It is a love story....but not just Varina's. And it's not a rom-com, although there are hilarious moments and some romance.

Varina Palladino is a seventy year old widow, running her own business, caring for her 93 year old mom and riding herd on her adult children. And she is tired....and looking for a change.

If you love loud, messy family stories this one is for you. It also has depth as the family struggles with some serious issues.

The real love story is the love of family. There are secrets, fights and feuds, but they all work their way back to each other.

Bonus: Each chapter starts with a Jersey Italian language lesson.

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and William Morrow Boos for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I now have a new favorite book. Terri-Lynne DeFino captured parts of my memories and heartbreaking milestones in Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story. On page one, I laughed out loud four times. Fortunately the cat was the only one around and he knows I'm crazy.

Despite what you might think from the title, title character Varina does not find new romantic love; instead she finds a whole side of herself that blossomed because of a friendship. The only reason I give that one spoiler is because I don't want someone to pick up the book expecting one thing and being disappointed. Regardless, there is so much love in this book, if it were a cup, it would runneth over.

Of course as a fellow Jersey Girl, I came to DeFino's book with a critical eye. I've seen New Jersey so terribly portrayed with stereotypes that no one knows what it's really like here. First thing is that her setting is on the side close to the Hudson River and New York City where I still have a twig of the family tree connected to that region. My family relocated to the "sticks" on the western side closer to the Delaware River when I was 10. Somehow, all the goddamn planes going to Newark fly over this backyard too.

I was also ready to pick apart DeFino's Jersey Italian (or J.I. as she calls it) representation the way Sherlock Holmes would a crime scene. Here's the thing: I don't have one drop of Italian in me, but we were raised with a heavy dose of it because of my Gram's husband, the only grandfather I ever had. They were married before I was born. Anyway, he and his family were the dark-haired, tan-skinned, food-centric Italians from Elizabeth, New Jersey. I preferred all those pastas, cheeses, basil, and garlic over any of the meats of my other people. When my father would make London Broil, I would cover it in ketchup and milk (no even kidding) and swallow it like a snake because I could not chew that vile leather he called food. My mom, however, is a A+ cook.

DeFino gives readers four generations (at least) of Jersey Italians of the Spino-Palladino family. Transport to a town that's really a city—where the population is still small enough that everyone knows everyone's business. If people didn't move when they grew up, there are grudges and feuds that go back to grade school. Such is the case for the main gay character Paulie Vittone. When Paulie came out to his parents, they kicked him out and the Palladino's took him in without a second thought. He and Donatella Palladino had been best friends their whole lives and it's their relationship that carries the story from beginning to end.

Sylvia, the great-grandmother or Nonina, is an absolute spitfire at age 92. She and Donatella have a special bond which eventually comes out in one of Nonina's chapters, but otherwise is a deep secret no one alive in the family knows. Keeping secrets is something that's done. It's a practice that eats away in bites so small and slowly moving that one day, you realize a big chunk of your heart has been carrying that painful weight your whole life.

Sylvia's daughter and Donatella's mother, Varina is in her 70's and she's not looking for love. She's looking for change. She's waiting for one day to be different. One week where she doesn't know exactly what steps her feet will take as she runs the Italian specialty market, Palladino's, which she and her husband Dino had started as a young couple.

In the story, Dino has been dead for quite some time. Varina has her biological kids plus Paulie and grandchildren; a brother Thomas and his family; one son's ex-wife Pandora (a Greek!) who is strangely still part of the family and at all their functions; of course her mother Sylvia; and Gabriella is Dante and Pandora's only child. When Varina makes a friend for the first time in her life since she was a child, she's so out of sorts with the idea of it, that keeps Ruth Cooperman a secret from her family for a couple of months.

Ruth and Varina meet at a travel agency which apparently still exists. They discover they're booked on the same cruise through France. They become best friends from that point forward bringing Ruth's highfalutin Manhattan and Jewish style to the Palladino's world—and it works incredibly well.

