see Claire is struggling with faith issues. The locals they interact with all play their part in this story. I can't say how or why but they are a huge part of this book. There are scenes that I couldn't help but cry from the emotions of what was happening. It felt so real and I felt like I was witnessing what they were. I don't cry a lot in books but this book evoked these emotions. I would love to say more but you need to read it and let me know if you have the same reactions.

I agree with some others that this book is totally different from Tea with Elephants but its a different location with two leading ladies in different situations. Very much like the Sisterchick books were all so different. In saying this it still has the same feel of two friends having a once in a lifetime experience that changes them forever. Myself personally I like the differences while I don't have the desire to visit Italy it did make me wish I could experience what Claire and Grace did.

Oh and how can I forget Gelato, they made it a mission to try to have as much gelato as possible trying different flavours. It brings me back to a bus tour I was on when one night I went to a small Gelato Cafe and had it for the first time. This is where I had pineapple gelato and while it may not be the same as in Italy I have never forgotten the taste. I would have loved to join them tasting so many different gelatos.

Great read, if you enjoy Robin Jones Gunn this book won't disappoint. Also these books are stand alone reads and can be read in any order. Do I have to wait 12 months for the next book?

I finished this book three days ago, but it had such a profound impact on me that I have continued to let it wash over me and fill me. Not wanting to let it go.

Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn is a profound and deeply satisfying look at friendship and what it means to stand back and let God be God. In addition, it is a wonderful trip through Italy that was so vivid I thought I was there. From Venice to Tuscany, you will want to grab your best friend and book a trip to fly away on a Suitcase Sister adventure of your own.

The humour had me laughing out loud. And the food! Oh, my word! I wanted to learn how to cook like an Italian after reading this. My anniversary is coming up, and I will definitely be looking for some Italian food, followed by a nice scoop of gelato.

Everything about this book, from the wise words of Paulina, Amelia, Gio, and others, filled my soul up. And the end made me cry both happy and sad tears. Like I said, I had to let this one wash over me for a few days. It will be a long time before I let go.

Kudos to Robin Jones Gunn. This was brilliant. I look forward to the next adventure!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I loved the first book in this series but felt a little more meh about this one. This trip was too perfect. "Into every life a little rain must fall" but no, these two have perfect days from start to finish for their entire vacation. Too convenient. Also, Fettuccine Alfredo is an american dish and not at all what you'd get in traditional Italian restaurants or cooking classes. Only touristy ones.

I received an advance review copy from the publisher--all opinions are my own.

I have to say that when I picked up this adventure I wasn't sure I was going to like it because of the setting but it turned out that I really liked it.
All the delicious desserts and food! Oh my.. Enough to make you drool.
The description of the church was beautiful and I imagined myself standing in it. Pauline was a great guide!
Robin Jones Gunn does a fantastic job of describing Italy that she made me feel like I was there with Claire and her friend.
I didn't want to leave when the book ended. I was having such a good time! Even going through the bookstores. I loved the smell of old books.
This particular adventure had charm to it. I think that's what I loved most about it.
I'm waiting for the next adventure from this author. More please!
I'm giving this one 5 stars from me. I thoroughly enjoyed it after I got started on it. I highly recommend
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Another set of Suitcase Sisters set out for a trip of a lifetime, only to find that they learn more about themselves and each other. The thing I love about Gelato at the Villa is that the friendship between Grace and Claire is something that most people only dream of. I felt so encouraged to read how they interacted, held space for each other, challenged each other, and encouraged each other because it showed it is possible to have a friend like that.

Robin Jones Gunn's description of all the places the friends traveled in Italy felt like I was there. It made me long to have a trip like that of my own. A little slow at times with so much description, but lovely at the same time. Definitely worth the read if you want to learn about friendship and forgiveness and satiate your wanderlust.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Revell for this complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to see the second Suitcase Sisters was available and I was approved for it. Just like Tea With Elephants made me feel like I was experiencing Africa, Gelato At The Villa made me feel like I was in Italy. All of the characters were so likable and the descriptions of Italy lovely. I very much enjoyed this book and can’t wait for #3 in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for allowing me to e-ARC this wonderful book in excellent form and honest review.

While this is book two in the series, it is completely unrelated to book one. Here, our Suitcase Sisters are Grace and Claire, two good friends on holiday to Italy. While friends for a few years, Claire has something in her past she doesn’t talk about and Grace lives life in fear of what others will think about basically everything. They have left their husbands and kids at home and have gone on the trip of a lifetime to follow some dreams and find some new ones.

