Signor Speranza is a vacuum repairman and the mayor of a very small village in Italy. He has a problem that cannot be fixed with chewing gum: the town's water pipes are hopelessly crumbling and Speranza needs to come up with an astronomical amount of money. The alternative is that the water commission will shut off water to the village and all its residents will be forced to move. Speranza hatches a plan, with the help of his wife and other members of the town, and spreads a rumor that movie star Dante Rinaldi will be filming his next project nearby. When things start to go awry, will they be able to pull it off and save the village?

The Patron Saint of Second Chances is a quirky, quick read, but it is not fast paced. The plot is pretty simplistic and does not progress in a way that keeps a reader's interest. There is not a lot that sets this book apart and I do not find any of the characters to be so interesting that they are endearing. I found myself putting this novel down a lot and picking it back up later. Overall, it is a good beach read or a novel that readers can take to a doctor's office or on a plane.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this novel was entirely my own.

This was a fun book with tons of small town antics that were much appreciated by this small town girl. I enjoyed the writing and the slew of characters. I will read more by this author.

This book deserves a movie. In a small Italian village, things seem doomed. Young people are leaving and the water system is in dire need of repair -- $70,000 euros -- and the coffers are empty. After trying all other means, including prayer, the mayor spins a "harmless" rumor -- a famous movie star if planning on filming his next movie in the town. Silliness ensues.

OK, this is a ridiculous story with improbable events, but it is a lot of fun. I was constantly shaking my head as one silly thing happens after another, but I could not stop reading. So, if you're looking for high quality literature with a deep, inspirational message, this is NOT it. But if you're looking for an entertaining, easy to read, un-put-downable, somewhat predictable book, this IS it. Engaging characters in a lovely setting, just fun.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the early copy of this book! It was sweet, and humorous, but not too funny in my opinion. I loved the setting and the small town saving! Signor Spirenza, the self-appointed mayor of small town Prometto, was a fun main character to follow along with especially as things started to spiral out of control- it was fun! The ending was a bit predictable, but overall still enjoyable and a quick read. Love that the characters were based on real people too, because they were charming! 3.5/5 stars.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

The Patron Saint of Second Chances by Christine Simon is about a small town facing destruction and a scheme to save it that starts with one little lie and then takes on a life of its own. The story is silly, funny, and sweet. Ultimately, it is about people and caring and a community coming together to save its place in the world. As this is a debut novel, I look forward to seeing what Christine Simon writes next.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/01/the-patron-saint-of-second-chances.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

This story was charming and sweet, and I enjoyed the quirky characters. I did struggle with the last 1/3 of the story, and while I wanted to love it, I struggled to finish it. (Characters can be too quirky for me, I discovered)

The premise isn’t exactly unique, but the setting, characters, and execution are. Lovely read if your heart needs some warming- with some Italian flare.

I could not get into this book, so unfortunately it was DNF for me. The story just seemed so far out there and kind of goofy. Better luck next time I guess. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Signor Speranza is the self appointed mayor of Prometto, a tiny Italian village. He finds himself under pressure when plumbing issues arise for which there are not enough funds to cover the cost to repair. He becomes desperate to solve the problem so that the town of 212 people are not forced to move to another town.

I found this story to be more of a folktale with lively colorful characters. Signor Speranza has ideas and proposed solutions to the town’s financial problem that are ridiculous. He ultimately receives the town support when they believe that a famous actor is coming to their town to make a movie. Speranza goes to great lengths to create this pretend situation including setting up auditions. It soon becomes difficult for him to keep all his lies straight.

Although he seems to feel guilty by all his deception he can’t seem to stop once he starts building this story which will fall like a house of cards! It’s silly and humorous.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss and NetGalley for review.

I found this to be a fun and charming read. I really loved the small town feel of this book where everyone is familiar to everyone else. Signor is not only the self appointed mayor, but the head cheerleader of this tiny town as well. He will attempt to save it in any way possible, but it will not be easily and will definitely be overcomplicated. I did not really find this book overly funny yet was drawn to some of the preschool antics that Signor and his assistant pulled throughout the book. I had few chuckles with these from time to time. I think the overly exaggerated, obviousness of this book was definitely a good break. I liked that writing and would be interested to see what else this author has up their sleeves. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Entertaining novel about the tangled web of lies that the main character creates to help save his town and get the town's residents to have some hope and care about the future of their village. Plus flatulence jokes. 2.5 rounded up

If you love a tale with a quirky cast of characters, then The Patron Saint of Second Chances by Christine Simon is for you. I fell in love with the town of Prometto and the quest of one man to save it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This book was LOL funny and so cute. The characters in this quirky town were so unique and you couldn’t help but love them all. I think this book would make the best comedy movie! Really enjoyed it

Signor Speranza, is a vacuum cleaner repairman, with few customers. The town of Prometto Italy is feeling the same financial pressure. Signor Speranza, is the self proclaimed mayor and he is the only one that knows that the town owes 70,000 euros to fix the towns pipes. The ten consists of 212 people and it will be near impossible to raise the funds. If they can’t raise the funds they will have to move. Speranza, in an attempt to raise funds, tells them that Dante Rinaldi, is coming to town to make a movie. The town can’t believe their luck, such a great movie star coming to their town. The plan works so well that money pours in. The town people want roles in the movie. Their excitement is out of control and Speranza has to tell the truth, right? As time passes people start putting their own money it the movie. They just can’t wait for him to film his role. But what if Dante doesn’t come? What if this plan eventually fails? What happens to the people and Speranza? This book was such a good read. It was quaint and I fell in love with all the characters. Reading this book felt like I was in Italy. This was a 4 star read for me. I want thank Netgalley & Christine Simon for my copy for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Another wonderful debut novel read from a new-to-me author, Christine Simon, THE PATRON SAINT OF SECOND CHANCES is a heartwarming comedy of errors story with an imperfect cheeky cast of characters that are a delight and so easy to fall in love with. Simon’s character work reminded me of other great character-driven master novelists like Rachel Joyce and Fredrick Backman. I could easily see this being turned into a limited TV series or movie. Readers in which audiobooks are their chosen book/reading format are in for a treat with the chosen narrator of this tale, Tim Frances, who does a fabulous job and only enhances the story with his deliverance.

I would like to invite you to joyfully settle in with a smile as you are whisked away to a little Italian village called Prometto, to watch all it’s inhabitants get involved in making a movie with a local film star that could save the town’s future and better everyone’s lives. From the local butcher who is the father of 15 sons to the village’s Catholic priest to the town mayor who not only doubles as the owner of a vacuum repair store but also as a proprietor of the hotel that he lives in with his family, these are just a few of the cast of characters the reader will follow along on this hilarious bumpy ride!

Really good book. The plot was well-written and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A really sweet and funny story of a man desperate to save his small Italian village from a quiet death, and so starts a rumor that a famous movie star will be filming locally. A lot of hijinks, a great cast of characters, and just a really nice time.

This book started out so well! I loved Signore Speranza and the residents of the tiny town of Prometto. Despite the premise, which some might think a little outlandish, I bought into it all the way because of the heart that Christine Simon infused into the book.

However, the novel fell down in the last third for me. Once it looks like the movie is really going to be made, things start happening way too fast and way too conveniently. I really wanted to love this from start to finish; instead, the rushed ending just disappointed me.

I did enjoy spending time with these characters, however, and I'm glad I read this book. There were some really lovely moments, and I look forward to reading more from Christine Simon.