Paulie's sexuality takes up a lot of real estate in the book as he and Donatella get their own chapters. DeFino approaches it with care while still exploring what it was like for a boy to grow up being called slurs and getting beat up regularly. Paulie is also able to accept Donatella and her erratic behavior. No one ever knows if she's coming or going. She's always in trouble. She's even stolen from the family—la familigia—the people who try to have each other's backs for life and in death. DeFino comes up with a plausible and contemporary explanation for Donatella's behavior which others view as selfish or self-centered; she's bipolar. When Donatella takes off, she does it because she truly things her familigia would be better off without having to deal with all her shitty problems. Yet, she crawls back when she has nowhere else to go where people would love her. Paulie is that compass point for her. They love each other so much. She's the only woman that would define Paulie as bisexual rather than gay. Ultimately, while she's a love for him, she's not the love of his life. Who is ends up being a huge character evolution.

Each chapter begins with DeFino's vocabulary entries. They are hysterical! Readers who are interested in slang and pidgin languages will certainly appreciate these. DeFino explains what pidgin is as a mash-up of languages such as Italian and English with specifically regional dialects like whether a Jersey Italian lives closer to New York or Philadelphia.

Whether these classic slang entries are supposed to be from author DeFino or Varina's grandson, Vincent, I honestly don't know for certain. The epilogue focuses on a teenage Vincent and how he collects words he hears his family using. The reason I wish I knew whose perspective it's from is because of the entry for basil (bas'nigol). There's an anecdote for the word bas'nigol instead of an etymology lesson. I want to quote the best part, but I'll let you read it for yourself. GO READ THIS BOOK!

Summary:

Read this book! My brain is stuttering trying to find the words to summarize this reading experience. DeFino makes telling a multi-cast story appear effortless. She presents characters with their own baggage and mistakes as well as family drama that makes for some tense Sunday dinners. It's brilliant.

Rating: 5 stars (I'd give it more if possible)

This was a light and fun story about the Palladino family. It spans several generations and all the stories are all interesting. I particularly liked Sylvia's storyline. If you are looking for a good family story that isn't heavy and dark then this is the perfect book. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Pub date: 2/14/23 (out now)
Genre: contemporary fiction, family drama
Quick summary: 70-year-old Varina Palladino is sandwiched between her nonagenarian mother Sylvia and her rebellious daughter Donatella - and when the two team up to find Varina a boyfriend, things get even more complicated.

I like reading books about older protagonists, so I was happy to meet Varina and Sylvia. I come from a small family, so it was fun to read about a much larger one - the comparison to My Big Fat Greek Wedding is spot on in tone. Unfortunately, there was a little too much going on here for me - there were a lot of B plots, but not one clear narrative arc for me to follow. From other reviews, it seems like Italian-American readers enjoyed this one more than I did!

Thank you to William Morrow and @bookclubgirl for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cool book! It is emotional and inviting and keeps you locked into the story the whole time! I really loved it so much.

This story can be summed up in word: family. It showcases a family the love they have for one another (even when frustrated with each other). There are all types of love and Varina Palladino’s story shows how expansive it can be.

(Also, loved how the author’s note distinguishes between North Jersey Italian and South Jersey (as well as NY and Philly) - that was one of most ‘Jersey’ things about the book!)

Holding a New Jersey Italian family together is no easy feat for a widowed grocery store owner- especially since they start matchmaking. The title had me sold, but then I spotted the blurb for this new to me author effort and I couldn’t resist if I wanted to.

The story opens on an Italian American widow in her seventies who runs her late husband’s family Italian grocery store, cares for her ninety-two year old mother, Sylvia, keeps an eye on her grown sons, David and Dante, troubled Donatella, and a neighbor man, Paulie, who grew up with her kids and got kicked out of his family. Sylvia and Donatella decide Varina needs help getting back into the saddle when it comes to dating when Varina doesn’t begin dating on her own.

