There are some books you pick up for the setting, and others you pick up because the characters promise a little emotional drama. Postcards From Sicily gave me both. Between the beautiful Italian backdrop and a family carrying decades of hurt, I found myself curious to see where this story would go from the very first chapter.
Postcards From Sicily by Nancy Barone
Genres: Womens Fiction

A cosy story about mother-daughter relationships and starting over in life, set in a luxurious Italian spa resort

Olivia swore she would never grow up to be like her mother, who fled to Sicily to be with her lover when Olivia was a teenager. But now in her thirties, the spark in Olivia’s marriage has been extinguished for years, she’s hopelessly pining over her attractive business partner, Markus, and her own teenage daughter barely speaks to her.

So when her estranged mother offers to pay for an eight-week trip to a luxurious wellness centre in Italy, Olivia reluctantly accepts. A break will be good for her. For everyone. There’s just one catch... Susan is staying in the adjoining room.

Fuelled by gorgeous weather, good food and even better wine, can the two women overcome their history and form the mother-daughter bond that Olivia always dreamed of? Or is it too late for second chances?

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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed spending time in the world she created. The Italian setting immediately drew me in, and I found myself wanting to wander the streets, enjoy the food, and soak in the scenery right alongside the characters.

Olivia’s life is already complicated before she boards the plane. Her marriage is struggling, her relationship with her teenage daughter is strained, and she’s carrying around feelings she’s never been able to let go of. When her estranged mother invites her to Italy after more than twenty years apart, accepting the invitation feels like the last thing she wants to do.

The family dynamics were what kept me turning the pages. There was so much history between Olivia and her mother that every conversation carried years of hurt. While I understood why Olivia felt abandoned, there were times when I wanted to gently remind her that holding onto anger was only making her own life harder. She often reacted from the perspective of the little girl who had been hurt instead of the woman she had become.

That frustration actually worked in the story’s favor because it made her personal growth feel believable. She didn’t suddenly change overnight. Little by little she started looking at the past through a different lens, and I appreciated seeing that shift happen naturally.

The story moves at a comfortable pace and is an easy book to settle into for an afternoon. There is enough family drama to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming, and the Italian setting adds a warmth that balances some of the heavier emotional moments.

If you’re looking for a story about family, forgiveness, and finding the courage to move forward, this is one worth adding to your summer reading list.