I really like Melodie Campbell's short books. I have read several of them and they never fail to be amusing and fun. This book is no exception. It's a romantic farce with a series of funny mishaps that lead to a happy ending. Charlie goes to Rome with her aunt to mend her broken heart, and nothing goes as it's supposed to, but if everything is going to go wrong, it might as well be in Rome, right? And in the end Charlie finally gets something to go right. This is a short, feel-good story that's great for a Sunday afternoon read. ( )

I went to Italy last fall, and felt I was revisiting my trip with Charlie and her aunt!. Charlie gets a chance to travel on the heels of a breakup with a long term boyfriend, beginning in Rome, traveling through Naples and onto Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. Her luggage gets lost, so she has to make do with the contents of her backpack and ill-fitting borrows from her colorful aunt. The scenery is amazing, the tour guide charming and handsome, so Charlie finds herself happy, despite all her challenges.

I really enjoyed this quick read from Melodie Campbell. It seems a number of reviewers didn’t understand that Orca publishes primarily for reluctant or challenged readers. Despite it’s brevity and, perhaps, the simplicity of the language, I found this quite entertaining and fun to read. Her descriptions of the Italian cities and countryside were on point - I was there, so I knew Campbell developed the setting and Italian culture well. Fun book for any reader desiring a quick read, a fun romance, and little bit of Italy!

A short, quick read, "The Italian Cure" was about Charlie, a girl recently dumped by her boyfriend whose aunt wins an Italian tour for two and takes her along. Of course, she was the youngest one there, so she catches the eye of the handsome tour guide. Could he be the cure for her broken heart or maybe it will be the driver of the bus? It was a light heart romance among Italian tourist spots.

Thanks to LibraryThing and Orca Book Publishers for an advance reader's copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

This is a novella, a light quick read about a twenty-something woman who goes to Italy for a week with her wacky aunt soon after her boyfriend of seven years breaks up with her. Two stars for this book because "it was OK." The publisher has categorized it as a "Rapid Reads" which explains why it took only an hour to read. This could have been a better book if it was fleshed out - it read like a sketch of what an actual book would be. The author is a former comedy writer and got her start writing stand-up and this skill is evident in her writing. If you're looking for a short diversion to read while waiting at the doctor's office, in line at the DMV, or sitting in the carpool line at school, this could be the book for you. ( )

This was a delightful, quick and charming book. The subject matter is contemporary, yet the message of hope is ageless.

Packed within this novella's 110 pages is the story of Charlotte ("Charlie" to most everyone). It's a classic: girl dates boy for long time, he dumps her for someone else and her life begins anew. Initially we have a rather depressed young Charlie. Aunt Della saves the day by insisting that Charlie join her on a trip to Italy which she had just won. Perhaps the trip will be the perfect "cure" for Charlie's aching heart.

For anyone who has traveled overseas, this may bring back a host of some unpleasant memories, such as luggage making the Grand World Tour while you live in two outfits for a week. The story also provides a few warnings for unseasoned travelers regarding pickpockets, unsavory "Don Juans" and some of the usual pitfalls of foreign travel. All of this is done with light humor and a touching story. It also brings back memories of the wonder of discovery of iconic sites on a visitor's first encounter.

Author Melodie Campbell has deftly written a compact and endearing story with a nice touch of humour as it pokes fun at our human condition. Arching overall is its message of hope.

This book is part of publisher Orca Books' Rapid Reads collection which is geared to a broad spectrum of adult readers. From their website, they offer the following statement:

"In our increasingly fast-paced world we believe there is a need for well-written, well-told books that can be read in one sitting. Rapid Reads are short books for adult readers. They are intended for a diverse audience, including ESL students, reluctant readers, adults who struggle with literacy and anyone who wants a high-interest quick read."

I am grateful to author Melodie Campbell and publisher Orca Books for having provided a free advance reader's copy of this book through LibrayThing's Early Reviewers program. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone. ( )