Some books require just enough suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader to provide an enjoyable escape. The Little Italian Hotel is just this type of book. Ginny Splinter, a dazzling talk show host who seems to “have it all,” finds herself blindsided with a divorce requested by her husband, Adrian, just days before their anniversary. What would anyone who booked a non-refundable, three-week getaway to a luxurious hotel in Italy do? (Realistically, a sensible individual would not book a non-refundable trip of this length, but remember that we aren’t quite living in reality here!)
The answer, of course, is to invite four random callers to the talk show—each grappling with their own form of heartbreak—to enjoy an Italian vacation in Adrian’s place. Over the next few weeks, Ginny and her randomly-selected companions—shy Eric, crotchety Edna, peppy Heather, and suave Curtis—will become acquainted within the walls of Splendido, an old and failing hotel nestled in the rolling hills of rural Italy. As they spend time together and engage in the occasional squabble, these individuals begin to process their sorrows and heal together.
I found each of the characters in The Little Italian Hotel to be quite endearing, with just enough backstory provided for the reader to evoke sympathy toward their circumstances. The author introduces each of them with a one-chapter point of view, while the rest of the book is narrated by Ginny. While this approach is unconventional, I appreciated having a window into the characters’ lives and then seeing how their pasts informed their interactions with the group. I maintain that managing multiple POVs in a single book is challenging, so I always appreciate when an author does this successfully.
There were several aspects of the plot that I found myself rolling my eyes at, including the hurried and highly implausible ending that left much to be desired after so many pages spent building compelling backstories for the motley crew at Splendido. I also found the main character herself to be insufferable, constantly swinging like a wobbly pendulum between missing her husband and craving his attention. While I understand that Ginny Splinter is intended to represent someone experiencing mixed emotions during a marital crisis, her behavior is simply too absurd and extreme to be remotely relatable.
With that said, I loved the character arcs and the enchanting Italian setting that formed the basis for what was ultimately an inspiring story about evolving relationships, unlikely friendships, and learning to live with grief. I would also be remiss not to mention that this book was gifted to me by a dear friend who took the time to write a note I’ll cherish forever on the inside front cover:
As my friend Hannah mentions, The Little Italian Hotel does make one desire an adventure, whether they’re dealing with their own heartbreak or simply hoping for an escape.
