Prosecco and Promises

Uh, what a refreshingly beautiful novel to read in this bleak January we're currently experiencing. I really enjoyed this novel.

The cover in itself is very beautiful and colourful but doesn't give much away so I was so intrigued when this popped up in my inbox so decided to give it a go! And I'm so pleased that I did. There's something so enjoyable and fun about it. Even though I hadn't read the first one in the Martini Club series, it was so easy to read as a standalone, as this story was concentrating on a different main character than the first. Although this book and the first have character cross-overs, it wasn't confusing and it was nice to read about the characters in this book.

I did find the storyline regarding Mia's dad terribly upsetting though. So I might have got a bit teary on a few occasions! But other than that the book was a great read. I loved the fact that we are so similar to Mia in this book. Mia and the reader are both meeting her mum's side of the family with fresh eyes, where she doesn't know them and I think that shows her vulnerable side, making Mia easy to relate to.

However, the storyline was interesting and I absolutely loved the setting. It had me wishing for warmer weather and a pool to dip my feet in whilst reading it. It was heartwarming and emotional all at once. It had a great pace and I found myself smiling at parts. All the characters I found really welcoming and it was like I was there as part of the long-lost family.

One thing that I enjoyed about this novel is that it's heartwarming and enjoyable but there's also the emotional and heart-wrenching side too, with a bit of a deeper storyline. This added so much depth and I think that's what swung it for me! The characters were all lovely, I loved the location and found myself relating to main character Mia. So overall, I really ended up enjoying this novel. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Mia is sent to the island of Ischia by her father, so she is not at home during his last days of cancer. Whilst there she re-connects with her mothers family and falls for local Salvatore. Both are hiding something so what will happen when Mia has to return home?

Having visited both Naples and Ischia I enjoyed his book even more as it reminded me of my holidays in the sun!

A beautiful inspiring love story that tugs at the heart strings. A most enjoyable read.

​This was an interesting book, lighthearted in parts, but with a much sadder story behind it. I loved the first book in this series so was looking forward to this one, even though this was a stand-alone novel and you really didn't need to have read the first one.

Mia has travelled to the Italian island of Ischia to reconnect with her Mother's relatives who she hasn't seen since she was a child. The only reason she is here is because her Father has asked her to go. He is dying from cancer and doesn't want her to be there at the end, he wants her to reconnect with family so she has someone around after he's gone, as her Mother passed away a long time ago. So they've said their last goodbye and Mia jets off to Ischia and meets her relatives.

Most are very welcoming and friendly, her cousin especially was lovely and outgoing, although her grandmother is very distant. Mia doesn't really understand why, but it is explained towards the end of the story.

Whilst there she bumps into Antonio who owns an old store full of dusty antiques. His grandson, Salvatore, is home on the island after supposedly a bad relationship break-up and is trying to persuade him to sell. They don't need the money as they also have a vineyard, but Antonio keeps the shop open because his dead wife loved it.

Salvatore irritated me at first. He was really cranky and rude, I just couldn't warm to him
​, but once he started working on getting the shop back in order with Mia he softened and became much better. Mia was quite an abrasive character too, so they definitely made sparks fly between them! Mia and Salvatore started getting closer whilst they were working on the shop though and everything became more laid back with a real holiday vibe to the story.

Towards the end a slight disaster happened on the island and emotions were running high and lots of unresolved things were resolved - hard to explain without spoiling the story!

Then unfortunately the inevitable happened and Mia went back home, for a while, for her Father's funeral and there were more surprises in store there with her arch enemy stepmother, but lots more things got resolved, with some amusing moments.

So really the beginning was quite sad, the middle was lighthearted, and the end was very emotional. I really grew to love both Mia and Salvatore by the end. It certainly wasn't a boring book, and we revisited the Martini Club from the first book too. I really hope we get to hear Bel's story in the next book, Martinis & Memories, the owner of the Martini Club, as she's now been in both books and seems a really fascinating character.

I had not read the first in the Martini Club books, but thought this book was just incredible as a stand alone - though I’ll definitely be adding the others to my to read list!

