What do you think?
Rate this book
A Veil of Vines
To most people, princes, princesses, counts and dukes are found only in the pages of the most famous of fairytales. Crowns, priceless jewels and gilded thrones belong only in childhood dreams.
But for some, these frivolous fancies are truth.
For some, they are real life.
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, people have always treated me as someone special. All because of my ancestral name and legacy. All because of a connection I share to our home country’s most important family of all.
I am Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma. A blue blood of Italy. I was born to marry well. And now the marriage date is set.
I am to marry into House Savona. The family that would have been the royals had Italy not abolished the monarchy in 1946. But to the aristocrats of my home, the abolition means nothing at all.
The Savonas still hold power where it counts most.
In our tight-knit world of money, status and masked balls, they are everything and more.
And I am soon to become one of them.
I am soon to become Prince Zeno Savona’s wife…
… or at least I was, until I met Achille.
And everything changed.
But for some, these frivolous fancies are truth.
For some, they are real life.
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, people have always treated me as someone special. All because of my ancestral name and legacy. All because of a connection I share to our home country’s most important family of all.
I am Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma. A blue blood of Italy. I was born to marry well. And now the marriage date is set.
I am to marry into House Savona. The family that would have been the royals had Italy not abolished the monarchy in 1946. But to the aristocrats of my home, the abolition means nothing at all.
The Savonas still hold power where it counts most.
In our tight-knit world of money, status and masked balls, they are everything and more.
And I am soon to become one of them.
I am soon to become Prince Zeno Savona’s wife…
… or at least I was, until I met Achille.
And everything changed.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2016
About the author
Tillie Cole
53 books24k followersAmazon & USA Today Best Selling Author, Tillie Cole, is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.
Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.
Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the 'Toon', Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards Newcastle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven 'proper mint' and 'lush' years.
One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, "D'you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book." Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and "just bloody do it!" For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagination.
Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glittery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that enable her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing -- yep, there's more to this girl than profanity and sparkles!
After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl... Ye-haw!
Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.
Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the 'Toon', Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards Newcastle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven 'proper mint' and 'lush' years.
One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, "D'you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book." Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and "just bloody do it!" For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagination.
Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glittery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that enable her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing -- yep, there's more to this girl than profanity and sparkles!
After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl... Ye-haw!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 771 reviews
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 14, 2017DNF at 25%
Holy narcolepsy, I give up.
Yawn. Yawn. Yawn.
I am so fucking bored it's insane, really.
I love me some Tillie Cole...but home girl must have gotten hit HARD by the flowery Italian postcard stick before sitting down to tap this thing out.
I can't even describe the writing here.
I mean my GAWD.
It's like Hallmark, Under the Tuscan Sun, and a 15th century Italian damsel had one big orgy and gave birth to this waxing poetic whimsy of a wine baby.
There was so much overwhelming detail and flowering prose about buildings...
The landscape...
A storybook cottage against the backdrop of Italian opera...
Horses and "dressage" ish...
Not to mention the on, and ON, and ON-going wine EVERYTHING.
For serious.
I mean it was like reading a grapes to glass tutorial on the wine making process.
Now, for those of you who follow my reviews, you KNOW that I love me some wine.
I mean, shit, I am a borderline functioning alcoholic for at leastfour three two days a week.
And my number one drink of choice is the vino.
But, honestly, I don't give one flying fuck how it's made so long as it and its alcoholic content make its way to my local BevMo.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
I have mad appreciation for all of the research Cole obviously did on Italy.
And architecture...
...and opera...
...the equestrian field...
...and oenology...
*Pssst...^^^that's the fancy pants term for wine making for those interested. Since we be wine scholars now. No need to be impressed, I googled that shit just now.
Also, I feel absolutely NO connection between the H and the h.
Not to mention the fact that I have a pretty good idea how this will end.
Anyway, at the end of the day, THIS IS ALL ON ME, not the book.
Lots of people will love this book, and rightfully so.
It's just a little too much whimsical sweetness for my taste.
In other words, this book is strawberry ice cream.
And I'm in the mood for chocolate.
Find me at:
Holy narcolepsy, I give up.
Yawn. Yawn. Yawn.
I am so fucking bored it's insane, really.
I love me some Tillie Cole...but home girl must have gotten hit HARD by the flowery Italian postcard stick before sitting down to tap this thing out.
I can't even describe the writing here.
I mean my GAWD.
It's like Hallmark, Under the Tuscan Sun, and a 15th century Italian damsel had one big orgy and gave birth to this waxing poetic whimsy of a wine baby.
There was so much overwhelming detail and flowering prose about buildings...
The landscape...
A storybook cottage against the backdrop of Italian opera...
Horses and "dressage" ish...
Not to mention the on, and ON, and ON-going wine EVERYTHING.
For serious.
I mean it was like reading a grapes to glass tutorial on the wine making process.
Now, for those of you who follow my reviews, you KNOW that I love me some wine.
I mean, shit, I am a borderline functioning alcoholic for at least
And my number one drink of choice is the vino.
But, honestly, I don't give one flying fuck how it's made so long as it and its alcoholic content make its way to my local BevMo.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
I have mad appreciation for all of the research Cole obviously did on Italy.
And architecture...
...and opera...
...the equestrian field...
...and oenology...
*Pssst...^^^that's the fancy pants term for wine making for those interested. Since we be wine scholars now. No need to be impressed, I googled that shit just now.
Also, I feel absolutely NO connection between the H and the h.
Not to mention the fact that I have a pretty good idea how this will end.
Anyway, at the end of the day, THIS IS ALL ON ME, not the book.
Lots of people will love this book, and rightfully so.
It's just a little too much whimsical sweetness for my taste.
In other words, this book is strawberry ice cream.
And I'm in the mood for chocolate.
Find me at:
September 20, 2016
A Veil of Vines has most certainly become a favourite of mine. I don't like choosing favourites from the books I write, but A Veil of Vines (AVOV) crept deeply into my heart... and I'm kinda glad it did. ;)
AVOV is a stunningly beautiful contemporary romance set against the breathtaking backdrop of Umbria, Italy. It is emotional, sweeping, and in my opinion, a fairytale for the modern age. Parts of this book will have you reading with tears in your eyes and others, smiling so big your face will ache!
I ADORE the characters and fell in love with this couple with every single page. And the male lead... just wait. JUST. YOU. WAIT. He has my heart.
I hope you all like it as much as me.
Cover Reveal is October 6th. Wait until you see it. It is GORGEOUS!
AVOV is a stunningly beautiful contemporary romance set against the breathtaking backdrop of Umbria, Italy. It is emotional, sweeping, and in my opinion, a fairytale for the modern age. Parts of this book will have you reading with tears in your eyes and others, smiling so big your face will ache!
I ADORE the characters and fell in love with this couple with every single page. And the male lead... just wait. JUST. YOU. WAIT. He has my heart.
I hope you all like it as much as me.
Cover Reveal is October 6th. Wait until you see it. It is GORGEOUS!
September 1, 2017
Every time that I settle in to read a Tillie Cole book I know that I'm going to be lost in the world that she creates. She has a way with words that makes me lose myself in her stories. The characters are well-developed and endearing. 'A Veil of Vines' was no different.
Caresa Acardi is Italian royalty, raised in New York City. She's lived the life of a wealthy socialite, while knowing that her freedom is severely limited, as she is bound by duty to tradition. As a member of the old Italian aristocracy, she is expected to marry accordingly.
While Caresa has always known her fate, she can't help but be nervous when she is sent back to Italy to meet her soon to be husband, Prince Zeno Savona. She has no illusions, long since giving up the idea of a marriage based on love. She only hopes that her marriage, and her husband, will be agreeable.
Arriving in Italy, Caresa meets Prince Zeno and finds that her fiancé is every bit as handsome as rumored. The notorious playboy is charming and incredibly good looking. It is no wonder that women fawn all over him.
After the untimely death of his father, Zeno is left at the head of his family's winery. This marriage is important, as investors need to see him as responsible and capable of leading the company. Already, many customers have started to pull away. His lack of interest in the family's business and his lack of involvement up to this point have not gone unnoticed.
Despite the warm welcome that she received, Caresa soon finds herself abandoned by her fiancé at his family's countryside estate. No doubt, he has returned to the city to continue his sexual escapades while keeping her safely tucked away. Neither of them pretends that their relationship is based on anything other than tradition and necessity.
To occupy her time, Caresa begins exploring the property. She spends long days in the vineyard, befriending the reclusive Achille. Her new friend shows her the secrets of wine making and becomes her closest companion.
Little by little, Caresa and Achille grow closer. She looks forward to her days spent riding horses and exploring the vineyard with him by her side. The genius behind the vineyard's most prized wine is the same man that she spends her every waking moment with.
The more time they spend together, the more undeniable their attraction is. Caresa and Achille fall in love, knowing that their relationship can never be. They are from two different worlds. She is from a world of privilege and wealth. He is a poor winemaker, leading a simple life.
From beginning to end, I was lost in this story and the lives of these characters. I could almost feel the grapes crushing beneath bare feet and taste the rich flavors of the wine. The imagery was beautiful.
