There are some tried and true romance writers whose names you recognize because they have such a huge fan following. Susan Mallery is one such author. I haven’t read any of Susan Mallery’s books but I recognize her name and anyone who has so many published books must be doing something right? Right? Susan Mallery is a New York Times Best Selling author with a dedicated fan base and in my mind that means her books much be amazing!
I have been in line at the grocery store plenty of times and seen Susan Mallery’s books and in my mind, plus I have seen plenty of people grab copies of her books at the grocery store or from airports. I’ve seen people reading her books on planes, trains, and buses and they always look like they are enjoying her books! So when I saw her latest book come up, I knew I wanted to help spread the word about it’s release!
With beach reads season coming up, this contempo romance/women’s fiction book will be the perfect book to toss into your beach bag this summer! I am thrilled to have this excerpt up for you guys today so pop by take a read and snag yourself a copy of this new title just in time for summer reading!
Sense and Sensibility has always been my favorite Jane Austen novel. I adore the Dashwood sisters and their respective beaus and the dynamics between the sisters and their mother is so great and I simply can’t get enough of that book! When I saw that author Lauren Edmondson wa doing a modern day retelling of Sense and Sensibility, I had to job on it!
I am reviewing it in March but it is out now and I wanted to give a little info about this book and make sure that it is on your radar too if you are a Jane Austen fan! It has been receiving a ton of advanced praise and getting a lot of buzz on social media! I cannot wait to check it out, sometimes I shy away from super buzzy books but I don’t think this is going to be one of those. It simply sounds too promising!
If you love sister stories that bring laughs and a little romance then this is going to be a great choice I think, not to mention it adds a little twist on the classic by adding in some politics. This should be an interesting read for sure! It is out now so be sure to check it out and be watching for my review in the next few weeks!
Ilaria Bernardini is a well known writer in Italy and has eight novels under her belt there including Faremo Foresta (“We Will Grow a Forest”) which was long-listed for Italy’s prestigious Strega Prize. She has been profiled by Vogue Italia and is a regular contributor for Rolling Stone.
Her US release, The Portrait, has been identified as Bustle’s most anticipated new releases. It joins the ranks of some of the most buzz worthy books of 2021 so far! It is already winning praise across Europe and in the U.K. and obviously making a buzz here in the US. It sounds like an emotional novel full of tension and heart.
I am so excited to be sharing a bit about this novel with you guys today. I haven’t read a ton of books like this, but it sounds like it has so much potential and with an experienced writer such as Bernardini at the keys, it is sure to be a moving novel! The book is out now and ready to be devoured and enjoyed by US audiences immediately! Don’t miss this exciting new novel!
Summary
The Portrait is an ambiguous, electrifying story of a lover, a wife, and the man they have in common.The Portrait tells the story of an internationally renowned writer, Valeria Costas, who has dedicated her life to her work and to her secret lover, Martìn Acla, a prominent businessman. When his sudden stroke makes headlines, her world implodes. Desperate to find a way to be present during her lover’s final days, Valeria commissions his artist wife, Isla, to paint her portrait –insinuating herself into Martìn’s family and home. While the man these two women share –husband, father, lover –lies in a coma, Valeria and Isla remain poised on the brink, transfixed by one another. In the unique intimacy that arises between artist and sitter, the two women reveal truths, fragilities and strengths. But does Isla know the truth about Valeria and Martin? And what secrets does Isla harbor? Amidst their own private turmoil, the portrait takes shape alongside our understanding of these complex and extraordinary women. In the vein of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, The Portrait is in an unforgettable, breathless tale of deception and mystery that captivates until the very end.
Advanced Praise
“Electric. A wildly astute plunge into the depths of love, rivalry, betrayal and the power of women.”
– Bill Clegg
“A delicious final revelation… adds poignancy to Bernardini’s portrayal of these women’s reckoning with love and loss. This engrossing outing will impress and surprise readers.”
“The Portrait is a meditative, illuminating novel that pushes the boundaries of love and art.”
–Foreword, Starred Review
About the Author
Ilaria Bernardini is a prolific talent in Italy, where she has published eight novels, including Faremo Foresta (“We Will Grow a Forest”) which was long listed for Italy’s prestigious Strega Prize. The Portrait has also been long listed for the Strega Prize, nominated by Academy Award winning director Paolo Sorrentino (“The Great Beauty”). She is a Vogue Italia columnist and regular contributor for Rolling Stone. Ilaria also co-wrote the late renowned director Bernardo Bertolucci’s last film, The Echo Chamber. She splits her time between London and Milan.
I don’t know about anyone else, but the coronavirus and all the lockdowns have left me with major wanderlust! I literally have a list of places that I have researched throughout the lockdowns and it’s titled ‘places I’m traveling to when COVID f*cks off’. Italy is at the top of this. I have long dreamed of traveling to Italy, starting at Lake Como and traveling all the way down to Sicily.
So when I saw this book was coming out I knew it would be perfect for all those people who are also struggling with wanderlust like me! Books are so great, they give us somewhere to go when we have to stay home! This book sounds like the perfect fit for anyone struggling with the fact that they are stuck at home for the foreseeable future.
But it sounds like a book that is going to be about so much more than just the beautiful landscape of Italy. This novel sounds like it’s going to have heart, charm, emotion, and of course the sun kissed skies of Italy. I cannot wait to read this one and it will certainly be at the top of my TBR in Feb but for now, it is out today and you can snag a copy and escape to Italy for a little while!
Do you have a foodie and a reader on your holiday shopping list? Well this might be a good option for them! This Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick is sure to be a treat for the reader on your list plus it features a food element that sounds delicious (pun intended!)
The cover is bright and sunny and also out now so add this one to your shopping cart and maybe a copy for a friend/family member today!
It sounds like the perfect book to pass the time with that is both uplifting, funny, and mouth-watering! Plus Reese Witherspoon hasn’t steered me wrong yet when it comes to her book club picks, I am definitely adding this one to my TBR!
The Lit Bitch 