PALAZZO
Danielle Steel, author
Women’s Fiction

When Cosmo Saverio unexpectedly inherits control of her family’s business, it includes taking care of her two younger siblings. It is not what she signed up for when she was being groomed as heir and trained to take over. There are huge challenges that follow in both her personal and private life.

This book is full of a little bit of everything, romance, arson, drugs, and gambling. I think Danielle Steel was at her best when writing this one. Usually her books are more romance based this one seems more like family fiction. Plus some twists and turns along the way. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Palazzo by Danielle Steel is vintage Steel in its format and style of story telling. It is primarily narrative with a little dialogue here and there. It’s female protagonist is Cosima Saverio who is the heal of a small but mighty company that makes expensive handbags. She is really the only competition that Hermes has. She has a brother and sister, who are part owners, but she is in charge. Her grandfather would be horrified. The male protagonist is Olivier Bayard, the head of a company who makes much more accessible accessories. He would love to be in the position that Saverio was in but it was not to be. He had met Cosima and had liked her but her felt there was a barrier to furthering the relationship. He was correct. She had had a nine year affair with their attorney: a man over 30 years her senior. She loved him and he her, but had called off the affair three years earlier. So she lived her life until her brother Luca, who willful and decadent offered his share of Saverio to Olivier through Olivier’s son, Max, who was a dissolute as Luca. Things escalated from there, on all fronts.

Wonderful characters, all, and well-drawn, even the not-so-great ones. There is too much to go into so you must read this yourself. Cosima is very set in her ways, despite being only 38. Her friendship with Olivier helps break her out of her rut. Her sister falls in love and it is a cause for celebration. Luca and Max get caught for their misdeeds and spend some time in prison. There is a clear plot here was well as several love stoies, well thought out by Steel as always. It is a feel-good novel but it has so much more depth than that. I loved it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Palazzo by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #DanielleSteel #Palazzo

Danielle Steel does it again with the beautiful story of a family who has made themselves their own "handbag empire"...think Hermes. Typically, Steel takes us along the Rue's of Paris. This time, the story is set in Italy. From Rome to Venice to .... "of course" Paris (she had to get it in there) we follow along with the trials and tribulations of the Saverio family. I enjoyed this book. I felt like it was a little different than her others where the story was built upon and grew from there. Some of her books tend to move along at a slower pace and then...BAM...the story wraps up with the introduction of new characters and twist and turns, all within the final few chapters.

Danielle Steel once again presents a well developed story of a family’s tragedies and love. Palazzo is a very readable, engaging and interesting novel.

This was a really nice story. Italian Female protagonist who suffers loss from family and love. Finds new love while trying to keep her family, business and home together. Nice locals and mostly likeable characters. A genuine relaxing read. The ending was a little abrupt I felt it could have go on a little further in a few different ways.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Ballantine, Delacorte Press and the Author Danielle Steel for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing! It even had me emotional several times. Such an amazing story and cast of characters. I felt like I took a trip to Venice, Rome and Paris. I literally could not put it down!

I was enchanted by the descriptive scenes of Rome and Italy in Palazzo, as well as the enticing tease of the high end purses, clothes, and fabrics described in detail throughout the book. I appreciated the background on how Cosima’s business was being expanded and built, and of course loved the focus on family, the unique characters, and complex relationships that is typical of Steel’s novels. Cosima has a strong mature personality and profile, and I commend her role in all aspects of her personal and professional life, which were heavily entwined. She had a lot to juggle and make decisions on, with more and more obstacles being thrown her way in the process. Exciting and interesting read.

I have been a Danielle Steele reader for more years than I can count... forty-plus. I am amazed at her ability to continue to tell good stories and find new heroines. Cosimo, the star of this story is one of those. She heads her family's business. She also is burdened with a younger brother who is troublesome, to say the least. The family business has kept her from establishing romantic relationships. She does, of course, in the book find an unexpected friend. Her world collides and she is faced with the possibility of losing the family home due to her brother's life choices. Of course, she prevails but the journey to getting there is what makes Steele's books so enduring. This one is a well-told story of love and picking up the pieces. Thanks to #NetGalley#Palazzo for the opportunity to read and review this latest of Steele's books.

Great story about family and loyalty. I couldn't put down my Kindle once I started reading.

