It started okay, but then it faltered...
Casalvento is a story about a woman finding herself amidst a life that she needed to live. Engaged to a man she doesn't love and living a sterile existence in New York, she uproots her entire life and moves to Tuscany as a result of an inheritance. This all sounds really good, until you meet Erika.
Sadly, Erika is just unlikeable from page one. She's rude to the people her grandfather employs and acts like a typical "American" business woman. I believe the line is something like "If you're nice in business, you won't be successful, but if you're a bitch you will." I'm paraphrasing, and I know this CAN be a true statement, but she inherited this place - there was no need for her nastiness.
The romance is so slow it's nonexistent and I just don't see the chemistry or attraction to Erika from Paolo (the right hand man of her grandfather). The other characters you meet and okay, but minimal in their connection to the plot and flat. The twist at the end...well, not plausible so that was really weird for me.
The writing is clunky and the dialogue is forces. Trust me when I say I feel AWFUL saying that, but I've been asked for a true review. There is a significant amount of editing that needs to happen in this novel before it can go to final publication - a heavy, heavy line and developmental edit would do this story a world of good.
It's very "Hallmarkesque" and probably coming to a made for TV movie near you, and that's okay, I love Hallmark movies...but the quality of writing in this debut novel leaves a lot to be desired.
I hate leaving a "negative" review. I really, really do.
Sadly, Erika is just unlikeable from page one. She's rude to the people her grandfather employs and acts like a typical "American" business woman. I believe the line is something like "If you're nice in business, you won't be successful, but if you're a bitch you will." I'm paraphrasing, and I know this CAN be a true statement, but she inherited this place - there was no need for her nastiness.
The romance is so slow it's nonexistent and I just don't see the chemistry or attraction to Erika from Paolo (the right hand man of her grandfather). The other characters you meet and okay, but minimal in their connection to the plot and flat. The twist at the end...well, not plausible so that was really weird for me.
The writing is clunky and the dialogue is forces. Trust me when I say I feel AWFUL saying that, but I've been asked for a true review. There is a significant amount of editing that needs to happen in this novel before it can go to final publication - a heavy, heavy line and developmental edit would do this story a world of good.
It's very "Hallmarkesque" and probably coming to a made for TV movie near you, and that's okay, I love Hallmark movies...but the quality of writing in this debut novel leaves a lot to be desired.
I hate leaving a "negative" review. I really, really do.