Gelato at the Villa is the second book in Robin Jones Gunn’s Suitcase Sisters series. Although reading the first one gives you more details about the relationship between the two protagonists, Claire and Grace, this story can be read as a standalone novel. As with the first book in the series, this novel reads like a fictionalized travel log.

It started off a bit slow, but somewhere along the way, the author had me investing in finding out what was going to happen with Claire and Grace. One of the nice things about this book is the author writes from the single viewpoint of Grace. She doesn’t switch back and forth every chapter or have the reader jumping between events.

The author really delves into the popular attractions of the locations the two women visit, but she also pulls in the personalities and stories of those the ladies meet. Some of the scenes are so comical and the events are described without a bunch of extra flowery words. This has a lot of appeal, because when something funny happens, it is just plain funny. When something emotional happens the same is true. The voice of the characters comes through as genuine and interesting.

The book is a work of religious fiction and many conversations center on God and Jesus Christ. Readers who are looking for a romantic focus will need to look elsewhere. However, the relationships Claire and Grace have with their husbands have their own brand of romance. This would be a great beach or hammock read.

Review of an Advance Reader’s Copy Provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Reference to a female teen having been sexually abused by an adult.

Sex/Nudity: Reference to female teens having been sexually abused by an adult, no details shared; mention that a painting depicts a woman mostly nude, no details.

Mature Subject Matter:

Sexual abuse of children by an adult.

Drug/Alcohol Use:

Characters consume alcohol at many meals and use alcohol in cooking.