The Dolce Vita Divas
by Maddie Please
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.
As Jo's 65th birthday looms, she's left wondering: Is this it?
Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo's not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.
Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…
Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?
PJ's Thoughts:
How much did I love this book? I read it entirely in one day, turned the final page with a huge smile and happy sigh, and wanted nothing more than to go back to page one and read it all over again. This was my first Maddie Please novel. It will not be my last!
Please's realistic and oh, so relatable characters took me on a humorous and heart-tugging journey of friendship, adventure, and romance, proving that we're never too old for new chapters or second chances. The main characters are realistically layered and beautifully developed. I loved watching Jo blossom as she began to reconnect with her own self-worth while also reconnecting with the man who first captured her heart as a young woman. My heart broke over Jo and Paulo's ill-fated college romance but soared for their reunion so many years later. To everything there is a season.
Friendship plays an important role in this book. We should all be blessed with the enduring friendship Susie and Jo share. I love how they challenge and support one another through the many stages of their lives; the laughter, fun, encouragement, and acceptance they share.
Family dynamics are also key with multi-generational characters bringing a richness and texture to the overall story, from Paulo's strong-willed and perceptive mother to Jo's flabbergasted children (who, quite candidly, think Mum has gone round the bend), to Paulo's young grandson. All are used to perfection.
And, finally, Please brings to life the beauty and vibrant spirit of the Isle of Capri. Her descriptions are so vividly depicted, I could close my eyes and smell the lemons, feel the gentle sea breeze on my face, and long for the unique charm of one of my favorite places.
If you're looking for a warm hug of a book that makes you laugh, possibly shed a few tears, cheer loudly for these wonderful characters, and immediately search out the author's entire back list, look no further than The Dolce Vita Divas. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.