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley & I just loved it. Mia was a thoroughly developed main character torn between her sadness of a dying father, and a family she doesn’t know. From her blunt & bold personality to her want to get into the history of everything, I really felt for her and her storyline.

Great read that I would recommend!

While this appears to be an easy read chick lit book, there is a bit more to it and could trigger people's emotions depending on their personal circumstances. Mia has been sent by her dad to Ischia, an Italian island, to stay with her mother's family. Mia's dad is in the final stages of a terminal illness and wants to spare her from his dying days.. Her mother died when Mia was very young and it's always been the two of them. Until her dad married the much younger Marjorie. Mia can be a bit "spoilt childlike" around Marjorie, but they are actually a support network for each other. We enjoy the story as Mia gets to know her family on her mother's side and we see her becoming less spiky as time goes on. We wonder why her grandmother is so off with her, and we watch as she is embraced by the noisy Italians she grows to love. There are adventures to be had on the island, and we watch as Mia opens up and realises why her dad has sent her away. An enjoyable, easy read.

Having lost my own father two years ago, this book was very emotionally charged for me as Mia is sent away to Ischia by her dying father so that she won't be there at the end. This makes the book stand out as something different from the usual chick-lit fare and wasn't at all what I was expecting from the title. It's quite cathartic but I couldn't have read a book like this until recently. I loved the sense of place and the characters but it did feel as if there was a big black cloud hanging over the prose, despite the happy ending. Mia's crazy Italian family bring the story to life and I enjoyed watching Mia's relationship with Salvatore. I also like the way that her step-mother wasn't quite what Mia had thought either. An interesting and poignant read.

This was a sweet story about the importance of family, finding who you want to be and how you want to live, while also sharing a fun love story or two! The characters were enjoyable, the plot moved quickly, and this was a feel good read perfect for a summer day at the beach!

This was a sweet insightful story. It’s about grief, raw feelings, family loyalty and keeping promises.

Mia lost her Mother, and when young was taken to Italy by her Father to visit the Italian family and her mother’s heritage.

Now that she’s older, this time she is returning to Italy, to her mothers Italian family to fulfill her fathers dying wish. It’s painful to leave him behind weakening each day dying from cancer. His secound wife is not much older than Mia.

She’s had to break all ties, not ring, not write to her father.

Can you imagine that?

When she returns to Ishcia among her mothers family she gets a warm welcome. Apart from her Mothers, Mother. Is it because she doesn’t want her there that her Grandmother doesn’t speak to her, or is it because of language barrier or something else?

Mia revisits a store which she remembers from the first time she was there. Is that man the owner still alive?

We travel with Mia through her grief, through her emotions, finding love in the most unexpected place. Her highs, her lows and the loss of one half of her family with the gain of the other.

I read this in one sitting. An easy flowing read that you will adore.

Thank you Canelo via Net Galley for my copy

OH MY WORD - what an emotional rollercoaster! This book grabbed me from its opening chapter and by the end of chapter two I was sobbing. A lovely tale of relationships, romance, heartache, families, grief but with a good dollop of fun and laughter too. All set on a idyllic Italian island. I have to say that from my experience, having lived in Italy, the level of English spoken in a small village was quite surprising but that maybe because I live in a rural area and this is set in a tourist spot. However, it did not detract from the story. Heart wrenching in parts - you will definitely need your tissues - but easy to read - I read it in just one day. It was lovely to see the relationship developing between Mia and her nonna and though the ending was somewhat predictable, it was what I was rooting for nevertheless. A great read.

This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being Cocktails and Dreams, which I adored, and this book didn't disappoint either. It is nice to have read the first book but this book can easily be read as a standalone too.

Mia finds herself in a terrible position - her father is dying and yet he has asked her to leave the UK and go to Italy, to reconnect with her mother's family. She is not to return until he passes away. This leaves her in a quandary, of course, but she respects her father's wishes and goes to Italy. She gets to know her family a little better - her cousin Nikki, her aunt Allegra, her silent Nonna....and of course Salvatore, who is the grandson of Antonio, a man who was kind to her when she was a child. Salvatore, however, is not kind at all; he is rude, dismissive and judgemental.

