Book of the Month: Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino

Can you change your life by swapping your home?

Our April Book of the Month is Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino, published by Hachette NZ.

Stella has life under control – and that’s the way she likes it. For twenty-five years, she’s been trusted assistant to a legendary fashion designer, but after her boss dies suddenly, she’s left with nothing to do but clear the studio.

It seems as though the life she wanted has vanished – until one day she finds a house swap website and sees a beautiful, old villa in a southern Italian village. Could she really exchange her poky London flat for that?

What was intended as just a break becomes much more and Stella finds herself trying on a stranger’s life. As the villa begins to get under her skin, she can’t help but imagine the owner from the clues around her.

She meets his friends, cooks the food he recommends and follows suggestions to visit his favourite places. But can an idea of someone ever match up to the reality? As Stella wonders if she can let go of the safety of her past, perhaps there’s a chance for her to find a way into her future . . .

Reading this felt like a welcome ticket to Southern Italy. I could smell the coast, hike down to the salty sea and savour the story in my mouth. - Paula Green review.

Click here to read an excerpt.

About Nicky:

When Nicky Pellegrino’s Italian father fell in love with and married a Liverpool girl, he shared what all Italians know – that you live to eat instead of eating to live. This mantra is the inspiration behind Nicky’s delicious novels. Nicky hoards her holiday time so that she and her husband can return to Italy to meet up with family, eat the best mozzarella and research her books.

Visit Nicky's website here, and follow her on Twitter & Facebook.