This is a story of forbidden love that creeps up on you. It is a quintessential slow burn romance. The relationships evolve slowly. Nothing feels rushed or underdeveloped. The emotions were raw and real.
If you're looking for a sweet, slow-burn type of romance, I highly recommend this book. It was absolutely beautiful! A standalone, it won't keep you hanging. It will elicit a myriad of emotions - heartache, joy, compassion and contentedness.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
Caresa Acardi is Italian royalty, raised in New York City. She's lived the life of a wealthy socialite, while knowing that her freedom is severely limited, as she is bound by duty to tradition. As a member of the old Italian aristocracy, she is expected to marry accordingly.
While Caresa has always known her fate, she can't help but be nervous when she is sent back to Italy to meet her soon to be husband, Prince Zeno Savona. She has no illusions, long since giving up the idea of a marriage based on love. She only hopes that her marriage, and her husband, will be agreeable.
Arriving in Italy, Caresa meets Prince Zeno and finds that her fiancé is every bit as handsome as rumored. The notorious playboy is charming and incredibly good looking. It is no wonder that women fawn all over him.
After the untimely death of his father, Zeno is left at the head of his family's winery. This marriage is important, as investors need to see him as responsible and capable of leading the company. Already, many customers have started to pull away. His lack of interest in the family's business and his lack of involvement up to this point have not gone unnoticed.
Despite the warm welcome that she received, Caresa soon finds herself abandoned by her fiancé at his family's countryside estate. No doubt, he has returned to the city to continue his sexual escapades while keeping her safely tucked away. Neither of them pretends that their relationship is based on anything other than tradition and necessity.
To occupy her time, Caresa begins exploring the property. She spends long days in the vineyard, befriending the reclusive Achille. Her new friend shows her the secrets of wine making and becomes her closest companion.
Little by little, Caresa and Achille grow closer. She looks forward to her days spent riding horses and exploring the vineyard with him by her side. The genius behind the vineyard's most prized wine is the same man that she spends her every waking moment with.
The more time they spend together, the more undeniable their attraction is. Caresa and Achille fall in love, knowing that their relationship can never be. They are from two different worlds. She is from a world of privilege and wealth. He is a poor winemaker, leading a simple life.
From beginning to end, I was lost in this story and the lives of these characters. I could almost feel the grapes crushing beneath bare feet and taste the rich flavors of the wine. The imagery was beautiful.
This is a story of forbidden love that creeps up on you. It is a quintessential slow burn romance. The relationships evolve slowly. Nothing feels rushed or underdeveloped. The emotions were raw and real.
If you're looking for a sweet, slow-burn type of romance, I highly recommend this book. It was absolutely beautiful! A standalone, it won't keep you hanging. It will elicit a myriad of emotions - heartache, joy, compassion and contentedness.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
December 1, 2016
4 stars!
Veil of Vines is one of the sweetest and most romantic stories I’ve read this year. Tillie Cole is one of those authors for me. One that I’ll read anything and everything they write. Most of her books have a little more grit to them or they’re uber emotional (which I love) but this was just a little more on the sweet side. It had emotion, but it was on a different level. I enjoyed it, but just be prepared for a sweet romance over her normal highly emotional reads before diving in!
Arranged marriages may seem like a thing of the past, but when it comes to the blue blood elite of Italy, it’s a very real thing. Caresa Acardi is the Duchessa di Parma and although she was raised in NYC, she’s back to Italy to marry Prince Zeno. She’s doing it for the good of her family and the family business. The wine business. Caresa knows she’s doing the right thing for her family, and even though she doesn’t love Zeno, she’s okay with it. At least she thinks she is. Until she meets a wine maker by the name of Achille. Things are forever changed after that.
Caresa struggles with how to handle her feelings for Achille. She knows she loves him and wants to be with him, but the cost may be her family/family business failing. It’s not just about her. Achille has struggles, too. He lives alone and has things that are hard for him, but Caresa not only helps him overcome his struggles, but she fills that empty hole. I truly loved these two together!
If you’re looking for a beautiful fairy-tale type romance with just a touch of the forbidden love, A Veil of Vines is the book for you. Tillie’s writing is fantastic as always and the story is heartwarming, swoony and enchanting.
Veil of Vines is one of the sweetest and most romantic stories I’ve read this year. Tillie Cole is one of those authors for me. One that I’ll read anything and everything they write. Most of her books have a little more grit to them or they’re uber emotional (which I love) but this was just a little more on the sweet side. It had emotion, but it was on a different level. I enjoyed it, but just be prepared for a sweet romance over her normal highly emotional reads before diving in!
Arranged marriages may seem like a thing of the past, but when it comes to the blue blood elite of Italy, it’s a very real thing. Caresa Acardi is the Duchessa di Parma and although she was raised in NYC, she’s back to Italy to marry Prince Zeno. She’s doing it for the good of her family and the family business. The wine business. Caresa knows she’s doing the right thing for her family, and even though she doesn’t love Zeno, she’s okay with it. At least she thinks she is. Until she meets a wine maker by the name of Achille. Things are forever changed after that.
He breathed. I breathed. The heat between us soared. Yet neither of us moved away. There was no urgency to separate, only an unspoken eagerness to stay close. Magnets.There is no sweeter hero than Achille Marchesi. He’s patient, kind, an all around a good man who lives a simple, quiet life. When Caresa starts showing up at his part of the vineyard, it shakes his whole world up. He finds himself wanting and dreaming about things he thought he could never have. And even though he knows who Caresa is and who she is set to marry, he can’t stop himself from wanting to spend time with her. He knows she is forbidden, but he can’t find it in himself to care.
Caresa struggles with how to handle her feelings for Achille. She knows she loves him and wants to be with him, but the cost may be her family/family business failing. It’s not just about her. Achille has struggles, too. He lives alone and has things that are hard for him, but Caresa not only helps him overcome his struggles, but she fills that empty hole. I truly loved these two together!
If you’re looking for a beautiful fairy-tale type romance with just a touch of the forbidden love, A Veil of Vines is the book for you. Tillie’s writing is fantastic as always and the story is heartwarming, swoony and enchanting.
“I found you, my missing part, here amongst the vines, and nothing you say will ever change that fact.”
December 3, 2016
*****FIVE SPLIT-APARTS STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
Something had happened in the universe the day we had met. There was a cosmic shift, some destined alteration to the very fabric of who we were. The sun and the moon had aligned and cast us into one another’s hearts, never to be torn apart.
It’s no secret that Tillie Cole is one of my favorite authors. When she announced that she was writing something different from all of her other books, well let’s just say I had a very hard time being patient!! She has yet again written a novel that I could rate no less than five stars. I mean this story had so much going for it. An endearing Heroine, a beautiful and damaged Hero, the gorgeous backdrop of Umbria, Italy, and most of all a “sweep you off your feet” tale of soul mates and forbidden love!! This book definitely appealed to the fairy tale and sappy romance lover that I am to my core.
I found the first 30% of the book to be a little slow but once I got passed that point, something finally clicked and I found myself feeling deeply connected to this story. Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa Di Parma is a young woman born into Italian royalty. Her life is about to change in a big way. She is to marry Prince Zeno Savona whose father has recently passed away and who was Caresa’s father’s best friend and business partner. The families are heavily involved with Savona wines. The business has been plummeting since King Santo’s death. People are not convinced that Prince Zeno can run the winery successfully. He has spent years being the ultimate playboy and never showing any interest in the family business. When Caresa arrives in Italy, she is taken to the palace in Umbria and briefly meets her fiancé. He leaves her that night due to business engagements in Florence. There isn’t a spark between them during their first encounter. I was thinking that somehow that would all change but we soon learn that Prince Zeno is not the true Hero in this story. The next day Caresa decides to take a walk around the grounds and comes across a barn that has two of the most beautiful horses she has ever seen and a vineyard that has the sweetest smelling grapes. She soon meets the man who takes care of that vineyard and he is nothing short of strikingly beautiful. Caresa feels an instant connection to him.
Achille Marchesi has lived his entire life on the Bella Collina vineyard. He and his father mostly kept to themselves and since his father’s passing, Achille has managed to lead a very solitary life. We learn early on that Achille has struggled through most of his life and his father kept him secluded on the farm in a misguided attempt to protect him from society. Right away something about him pulls on Caresa’s heartstrings and she has the same effect on Achille. We get this beautiful tale of human split-aparts which explains how we all have that soul mate that is our true other half that we are separated from at birth and only a very rare few of us are ever reunited with that person who makes us complete.
I couldn’t help but think of Romeo and Juliet while reading this story. I wondered how these two lovers who were destined to be together could ever have their HEA when they had so much going against them. I found myself being completely swept away by the beautiful romance that is at the heart of this story. I’ve purposely left quite a bit out of this review so as not to spoil it for any of you who haven’t read this yet. I hope that you’ll enjoy it just as much as I have.
A VEIL OF VINES is available now! Be sure to one-click!!