Cosima Saverio is left with no choice but to drop out of her last year of law school when her parents are killed in a boating accident. She becomes the head of her family's haute couture Italian leather company at just 23 years old. Their family's famous leather company is as exclusive and expensive as Hermes, their biggest competitor. Cosima becomes parents to her 18 year old brother, Luca, and her 14 year old sister, Allegra, who was the only survivor of the accident. Cosima nurses Allegra back to health, she's disabled and confined to a wheelchair after her spine was damaged. Luca, who never cared nor wanted to be a part of the business, drops out of college and becomes a playboy.

When Cosima realizes that her father spent more money than he made, she begins to tighten things financially, everywhere. The kids were left with equal shares of the business, and the 600 year old Palazzo they were all born and raised in. With just the two stores they own, one in Venice, the other in Rome, carrying their exclusive leather products. Their customers wait patiently for months for their orders to be made. Because if it's a Saverio piece, its one of a kind. Cosima and eventually Allegra, are the only ones who care about the business. Luca loves to gamble, knowing that his sister will pay off his debts, so he never worries about anyone but himself. Allegra is an incredible designer, but Cosima is adamant about keeping to her grandfather's vision; no changes.

Luca hates having to ask his sister for money all the time, he just wants to be rich without doing any work. So when he meets a Frenchman at a casino around his age, Max, Luca decides to sell his shares of the business to him. Max's father, Olivier, is also in the retail industry, only nothing like Saverio's. Coincidentally, Olivier had just met Cosima the weekend before at a party thrown by his American buyers and he was enamored by her. When he finds out what Luca is trying to do with his son behind Cosima's back, he calls her immediately to arrange a meeting to warn her. As a result, Cosima makes it impossible for Luca to sell to anyone other than his sisters.

When Luca loses $200,000 Euros in the casino, Cosima is left having to come up with the money to protect her selfish brother. They are currently renting out the Palazzo to American's for a big sum, but with Luca's latest stunt, Cosima is forced to sell their beloved family home. But Luca's greed knows no bounds and he does the unthinkable; burning down their own home for the insurance money.

When the police get involved, both Luca and Max are nowhere to be found and Cosima is under investigation. But Luca screws up when he gets drunk at a casino and brags about what he did.

With her name finally cleared, both Allegra and Cosima turn their back on Luca when he ends up in prison. He will never change and its time for him to grow up.

Olivier wants more with Cosima, in business and in love. She's spent the past 15 years devoted to her family and the business. Can she give him more?

A must read!

Palazzo is a terrific story of a family, with Cosima facing her loyalties and making hard choices; to keep the business safe; as well as recognizing her feelings for Olivier. Palazzo was a wonderful story of family, love, family issues, tragedy and success. Danielle Steel once again gives us another fantastic read. I also loved the wonderful background of seeing Venice, Rome and Paris. Very enjoyable read.

I have not read a Danielle Steele novel in quite some time. This novel really pulled at your heart and shows the struggles even wealthy people have to go through, though I cannot understand how someone could even stomach writing a character like Luca—I guess there are real entitled self centered people like him in the world and also pushovers like Cosimo. I don’t care how wealthy I am—if I had a continuous screw up for a brother enough would have been enough WAYYYYY sooner. However….the location filled with history is amazing. Venice is on my bucket list so this novel really turned me into an armchair traveler! The books plot seemed slightly rushed towards the end but in true DS fashion ended perfectly!

WOW! What a story of family drama! I love when stories are set in Italy! Especially Rome & Venice, and even Paris!

This story begins with The Saverio family, who has owned a designer leather handbag business for generations. Unfortunately, tragedy has struck the Saverio family. Cosima, who is the eldest child inherits the family business after her parents were killed in a boating accident. It also left her youngest sister, Allegra with a spinal cord injury and now in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Then there is Luca, the rebel of the family who never worked a day in his life. He is solely living off his share of the business and lives his life going to wild parties, fast women and is also a big gambler.

Throughout the story there are obstacles to overcome and of course there are love interests such as Oliver Bayard who meets Cosima at the Serverio Palazzo in Venice. Oliver is a business owner of one of the very prestigious handbag companies in France.

As I was reading the story about Oliver and Cosima unfold I really appreciated how they overcame their separate problems. More importantly, they never blamed each other and were very supportive of each other.

I found this story hard to put down. It was moving, filled with drama, trials and tragedies, romance, and new beginnings. Highly recommend! You won't be disappointed!

Many thanks to Net Galley, the author, and Random House Publishing Group-Ballatine for the ARC opportunity.