This is a fantastic story about forgiveness, letting go of the past, finding your worth in God’s eyes, and following your passions. And you’ll want to book a trip to Italy immediately.

This is Christian fiction so expect a lot of discussion about faith and Jesus.

I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Reading a Robin Jones Gunn book always makes me feel like I'm being hugged! They're comforting, engaging, and encouraging in turn.

This was a great sequel to the first Suitcase Sisters book; I loved going to Italy vicariously with Grace and Claire. I've been to Florence before, and that section was absolutely my favorite; Gunn brought it vividly and beautifully to life--though the other two were certainly good, having visited there myself lent it extra depth and, of course, all the nostalgia.

The one (minor) downside for me was a reference to being "back to the best versions of ourselves" (a pet-peeve phrase of mine), but the rest was entirely delightful! I am ready to tour a series of Italian gelaterias now, thank you. :)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love reading Robin Jones Gunn's books and this one touches the middle-aged heart.

Claire and Grace are friends who take a pilgrimage in Italy to bathe in the culture through cooking lessons, tasting gelato, taking in the architecture and scenery. What they didn't realize is that God had a plan for their trip and it had life-changing implications.

Everywhere they went through Italy, they tasted the local gelato as well as the local cuisine. Their friendship grew deeper, and at an unexpected time, God showed up to bring healing and strength to so many parts of their lives.

Gelato at the Villa is one of the best books I've read this year. The settings were so enticing and the food described made my taste buds dance. Robin has a great way with her words and is so skillful in putting the story to paper.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a cup of Gelato.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I am really enjoying the Suitcase Sisters books and look forward to new ones in the series. Gelato at the Villa did not disappoint and was as delightful as the first in the series.
Gunn has the reader feel like they are really with they are traveling in Italy as she tells the story of Grace and Clare. The friends travel through Italy visiting churches, learning to cook Italian food, and eating Gelato, they find themselves healing of lifelong scars and insecurities. They meet Italians whose stories reminded me of Christian truths.
We just did a trip to Europe, but did not go to Italy. This story reassured me of our decision that Italy deserves its own trip so we can take our time to relish in its treasures. The book made a friend and me discuss that a cooking lesson in Italy would be a must on the trip. I also love that Gunn includes Christianity in her books and is no just writing "clean, wholesome" books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Revell and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

In Gelato at the Villa, Robin Jones Gunn invites readers on a soul-stirring journey through the heart of Italy with Grace and Claire—two lifelong friends whose shared love of literature has long fueled their dreams of adventure. This tender and beautifully written novel is a celebration of friendship, faith, and the transformational power of stepping beyond the familiar.

As the “Suitcase Sisters” wander through the cobbled streets of Venice, the Renaissance beauty of Florence, and the lakeside charm of Bellagio, their trip becomes more than just a long-awaited vacation. Gunn masterfully pairs vibrant descriptions of Italian art, food, and scenery with deep emotional and spiritual reflection. The gelato may be sweet, but it’s the bittersweet memories, heartfelt conversations, and personal revelations that truly satisfy.

Grace finds herself stepping into a new season of confidence and purpose, while Claire is confronted by the unresolved pain of her past. Their vulnerability grows as the backdrop shifts from tourist destinations to sacred spaces—culminating in a poignant moment at Lake Lugano that reframes their entire journey as a pilgrimage of the heart.

Gentle, immersive, and quietly profound, Gelato at the Villa is perfect for anyone longing for a story that blends armchair travel with emotional depth and spiritual insight. Whether you’ve traveled through Italy or only dreamed of going, this book offers a taste of beauty that lingers long after the final page.

Gelato at the Villa is the second book in the Suitcase Sisters series. While the characters from that first book do make an appearance in this one, this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

In this story, we travel to Italy along with Grace and Claire. Right away I was drawn into the lives of these two women and their friendship, built upon a mutual love of books. Some of my favorite stories as a younger reader were those centered around friendships, and I must admit, I've gotten away from those more recently... but this one absolutely brought me back to why I enjoyed them so much. These women both have some issues that they need to work through and struggles that they've not always shared with each other, and I loved seeing their vulnerability and growth throughout the story...all set to a lovely Italian backdrop. This was a beautiful story of friendship and healing, and also one of rediscovering faith after painful memories destroyed it. It didn't shy away from tough subjects (to include mentions of SA) but handled them with grace. If you enjoy women's fiction with Christian themes, this is certainly one to check out.


**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Two friends experience Italy, enjoying the sights and each other's company, and wrestling with their purposes in the life and their faith. I loved the travelogue-feel of the novel and felt like I was experiencing some of Italy along with the characters.