And, off we go with this boisterous, riot of a family giving the reader a full-senses read with color, language, food, emotions all over, and the ups and downs of a multi-generational family story. Varina might be the center of them all and her lack of love life the catalyst for some aspects, but this is not just her story. It’s a family saga, really with Sylvia being the one to get a romance, Varina considering what she really wants, and Paulie and Donatella taking the spotlight later as do other family members when Varina is background. So, there is romance and even some comic moments, but there is a lot of just life story of people tied to each other as family.

The author doesn’t shy away from mental health troubles in at least two characters, sexual orientation for another, family secrets, family misunderstandings, loss, and more including a late December surprise romance for Sylvia.

Incidentally, the beginning of each chapter was headed with Jersey Italian colloquialisms that cracked me up often enough. Some were familiar since I come from a Sicilian heritage, but most were not since my family doesn’t hail from Jersey.

While there are moments when the story meanders and doesn’t have a crisp plot thread (or threads) and I didn’t take to some of the characters, that feeling of being immersed in a big and clamorous Italian family, mouth-watering food descriptions, and emotional moments were there. In the end, I was glad to have spent time with the Pallodinos and hope Ms DeFino writes more in this vein. I would recommend it to women’s fic, chick lit, general fiction, and fans of romance that like the focus on family.

This book was not what I expected and was a little disappointing. The writing was ok and I almost stopped reading because of my lack of interest. I wanted to read about Varina’s cruise adventure and finding a new man, but the story was all about her messed-up family. Hence the disappointment at the end when it barely mentions her cruise. I did find the love story between Sylvia and John charming. I was glad Varina found a friend in Ruth to help her survive the craziness. I also liked the explanations of the Jersey Italian words at the beginning of each chapter. I loved that the author added Varina’s recipes at the end of the book so I could taste them for myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Not a romance reader, but this one did it for me.


Fanook/finochhio
Madonn’
Mannaggia dial!
Svogliadell
Jumbaloon
Fanabola!/ Afanabola!
Goombah
Stunad’
Ffangul/vaffangul/baffangul

Every single chapter starts with a word that I have heard growing up in an Italian-American family (in Jersey by way of the Bronx). Most of them, I had no idea what they meant! I have no idea on how this book will appeal more broadly, but it hit just right for me. I laughed. I cried. I rooted for these hilarious (and flawed) folks. Someone, please buy the screen rights to this if you have not already. I would go in blind for this one.

Varina's family is always around, always with drama, never a dull moment. Amongst her elderly mother, grown children, extended family, and keeping her business running, she doesn't have time to herself. This love story takes us through love in many lenses through her family.

Full of dynamic relationships, life changing moments, and growth, this was an entertaining and touching read.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, Custom House for the ARC!

I was so excited to read a story of family and relationships based in New Jersey with deep Italian roots and this book was a lot of fun with cultural notes and making me feel like I was back at home! I unfortunately felt like there was not a ton of development or background on the characters, and I was jumping around between too many people with side plots.

While entertaining, I think I may have gotten myself a little overly excited for this one.

Unfortunately I didn't connect with this book. The writing was not one that I enjoy, I truly tried but it just wasn't my style.

A messy, loud, and complicated Italian family.
Readers will get to know intimately Sylvia, Varina, Pauline, and Donatella. They have each other’s backs but don’t always show up for each other.
There are many entangled threads that keep this family together.
I liked how Sylvia and Varina branched out and really started to love rather than just exist.
Donatella was a hot mess and Paulie was endearing.
I liked how the author began each chapter with a word and then explained its definition, Jersey Italian style.

Thank you William Morrow for the review copy of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story (via NetGalley). This hit a sweet spot of messy loving family chaos for me; I am from North NJ and though not Italian my SIL is from a wonderfully big loud amazingly loving family and this made me think of them. Tough topics with a loving touch and gentle notes of joy and characters to enjoy, this was a fun read and as vivid and bright as the cover suggests.

Recommended for: fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Marrying the Ketchups (loved that book), and other similar family relationship reads/media

“This is hot and messy and seemingly out of control, but it all comes from love.”