Amazon US : http://amzn.to/2frurQ6
Amazon UK : http://amzn.to/2g9Oou8
Amazon CA : http://amzn.to/2gO5TBq
Amazon AU : http://amzn.to/2gn4EFD
Kobo : http://bit.ly/2ga1t6q
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
Something had happened in the universe the day we had met. There was a cosmic shift, some destined alteration to the very fabric of who we were. The sun and the moon had aligned and cast us into one another’s hearts, never to be torn apart.
It’s no secret that Tillie Cole is one of my favorite authors. When she announced that she was writing something different from all of her other books, well let’s just say I had a very hard time being patient!! She has yet again written a novel that I could rate no less than five stars. I mean this story had so much going for it. An endearing Heroine, a beautiful and damaged Hero, the gorgeous backdrop of Umbria, Italy, and most of all a “sweep you off your feet” tale of soul mates and forbidden love!! This book definitely appealed to the fairy tale and sappy romance lover that I am to my core.
I found the first 30% of the book to be a little slow but once I got passed that point, something finally clicked and I found myself feeling deeply connected to this story. Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa Di Parma is a young woman born into Italian royalty. Her life is about to change in a big way. She is to marry Prince Zeno Savona whose father has recently passed away and who was Caresa’s father’s best friend and business partner. The families are heavily involved with Savona wines. The business has been plummeting since King Santo’s death. People are not convinced that Prince Zeno can run the winery successfully. He has spent years being the ultimate playboy and never showing any interest in the family business. When Caresa arrives in Italy, she is taken to the palace in Umbria and briefly meets her fiancé. He leaves her that night due to business engagements in Florence. There isn’t a spark between them during their first encounter. I was thinking that somehow that would all change but we soon learn that Prince Zeno is not the true Hero in this story. The next day Caresa decides to take a walk around the grounds and comes across a barn that has two of the most beautiful horses she has ever seen and a vineyard that has the sweetest smelling grapes. She soon meets the man who takes care of that vineyard and he is nothing short of strikingly beautiful. Caresa feels an instant connection to him.
Achille Marchesi has lived his entire life on the Bella Collina vineyard. He and his father mostly kept to themselves and since his father’s passing, Achille has managed to lead a very solitary life. We learn early on that Achille has struggled through most of his life and his father kept him secluded on the farm in a misguided attempt to protect him from society. Right away something about him pulls on Caresa’s heartstrings and she has the same effect on Achille. We get this beautiful tale of human split-aparts which explains how we all have that soul mate that is our true other half that we are separated from at birth and only a very rare few of us are ever reunited with that person who makes us complete.
I couldn’t help but think of Romeo and Juliet while reading this story. I wondered how these two lovers who were destined to be together could ever have their HEA when they had so much going against them. I found myself being completely swept away by the beautiful romance that is at the heart of this story. I’ve purposely left quite a bit out of this review so as not to spoil it for any of you who haven’t read this yet. I hope that you’ll enjoy it just as much as I have.
A VEIL OF VINES is available now! Be sure to one-click!!
Amazon US : http://amzn.to/2frurQ6
Amazon UK : http://amzn.to/2g9Oou8
Amazon CA : http://amzn.to/2gO5TBq
Amazon AU : http://amzn.to/2gn4EFD
Kobo : http://bit.ly/2ga1t6q
December 1, 2016
”My split-apart”
Tillie Cole delivers a very simplicite storyline that is written in her signature descriptive and flowery style. The landscape of the story is beautiful and the author does gift all the beauty of a wealthy vineyard in Italy.
The background of the story is very unique as these once royal families of Italy (though stripped of their power since 1946) are still regarded as such in society. Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma heads back to Italy to await her arranged marriage to her Italian prince. Zeno Savona has taken over his family’s business of wine since the death of his father. Zeno is also rumored to be a pretty slutty prince.
There happens to be a cottage on Zeno’s property where a handsome, dyslexic, wine maker lives. He’s untouched by society, has no clue what his learning problem is and falls madly in love with our heroine, Caresa.
To be honest, I’d rather hang out with the ‘slutty’ prince than the path of Achille Marchesi and Caresa’s love affair for some it will be deemed sweet and others I do believe cheesy.
“You are marrying the prince. I am a winemaker in the middle of the harvest for this estate’s most important vintage.”
Also it irked me that the author treats Dyslexia like some foreign concept to the characters in this story. The story doesn’t take place on the moon, it’s just Italy. Achille reminded me a bit of Forest Gump and the ‘twist’ is easily guessed.
[image error]
Overall, the dialogue was way too over the top for me and I would have like Zeno’s path just seemed more interesting. Still, the story is sweet and does end happily for all.
"Cinderella could keep the jewels, the carriage, and the prince. I wanted the vineyard, the faded jeans and the golden touch of a beautiful winemaker."
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
Tillie Cole delivers a very simplicite storyline that is written in her signature descriptive and flowery style. The landscape of the story is beautiful and the author does gift all the beauty of a wealthy vineyard in Italy.
The background of the story is very unique as these once royal families of Italy (though stripped of their power since 1946) are still regarded as such in society. Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma heads back to Italy to await her arranged marriage to her Italian prince. Zeno Savona has taken over his family’s business of wine since the death of his father. Zeno is also rumored to be a pretty slutty prince.
There happens to be a cottage on Zeno’s property where a handsome, dyslexic, wine maker lives. He’s untouched by society, has no clue what his learning problem is and falls madly in love with our heroine, Caresa.
To be honest, I’d rather hang out with the ‘slutty’ prince than the path of Achille Marchesi and Caresa’s love affair for some it will be deemed sweet and others I do believe cheesy.
“You are marrying the prince. I am a winemaker in the middle of the harvest for this estate’s most important vintage.”
Also it irked me that the author treats Dyslexia like some foreign concept to the characters in this story. The story doesn’t take place on the moon, it’s just Italy. Achille reminded me a bit of Forest Gump and the ‘twist’ is easily guessed.
[image error]
Overall, the dialogue was way too over the top for me and I would have like Zeno’s path just seemed more interesting. Still, the story is sweet and does end happily for all.
"Cinderella could keep the jewels, the carriage, and the prince. I wanted the vineyard, the faded jeans and the golden touch of a beautiful winemaker."
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
December 1, 2016
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED :::
AWWWWW!! What a heart-warming book! A Veil of Vines is a modern-day fairy tale love story that felt both magical and romantic! It's a forbidden romance about a girl descended from Italian royalty who is whisked away from her home in New York City to fulfill her arranged marriage to a Prince she'd never really met, but instead she defies all tradition by falling in love with a gorgeous, mysterious, and reclusive winemaker who completely steals her heart! The story had a beautiful sweetness that filled my heart with happiness and brought tears of joy to my eyes. If you're looking for a book that will make you both smile, swoooooon, and just genuinely make you happy, read this!!
It was actually the author's note alone that completely captivated me with the story. In fact, I loved it so much that I'm going to share a few lines of it with you at the bottom of the review so you can see what I mean. The writing drew me in, the story intrigued me, and the tantalizing thrill of forbidden love made me heart race in anticipation.
This poor girl's life may have been filled with material riches but I could barely stand how stifling it was. She was well-educated and clearly so full of life but duty-bound to follow a tradition that would have taken her very freedom away. I couldn't wait for her to break free!
And the first spark began when she met Achille -- a humble, quiet, mysterious, achingly sweet man who lived in the woods and made award-winning wine on her estate. When they found each other, it was like each of them had found their other half -- their soul mate -- but they were both bound to the confines of their world and hierarchy and in this world, someone like her could never be with a someone like him.
But their hearts didn't care about traditions or princess and princesses. So they had stolen moment, secret meetings, and the more time they spent with each other, the more deeply they fell in love until it became clear that the only option for them was to find a way to truly be together.
My only complaint (and it's a small one) was that this was almost too much of a happy-happy book. I prefer a dash more angst. Everything just worked out almost toooo perfectly. But hey, that's kind of the fun of fairy tales, isn't it?
This really was a beautiful book. A story of true love, soul mates, making the choice to break free and follow your heart, and daring to take a chance on love. This whole story FELT magical. It was completely modern-day, but the writing quality and almost ethereal nature of their story really made me feel as though I were reading an adult fairy tale! If you've been looking for a book that'll genuinely just make you happy, try this!
Rating: 4 stars! Standalone Contemporary Adult Romance.
Buy A VEIL OF VINES (Kindle)
Buy A VEIL OF VINES (Paperback)
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email
AWWWWW!! What a heart-warming book! A Veil of Vines is a modern-day fairy tale love story that felt both magical and romantic! It's a forbidden romance about a girl descended from Italian royalty who is whisked away from her home in New York City to fulfill her arranged marriage to a Prince she'd never really met, but instead she defies all tradition by falling in love with a gorgeous, mysterious, and reclusive winemaker who completely steals her heart! The story had a beautiful sweetness that filled my heart with happiness and brought tears of joy to my eyes. If you're looking for a book that will make you both smile, swoooooon, and just genuinely make you happy, read this!!
