When Lucy is jilted before even boarding the plane to her destination wedding, she ditches the heartbreak and jumps at a new opportunity teaching in Naples, Italy—where a chance friendship, a family business, and a slow-burn romance offer her a whole new future.
A Scottish Teashop in Napoli by Jane Lambert
Genres: Womens Fiction

A tender and funny novel that combines the best of Scottish and Italian culture with the joys of female friendship and a cast of characters reminiscent of Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella.

When Lucy's childhood sweetheart stands her up on their wedding day, leaving her alone on a plane eloping to the tropical location of his choosing, their dream – now feeling like just her dream - of their bairn filled future disappears in a heartbeat (or the time it takes for her to listen to the rambling drunken voicemail he left calling off the wedding).

In Naples, Elena is recently widowed and struggling to keep her husband's family's beloved and centuries old mozzarella factory afloat, whilst running her language school and bringing up their son. At risk of losing both businesses- and adding even more disruption to their life - she advertises a job and hopes for the best.

The stars seem to align and Elena and Lucy, each suffering from a very different sort of loss and loneliness, set about trying to lift the struggling business and each other.
A charming, tender and funny novel about the power of female friendships, the importance of letting go and the joys of eating pasta!

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Review

This beautifully written story is a celebration of unexpected second chances, blossoming friendships, and the strength that comes from starting over. After being left behind by her fiancé, Lucy’s impulsive move to Naples sets her on a path of self-discovery and renewal. There, she meets Elena, a widowed mother trying to keep both her late husband’s language school and cheese business afloat. Their shared grief and resilience form the foundation of a touching and transformative friendship.

Lucy, once a people-pleaser, begins to rediscover her voice and dreams, encouraged by the warmth of her Neapolitan surroundings and a budding connection with Dario—the swoon-worthy police officer and godfather to Elena’s son. Elena’s journey is equally poignant, as she learns she doesn’t have to carry her burdens alone.

The story explores loss, love, and loyalty with heartfelt sincerity while giving a nod to real-world challenges like the shadow of organized crime on local families. The setting, the characters, and the rich emotional layers make this a charming and thoughtful read I thoroughly enjoyed.

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