To Sicily with love

Aurora York's life seems pretty perfect. She has a successful, driven boyfriend, a thriving career as a life coach and soon-to-be-published author, and a solid plan for her future. But all that changes when she loses her parents unexpectedly in quick succession and has a very public meltdown. Suddenly, Aurora feels adrift and longs to get her life back on an even keel. When she discovers she has family in Italy that she never knew about, she takes a spontaneous trip to Sicily to connect with her Italian relatives. As Aurora slowly recovers from her grief and learns about her mother's past, she realizes she may want a different future for herself than she imagined. With the sumptuous descriptions of food and drinks, readers may find themselves pondering whether they should book their own Italian journey of self-discovery. Much like the rest of the books in the Meet Me in Italy series (after A Wedding in Lake Como, 2024), the novel offers a relatable heroine, a dash of romance, a bit of family drama, and a healthy dose of escapism.

Probst's fourth "Meet Me in Italy" novel (following A Wedding in Lake Como) is the story of a young woman who has fought hard for her success. Aurora York has taken risks and worked tirelessly for everything she has. When she loses both parents, all of that changes for her. What does she have to show for her hard work if she no longer has anyone to share her success with? Her life changes with a cheek swab, a DNA test, and a phone call from a previously unknown blood relative in Sicily. Aurora decides to go meet her Italian family for a month. This beautiful, poignant story will have readers laughing and crying with the characters. Probst brings readers right into the heart of Sicily and its food and culture. Readers will enjoy the heroine's voice changing through the story as the she finds her footing and starts to discover who she is and who she wants to be. VERDICT Book clubs will enjoy this wonderful novel about family, friendship and inner strength. It is a must-read for those who like the work of Kristin Hannah and Jojo Moyes.--Brittany Burchett