Excellent character development. Solid plots in beautiful sensory language. An authentic Christian piece of literatire; even containing the salvation plan! Laughed. Cried. "Thank you," Robin for the delightful journeys in Italy.

This book is such a sweet and simple story of two best friends finding themselves and learning how to rediscover God along the way. I love this book so much I have passed it on to others in the hopes they too rediscover God along their path in life.

Claire and Grace are two adult best friends that decide to take a trip to Italy together--no spouses or children are included.

Although they had both been there in the past, it was a long time ago, and disappointing. This time they will be in charge of what they do, where they stay, and the adventures they have.

Robin does a very good job of making it feel like you are there with the characters, and traveling right along with them. I feel like I have visited Italy, too, and explored all the places with Claire and Grace.

The two of them experience amazing things, and doing so, changes both of their lives. There is a strong thread of faith that runs through this--with one of them a believer, and the other not--and the effect it has on each one.

Reading this would be wonderful just for the feeling of having been on this trip, but including a great story in the mix, is a real cherry on top. The only thing I didn't like was the promoting of wine drinking, but loved everything else about this tale. I am ready to pack my bag, go to Italy, and re-trace all their steps.

This is a great, five-star story that I highly recommend.

Thanks to Revell Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

I am really enjoying the Suitcase Sisters books and look forward to new ones in the series. Gelato at the Villa did not disappoint and was as delightful as the first in the series.

Gunn has the reader feel like they are really with they are traveling in Italy as she tells the story of Grace and Clare. The friends travel through Italy visiting churches, learning to cook Italian food, and eating Gelato, they find themselves healing of lifelong scars and insecurities. They meet Italians whose stories reminded me of Christian truths.

We just did a trip to Europe, but did not go to Italy. This story reassured me of our decision that Italy deserves its own trip so we can take our time to relish in its treasures. The book made a friend and me discuss that a cooking lesson in Italy would be a must on the trip. I also love that Gunn includes Christianity in her books and is no just writing "clean, wholesome" books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Revell and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

At first I was a bit startled that Book #2 of the Suitcase Sisters had two different lead characters than Book #1. As I got more into the story it didn't matter and has been fun reading about the places the two friends travel to. I'm enjoying the descriptions of the foods they try and the sites they see.

As with the first Suitcase Sisters novel, the characters, Claire and Grace, grow in friendship and in faith.