I could have guessed at the general plot early on, but it speaks to the author's skill that it is all the relationships in this book which really sing. The whole book is about love: love for family in all its forms, love for friends, love of country and all that entails. Despite all of this, this is not a soppy book at all; it is poignant, emotional, funny in parts and just generally a great read!

Highly recommended read from me. 4.5 stars :)

Thank you to THE Book Club and NetGalley as well as Canelo. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

What a lovely book to read.
Mia is a strong, sassy lady who is sent away by her father to wait for the sad news, and is enveloped into her Italian family with almost loving arms. Old memories propel her to visit the antiques shop on the hill, where she meets Salvatore, grandson of the owner. Friendship, a need for her mother's memories and for something to do to keep her mind from back home, the shop brings them together. But can they survive the turmoil that is going on in Mia's mind and heart?

I did not think I would enjoy this book, not my usual genre I thought, well I loved it. It is set in Ischia, the author describes the Island beautifully. The warmth of the Italian family and the wonderful relationships. I really this book.

Much more depth to this book than you'd think from the cover. Mia is sent to her late mother's family in Ischia in accordance with her father's dying wish so that she avoids his final decline.

Whilst you'd expect this book to be somewhat morbid or saccharine, it's anything but with a raucous Italian family thrown into the mix.

Some rather typical Italian stereotypes surround Mia's journey of discovery but they add to the warmth and bittersweet joy of the book. Be prepared to need tissues -- there are some sad moments.

Life affirming, heartfelt and emotional, this book is a giant bear hug with a great cast of supporting friends and family.

5* took me by surprise, a quick read but great for a change of pace

A brilliant story that keeps you engaged from the first page. The settings are described so well that you can picture it in your mind. Considering this was spread over different countries it was so easy to follow because the writing is superb.
Mia has to come to terms with a lot of things in her life and adapt to the changes they bring, will she survive? I will be looking out for more from this author in the future.

Mia's story is a good one, showing off the island of Ischia beautifully. This is not just a romance, it is a young woman learning to put herself first and take a tender step into a new life.

There is enough realism and heartbreak in this book not to make it too sweet, and happiness counts for more somehow when it follows sadness. For me, I would have liked to see Mia mix with more than the few folk that she did on the island. I thought the storyline was just a tad predictable given the limited characters but none the less enjoyable.

There is no doubt this novel has a wonderful setting, and there is plenty of tourist information included, both about Ischia and a slice of Naples. It is a good read.

My thanks to publishers Canelo for accepting my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Mia is giving up on love; she lost her mother when she was just a child and can hardly remember her. Now, she is losing her precious father, who has always been there for her. Determined to be strong and stay with him to the end, he makes her promise to visit her mother’s home and meet her maternal family while he lives out his remaining days without her.
Anger is Mia’s dominant emotion; she’s furious with her father, her young step mum and most of all herself. Italy proves to be just what she needs, but there is a great deal of angst, poignant discovery and forgiveness to be lived through before Mia appreciates this.
I love Mia she is such a beautiful mess, full of fear, guilt, self-reproach and the need to belong. She’s afraid to love, believing she will only experience the pain of losing again, Mia doesn’t feel she’s worth loving and so pushes everyone away. Her maternal family are loud and loving, and they slowly get under her skin. Mia learns about her mother and finally feels that she has roots. As her new family relive their memories of her mother, Mia begins to heal, and when her father dies, she finds that life does go on, even though she is devastated.
Meeting Salvatore is unexpected, and it’s not love at first sight, he is rude, and she is angry, but when they find a common goal, they each see something they like in the other and sparks of a different sort begin to glow. The love story is gentle and realistic and lovely to read. A thoughtful, memorable story which is perfectly paced and hard to put down.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was beautifully written and was a lovely light hearted read. Thank you Netgalley and Canelo for giving me the chance to read this book

Mia has been sent away by her dying father in his last few weeks of life, she is angry and petulant about this but start to mellow and open up to her wonderful Italian family, she wanders into an old antique shop she remembers visiting as a girl and meets Salvatore a young Italian man just back from America nirturing a broken heart. A fantasy feel good read you will want to read again and again.