To most people, princes, princesses, counts and dukes are found only in the pages of the most famous of fairytales. Crowns, priceless jewels and gilded thrones belong only in childhood dreams. But for some, these frivolous fancies are truth. For some, they are real life.
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, people have always treated me as someone special. All because of my ancestral name and legacy. All because of a connection I share to our home country’s most important family of all.
I am Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma. A blue blood of Italy. I was born to marry well. And now the marriage date is set. I am to marry into House Savona. The family that would have been the royals had Italy not abolished the monarchy in 1946. But to the aristocrats of my home, the abolition means nothing at all. The Savonas still hold power where it counts most. In our tight-knit world of money, status and masked balls, they are everything and more. And I am soon to become one of them.
I am soon to become Prince Zeno Savona’s wife…
… or at least I was, until I met Achille.
And everything changed.
It was actually the author's note alone that completely captivated me with the story. In fact, I loved it so much that I'm going to share a few lines of it with you at the bottom of the review so you can see what I mean. The writing drew me in, the story intrigued me, and the tantalizing thrill of forbidden love made me heart race in anticipation.
This poor girl's life may have been filled with material riches but I could barely stand how stifling it was. She was well-educated and clearly so full of life but duty-bound to follow a tradition that would have taken her very freedom away. I couldn't wait for her to break free!
And the first spark began when she met Achille -- a humble, quiet, mysterious, achingly sweet man who lived in the woods and made award-winning wine on her estate. When they found each other, it was like each of them had found their other half -- their soul mate -- but they were both bound to the confines of their world and hierarchy and in this world, someone like her could never be with a someone like him.
But their hearts didn't care about traditions or princess and princesses. So they had stolen moment, secret meetings, and the more time they spent with each other, the more deeply they fell in love until it became clear that the only option for them was to find a way to truly be together.
My only complaint (and it's a small one) was that this was almost too much of a happy-happy book. I prefer a dash more angst. Everything just worked out almost toooo perfectly. But hey, that's kind of the fun of fairy tales, isn't it?
This really was a beautiful book. A story of true love, soul mates, making the choice to break free and follow your heart, and daring to take a chance on love. This whole story FELT magical. It was completely modern-day, but the writing quality and almost ethereal nature of their story really made me feel as though I were reading an adult fairy tale! If you've been looking for a book that'll genuinely just make you happy, try this!
In modern Italy no titles exist, yet this centuries-rich ancestry has not been lost. There are still princes and princesses; there are still dukes and duchesses. Just as it has always been, they look to their own.
Marriages are brokered and arranged to ensure the fortunes of the elite families remain intact and prestige is added to their reputations. Their world is exclusive, tight-knit; to those born to this life such matters are the most important of all.
This is a story about what happens when this network of power and wealth is challenged.
This is a story about what happens when the heart trumps tradition.
This is a story about what happens when two souls merge — two should that should never have even met.
Rating: 4 stars! Standalone Contemporary Adult Romance.
Buy A VEIL OF VINES (Kindle)
Buy A VEIL OF VINES (Paperback)
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
Read
December 6, 2016TO EVERYONE THAT SAW MY RATING FOR THIS BOOK, it was a MISTAKE! I responded to everyone, but when I removed my rating, it erased the response. I don't remember every person that commented or I would message you personally. I MUST HAVE INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ONE STAR BUTTON!! I have not read this nor do I plan to as I do not think it is for me. I would hate to deter anyone from trying this or affect the rating for this book. I noticed I had a bunch of notifications for this book and wondered why! I can't believe I did that! Lmao! So very sorry for the confusion everyone!!! ♡♡♡♡
November 23, 2016
TITLE: A Veil of Vines
AUTHOR: Tillie Cole
CHAPTERS: Prologue | 17 | Epilogue
GENRE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: November 29th 2016
A VEIL OF VINES: A true classic modern day fairy tale. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives' set against the stunning wine country of Umbria, Italy. A story about two souls that should never have ever met.
In the Prologue we're introduced to little Caresa Acardi as she's dressing up in a wedding dress, dreaming of the day when she gets to marry her knight in shining armour, her true prince. All little girls dream about is their wedding day, walking down the aisle on the arms of their daddies walking towards their very own handsome prince.
In this story it's about to become a reality. Only she's never met her betrothed.
Present day: Her Prince has been chosen for her, who happens to be none other than the infamous Playboy Prince of Toscana, the wedding day is set to take place in the most romantic setting in the world, Umbria, Italy.
Arranged marriages sounded positively medieval, even barbaric. For a blue blood it was simply part of life.
Marriages have always been based on social bonds and securing family ties in Europe, since the beginning of time. Nothing has changed.
What happens when your promised to another but your heart beats for someone else?
Two star crossed lovers, true soul mates in every essence of the word, split-aparts, from two totally different walks of life, two parts of one whole.
“I was the Duchessa di Parma, soon to marry the prince.”
Though these two star crossed lovers ache for the happy ending to their very own fairytale, fate and what's written in the stars just may have something else planned for them.
This took me a wee while to get into, I'm used to what Tillie has thrown at us in the past, the dark, the grit and her undeniable alpha males, but once I did I couldn't put it down, this is definitely unique from this author, but in typical Tillie Cole fashion she always delivers the love, the feels, book after book and this book is no different when it comes to capturing the true essence of her characters, the storyline, the backdrop of Italy, it felt as though I was in the heart of Italy itself.
BUT if I had to compare to what I've confessed as my all time favourite series from this author the Hades Hangman series this is lacking in that area only because it ticked every single box, the alpha tattooed bad boys, that taboo feeling of loving something you shouldn't, that has you questioning everything from good to pure evil and that is what I would associate usually from Tillie. BUT (yes I know another but) it's nice to get a softer side come through, where it's not all dark, grit, it's just pure love.
December 5, 2016
"Mi amore per sempre..."
A Veil of Vines is an extraordinary stand-alone contemporary romance by one of my all time favorite authors Tillie Cole. Set in Italy, the epic tale of Caresa and Achille is one that you will never forget!
"I felt like telling them there was nothing to envy."Caresa Acardi is the Duchessa di Parma. She is a member of an Italian royal family. Even though the official titles have gone away with the modern age, the blue blood Italian aristocracy still holds true to tradition. At a young age, Caresa was betrothed to marry Prince Zeno of the House of Savona. Leaving her Manhattan home, she flies to Italy to marry her prince.
"As I closed my eyes, tiredness sneaking in, I found myself picturing a pair of large, kind brown eyes, and a soft, gentle laugh catching on the breeze."Zeno and Caresa's father manage the family's wine business. When Caresa arrives in Italy, Zeno and Caresa meet, and Zeno is quick to leave her at the vineyard estate while he travels. With a few months before the marriage, it gives Caresa time to explore. Caresa befriends one of the winemakers and discovers a friend that will change her life forever. As time passes, Caresa and Achille spend their days making wine, riding horses, and connecting. When Caresa discovers her feelings for Achille are so much stronger than friendship, a line is crossed. Can Caresa turn her back on her family responsibilities to be with the man she loves?
"I kissed every patch of her skin, stroked every strand of her hair. We savored each second, nothing rushed, everything unhurried."Told in dual POV, A Veil of Vines is romantic and sexy read full of passion. The characters are complex, and this contemporary romance is reminiscent of a beautiful fairy tale. I loved the diversity between Zeno and Achille. Caresa is a strong heroine as she battles with her devotion to her family commitments and her desire to be with Achille. The natural writing is full of vibrant colors as this twisted tale unfolds. I was glued to my Kindle and enjoyed every single solitary moment.
With wine, Italy, and romance, Tillie Cole has created a sensational story full of tenderness, passion, and the importance of family. A Veil of Vines is an absolute must read!
*ARC graciously provided via ARDENT PROSE in exchange for an honest review!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
November 30, 2016
4,5 stars. Tillie Cole once again made my cry. Beautiful royal romance for those with hopeless romantic souls and fondness for wine!
About the plot: Caresa Acardi already as a child was promised to marry the son of the Savonas. She comes from a royal family of Italy, in which for centuries were arranged marriages. She knew that the tradition and duty won't miss her. When it became necessary to strengthen and secure a forever-bond between of the Savonas and the Acardis, she went to Italy to marry the prince.
Rather than to get to know the duchessa before the wedding the prince Zeno Savona located Caresa in the Bella Collina estate and escaped to work. Left alone in the beautiful property, she found herself in one of the vineyards, where she met a shy Achille Marchesi.
He turned out to be the winmaker of the Bella Collina Reserve merlot, most prestigious and famous wine of the world. Caresa was fascinated by the production and the winemaker and started coming back to learn more about these two.
My thoughts: Tillie Cole accustomed us to the touching and complex stories. A Veil of Vines is a little different than her previous books. It's quite simple and very, very romantic but still moving. Definitely it grabs your attention if you enjoy fairytale stories about the royal families.
It's a beautiful forbidden love story with a swoon worthy hero. His shyness is endearing and I can't imagine not to fall for him. He is kind and full of passion with a huge heart ready to love. My heart trembled more than once. And when they were together electricity flows in streams.
