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Strange bewilderment
189 pages
A classic, sun-drenched battle of wits set against the romantic backdrop of Venetian canals and palazzos.
What it feels like
Stepping into this vintage romance feels like taking a gondola ride through a sun-drenched, mid-century Venice, complete with glamorous palazzos and simmering romantic tension. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging pace, driven by the spirited bickering between a fiercely independent heroine and a classically arrogant, irresistible hero. The prose is delightfully earnest and slightly formal, painting lush pictures of the Italian setting while diving deep into breathless internal monologues. It is a story of clashing wills and inevitable surrender, offering pure, unadulterated escapism. Readers who love the nostalgic charm of classic category romances, where sparks fly over differing opinions on childcare before melting into undeniable passion, will devour this atmospheric and emotionally satisfying tale.
- Mood
- sun-drenched
- romantic
- tense
- atmospheric
- Tone
- earnest
- melodramatic
- romantic
- spirited
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- clash of wills · unexpected attraction · surrendering to love · glamorous escapism
- The writing
- Descriptive and slightly formal, characterized by breathless internal monologues and lush descriptions of the Italian setting.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from stubborn, defensive irritation to a breathless, inevitable romantic surrender.
- Who it's for
- Readers who adore vintage category romances featuring spirited heroines, arrogant heroes, and glamorous European backdrops.
Content notes
- dated gender dynamics
About the book
Martina was perfectly happy in Venice, looking after the lovable little Marco Vortolini -- if only that annoying man, Dominic Burnett di Ravenelli, would mind his own business and stop telling her the boy really needed a -- male -- tutor.
But although Martina might resent Dominic, she certainly couldn't ignore him!
Description from Open Library.
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