Martini Club #2. Mia's mother died when she was just a child and her dad has been her best friend and her idol. The cancer he survived years ago is back, and this time there is no fighting it. Her dads last request is for Mia to leave him and visit her mother's family on the island of Ischia so that she does not have to be there at the end. Mia is embreced by the warm, crazy fa ily she doesn't know. Mia desperately looks for a connection she never knew.

This is the first book I have read by this author. Normally I would read this type of book in a day but I have had a lot of personal things going on. This is a beautifully written book that emotional (so have tissues handy). A story about love, loss and family support. I'm glad this book has a happy ending.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Canelo and the author A. L. Michael for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a light, sunny read to warm you up on a cold winters day. or a nice beach read for your summer holidays, then look no further. Prosecco and Promises is a lovely story about falling in love, family relationships and loss. It is a well written enjoyable read and I recommend it!

Rating 4.5/5

This book was wonderful. It was great to get to know Mia after meeting her in Cocktails and Dreams, she was the one to tell it like it is in that book but in Prosecco and Promises, you see that there is a lot more to her. She has such a strong facade and it was really interesting how she handles being sent away and having to actually deal with the things that have happened to her.

I actually found this book really emotional, there were times that I was reduced to tears, but also strangely very uplifting, Mia’s excitement over exploring the history of the island and the treasures in the shop reached out to me and gave me that happy glow when you feel passionate about something.

It was nice to have that balance and it really added a lot of depth to the story that I wouldn’t have maybe picked up on from looking at the cover or reading the blurb.

Mia and Salvatore were amazing together, this wasn’t an instant spark and they were besotted this was more of a slow burn, an enjoyment of spending time together, that felt so natural. I loved the coffee and its symbolism! (you’ll just have to read it if you want to know what that means!)

The setting of Ischia was fantastic, I definitely wanted to be transported there and could even convince myself that I could feel the warmth even though it was wintery outside. Of course, the loud Italian family that go with it were also lovely to hear about, it was nice getting a lot of Mia’s background this way.

In the same vein as the first book there were a lot of yummy food references and also some tasty sounding drinks, I think I will definitely be giving the cocktail recipe a try.

It was nice to hear from Savvy, Jacques and Bel, who featured in Cocktails and Dreams, but you don’t really need to have read that to enjoy this one, although it is also a really good book!

Prosecco and Promises is a lovely story, with a fabulous setting and a wonderful bunch of characters and manages to pull off an emotional but hopeful tone. This is a story that you can easily get wrapped up in and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I enjoyed this book so much! The characters were so well written, I was there with them. I could absolutely visualise Ischia, and Naples. I have not read any books by A L Michael before, but I will certainly be looking for them from now on.

Mia is a bad-tempered, grouchy person who makes every effort to keep the world away. But there is a sad reason for this. Her Italian mother died in an accident when she was a little girl, and she was bought up by her father. In her teens her father had cancer, and was expected to die, and he became the focus of her life. He got better, then to her horror he married a young woman, not much older than her. She lived at home with them, but hated her stepmother, and made her life as difficult as she could. Then her father's cancer came back. When he knew there was no hope, which is the start of this book, he sends her away, to go and stay with her Italian family in Ischia. He wants to ensure that her memories of him are not distorted by sad thoughts of his dying, and he also wants her to know her family, as she has only met them once, just after her mother died. She finds it very painful to leave him, and takes her distress and anger out on the world!

When she arrives in Ischia she finds it difficult, as she has never learned to speak Italian. Her cousin Nikki meets her at Naples airport, and soon they are at home, across the bay in Ischia, and Mia meets her aunt Allegra, and her Nonna (grandmother), and the rest of a large extended family. Allegra welcomes her, but her grandmother just glares, and refuses to speak with her. The reasons for this are gradually disclosed as the story opens out. Mia goes out for a wander round, and comes across a little antique ship that she remembers going in when she came to Ischia as a young girl, and the owner had been kind to her. She goes in to look around, and is met by a sulky young man who is every bit as grumpy and bad-tempered as she is.