Although it mostly revolves around the main characters, the secondary characters are also interesting. I'd love to read a book about the prince Zeno. It could be another fanstatic reading.
I probably don't know such a word as too sweet and I love wine, even produced homemade wine with my dad. So for me, the descriptions of the process was fascinating. But I can understand that it could be in places too long.
Of course, it's a cliché and predictable, but I had thrills all over my body, and finished the book with a huge smile on my face.
Tillie Cole has this wonderful way of writing, which consumes me, and I really feel her heroes. Of course she made me cry again. It's starting to be the norm, sometimes I think I hate her for it, but it's not true. I have this feeling that she wrote it mostly for fun, and you know what? I enjoyed it a lot. Ti amo per sempre.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
About the plot: Caresa Acardi already as a child was promised to marry the son of the Savonas. She comes from a royal family of Italy, in which for centuries were arranged marriages. She knew that the tradition and duty won't miss her. When it became necessary to strengthen and secure a forever-bond between of the Savonas and the Acardis, she went to Italy to marry the prince.
“Welcome to the life of the European blue bloods of the Upper East Side! Drowning in Prada and Gucci, dripping in diamonds, but having no free will to call our own!”
Rather than to get to know the duchessa before the wedding the prince Zeno Savona located Caresa in the Bella Collina estate and escaped to work. Left alone in the beautiful property, she found herself in one of the vineyards, where she met a shy Achille Marchesi.
He turned out to be the winmaker of the Bella Collina Reserve merlot, most prestigious and famous wine of the world. Caresa was fascinated by the production and the winemaker and started coming back to learn more about these two.
“We were from two completely different worlds.
We weren’t written in the stars.”
My thoughts: Tillie Cole accustomed us to the touching and complex stories. A Veil of Vines is a little different than her previous books. It's quite simple and very, very romantic but still moving. Definitely it grabs your attention if you enjoy fairytale stories about the royal families.
It's a beautiful forbidden love story with a swoon worthy hero. His shyness is endearing and I can't imagine not to fall for him. He is kind and full of passion with a huge heart ready to love. My heart trembled more than once. And when they were together electricity flows in streams.
“His parted lips told me he wanted me. His flushed cheeks told me he hungered for me. But his open, honest gaze told me he needed me more than air.”
Although it mostly revolves around the main characters, the secondary characters are also interesting. I'd love to read a book about the prince Zeno. It could be another fanstatic reading.
I probably don't know such a word as too sweet and I love wine, even produced homemade wine with my dad. So for me, the descriptions of the process was fascinating. But I can understand that it could be in places too long.
Of course, it's a cliché and predictable, but I had thrills all over my body, and finished the book with a huge smile on my face.
“That is what I could offer. A ring of vines and earth, not diamonds and gold.”
Tillie Cole has this wonderful way of writing, which consumes me, and I really feel her heroes. Of course she made me cry again. It's starting to be the norm, sometimes I think I hate her for it, but it's not true. I have this feeling that she wrote it mostly for fun, and you know what? I enjoyed it a lot. Ti amo per sempre.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
November 29, 2016
This book was PERFECT! Absolutely PERFECT and undeniably PERFECT, for me!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Technically it's safe with exception (details bellow), but for me it couldn't be safer!!!!
The H (yes, a virgin) was one of the most beautiful and sweetest male characters I've ever read! I loved him in every way, and his insecurities and shyness only made him more perfect for me!!!!
Technically it's safe with exception (details bellow), but for me it couldn't be safer!!!!
The H (yes, a virgin) was one of the most beautiful and sweetest male characters I've ever read! I loved him in every way, and his insecurities and shyness only made him more perfect for me!!!!
November 30, 2016
Title: A Veil of Vines
Series: Standalone
Author: Tillie Cole
Release date: November 28, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
Caresa Acardi is the Duchessa di Parma. She comes from an Italian, aristocratic lineage, and though her title is no longer officially acknowledged, the people of Italy take it very seriously. Royalty may have been abolished many decades ago, but the tradition lives on. Since she was a little girl, she knew that family duty and responsibilities would control her life. She was okay with that because it was all she had ever known, it just was.
I really liked Caresa. She comes from a very privileged background, and has had every advantage in life you could ask for. Traveling the world, the best schooling, and financial security. But she never took her blessings for granted, she's loyal, and she genuinely cares about others' well being. She earned a degree in educational psychology in order to help people with learning disabilities, even knowing that most likely her own dreams for her future would never be realized.
Now her time has run out, her marriage to Prince Zeno Savona looms, and it is one that will benefit both families. Their union will bring strength to the wine business that they partner in, and alleviate unrest over Zeno's ability to take control as King and head of the company. She isn't exactly thrilled about it, but there simply is no other alternative and she vows to make the most of the situation she was handed.
After arriving at the Bella Collina Vineyard to begin wedding preparations, she is left alone when her fiancé leaves to attend to business. One day while exploring the property, she meets Achille. He completely mesmerizes her from the moment she sees him working the fields. After introducing herself, she comes to realize that his outer beauty is nothing compared to what lies underneath his surface. His unique, gentle, beautiful soul shines out immediately and she is completely captivated.
He was beautiful. Achille was absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.
He's extremely shy and quiet, he's a man who lives simply, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He has his cottage, his horses, and most of all, his grapes that he nurtures into an award winning wine. Yes, he's quite lonely, but all of his needs are met and he has a purpose in life. But after getting to know Caresa, his simple life just got a whole lot more complicated. The friendship they share quickly intensifies, and suddenly they are both fighting unwanted desires. It's more than a physical attraction, it feels like coming home, more natural than taking a breath.
He breathed. I breathed. The heat between us soared. Yet neither of us moved away. There was no urgency to separate, only an unspoken eagerness to stay close. Magnets.
These two had a powerful connection that was beautiful to see. He absolutely adored and worshiped her, and she drew him out of his shell and helped him flourish. He was living a very solitary life before she came, and he was satisfied, but now the thought of things returning to how they used to be left him increasingly desperate. Caresa is equally fighting where fate is pulling them, trying frantically to cling to the happiness she has found.
It hurt because no matter the plans we had made, no matter the love we shared and the needs of our hearts, it couldn’t work. None of this could ever work. We had been fools to think so. Struck from our senses by love.
There was a lot more to this story than either could ever imagine. Buried secrets that would change everything they thought they knew. Admittedly, I must admit that when it was revealed, it was no surprise to me. I had guessed it fairly early on. What prevented me from completely loving this book was the level of sweetness that became a bit much for me by the end. But please don't let my mid-grade rating dissuade you from trying this book, it has a lot to offer.
I'm a big fan of Tillie Cole's work. This year she has experimented with genres outside her norm and that has been really refreshing. I applaud her for trying something different and I think that she's starting to prove that whatever subject matter or genre she chooses to tackle, she has the skills to make it something special. A Veil of Vines in centered around some very classically romantic themes. It's the perfect modern fairytale fantasy, complete with Italian "royalty", an arranged marriage, ill-fated love, and a beautiful, lonely winemaker. It had an enchanting, old-fashioned feel to it that I believe many readers will love and appreciate.
Do you believe in soulmates? If not, read this book, and it just might change your mind.
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
February 3, 2023
I really liked this book until the last plot reveal happened because most of the really fun and interesting and forbidden aspects of their love life then just disappeared. I would have love to have some problem solving scenes
December 5, 2016
3.5 My Split-Apart Stars!"
A Veil of Vines is a story that takes you on a journey to Umbria, Italy. The stunning, vivid details of Italy made me feel like I was there. If I closed my eyes I could feel the soil beneath my feet, I could taste the wine, I could feel the grapes between my fingers. I loved the imagery that Ms. Cole was able to deliver.
Caresa Acardi is blue blood Italian royalty, a duchessa, bound at a young age to the future king, Prince Zeno.
"I imagined to most modern-day women living in New York, the process of arranged marriage sounded positively medieval, even barbaric. For a blue blood, it was simply a part of life."
Caresa was such a sweet, beautiful heroine, but life is about to change for her as she travels to Italy to be united with her future husband, Prince Zeno. The forging of their marriage was to strengthen the families wine business and to keep the blue bloods within the same circles, but there is no love there. Prince Zeno and Caresa's relationship was merely a business transaction. One day while exploring the grounds, Caresa meets a handsome, stunning winemaker Achille Marchesi and they have an instant, undeniable connection. Caresa has to choose between duty and love.
Even though I liked this story I didn't love it. I adore fairtytales, but this one at times was a bit cliché and overly sentimental and I found I wasn't enjoying it the way I was expecting too. I felt like with the kind of writing and storyline I should've been bawling my eyes out, but I didn't really feel anything..which is unusual for one of my fave authors.
I still adore Tillie Cole and I do think this story can be a beautiful read for others, especially if you like the modern-day fairytale storyline with lots, and I mean LOTS of sappiness.
A Veil of Vines is a story that takes you on a journey to Umbria, Italy. The stunning, vivid details of Italy made me feel like I was there. If I closed my eyes I could feel the soil beneath my feet, I could taste the wine, I could feel the grapes between my fingers. I loved the imagery that Ms. Cole was able to deliver.