Palazzo is the story of the Saverio family - Cosima, Aurora, and Luca. After their parents' untimely passing, they inherited the family business with Cosima being the head of the business and family. At the age of 23, she is responsible for her younger siblings, one of whom is out of control and the other other a talented designer.

After many years married to the business, Cosima has kept the business afloat, yet is met with constant trouble from her brother, Luca, who lives and acts like a wealthy playboy. Luca loves to gamble and has always been saved by Cosima.

Enter Olivier Bayard, a successful business man from Paris. He, too, has a son who lives lavishly and recklessly. Luca and Olivier's sons cross path in Italy. Ironically, so too, do Olivier and Cosima.

Cosima and her siblings inherited her family's palazzo when her parents passed and it's jeopardized by Luca's gambling. To pay off his gambling debts, Cosima is forced to sell her family's palazzo. The buyer is shrouded in mystery.

Olivier and Cosima must deal with the gambling issues and in turn, become business partners with Aurora designing handbags for both businesses.

Palazzo transports the reader to Venice, Rome, and Paris, typical romantic locales found in a Danielle Steel novel. It's a story of perseverance, taking risks, and finding love in unexpected places. I especially enjoyed Aurora's story line.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. #NetGalley #Palazzo

Palazzo is the newest Danielle Steel novel. Set in Venice with time in Rome and Paris it's a fun read. Palazzo is the story of Cosima the eldest daughter who upon her parent's death takes over the running of her family business. Of course there are obstacles to overcome and of course there are love interests who present themselves. Cosima is a bit more complex than the typical Steel heroine and I appreciated some of the story twists. All in all it was a pleasant read and fans of Danielle Steel will enjoy it.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Palazzo is on sale today.

Cosimo Saverio is the head of the family’s store in Rome called Saverio Leathers, which sells the finest leather goods in Italy and all of Europe. The family home, the Palazzo Saverio, is in Venice where they have a sister store.

Cosimo’s parents were killed in a speedboat accident that left her younger sister, Allegra, severely burned and with a spinal cord injury. After months in the hospital, she is now confined to a wheelchair. However, she has become a talented designer for the family’s store. They have a younger brother, Luca, who has no interest in the family business. He just wants his share of the profits so he can party and gamble. His gambling has gotten worse which leaves Cosimo trying to find the money to bail him out.

At a soiree at the Palazzo, Cosimo meets Olivier Bayard from Paris who owns a very successful handbag company in France. Of course, they are not as precisely created as the leather ones at Saverio. But he is a pleasant man and he admires all that she is doing.

As this story develops, we see more strains that Cosima must endure and the fracture of her family. But she perseveres through it all. Such a good book here and once again, Danielle Steel has written a magnificent book of strength, love and family. Don’t miss it!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I think I will always read Danielle Steel books, they are great stories and quick, easy reads. This one is no different, great characters that Ms. Steel takes time to build. I'm not big on the fashion industry, but this is a glimpse into that universe that is all I need. Yet another strong female that doesn't need a man in her life to be happy, but eventually realizes that he fulfills her. There's always some predictability in Danielle Steel books, but it's comforting to know that it will be that way before you even start reading the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

I really enjoyed this story which took place in Italy and France. Watching the story of Cosima and Olivier unfold, seeing how they dealt with their separate problems without blaming the other was very refreshing. Seeing the Palazzo through the eyes of the writer was amazing. Danielle Steel brought us another story that was hard to put down. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this book we are taken to Italy where we meet Cosima Saverio who, at the age of twenty-three, takes over the family business as well raising her two younger siblings. To keep everything within the family, Cosima has to work hard and face some challenges along the way.

This was a great story to read and had a fantastic ending.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the amazing author for my ARC.

After losing her parents at the age of 23 to tragedy, Cosima is forced to take control of their famous Italian Couture brand. For years Cosima navigates the life she has been thrown into, being a business owner, a mother to her siblings, and everything else in between. Her needs are never first and finally when she thinks its time to put herself first tragedy will strike again.

I’ve forgotten just how much I miss Steels writing.
After reading her newest title I know why I enjoy her books so much!
Palazzo by Danielle Steel is an absolute treasure!
This book was character driven, with a compelling storyline/plot.
Her characters you connect to so easily, they are engaging and brought the story to life on each page.
Another well-written read with great storytelling to boot. A tale of family roots, ruin, and renewal.
The characters were diverse and enjoyable.
I love how she always pulls you into her stories right from the first page.
The author makes you feel as if you are right there experiencing this story.
Once again Steele always seems to write the most perfect stories and this was another one.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Delacorte Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!