Salvatore is the grandson of the shop owner, Antonio, who remembers Mia very well, for reasons that are part of the family story. The shop is not making money, and Salvatore is insisting his grandfather sells it. The relationship between Salvatore and Mia thaws a little, and they decide to spend time sorting the shop out, Mia explains how they can try and make it profitable again. Of course spending time together deepens their relationship, but they are both there for reasons that mean they won't stay, so they try not to get too emotionally involved.

The inevitable happens, and Mia has to return to England for her father's funeral. It giver her time to look at her life and decide what she wants from it. She has spent too long caring for her father and placing her dreams on hold. The story continues to the happy endings that were meant to be. There are lots of happy moments in the book, and a few sad points, where tissues are required; and one or two places where you might find yourself laughing and crying at the same time, not least when Mia and her Nonna finally start talking to each other, albeit through their translator Allegra.

All in all, a lovely, gentle story very well written and filled with all sorts of emotion. It has more than one happy ending, and the aah! factor is very strong. Read it, you will enjoy this unputdownable book.

The setting of this book, the Italian Island of Ischia, caught my eye as I had been there a few years ago whilst on holiday near Sorrento. It is a beautiful island and somewhere I would happily visit again. Like to know more? a Guide to Ischia. (Link on blog: The setting of this book, the Italian Island of Ischia, caught my eye as I had been there a few years ago whilst on holiday near Sorrento. It is a beautiful island and somewhere I would happily visit again. Like to know more? a Guide to Ischia. Link can be found on blog: https://lovebooksreadbooks.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/prosecco-and-promises-martini-club-book-2-by-a-l-michael/

Mia is sent to Ischia by her father as he nears the end of his life when the cancer he once survived returns. She feels she has to honour his last request to her but is not happy to be sent to family she barely knows having only met them once before, shortly after her mother’s death, when she was a child. Only one member of the family - her mothers sister - knows why she is visiting.

There is a lot about loss. The loss of her mother, the imminent loss of her father, the loss of her dream to become an archaeologist. We see how she misses Savvy, her closest friend, who has moved away; how she misses Jacques, who is back in London, whilst on Ischia. We see that Mia seems no longer to be herself she is angry, yes, sad and somewhat thoughtless but then as time on Ischia goes by things change. She meets Antonio, who knows quite a bit about her mother, and his grandson Salvatore, she gets to know her Italian family, she finds her love of antiquities is rekindling her passion for archeology. And then there’s Salvatore. And then she makes some life-changing decisions. A story of loss, yes, but also of finding, of hope and of new beginnings - a gift from a father to his daughter.

A well written book with a wonderfully light hand allowing what could have been a torrid read to become softer, understanding that life goes on around you even through the sad times, that you can have happy times in the midst of the bad and that is OK.

Also, it reminded me of a wonderful holiday filled with happy memories.

Rating: 3.5*

With thanks to Canelo via NetGalley for an eARC in return fo an honest opinion.

Prosecco and Promises is a lovely story of love and loss and new beginnings .Set on the Italian Island of Ischia I really felt immersed in the Italian atmosphere and lifestyle .I very much liked the characters some made me laugh with their antics .This book had a lovely heart warming feel about it ,I thoroughly enjoyed it even though the ending had me in tears .!!! Fabulous !!!!

This is a lovely summer read just right for the beach but equally great beside a roaring log fire. It radiates warmth from its very first page.
It is one of those books that you just can’t put down Infact I read it in just one day.
It is one of those books that make you feel it’s great to be alive

Mia’s mum died, when she was a child. Her dad has been her idol and best friend ever since. However, the cancer is back and he hasn’t got much time left. It’s his wish for Mia to go to Italy to see her family.

She goes to Ischia for her father, to a family she doesn’t know. And of course there is always the fear of him dying in her head as well.

She finally has the possibility to go back to her routes and discover a part of her mum. She gets to know her family and also the attractive Salvatore. Their chemistry is great and they way their relationship a developed added a lot to to the storyline.

I really liked the plot and the way it flowed. It has a lot of depth and it’s full of emotions. There are sad parts in the story, but also happy moments. A.L. Michael captured them all beautifully.

I absolutely adore the setting of this book and the way the author described it.

Another part I really liked, was the way Mia’s relationship to her step mother changed.