Caresa Acardi is blue blood Italian royalty, a duchessa, bound at a young age to the future king, Prince Zeno.
"I imagined to most modern-day women living in New York, the process of arranged marriage sounded positively medieval, even barbaric. For a blue blood, it was simply a part of life."
Caresa was such a sweet, beautiful heroine, but life is about to change for her as she travels to Italy to be united with her future husband, Prince Zeno. The forging of their marriage was to strengthen the families wine business and to keep the blue bloods within the same circles, but there is no love there. Prince Zeno and Caresa's relationship was merely a business transaction. One day while exploring the grounds, Caresa meets a handsome, stunning winemaker Achille Marchesi and they have an instant, undeniable connection. Caresa has to choose between duty and love.
Even though I liked this story I didn't love it. I adore fairtytales, but this one at times was a bit cliché and overly sentimental and I found I wasn't enjoying it the way I was expecting too. I felt like with the kind of writing and storyline I should've been bawling my eyes out, but I didn't really feel anything..which is unusual for one of my fave authors.
I still adore Tillie Cole and I do think this story can be a beautiful read for others, especially if you like the modern-day fairytale storyline with lots, and I mean LOTS of sappiness.
April 24, 2017
A nice fairy-tale set in Italy. Expect to read about wine, Italian Aristocracy, arranged marriages, plot twists, and some scenes that may be construed as cheating. Good times.
Full review to come
November 21, 2016
4 Vines filled Stars
A Veil of Vines is a standalone (although I wouldn’t mind if there was a spin-off on one of the characters, but more of that later).
I love Tillie Cole, I read anything by her and she is known for crazy stories. So, it always makes me happy when a writer goes out of his or her comfort zone and writes a different genre. I couldn’t consider this book light, but it’s lighter and it falls in the drama category.
I love the prologue of the book because it really sets up the story. It basically lets us know that there is no monarchy in Italy, but there is still the idea of royalty.
Caresa is beautiful, privileged and part of a prestigious family, where titles and who you marry matter. She’s known for years that marriages in her family is pure business, so when it’s time to marry Prince Zeno, she, like the dutiful daughter she is, travels to be with her soon-to-be-husband.
I love Caresa, I found her kind, sweet and not entitled at all. I also like that she accepts her future, so it’s not like I’m reading a book about a bratty spoiled kid crying the whole time. She’s very polished and refined.
I also like Prince Zeno. I thought at first it was his book, but it’s not and believe me, I would LOVE a spin-off book on him, hint hint hint, please. He’s educated, kind of conceited and very spoiled. He doesn’t act like the typical over the top self-absorbed prince, but he’s not kind either. You also sense there’s another layer to him and I just wanted to unravel it.
The star and the hero of the book is Achille. This book is a star crossed lover’s book. Achille is the son of a wine maker. He’s a simple man. He loves to harvest grapes, make wine and ride his horses. When he meets Caresa everything changes.
Tillie has a way of writing characters that just melt your heart. Achille will make your heart melt just a tad bit. Achille is a lonely man, but he never realized how lonely he was until Caresa came into his life. I really enjoyed reading the dynamics between Caresa and Achille. I was sucked by their love story and I really wanted things to work out between the two of them.
There’s plenty of twists and turns along the way as you read so it’s not a simple book and it keeps you entertained the whole time. If you are a Tillie Cole fan, you will not be disappointed.
An ARC was provided
A Veil of Vines is a standalone (although I wouldn’t mind if there was a spin-off on one of the characters, but more of that later).
I love Tillie Cole, I read anything by her and she is known for crazy stories. So, it always makes me happy when a writer goes out of his or her comfort zone and writes a different genre. I couldn’t consider this book light, but it’s lighter and it falls in the drama category.
I love the prologue of the book because it really sets up the story. It basically lets us know that there is no monarchy in Italy, but there is still the idea of royalty.
Caresa is beautiful, privileged and part of a prestigious family, where titles and who you marry matter. She’s known for years that marriages in her family is pure business, so when it’s time to marry Prince Zeno, she, like the dutiful daughter she is, travels to be with her soon-to-be-husband.
I love Caresa, I found her kind, sweet and not entitled at all. I also like that she accepts her future, so it’s not like I’m reading a book about a bratty spoiled kid crying the whole time. She’s very polished and refined.
I also like Prince Zeno. I thought at first it was his book, but it’s not and believe me, I would LOVE a spin-off book on him, hint hint hint, please. He’s educated, kind of conceited and very spoiled. He doesn’t act like the typical over the top self-absorbed prince, but he’s not kind either. You also sense there’s another layer to him and I just wanted to unravel it.
The star and the hero of the book is Achille. This book is a star crossed lover’s book. Achille is the son of a wine maker. He’s a simple man. He loves to harvest grapes, make wine and ride his horses. When he meets Caresa everything changes.
Tillie has a way of writing characters that just melt your heart. Achille will make your heart melt just a tad bit. Achille is a lonely man, but he never realized how lonely he was until Caresa came into his life. I really enjoyed reading the dynamics between Caresa and Achille. I was sucked by their love story and I really wanted things to work out between the two of them.
There’s plenty of twists and turns along the way as you read so it’s not a simple book and it keeps you entertained the whole time. If you are a Tillie Cole fan, you will not be disappointed.
An ARC was provided
November 28, 2016
*** ARC kindly provided by Ardent Prose in exchange for an honest review. ***
I really really really love her Hades Hangmen & Scarred Souls series. Gorgeous dark books!! So this one was very different but not in a bad way... I LOVED IT!!
I really did love this modern fairy tale. Caresa will get her dream prince. The one she has been promised to since they both were little children. Zeno is a very good looking Italian prince so she should be the luckiest girl in the world ... but can you really be happy with an arranged marriage? A marriage really needed to save everything generations built? What if there is no spark, no connection, no attraction, ... What if you find that with another man? A man so far below your class that it won’t be accepted. What do you choose?
I really did love this book and am so crazy about Achille! And even though I really disliked Zeno at first I think deep inside he’s a great person too! Will he get a book too?
I also fell in love with Italy and I have never ever been there. I don’t even drink wine but if I ever go there I will try it. It was so beautiful written...
I really really really love her Hades Hangmen & Scarred Souls series. Gorgeous dark books!! So this one was very different but not in a bad way... I LOVED IT!!
I really did love this modern fairy tale. Caresa will get her dream prince. The one she has been promised to since they both were little children. Zeno is a very good looking Italian prince so she should be the luckiest girl in the world ... but can you really be happy with an arranged marriage? A marriage really needed to save everything generations built? What if there is no spark, no connection, no attraction, ... What if you find that with another man? A man so far below your class that it won’t be accepted. What do you choose?
I really did love this book and am so crazy about Achille! And even though I really disliked Zeno at first I think deep inside he’s a great person too! Will he get a book too?
I also fell in love with Italy and I have never ever been there. I don’t even drink wine but if I ever go there I will try it. It was so beautiful written...
November 28, 2016
LIVE EARLY!
5 Fairytale Romance Stars
One thing that completely amazes me is Tillie Cole's ability to write just about anything and do it so unfailingly well. It's a true gift to be able to write some of the darker gritty tropes and then also soften things tenfold with stories such as this. A Veil of Vines is a story unlike anything I've ever read from this author and it did not disappoint. It's so so romantic. I mean, yes, aren't most of this genre tagged Romance? This was just different. It was a connection between two souls, each other's half, that, no matter how "ill-fitted" they were for each other, especially in the public eye, they were so perfect for each other. The stars perfectly aligned for these two. It was almost whimsical at times but the setting, the old fashioned social standards of Italian royalty gave it an almost historical romance feel.
Caresa Acardi, Duchessa di Parma, is betrothed to the womanizing Prince Zeno Savona. Both had never met but were promised to each other years ago. Their fathers partners in a multi-million dollar wine conglomerate, Caresa knows she is marrying for Italian royalty- bloodlines. But what of love?
Caresa accepts her fate and dutifully moves to Italy to Prince Zeno's sprawling estate, nestled amongst thousands of acres of vineyards. Resigning herself to this 3 month courting period prior to their wedding, Caresa finds herself alone day after day. So, in an effort to fill her empty hours, she begins to learn the lay of the vast land she will soon own. Only when she stumbles upon an endearing, quaint cottage does she begin to realize the beauty and splendor this land truly encompasses- along with with the cottage's stunningly handsome winemaker, Achille Marchesi..
Tillie Cole captured the heart of Italy in technicolor in this book. I could virtually see the plump vines ready for harvest, the brisk clean country air. No matter what the genre, she has an innate ability to plop the reader right in the scene. I sensed it all, and felt all these characters' emotions.
A Veil of Vines is one of those books I'll remember for a long time. Maybe it's the theme that tugs at my incurable inner romantic. Two souls finding each other in the most unlikely of circumstances and finding true love in all things that matter, not for material or social standards. A true fairytale romance...
