I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for Sophie’s Summer Kiss by Debbie Viggiano, and sharing my review. Independently published on 6th June, this lovely book is now available for kindle and in paperback via Amazon in the UK and US – and it’s also available free via Kindle Unlimited. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the author for my advance reading copy.
Back in 2021, I read my very first book from Debbie, Annie’s Autumn Escape, and I absolutely adored it – madcap fun at times, but with a depth I really wasn’t expecting, and the story and the writing were quite wonderful (you’ll find my full review here). I wanted to read more from her, but just haven’t been able to fit in another book since – so when Rachel’s email dropped into my inbox about her latest, I signed up straight away. A fifty year old heroine, the Amalfi coast, the sun shining on my seat in the back garden… I couldn’t wait!
Sophie Fairfax knows that you don’t get to fifty without collecting some emotional bruises along the way. Having left the School of Knocks with top marks, she’s not just older, she’s wiser.
So, when boyfriend George proposes, Sophie says yes. After all, George is nothing like her charming but unfaithful ex, Teddy. Okay, George is a little boring – his favourite colour is grey – and there’s also the small matter of him suggesting Sophie is too old for a bikini and should buy a one-piece for their honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, but so what?
When Sophie uploads a pic of her engagement ring to Instagram, she expects attention, but not in the form of Thomas Tabby Cat – a fake account – warning she’s betrothed to a cheater.
Rocked, Sophie suffers flashbacks to life with Teddy. She can’t go through that again. Bestie Sue suggests it’s the work of a jealous troll, but Sophie is rattled. Is there a love triangle and, if so, might it become a wrecktangle?
Sophie reckons there’s a way to find out. Sometimes, when searching for an enemy, you need to check your list of friends….
For the twenty-five years of their marriage, Sophie put up with ex-husband Teddy’s philandering – as her best friend Sue says, he always was too sexy for his shirt (or, perhaps, his trousers…). He’s still a friend – he’d rather like to be more again, but there’s really no way that’s going to happen. Instead, Sophie’s getting married to George – his life filled with grey, his passion his stationery business… but she really needs predictable and reliable, and that’s certainly what he is. Sue says he’s boring (and Sophie sometimes thinks she might be right) – and when she receives an Insta message telling her George is playing away, she’s sure it’s just a troll reacting to the (many) photos she posted of her flashy engagement ring. But before the wedding day, and when she really should be packing for her Italian honeymoon, Teddy takes her for a fun day at the seaside – where she’s unable to resist visiting a fortune teller who only makes her even more uncertain about the path she’s chosen.
It’s ever so difficult to write a review when what happens next isn’t mentioned in the blurb – and I really don’t want to spoil this lovely read for anyone. But there is a wedding, and there is a honeymoon – and, when the action moves to the Amalfi coast, developments that made this book the loveliest of reads. The setting is so perfectly drawn, with visits to the most beautifully drawn locations where you taste the food and feel the warmth of the sunshine – and then there’s the rather down-at-heel hotel, its struggling (but rather gorgeous) owner, and the little cat who visits the balcony. And always at the story’s heart is the wonderful Sophie – who so deserves to be loved and to be allowed to be her vibrant self, finding she’s braver than she thinks and that life is full of new possibilities.
Sophie really is such a well-developed character – her inner voice is always there (and it’s a device I really enjoyed) with her doubts and reservations, but I totally adored her as she made a few mistakes along the way but emerged so much stronger. There’s a lot of humour in this book – ranging from gentle to sometimes raucous, and I enjoyed it all – but there’s a real poignancy about Sophie’s situation too, the emotional side of her experience beautifully handled. George does become rather a boo-hiss villain – frankly, I would have given him his marching orders when he insisted on a one piece swimsuit – and Teddy rather more of a rock than he ever was when they were together.
Yes, ok, it’s a light read – it’s a romantic comedy in every respect, so of course it is, I wouldn’t have wanted it to be anything else. But I thought it was thoroughly lovely, a real summer treat, and enjoyed every moment. This is a book I’d heartily recommend you pack it in your suitcase or load it on your kindle for your sun-filled holiday this year – it really would be just perfect!
About the author
Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives with her Italian husband, a rescued pooch from Crete, and a very disgruntled cat. Occasionally her adult children return home bringing her much joy… apart from when they want to raid the fridge or eat her secret stash of chocolate.
A lovely article Anne. I too loved Anni’s Autumn Escape. It’s a great read. I’ve loved all Debbie Viggiano’s books. They are very well written. I love the characters. The stories grab you, there are always emotions, twists and surprises, and the characters are so real. They are so easy to relate to. I’m really looking forward to reading Sophie’s Summer Kiss. xx
Thank you Maddie – and I hope you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did… xx