Rating: 4.5/5

his is a sunny read but oh there are some really emotional parts! Imagine going back to where your mother is from, now that she’s dead and your father has asked you to go back - and he’s on his death bed? Oh I really felt sad as I started to read, so many emotions bubbling up inside. However the novel really shines through especially with the luscious locations and the hope and happiness which comes from the story.

If you’ve lost anyone close - especially a parent - the emotional journey Mia will take will really resonate with you. Finding yourself back to a home you barely know and one member of thee family seemingly against you.

I really enjoyed the journey over to Naples - the sights and history of this place were really neatly explored. Ischia now is also somewhere I really have to go. The sights, sounds and smells not to mention the food and the icecream...there’s just so much to this novel to enjoy and to lift the spirits. It’s a nice backdrop to an emotional story. Seeing the island through the eyes of Mia on this emotional journey is simply lovely.

The journey back to finding out about the past was what’s really shone for me - the history of the island, the journey to Mia’s past and what it all means for the future.

A warm cuddle of a book when it’s raining outside.

I started to read this book whilst being stuck at work. Within minutes I was in tears although I think that has more to do with the fact that this book felt so very personal.

When Mia was young, her Italian mother died and her father took her to Italy, to the island where her mother had grown up and to meet her Italian family. 

Now, Mia is returning to the island but this time it's because her father is dying and he doesn't want her to be around for the end.  It's his dying wish. He wants Mia to say goodbye to him while he is still alive and not contact him at all.  Nothing. No letters, no emails, no text messages and certainly no phone calls.   Mia of course agrees to this.  How can you say no really, when it's what the other person really wants? 

So off she goes.  Nobody on the island knows the reason for Mia going back other than her aunt and that's how Mia wants it.  She doesn't want peoples pity. 

The feelings that Mia has are far too real. For me anyway but they're not in anyway over the top.  

A fantastic storyline with characters that I am actually interested in.  A true voyage of love, loss and everything in between. 

An absolute pleasure to read. 

Thank you Canelo and  Netgalley for my copy of Prosecco and Promises in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this on NetGalley, and read that it was recommended for those who liked authors such as Lindsey Kelk , I requested it straight away. I was not disappointed. In fact, I held onto every word if this book! Prosecco and Promises is not the first book by A.L. Michael I had heard of. I also have the first book in the series.


28 year old Mia has lived without her mother by her side since she was little. When her dad's cancer is back she's faced with him needing to talk to her about his dying wish. He wants her to go and visit her extended family so she can learn more about them and her mother's life.

They aren't just down the road, though. And so it is that she finds herself boarding a plane to the Italian island of Ischia, where her mother grew up and where her parents met. Promises and Prosecco is a real journey of love. loss and self-discovery that captured my heart.

I loved Mia's cousin Nikki's loud, proud and funny personality and felt she was the perfect cousin. Her mother, (and Mia's aunt) Allegra, was very welcoming and homely. Then, there's Nonna, a woman who at first won't acknowledge Mia. Will things change between Mia and her?

Salvatore, who seems offish at the start isn't sure about Mia. Will love bloom for them?

His grandfather and the legacy of the shop were interesting additions to the story and put a historical touch into the story. Mia is fanatical about archaeology, but I loved how the whole story was a discovery of a different kind.

Deeply moving and personal, I couldn't stop listening to, or thinking about this book even long after I had finished it. The memories peppered here and there of Mia's experience as a young child on family holidays to the island, of ice cream and trips to various places or of just being with family. And the compass Salvatore's grandfather gave her......

I loved that through it all, Savvy, her best friend from back home in London, was there for her when needed. The book is so emotionally charged and action-packed that I felt so much at once while listening to it on my iPad. Happiness, sadness hope surprise suriosity, it was all there. That's what makes an excellent book for me.

Prosecco and Promises is an amazing tale of feeling loss and of finding yourself again. It's about the lengths some people go to to keep a family together. It's about finding support in the most unexpected people and places.

The book has the perfect pace and I really felt as a reader like I was accompanying Mia on her journey. The sights of Ischia are amazing, and the old shop and Allegra's house were beautifully described.

Thank you to A.L. Michael and Canelo for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.