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
5 Fairytale Romance Stars
One thing that completely amazes me is Tillie Cole's ability to write just about anything and do it so unfailingly well. It's a true gift to be able to write some of the darker gritty tropes and then also soften things tenfold with stories such as this. A Veil of Vines is a story unlike anything I've ever read from this author and it did not disappoint. It's so so romantic. I mean, yes, aren't most of this genre tagged Romance? This was just different. It was a connection between two souls, each other's half, that, no matter how "ill-fitted" they were for each other, especially in the public eye, they were so perfect for each other. The stars perfectly aligned for these two. It was almost whimsical at times but the setting, the old fashioned social standards of Italian royalty gave it an almost historical romance feel.
Caresa Acardi, Duchessa di Parma, is betrothed to the womanizing Prince Zeno Savona. Both had never met but were promised to each other years ago. Their fathers partners in a multi-million dollar wine conglomerate, Caresa knows she is marrying for Italian royalty- bloodlines. But what of love?
Caresa accepts her fate and dutifully moves to Italy to Prince Zeno's sprawling estate, nestled amongst thousands of acres of vineyards. Resigning herself to this 3 month courting period prior to their wedding, Caresa finds herself alone day after day. So, in an effort to fill her empty hours, she begins to learn the lay of the vast land she will soon own. Only when she stumbles upon an endearing, quaint cottage does she begin to realize the beauty and splendor this land truly encompasses- along with with the cottage's stunningly handsome winemaker, Achille Marchesi..
Tillie Cole captured the heart of Italy in technicolor in this book. I could virtually see the plump vines ready for harvest, the brisk clean country air. No matter what the genre, she has an innate ability to plop the reader right in the scene. I sensed it all, and felt all these characters' emotions.
A Veil of Vines is one of those books I'll remember for a long time. Maybe it's the theme that tugs at my incurable inner romantic. Two souls finding each other in the most unlikely of circumstances and finding true love in all things that matter, not for material or social standards. A true fairytale romance...
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
December 7, 2016
I am a huge fan of Tillie Cole, I have read all her book and I am always blown away by how she can literally write any types of books and after reading Veil of Vines I stand by that statement. Veil of Vines isn't what I have come to expect from Tillie. I have expected tough, heartbreaking emotional reads and a Veil of Vines was a lighter, fun, sexy read. BUT it also full of emotions, heart and some of forbidden love.
Caresa is a modern girl but has entered into an arranged marriage by her parents, this marriage will save their company and her future husbands. When she arrives in Italy to complete her courtship she plans to go through with this, because family is everything. When she meets the beautiful, reserved wine maker everything changes and she begins rethinking her commitment.
This story took me on an emotional, what's coming next journey that I couldn't put down. If you love Tillie's books or are looking for something light and fresh this is it and highly suggest jumping in!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Caresa is a modern girl but has entered into an arranged marriage by her parents, this marriage will save their company and her future husbands. When she arrives in Italy to complete her courtship she plans to go through with this, because family is everything. When she meets the beautiful, reserved wine maker everything changes and she begins rethinking her commitment.
This story took me on an emotional, what's coming next journey that I couldn't put down. If you love Tillie's books or are looking for something light and fresh this is it and highly suggest jumping in!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2016
**ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
"This could never be. We were from two completely different worlds. We weren't written in the stars."
First of all I want to say that I absolutely love the cover and the title of this book. As for the content of the book, I didn't really know what to expect and trusted my gut that Tillie wouldn't disappoint. My book buddies know I am a huge fan of Tillie's books, and that I automatically one-click, and want to own them in paperback. This book had two of my favorite book tropes: arranged marriage and forbidden love. This story could've easily be set a hundred or more years ago, when arranged marriages were essential in keeping peace between two kingdoms, tribes etc. I loved that Tillie came up with this book were the royals still exist unofficially. It had a very fairy tale feel to it.
"He was a drug I could not forego. I lusted for the hit of his taste, the high from the heat of his body."
I don't have to go into the plot, you can just read the blurb. I loved the main characters, I loved how they first met and how they got to know each other. It was very magical and innocent in a way. Caresa was very sweet and caring, and Achille was very dedicated and unique. Their love was so pure and beautiful, it was a joy for me to read how their relationship grew. There were a couple of twists that I predicted early on, but that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the story. There were a couple of times my heart broke for Achille, he was such a sweet and beautiful person. He was not an alpha male but I don't think I would've loved him this much if he was.
"Our situation was complex, yet I knew that falling in love with her would be the simplest thing in the world."
A Veil of Vines is in my opinion another hit for Tillie Cole, she keeps on surprising me with her diverse and unique stories. She can write a dark romance today and switch and write a sweet romance the next time. I really appreciate it when authors write different types of stories, and do it well. They have such creative minds and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. The same goes for Tillie Cole, I am dying to get my hands on her upcoming books. If you love sweet, forbidden love stories than I recommend you to pick this book up. The writing was beautiful, I wouldn't expect anything less from Tillie. The only thing I would've changed was the length. I wish it was longer, especially towards the end. The story would've had more of an impact on me.
"This could never be. We were from two completely different worlds. We weren't written in the stars."
First of all I want to say that I absolutely love the cover and the title of this book. As for the content of the book, I didn't really know what to expect and trusted my gut that Tillie wouldn't disappoint. My book buddies know I am a huge fan of Tillie's books, and that I automatically one-click, and want to own them in paperback. This book had two of my favorite book tropes: arranged marriage and forbidden love. This story could've easily be set a hundred or more years ago, when arranged marriages were essential in keeping peace between two kingdoms, tribes etc. I loved that Tillie came up with this book were the royals still exist unofficially. It had a very fairy tale feel to it.
"He was a drug I could not forego. I lusted for the hit of his taste, the high from the heat of his body."
I don't have to go into the plot, you can just read the blurb. I loved the main characters, I loved how they first met and how they got to know each other. It was very magical and innocent in a way. Caresa was very sweet and caring, and Achille was very dedicated and unique. Their love was so pure and beautiful, it was a joy for me to read how their relationship grew. There were a couple of twists that I predicted early on, but that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the story. There were a couple of times my heart broke for Achille, he was such a sweet and beautiful person. He was not an alpha male but I don't think I would've loved him this much if he was.
"Our situation was complex, yet I knew that falling in love with her would be the simplest thing in the world."
A Veil of Vines is in my opinion another hit for Tillie Cole, she keeps on surprising me with her diverse and unique stories. She can write a dark romance today and switch and write a sweet romance the next time. I really appreciate it when authors write different types of stories, and do it well. They have such creative minds and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. The same goes for Tillie Cole, I am dying to get my hands on her upcoming books. If you love sweet, forbidden love stories than I recommend you to pick this book up. The writing was beautiful, I wouldn't expect anything less from Tillie. The only thing I would've changed was the length. I wish it was longer, especially towards the end. The story would've had more of an impact on me.
November 25, 2016
REVIEW TO COME!
February 10, 2017
★★ 2.5 Stars ★★
I'll keep this short, I kinda enjoyed it enough to finish it, but I wasn't a fan of the flowery prose, the over descriptiveness, nor the whole cheesiness of it. I am not sure what year this book was supposed to be set in, but it felt very old fashioned and reminiscent of a Mills & Boon.
I couldn't quite relate to Achille either, he seemed a bit too simple, and I can't quite believe he made all that wine using very old-fashioned methods all by himself. My uncle makes wine from his small vineyard in the middle of a tiny town in the middle of Sardinia, and even he uses machinery - it's good wine too, I had it at my wedding - but I don't think the Health & Safety peeps would allow him to sell it globally, but whatever, it's fiction. Anyway, I am babbling. This book was not for me, and I think my love affair with Cole is at it's end.
A Veil of Vines is a stand-alone contemporary romance, told from dual POV.
ARC gratefully received
![]()
I'll keep this short, I kinda enjoyed it enough to finish it, but I wasn't a fan of the flowery prose, the over descriptiveness, nor the whole cheesiness of it. I am not sure what year this book was supposed to be set in, but it felt very old fashioned and reminiscent of a Mills & Boon.
I couldn't quite relate to Achille either, he seemed a bit too simple, and I can't quite believe he made all that wine using very old-fashioned methods all by himself. My uncle makes wine from his small vineyard in the middle of a tiny town in the middle of Sardinia, and even he uses machinery - it's good wine too, I had it at my wedding - but I don't think the Health & Safety peeps would allow him to sell it globally, but whatever, it's fiction. Anyway, I am babbling. This book was not for me, and I think my love affair with Cole is at it's end.
A Veil of Vines is a stand-alone contemporary romance, told from dual POV.
ARC gratefully received
December 5, 2016
I was very excited when I heard there was another Tillie Cole romance coming out! I dived in with so much enthusiasm it was humerous...then when I started I became a little bit bored..It wasn't until about 30% that the story really began for me. A big part of that was because Caresa and Achille finally started having some major attraction develop, and that was all it took for me to be hooked!