This was a fun read for me. Nothing beats a big Italian family, full of secrets and drama. I also liked the Italian words at the beginning of each chapter, and that they were incorporated into the story. The plot was easy to follow, moved at a comfortable pace, and I cared about what was going on with each character.

I am looking forward to reading more from Terri-Lynn DeFino.

Thank you Willam Morrow publishing & Netgalley for an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. #netgalley#varinapalladino’sjerseyitaluanlovesyory

Review will be posted on 2/10/23

Varina Palladino has always kept her family together, their traditions alive, and everyone happy. She runs her family's Italian-American grocery story, keeps an eye on her aging mother, and takes care of her grown (and sometimes needy) children when they need her. She is a widow and has never thought of moving on from her husband or even traveling, but this year she is thinking of leaving her comfort zone. Varina's mother, Sylvia, and Varina's troubled daughter, Donatella, decide to hatch a plan to get Varina dating. Meanwhile, there's plenty of family drama. All three of Varina's sons are going through some major life changes, her daughter is getting into trouble....again, their gay family friend has feelings for a Palladino, Sylvia is worried about what will happen to Varina after she passes on, and Varina is planning a trip to Europe. So many changes are en route for the Palladinos and some of these changes will make you laugh-out-loud, cringe, and make you tear up. Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino is a charming family tale that fans of Adriana Trigiani will thoroughly enjoy.

I really enjoyed Varina from the start of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story and felt for her. She has dedicated so much of her life to taking care of her mother, her kids and the store that I wanted her to do something for herself. Her daughter, Donatella, is exhausting and honestly needs to grow up, but there's more than just her misbehaving at play here. I was so glad Varina started to put her needs first and plan a trip to Europe with one of her new friends. Even though Sylvia and Donatella have her best interest in mind regarding a love match, I knew that it was destined to be a disaster since Varina was in the dark about it. Nevertheless, it was a entertaining ride to go on as there's a lot of mayhem in this boisterous Italian family.

I especially appreciated the start of each chapter of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story as it included Italian-American slang words that pertain to the upcoming plot line. This was pure fun and some of the slang words I hadn't heard in years. Readers who have friends or family that are from Italy will especially appreciate this aspect of the novel.

If you enjoy Adriana Trigiani's novels or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, give this heartfelt family drama a try this winter. It had me craving a coffee, a pizzelle, and a long talk with my grandmother. Foodies will enjoy all the descriptions of Italian food and recipes, too! So, is Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story on your TBR list? It would be a perfect book to curl up with this Valentine's Day. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

A truly wonderful ode to the love of “famiglia” in every way you can find it. This story celebrates the generations, of the love they have found, mistakes they have made, and shows that you’re never too young or too old to turn over a new leaf.

As a first-generation Italian-American from New Jersey I felt it was my duty to read this book. I very much enjoyed the Palladino’s messy family adventures and how much love they had for each other despite being frustrated with each other most of the time. It felt real and relatable for an Italian-American family. I also liked the inclusion of the “Jersey-Italian” vocabulary, a lot of the words my own family uses, although I vehemently disagree with calling pasta macaroni. My Papa and Nonna would disown me if I started calling it that (and Nonno would roll in his grave). I know my mom will get a kick out of this book, and have already ordered her a copy!

Thank you Willam Morrow publishing & Netgalley for an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has always wanted to be a part of an Italian family, this one hit the mark, and made you feel like apart of the Palladino family.

The author explored a handful of tough topics, while also keeping fun, and light hearted. The most important theme, however is famiglia is famiglia. I found the way the author started each chapter off with fun Italian phrases was refreshing, and tied into each chapter. I was equally happy that the author provided yummy Italian recipes I will also be trying out sometime.

If you love a good family drama with a twist of Italian / jersey side, this will be an enjoyable read.

This was a really fun story about a big Italian family that, at the end of the day, loves each other and get can through anything. I thought the writing was very funny and kept me engaged.