I will warn readers that this really is a fairytale type story. There isn't a lot of angst, and the way the story is written is very sweet and flowery. Achille is a soft and sweet kind of hero; not a rough, tough alpha male that a lot of us fall hard for. That doesn't mean he isn't worthy of our love!!! It just means his character is a lot softer than what a great majority of us are use to lately!! The relationship between Caresa and Achille is heart warming, but I'll be honest...it didn't give me butterflies this time.
It isn't that I didn't like the story, because I did..I just didn't find that it stirred my passions..for lack of a better word!!
Would I recommend this book? Yes, to Tillie Cole fans for sure. If you are new to her writing though, I would suggest one of her other books. I felt that her others reads inspired way more feelings in me..I don't mean this review to sound negative, and I kind of feel like it might come across that way. Let's just say, it wasn't my favorite of Ms. Cole's, and we will just call it a day!!! ( Could be that I'm moody!!! LOL)
Thanks Steph for agreeing to BR with me!! ( ahem...we won't mention..who read this at turbo pace...LOL Left me in the dust!!! )
I will warn readers that this really is a fairytale type story. There isn't a lot of angst, and the way the story is written is very sweet and flowery. Achille is a soft and sweet kind of hero; not a rough, tough alpha male that a lot of us fall hard for. That doesn't mean he isn't worthy of our love!!! It just means his character is a lot softer than what a great majority of us are use to lately!! The relationship between Caresa and Achille is heart warming, but I'll be honest...it didn't give me butterflies this time.
It isn't that I didn't like the story, because I did..I just didn't find that it stirred my passions..for lack of a better word!!
Would I recommend this book? Yes, to Tillie Cole fans for sure. If you are new to her writing though, I would suggest one of her other books. I felt that her others reads inspired way more feelings in me..I don't mean this review to sound negative, and I kind of feel like it might come across that way. Let's just say, it wasn't my favorite of Ms. Cole's, and we will just call it a day!!! ( Could be that I'm moody!!! LOL)
Thanks Steph for agreeing to BR with me!! ( ahem...we won't mention..who read this at turbo pace...LOL Left me in the dust!!! )
![Profile Image for Kati *☆･ﾟ [a bit distracted atm].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1725834613i/144158876._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
September 14, 2023
4.25**** stars
I HAVE NO IDEA, why the hell I thought this was a mafia romance. Probably because of Italy • Arranged Marriage • Tillie Cole —this trifecta just sounded like the most fitting conclusion MUST BE mafia. *lmaoooo
But it wasn’t. Instead this was a modern day fairytale with streaks of medieval amidst the vineyards of Italy, an upcoming arranged marriage amongst Italian royalty and a bride-to-be falling in love; not with the prince she is betrothed to but with the beautiful and shy winemaker.
This was a beautiful love story that reminded me a bit of “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan; a wonderfully romantic, emotional and swoon worthy read, even tho I saw the big plot twist coming from miles away.
side note: How there is Italian Royalty in this book when we all know Italy doesn’t have a monarchy, is explained by the author in the foreword.
I HAVE NO IDEA, why the hell I thought this was a mafia romance. Probably because of Italy • Arranged Marriage • Tillie Cole —this trifecta just sounded like the most fitting conclusion MUST BE mafia. *lmaoooo
But it wasn’t. Instead this was a modern day fairytale with streaks of medieval amidst the vineyards of Italy, an upcoming arranged marriage amongst Italian royalty and a bride-to-be falling in love; not with the prince she is betrothed to but with the beautiful and shy winemaker.
“We are made of the same soul but not of the same life.”
“There,” he said harshly. “That is what I could offer. A ring of vines and earth, not diamonds and gold. Is that enough for you, Duchessa? Is this simple life enough?”
“You’re enough,”
This was a beautiful love story that reminded me a bit of “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan; a wonderfully romantic, emotional and swoon worthy read, even tho I saw the big plot twist coming from miles away.
side note: How there is Italian Royalty in this book when we all know Italy doesn’t have a monarchy, is explained by the author in the foreword.
July 18, 2021
I loved it!
This was such a heartbreakingly beautiful and moving and adorable and fairy-talish romance. A modern day romance, but also a love story that could've happened like this hundreds of years ago - with all those Kings and Princes and Royalty. I loved the 'true-story' behind it all. Most people don't know that Italy has a real royal family - whose grandkids and great-grandkids etc. are still alive today! They're just not official leaders of their country anymore. I think the country would be better off today had they not stopped with their monarchy...but anyway...
This story was an amazingly beautiful lovestory with lots of tears for this reader!
The writing was a bit too strange for my tastes. But I think it was the author's way of talking italian with english words. But it didn't bother me all that much.
Amazing romance - BEAUTIFUL location - great stories within the story. We learned a lot about wine and a bit about italian history. I don't have much to complain about - maaaybe that it was all very predictable - but pfff - most stories are. I still enjoyed reading it!
♡
♡
♡
♡
December 1, 2016
5 "Split-aparts" Stars!
Oh my goodness! Tillie Cole has done it again; but in a completely different way than she normally does it! Ms. Cole has become my go to dark romance author. I'm not terribly into dark romance, but when I am up for one, she is my go to girl. In fact, she has become an auto buy for me and I have not been disappointed at all.
A VEIL OF VINES is almost a complete turn around for Ms. Cole (though her book Eternally North is somewhat on this level). This book is sweepingly romantic with barely an ounce of darkness, though there are a few shadows...
From the breath taking scenery of Bella Collina, to the wine-making stomping the grapes, to the horses, the roses, to the music and literature references, to the sweetest most tender and romantic love story between Achille and Caresa, in my opinion, this book is practically the perfect romance novel. Our hero Achille,... what can I say, I loved him from the moment he was introduce in the story. He will simply melt your heart and cause you to just want to take him in your arms and hold him close. He is not an aggressive take over everything alpha male. (I love those guys too.) He is shy, and sweet, and tender, and passionate, and so very brave. Not to mention stunning to look at- 6'4", broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist and strong legs, dark hair, dark skin Italian man with bright blue eyes. What's not to love about that appearance?! Caresa our heroin is simply fantastic. She was raised in a society where she was taught to look down on others deemed beneath her; and duty to the family was everything even at the expense of happiness. But she was never snobby or hateful to anyone. She was loyal, hard working, kind-hearted and compassionate. I loved her so much.
I could gush over the sappy, happy romantic feelings this book gave me for a long time. The only thing that could have made it better for me is if it were written in Italian and I could actually read Italian. LOL!!! I'll leave it at being probably the most romantic book of the year for me. Ti amo per sempre
Highly recommended! Happy reading!!
Oh my goodness! Tillie Cole has done it again; but in a completely different way than she normally does it! Ms. Cole has become my go to dark romance author. I'm not terribly into dark romance, but when I am up for one, she is my go to girl. In fact, she has become an auto buy for me and I have not been disappointed at all.
A VEIL OF VINES is almost a complete turn around for Ms. Cole (though her book Eternally North is somewhat on this level). This book is sweepingly romantic with barely an ounce of darkness, though there are a few shadows...
From the breath taking scenery of Bella Collina, to the wine-making stomping the grapes, to the horses, the roses, to the music and literature references, to the sweetest most tender and romantic love story between Achille and Caresa, in my opinion, this book is practically the perfect romance novel. Our hero Achille,... what can I say, I loved him from the moment he was introduce in the story. He will simply melt your heart and cause you to just want to take him in your arms and hold him close. He is not an aggressive take over everything alpha male. (I love those guys too.) He is shy, and sweet, and tender, and passionate, and so very brave. Not to mention stunning to look at- 6'4", broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist and strong legs, dark hair, dark skin Italian man with bright blue eyes. What's not to love about that appearance?! Caresa our heroin is simply fantastic. She was raised in a society where she was taught to look down on others deemed beneath her; and duty to the family was everything even at the expense of happiness. But she was never snobby or hateful to anyone. She was loyal, hard working, kind-hearted and compassionate. I loved her so much.
I could gush over the sappy, happy romantic feelings this book gave me for a long time. The only thing that could have made it better for me is if it were written in Italian and I could actually read Italian. LOL!!! I'll leave it at being probably the most romantic book of the year for me. Ti amo per sempre
Highly recommended! Happy reading!!
Read
December 2, 2016DNF @ 36%
Beautifully written, just not my jam.
I'll stick with with this authors darker work.
Beautifully written, just not my jam.
I'll stick with with this authors darker work.
December 3, 2016
“We are made of the same soul but not of the same life.”
This fairytale-like story of longing and belonging, set among the picturesque hills of the Italian countryside, made my heart soar. An enchanting and profoundly romantic tale of a young woman whose family betroths her to a man she’s never met, a man of great social stature who could give her the world, but who then finds herself losing her heart to another—this is a story of soulmates found, of two halves of a whole finding each other unexpectedly and against all odds, and of all the ways their hearts won’t be denied. I felt positively giddy with childlike delight as I devoured the pages of this beautiful love story, loving these characters, savouring every moment spent in their company, and would highly recommend it for when the mood strikes for a tender, feel-good romance to steal your heart away.
[4.5 STARS]
Continue reading this review...
Follow me on Facebook! | Follow me on Twitter!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 771 reviews